With the camper to Portugal: the ultimate camper route + tips

I have been to Portugal a few times now with the camper and every time I am amazed at how nice it is here. Life here is a bit slower, you can drink an espresso with a pastel de nata for €1.50 on a local village square and there is - apart from the high season - a pleasant climate with many hours of sunshine in certain regions (such as the Algarve). In the morning I prefer to dive into the sea with a surfboard and in the afternoon I stroll through a charming village. When the sun slowly sets behind the horizon, you will always find me on a cliff or beach where I watch this spectacle. In the evening I cook in the camper or sit down at one of the trendy restaurants that can be found throughout the country. During a road trip through Portugal I completely relax in nature and recharge from the vibrant Portuguese cosiness.

Road trip through Portugal with a camper

The great thing about traveling with a camper is that you can completely determine your own pace and have the freedom to stay somewhere longer (or shorter) than you had planned. Do you want to lie on the beach for a day? Or would you rather take a walk along the rugged, hilly coastline? Do you spot a beautiful vineyard during your road trip? Change your plan and learn everything about wine from the winegrower. During your camper trip through Portugal, you can fill in every day completely yourself.

I travel with my self-built camper through Portugal, but for those who do not own their own camper, there are enough options to rent a camper. At the Dutch camper platform Goboony you rent a camper from local camper owners in Portugal. Or rent a camper from rental companies such as Roadsurfer or Indiecampers. Depending on the rental platform, there are different pick-up locations possible.

Toll roads in Portugal

It is important to know that there are toll roads in Portugal. Toll roads in Portugal are perfect for driving quickly from A to B, but the costs can also be high. Depending on your travel route, up to tens and even hundreds of euros. I advise you to avoid the toll roads. In addition to saving costs, this way you will also end up on the most photogenic routes, making your road trip much more adventurous. Do you prefer to travel on toll roads? Then read up on the rates and payment options in advance.

Tip: choose the option 'Avoid toll roads' via Google Maps. This way, the navigation will choose an extra beautiful route for you and you will not unexpectedly end up on the highway.

Camping in Portugal

Please note that wild camping is prohibited in Portugal. However, from my experience, wild camping is tolerated in a number of places, mainly in the low season. In various places in the country you will find parking lots full of campers, which the authorities turn a blind eye to as long as there is no rubbish or camping gear outside. You can find these places with reviews from other travellers via the park4night app. However, wild camping is still at your own risk, because you risk a fine or being sent away. 

In Portugal you will also find many nice campsites where you can stay overnight with your camper. My favorite campsites in Portugal are: Outbase Explorers , Salema Eco Camp, Oasis Camping Lagoa and Quinta do Monte Travesso.

Best time to travel with a camper in Portugal

The best time to travel through Portugal with a camper is in spring or autumn. In these seasons, it is less crowded with tourists and there is less chance that campsites or parking lots are full. In addition, the prices of renting a van are lower and campsites sometimes have lower rates. And the nice thing is that it is wonderfully sunny in these seasons, without it getting too hot like in the summer months. 

The best camper route through Portugal - from south to north

The Algarve: discover the southern coast of Portugal

The road trip starts in the southernmost province of Portugal: the Algarve. This coastal strip stretches from the west coast to Spain. Lovers of vibrant coastal towns will have a great time on a road trip along Faro, Albufeira, Portimâo and my personal favourite Lagos. Choose a centrally located city campsite so that you can easily walk into town from your camper. Do you have more time and do you also like to discover smaller, picturesque villages? Then also make a stop in Tavira, Olhâo, Aljezur and Sagres. This last place is not only my favourite because it has a good camper vibe , it is also a surfing paradise!

Do you love nature and walking? In the Algarve you will find many beautiful walking routes along the coast. I myself have walked the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail several times, a coastal route of six kilometers that runs from Praia da Marinha to Praia de Vale Centianes. Along the way you will come across the most beautiful bays, beaches and coastal villages. Lovers of long distances will get their heart's content with the Fishermen's Trail. This route starts in Lagos and follows the coastline for 226 kilometers to the province of Alentejo, with Sâo Torpes as its end point. You can also walk separate stages as a day hike.

The best road trip is in the western Algarve. Discover the rugged coastline full of high cliffs and vast beaches, drive through rolling green hills and stop in cozy villages such as Vila do Bispo, Aljezur and Odeceixe. From Lagos you first drive to the most southwestern point, Sagres, and from here you follow the road up through the Natural Park Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. Visit the most beautiful vast beaches such as Praia da Bordeira and Praia da Amoreira, here you park with the most beautiful view for a lunch or coffee stop in the camper.

