Portugal tour

Suzukikettle

Suzukikettle

Joined
Mar 31, 2022
Posts
92
Likes collected
86
Location
Milton Keynes, UK
Funster No
87,776
MH
Rapido M96
Exp
Been caravanning for years but now ordered my first motorhome
Hi all my wife and I are of to Portugal in February for a few weeks this is our first trip abroad in our new motorhome would welcome any advice as to camp sites or routes that anyone would recommend . We are going via Portsmouth to Santander then on into Portugal looking to book sites now from the U K any advice greatly appreciated
 
Can't help you as we are newbies too - but is that your "J" in your avatar?
 
Yes mate that photo was at the 2018 N E C motorbike show Suzuki U K have borrowed it to display on their stands I have various other restored bikes
 
Whereabouts in Portugal are you thinking of going, Lisbon, Algarve?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
We thought of a costal site in north first just to get used to driving and camping in Portugal we are going for 5 weeks we would like to avoid the city areas on our first trip and stick to costal camp sites
 
I wouldn't book anything ,just go ,find somewhere nice, find a site or a mum8cipal aire and you can then stay as long as you like. Then move on to the next place and there are lots of them.
 
Hi. We are currently in Portugal heading back to the UK early Feb after our 90 days.

We are at Turiscampo near Lagos and when I enquired before Xmas, they told me that they are full mid-Feb until about 10th March and Rio Formosa, at the other end of the Algarve, were full in January.

Things always change and if you have a smaller van, you might more easily find somewhere but I would recommend trying to book anywhere that you particularly want to stay at.

Now that wild camping is no longer allowed in Portugal we have noticed how busy the campsites are. Also, there are now plenty of German families with young children who are 'working from home' from their vans and/or home-schooling the children. This seems to be the trend since covid.

Enjoy your trip.
 
Sorry can't help with Campsites, we have used a few in the last 16 years but can't remember where, as it was mainly camperstops or free stops, but would recommend the acsi discount card.🙂

CampingCard ACSI | Inexpensive camping in the low season

Cheap camping at more than +3000 campsites in Europe inspected by ACSI. Stay from €13 a night with 2 people with your tent, caravan or camper van!
www.campingcard.co.uk www.campingcard.co.uk

But personally wouldn't pre book unless it one night to check them out, and if you like it and where it is book extra nights, the other thing is you might look at the weather and not be committed and head in another direction. 😁

Love Portugal and will be there in August / September. 😎 Bob.
 
We don’t really use proper campsites but the we have used Alvor Camping and would recommend if you make it down to the Algarve. Although not the best in terms of layout and size of pitches (for the price) but is in a great location within walking distance of a vibrant village with loads of bars and restaurants. It has a pretty riverside and a gorgeous sandy beach.

Rumour has it you might bump in to the odd fun member there too 😊

If you decide to use motorhome parking areas rather than sites, let us know and I’m sure lots of people will have recommendations.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Suzukikettle said:
Yes mate that photo was at the 2018 N E C motorbike show Suzuki U K have borrowed it to display on their stands I have various other restored bikes
Click to expand...
The GT750 Suzuki triple water cooled two stroke was one of the many bikes I owned, not saying the best by far, 😮 it could use as much petrol as a car, and handled like a camel 😂 but I still loved it. 😎 Bob.
 
Certainly on the Algarve booking is recommended as they tend to be booked up. We are too at Turiscampo and have been coming here for winter for the last 5 years and book upto a year in advance. More and more German’s are coming here so increasingly less availability
 
I think the main reason the Algarve is so busy is because of the weather. North and central Portugal will be very much like the uk at that time of year - probably no snow on the coast but likely wet and not so warm. Warmer than the uk but not by much.
Having said that if you still want to stick to the coast, Nazaré is worth a visit - home to some of the biggest waves in the world. Even if surfing isn’t your thing, it’s still pretty impressive to see. São Martinho do Porto is a pretty and much more sedate beachfront town. Further south, the Setúbal peninsula has some nice beaches and the Parque Natural da Arrabida.
As others have suggested, ACSI is a useful source for finding campsites as is P4N, Search for Sites and Camper Contact.
Enjoy your first trip abroad in your new van 😁
 
ORPP2 said:
Now that wild camping is no longer allowed in Portugal we have noticed how busy the campsites are.
Click to expand...

Oh boy... here we go again...

"Wild camping" might not be "allowed" in Portugal but I can assure you it still goes on all over this beautiful country!

I'm at the side of Faro airport today "off site motorhoming" along with dozens and dozens of others.

A friend has just come from "off site motorhoming" in St Luzia, Tavira.

Plenty of vans overnight in Silves.

Going to the theatre in Faro tonight and checked how close I could park yesterday... Plenty of nearby parking and over 50 motorhomes "off site" parked.

There are also many low cost "aires" dotted around... Quarteira market @ 6€ per night including 6 amp hookup.

Coruche coach park... free parking for motorhomes WITH free EHU.

Lake side "off site" parking free at Pego Altar with basic water and dumping facilities... the list goes on and on and on.

Just want folk to know... you don't have to stay on campsites if you prefer not to...

