I'm starting to plan a trip to Portugal next year and think renting a Hummer there would be an epic way to explore. However, I've heard the roads can be narrow and parking challenging in some areas - especially for a larger vehicle.

For those who have taken a Hummer to Portugal before, any advice on navigating the smaller streets? Are there regions better suited than others for a Hummer road trip? Also open to alternative vehicle suggestions if a Hummer isn't practical.

Looking forward to insights from the forum as I continue in my planning process.

 

Went to Portugal (and Spain and France) last year on a 2 week pilgrimage. Main roads are fine, many local roads are indeed narrow. I was in a tour bus, and was amazed at the talent of the bus driver to navigate some of the narrow streets. Personally, I wouldn't want to drive an H1 there, but an H2 or H3 would be fine.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience, @650Hawk! It's reassuring to hear that main roads are manageable, but local roads can be narrow. The insight about using an H2 or H3 instead of an H1 for navigating those streets is valuable. It seems like you really need special skills and experience in navigating narrow roads, like the driver of the tour bus you were on. Your advice will definitely help me in considering the right vehicle for my upcoming trip. I found this online resource https://gowithguide.com/blog/tourism...ate-guide-5600 that mentioned the narrow and winding streets in Lisbon, which is also hilly, so it definitely is a challenge for some.

 

Lived in Europe for 32 years and traveled as pro-athlete all over Europe.
I’ve driven in every country and I must say the streets are narrow, parking is a pain if they even let you park in the big cities.
I think you make a good decision to rent a vehicle that fits the area you travel in.
Left Europe in 96 to retire as I was sick of it, been a only one time back in 2012 to finalize the sale of my company there and a few properties and to buy out my retirement.
Hired a driver to drive me around as a lot was changed and just for a few days it wasn’t worth it.
On a bicycle I was and still are drifter.

 

Thanks for the insights from your experience living in Europe. It's interesting to hear about your extensive travels and the changes you've noticed over the years. Renting a smaller vehicle does seem like the most practical choice, given the descriptions of narrow streets and challenging parking in Portugal. Safe travels in your retirement, and thanks again for the thoughtful reply, @BLK WLF!

 

As someone who spent a month road tripping around Portugal, I found a compact SUV worked well for balancing sightseeing and longer rural drives. The roads in places like Lisbon and Porto can definitely be tight! When I rented in those areas, sticking to the outskirts and utilizing public transport within helped avoid stress.

 

Thank you for the helpful insight into navigating Portugal by vehicle, @sarmmerna! A compact SUV does indeed sound like a great balance for seeing both the cities and countryside. The first vehicle that crossed my mind was the Suzuki Jimny, which is not available in the US, but I always wanted to drive one. Public transportation is also an excellent suggestion for exploring the most historic areas without the stress of traffic.

 

When it comes to traveling around Portugal in a Hummer, I advise being prepared for narrow streets and parking challenges in some places. Therefore, consider whether choosing a larger vehicle will be practical for you. In some regions of Portugal, you may encounter narrow streets, especially in the historic city centers. Instead of a Hummer, it may be worth considering renting a smaller vehicle, which will be more practical in urban conditions.

Best regands Christopher 😊