Euroindy - Kartódromo da Batalha

In Batalha, in central Portugal, the Euroindy kartódromo welcomes families and racers to its outdoor track, at the wheel of Sodi karts of two hundred and seventy cubic centimetres with petrol engines. The venue offers free sessions without booking, group events and even junior competitions for nine- to fourteen-year-olds, enough to introduce the youngest to driving. People come to string together timed laps in open surroundings.

Karting stays open to everyone, no licence or experience needed: a briefing, a helmet, and off you go chasing your best lap. The format suits beginners giving it a try as well as more seasoned drivers, and the no-booking welcome makes spur-of-the-moment outings easy. The hours widen in summer, at the peak of the tourist season, so it pays to check before coming. People happily return to beat their time.

Batalha is a small town in central Portugal, famous for its fourteenth-century Gothic monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline art listed as UNESCO World Heritage. The region gathers several gems: Alcobaça and its abbey, Nazaré and its giant waves prized by surfers, and the caves of the nearby limestone massif. Batalha is easily reached by motorway from Lisbon or Coimbra, in a region rich in heritage.