• Nicest campsites: Outbase Explorers, Salema Eco Camp and Oasis Camping Lagoa
• Most beautiful beaches: Praia do Tonel (Sagres), Praia do Pinhão (Lagos), Praia da Amoreira
• Nicest coffee spots and restaurants: Laundry Lounge (Sagres), BARBOSA (Lagos), ROOTS (Aljezur), Cal (Praia da Arrifana)
• Best surf spots (for beginners): Praia da Mareta (Sagres), Praia da Arrifana

Alentejo

When you drive north from the Algarve, you will travel through the rolling countryside of the Alentejo province. This region is often skipped by travellers, but that is a great shame! Alentejo has many authentic villages, vineyards and is surprisingly green. Moreover, it is much quieter here than the (usually) busy coastline of the Algarve.

Start your road trip through Alentejo in Monchique, one of the most beautiful villages in Portugal. Due to its high location, the village is ideal for beautiful walks or bike rides. Zoom over winding roads through the vast hilly landscape and drive past olive trees and vineyards. Make a stop at an authentic wine farmer and taste the most delicious Portuguese wines.

Lisbon and surroundings

I am not a fan of visiting a large (capital) city with a camper. I prefer to do this during a city trip, without having to worry about your camper, parking and driving in a large city. If you still want to visit Lisbon, I recommend staying in the surrounding places such as Cascais or Costa de Caparica. From here you can easily travel to the center of Lisbon by public transport.

Stay in Cascais and visit the fairytale Sintra from here. Or grab your walking shoes and walk the Sintra Coastal Trail, a walking route over high cliffs while looking out over the most beautiful beaches such as Cabo de Roca, Praia da Ursa and picturesque Azenhas do Mar. Or stay overnight in Costa de Caparica, south of Lisbon, where there is a very relaxed beach vibe. It is a well-known surf spot for locals and from here you can easily drive to the hidden gem of this region: Serra da Arrábida nature park. Swim in clear blue water, walk over high, green cliffs or go on a discovery tour with a kayak.

• Most beautiful beaches: Praia da Ursa, Praia do Portinho da Arrábida
• Best surf spots (for beginners): Costa de Caparica

The coastline with surfing paradises Ericeira, Peniche & Nazaré

From Cascais you continue your road trip north to surf paradise Ericeira. This trendy coastal town has a relaxed atmosphere and you can stroll for hours through the cozy streets, eat delicious food in many cafes and drink the most delicious lattes. Ericeira has several beaches for surfing, taking a beach walk or relaxing on the beach.

If you drive further north, you will find the next surfing paradise: Peniche. A vast bay reaches the small surfing village of Baleal (you can even walk or cycle there), a personal favorite. The peninsula has a beach with a unique location: the northern and southern beach are only separated by a road. Also ideal for surfers, because you can walk to another beach with a different swell within a minute .

Can’t get enough of surfing? Then you definitely shouldn’t miss Nazaré. Every year, a Big Wave Surf contest is held here, as this is where you’ll find the biggest waves in the world. Don’t worry, only the best surfers in the world can brave these gigantic waves, so all you have to do is watch them from the safety of the viewpoint. The competitions are held between October and March, depending on the waves. 

• Most beautiful beaches: Praia da Vigia, Praia Baleal 
• Nicest coffee spots and restaurants: Balagan (Ericeira), beach bar Tribo da Praia (Baleal)
• Best surf spots (for beginners): Praia da Baleia, Praia Baleal

Porto and the Douro Valley

From Nazaré, it’s another 210 kilometres to the northernmost destination of your Portugal road trip: Porto. This vibrant university city has a raw edge and is bursting with culture and refined cuisine. Wander through the Ribeira, Massarelos and Foz do Douro neighbourhoods, stroll along the Douro River and visit Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world. Eat pastel de nata at the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery and take a Port tasting where you’ll learn all about Portugal’s oldest port houses. End your road trip with a trip to the picturesque Douro Valley, a region of rolling mountains surrounding a winding blue river. Treat yourself to a wine tasting here while looking out over green valleys and terraced vineyards.

• Best campsites: Quinta do Monte Travesso
• Most beautiful beaches: Praia de Miramar
• Best surf spots (for beginners): Praia de Matosinhos (Porto)

^{Foto: Matt Roskovec / Unsplash}

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