Kartódromo de Castelo Branco

In Castelo Branco, in the Beira Baixa of east-central Portugal, the kartódromo run by the local Escuderia offers an outdoor layout, driven by the region's motorsport enthusiasts. People come to string together timed laps in an open setting, away from the big cities, on a track that hosts leisure outings as well as the club's competitions.

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 as well as seasoned drivers, and the club feel of the circuit gives the races a friendly dimension. As the offer and the hours change with the seasons and events, it is best to check before coming to learn the access terms.

Castelo Branco is the main town of the Beira Baixa, near the Spanish border, known for its Bishop's Palace garden, a fine baroque garden adorned with statues and clipped box. The town, crowned by the remains of its Templar castle, is a peaceful stop in a region of plains and heights. Nearby, the village of Monsanto, built among huge granite boulders, is among the most striking in the country. The olive trees and cork oaks of the Beira Baixa shape a landscape typical of the Portuguese interior, bathed in sun. Castelo Branco is reached by motorway from Lisbon or Coimbra.