Portugal February to April (1 Viewer)

[Potty]

We are hoping to go to Portugal next February to April. Can anyone advise on weather, availability of aires and water, etc.

Would like to come back through Northern Spain, Pamplona and then St Jean Pied des Ports in France. Would this be viable given the time of year. Would our Michelin CP tyres be OK? We do have snow chains.

Would be very grateful for Any help and advice.

 

[Baldeagle7470]

You may like to look at the government weather website,I use it every day as do farmers,sailors etc.
I don’t know how to post a link but it’s IPMA Portugal,it is possible to translate to English,there is a massive amount of info on there.Although a small country the temperatures vary quite a lot between north and south.
The Algarve enjoys warmer temperatures of course than the north where there is a bit of mountainous country but pick your route using the motorways and they are very good about keeping the roads clear.
I have been coming here for 30 years before moving here 5 years ago,never needed to fit chains although carried them.Maybe I have just been lucky .
Enjoy your trip and have fun.

 

[BreweryDave]

You’ve picked just about the only 3 months when the weather can be variable, and you can expect some rain and dull windy days. Daytime temps ( Algarve) will be good, but by evening you’re gonna want jeans and a jumper?
Also, most ‘snowbirds’ will be static at their sites and Aires, and spaces, whilst there will be some, will be harder to find. There’s always somewhere tho, and don’t rely on wild camping as there’s lots of GNR activity around this at the moment.

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[donnkim]

What are the Portuguese authorities outlook on wild camping?

 

[BreweryDave]

What are the Portuguese authorities outlook on wild camping?

They have periodic clamp downs on popular spots, with large fines. Been in the local press a lot lately. I posted the latest article on Lennys Portugal thread.

 

[laurieash]

Wild camping a definite no no big fines vehicle clamping confections etc.

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[laurieash]

Olso don't take your rolex or expensive laptops.

 

[Potty]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

[BILL 875]

There is a rule of thumb never go to Portugal till March, its windy and cloudy thats what some locals said to me anyway for what its worth.

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[PhilandMena]

Portugal is next to the Atlantic ocean. It's going to be wet at that time of the year. If you must do Feb_ April, consider Spain, Benidorm or just south. The Brits dont overwinter there for nothing.

 

[busby]

Portugal is next to the Atlantic ocean. It's going to be wet at that time of the year. If you must do Feb_ April, consider Spain, Benidorm or just south. The Brits dont overwinter there for nothing.

No take no notice.Spain is horrible in the winter,,it rains and snows and most of the sites are closed,,BUSBY??

 

[glastry]

No take no notice.Spain is horrible in the winter,,it rains and snows and most of the sites are closed,,BUSBY??

no - sorry to disagree, portugal is awful at that time, all vanners really should go to Spain, where it is warm and welcoming and the sun shines most days.

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[JollyJack Hawkins]

Just arrived back from Portugal and had a great time. There are some great Aires some are free and some a few Es. Look on the Search for Sites web site. We used it a lot. Free site in brilliant position in Porto, Coimba etc all free with services. Word of advice check where you are crossing over from Spain and look out for the Welcome Point to register a credit card for the Electronic Toll fees. If not you are in for a nightmare. Even if you don't intend to use the toll roads do it anyway because you may get diverted on to one not by choice. Particularly if you go to the Algarve A22 is all electronic. Have a great time.

 

[Ingwe]

Just arrived back from Portugal and had a great time. There are some great Aires some are free and some a few Es. Look on the Search for Sites web site. We used it a lot. Free site in brilliant position in Porto, Coimba etc all free with services. Word of advice check where you are crossing over from Spain and look out for the Welcome Point to register a credit card for the Electronic Toll fees. If not you are in for a nightmare. Even if you don't intend to use the toll roads do it anyway because you may get diverted on to one not by choice. Particularly if you go to the Algarve A22 is all electronic. Have a great time.

We've now been to Portugal twice over the winter. We'd heard about registering your vehicle and credit card for use on the motorways. In fact, we did it online, very simply. You register, and pre-pay (we pay €20) and still have a €7 credit. This lasts a year so no great loss if you lose this by not returning within the year. Have a look here.

CTT

500 anos de dedicação, empenho e profissionalismo, para aproximar os portugueses e o mundo.

www.ctt.pt

 

[hilldweller]

The micro climate of Benidorm is for people who do not want to gamble on Portuguese weather.

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[Lenny HB]

Wild camping a definite no no big fines vehicle clamping confections etc.

No problem if you keep away from the Algarve.

 

[JJ]

A Portuguese joke.

A dog, walking along in the Algarve, spots a cat and goes,
"Woof, woof, woof..."

The cat arches its back and goes,
"Woof, woof, woof..." back...

The dog says,
"You're a stupid cat, cats don't go woof woof, they go meow meow".

The cat replies,
"You're a stupid dog... this is the Algarve and everyone talks foreign here..."

JJ

 

[EllF]

We went to the Algarve Jan to April 2017 it rained the whole of March so did Spain.
Went Jan to April 2018 hardly had any rain lovely weather of course it’s cold at night.

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