Portugal suggestions - Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon

[Barti Ddu]

Having had some great responses to my request last week for places to stop in the Picos De Europa, I thought I'd try again with suggestions for stops on the Portuguese coast.

We are currently in Spain just north of the border at Pontevedra, and the weather is starting to turn wet and cooler so planning to head south.

We've visited all three cities mentioned above before, but not with a motorhome, and not with a dog. Aires seem a little thin on the ground, and public transport doesn't seem very canine friendly if we were to stay outside the centres and travel in.

Any ideas?

Otherwise, we may just push on south to the Algarve and see if we can find the sun again!

Thanks,
Barti Ddu.

 

[peterc10]

Aire at Coimbra on the other side of the river to the old town. Can use the footbridge to get to the town

 

[royandsharont]

We discovered Tomar by accident to arrive for a Templar festival. It is the last stronghold of the Knights Templars with a beautiful church to visit. Municipal style campsite in the centre on the river so very easy access on foot into town. Not on the coast but excellent & you’ve been in the area before I think.

 

[PhilandMena]

In July we stayed on an Aire not very far from you and it was fantastic. A very sharp turn to get into if heading from the North and requires you to make a right turn at the turn off so you can swing back round and cross the road for the entrance. (Turn signposted). Some great walks through the nearby wood and the Aire has all the facilities (Free) with great parking on the edge of the bay with some great views. There is also a cafe/restaurant there too. Not sure if its opened now but was very busy when we were there.

Área de autocaravanas da Seca​

 

[Barti Ddu]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

peterc10 - Do you have any further info regarding the stop at Coimbra? From looking online, it looks like the Aire has closed, but overnight parking is tolerated nearby to where it used to be???

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[spikehcm681]

Otherwise, we may just push on south to the Algarve and see if we can find the sun again!

Thanks,
Barti Ddu.

After weeks of hot, sunny days the weather pattern has broken today and it's wet down here in the Algarve too.

Try Porto Covo (simple Aire), Vila Nova de Milfontes (campsites) and Aljezur (simple Aire)- on your way down.

Have a read of the new rules (see threads on this forum) for avoiding being fined by the GNR if you want to go off-piste.

Boa viagem!

 

[Emmit]

I'm with peterc10 at the mo.

Don't know about the aire being closed but collectively we can say.
Don't arrive Sat. Sun. After say 10.00am because the aire is adjacent to the rowing club and it is well patronised. Peter says, in addition on the last day of term for Coimbra Uni. From his personal exp. you won't get any sleep as a result of wild goings on.!!!!

 

[Crazylegs]

After weeks of hot, sunny days the weather pattern has broken today and it's wet down here in the Algarve too.

Try Porto Covo (simple Aire), Vila Nova de Milfontes (campsites) and Aljezur (simple Aire)- on your way down.

Have a read of the new rules (see threads on this forum) for avoiding being fined by the GNR if you want to go off-piste.

Boa viagem!

Another vote for Porto Covo.

 

[Helen Ariel]

We enjoyed Figueira de foz. Cheap aire. Some nice restaurants. Amazing all you can eat sushi for 10 euros. Surf, sand, statues and a brilliant indoor Market.

 

[Gaston aires]

Aire at Coimbra on the other side of the river to the old town. Can use the footbridge to get to the town

When we stayed on this aire the locals were doing mass Christenings in the river. I went for a swim and came out feeling all pure.
Phil

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[Solwaybuggier]

An alternative for Coimbra is the site in the ACSI book - it’s right on the edge of the town but has a good bus route into the centre.

 

[PhilandMena]

In July we stayed on an Aire not very far from you and it was fantastic. A very sharp turn to get into if heading from the North and requires you to make a right turn at the turn off so you can swing back round and cross the road for the entrance. (Turn signposted). Some great walks through the nearby wood and the Aire has all the facilities (Free) with great parking on the edge of the bay with some great views. There is also a cafe/restaurant there too. Not sure if its opened now but was very busy when we were there.

Área de autocaravanas da Seca​

Some pictures.

 

[bobandjanie]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

peterc10 - Do you have any further info regarding the stop at Coimbra? From looking online, it looks like the Aire has closed, but overnight parking is tolerated nearby to where it used to be???

JJ stopped on the aire at Coimbra a few weeks ago, being a bit of a rebel he never saw the sign until he left.
Yes it's closed unfortunately, as it's one we used regular. Bob.

 

[Barti Ddu]

We've just arrived in Coimbra. Like JJ we must have also missed the no motorhomes sign (along with the 6 other vans who must have missed it too)!

It's a nice spot. I think the rowing club and stand-up paddle board businesses must have packed up for the season. Very spacious and nicely landscaped, with very few vehicles of any kind, and as peterc10 said, straight across the footbridge into the city.

 

[Barti Ddu]

PhilandMena - that looks like a nice spot, and if we were staying around Pontevedra any longer we'd give it a go. The free Aire we stayed on last night in the centre of Pontevedra night was great too. Free water and waste disposal, and 5 minutes walk into the main part of town with some great bars and restaurants.

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[PhilandMena]

PhilandMena - that looks like a nice spot, and if we were staying around Pontevedra any longer we'd give it a go. The free Aire we stayed on last night in the centre of Pontevedra night was great too. Free water and waste disposal, and 5 minutes walk into the main part of town with some great bars and restaurants.

Agreed, we too have stayed before but in the high season it's rammed. This other place will take as many motorhomes again and is just minutes away.