Car rental in Qashqai

At the mouth of the Portuguese Tagus River, is the magical town Kashkaish, which is visited every summer by masses of established Lisboners, who want to change the atmosphere and rest a bit before returning to routine. Qashqai, which is not far away from Sintra, another resort town, is a resort town with spectacular beaches and clear waters, some of which are suitable for surfing at the highest levels in the world. The Portuguese royal family used to vacation in Qashqai at the beginning of the last century, and this glow, in the eyes of the Portuguese, has never faded. The Portuguese president spends the summer in a palace near the marina, while in the neighborhood of Estoril you can find a huge casino, for the benefit of gambling enthusiasts, and also a friendly soccer team, which sometimes hosts Portugal's biggest teams.

In Qashqai you can also find elegant parks, state mansions and a wonderful art museum inspired by Paula Rego. Qashqai is also considered a fishing town, with a beautiful center and many magical alleys where you can walk. Around Cascais there is a countryside with many small towns and spectacular views overlooking the Lisbon suburbs. You can take a field trip, or pass through Qashqai on your way to Sintra or other areas outside of Lisbon. To experience the experience in the best way, the priority is to rent a car and plow the whole area, so as not to miss anything.

How much does it cost us?

Car rental in Cascais is significantly cheaper than other regions in Portugal. A double private car with space for two suitcases will cost you less than 10 euros per day, not including fuel, and most standard vehicles are available for you at good prices of 20 to 30 euros per day. A family station wagon will cost you around 40 euros per day, and if you want to indulge and splurge with a luxury sports car, you can find ones for 50 to 60 euros per day. All prices are subject to a change of a few percentages depending on the period in which you order, the type of vehicle, its size, and of course the extras that you order from the rental company.

When to order?

As in any resort town, the busiest months in Qashqai are of course the summer months. People like to come to enjoy the sea and the warm weather, so when you want to rent a car, it's worth doing it as early as possible, and even right after booking the hotel and flight. Many people Rent a car in Lisbon and make the short trip to Qashqaish, but if you want to get to Qashqaish by shuttle, and from there take the car, this is something that can definitely be done. It is important to keep in touch with the rental companies before arriving in town, to make sure your car is reserved. Not all rental companies work in Qashqaish and the inventory of vehicles is quite limited, so try to talk to a representative, verify the reservation and armor, and maybe even get a discount.

A number of events are held in Qashqish every year that affect the traffic in the town. In March you can enjoy a chocolate market and the annual half marathon events. In April, a large tennis tournament of the ATP tour was held in Estoril and in May a large and well-publicized swimming challenge was held in the sea. In June a festival of Harley Davidson drivers is held there and in July there is a big jazz festival. In August there are several festive food and beer fairs and in October, the Lisbon Marathon begins with a jump in the town before continuing towards the capital city. In December, of course, you will enjoy the Christmas market and the end of the year celebrations, in the best Portuguese tradition. In addition, every match of Estoril against one of Portugal's biggest teams causes congestion around the local stadium. However, Qashqai is not a crowded or busy town, and most of the time, there are no traffic jams, except for the usual Monday morning and Thursday afternoon rushes.

Which car to choose?

In the case of a visit to Qashqai, the nature of the trip determines the type of vehicle that should be ordered. If you are planning to take a car just to visit Qashqaish, the priority is a small and compact private car, which will help you navigate the narrow and old roads, and also squeeze into closer parking lots. If you want to travel in the outskirts of Lisbon and the colorful towns in the area, you should of course take a bigger car, depending on the number of people and the amount of luggage. An SUV can be effective, but a large station wagon can also fulfill the requirement. Try to take a vehicle with a large interior space, and one that will not have difficulty going uphill in the mountainous area outside of Cascais and Sintra.

International driving license

All car rental companies in Qashqai require to see an international driver's license before giving tourists the keys to the car. It is very important to take all the relevant forms with you so as not to get stuck at the moment of delivery of the vehicle.

Driving and navigating the city

Driving in Qashqai is not particularly easy, as the infrastructure is old and dilapidated. There are no traffic jams, but you may find it difficult to navigate the narrow and unfriendly roads. It is important to remember that the drive from Lisbon to Cascais is relatively short, about half an hour, and if you want to jump to Sintra, it is a drive of about fifteen minutes. The intercity roads are comfortable and have access, while the roads within the city are slightly more congested. If you want to climb the mountains, you will find paved and comfortable roads, but even there, be careful, drive slowly and don't be shy to turn around if you feel you are lost. The locals will help you find your way around, but the priority is to park the car in a place relatively far from the center, and move forward on foot to soak up the atmosphere.

Parking in Porto

Parking problems in Qashqish are almost non-existent in most of the town, but when you get closer to the center, you will find fewer and fewer places to park your car. There are no paid parking lots, and you can always find free parking lots, although try not to enter the busy areas, certainly not when there are festivals or big events. Anyway, Qashqai is a great place to walk, and if you came from Lisbon, leave the car at the hotel and go for a walk. This is also true for people who want to hike in the mountains and forests. If you want to use a car within the town, take a small car, and avoid entering the busy areas.