JJ :cool:
 
bobandjanie said:
The GT750 Suzuki triple water cooled two stroke was one of the many bikes I owned, not saying the best by far, 😮 it could use as much petrol as a car, and handled like a camel 😂 but I still loved it. 😎 Bob.
Click to expand...
Have had my A since 1984. Now being used sparingly in the dry....

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
JJ - we stayed at that carpark next to the airport over New Year. Not everyone’s cup of tea with 30 plus planes taking off and landing, but we really liked it and yes it was really busy with Motorhomers from all over Europe … and of course it’s free 🤗 plus the beautiful beach on Faro island is just a short walk away along the boardwalk 😍
 
The Boofles said:
JJ - we stayed at that carpark next to the airport over New Year. Not everyone’s cup of tea with 30 plus planes taking off and landing, but we really liked it and yes it was really busy with Motorhomers from all over Europe … and of course it’s free 🤗 plus the beautiful beach on Faro island is just a short walk away along the boardwalk 😍
Click to expand...

A plane "purring" in and out every hour on average doesn't cause me any grief :wink:

(But... one man's "short walk" is another man's country hike!)


JJ :cool:
 
We often go here for a weekend, fantastic place https://mikki-place-to-stay.com/. On the subject of wild camping here, nobody cares unless you make a nuisance of yourself, even in the summer.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
If you are going from North to South Then a couple of days in Tomar in central Portugal, south of Coimbra is a must. (Full disclosure, we’ve just bought a place there so are biased)


myportugalholiday.com

Discover Tomar, Portugal in 2024: an independent and expert travel guide

Discover Tomar, Portugal with our in-depth and independent travel guide. Get the most from your trip to this fascinating town; learn its history, discover the best tourist attractions and plan the perfect day trip, from our extensive tourism guide to Tomar which has been updated for 2024.
myportugalholiday.com myportugalholiday.com

Great town. Huge place for history. The old municipal campsite minutes on foot from the town is free. Basic services, no hook up/showers but flat quiet and safe.

Other places on the coast Nazare and it North Beach for the wild waves and surfing, peniche, Obidos (a bit in land) for the history. Another place with a basic aire which is cheaper than the car park!
 
Hi.
Our patch. North to South on the Coast.
Vagueira........ Aire just behind the sea wall on the front. Gated access.
Orbitur site. Vagueira.
Praia de Mira........ Campismo Municipal Our HQ ) 200yds to town.
Orbitur site.500 yds to town,but access to the beach about the same.
Figaro do Foz....... Aire on the Car park on the northern bank of the river estuary.Last time there, you only paid between about 08.00- 18.00 hrs.
Foz do Arelho...... Parque da Foz do Arelho.Campsite Inlet beach access...... If you are on the front row 5-6 steps.
EMAIL. Was..Pacfozdoarelho@gmail.com.
Stayed at all of these and would do again.
ONE day...... I would like on the way home,to come down the Duero valley from the north. Have been at a Vinyard owned small Hotel at " Pinhao "
Love to explore the area more,its only a couple of hours away. You Can take Mini river trips up through the vinyard region from here and Maybe..?. ;) Overnight for free in the BIG carpark on the riverside
Whatever you decide... As JJ says....... its Paradise. Come on down,the price is right. Enjoy.
Tea Bag.
PS Nazare...MUST do if your near,as said above in a post.
 
OldCodger said:
If you are going from North to South Then a couple of days in Tomar in central Portugal, south of Coimbra is a must. (Full disclosure, we’ve just bought a place there so are biased)


myportugalholiday.com

Discover Tomar, Portugal in 2024: an independent and expert travel guide

Discover Tomar, Portugal with our in-depth and independent travel guide. Get the most from your trip to this fascinating town; learn its history, discover the best tourist attractions and plan the perfect day trip, from our extensive tourism guide to Tomar which has been updated for 2024.
myportugalholiday.com myportugalholiday.com

Great town. Huge place for history. The old municipal campsite minutes on foot from the town is free. Basic services, no hook up/showers but flat quiet and safe.

Other places on the coast Nazare and it North Beach for the wild waves and surfing, peniche, Obidos (a bit in land) for the history. Another place with a basic aire which is cheaper than the car park!
Click to expand...
We stayed here on the site in May around 2014 and it was all functioning then, if a bit dated, shame no longer. The Templar Festival held in May is fantastic and worth the visit alone as is their castle to visit. Last stronghold of the Knights Templars.
 
Ven said:
We don’t really use proper campsites but the we have used Alvor Camping and would recommend if you make it down to the Algarve. Although not the best in terms of layout and size of pitches (for the price) but is in a great location within walking distance of a vibrant village with loads of bars and restaurants. It has a pretty riverside and a gorgeous sandy beach.

Rumour has it you might bump in to the odd fun member there too 😊

If you decide to use motorhome parking areas rather than sites, let us know and I’m sure lots of people will have recommendations.
Click to expand...
Walked around alvor campsite today looking full ring before you arrive.
Lots of places full on the Algarve.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Will improve next month when the cloggeys and French make their way back home.
 
If you like campsites Alcaca do sal near pego do alter only €10.90 per night all in ehu showers.
Or stop on river side free of charge.
 
laurieash said:
You even get the odd smell of sewage thrown in only €12 per night no ehu.
Click to expand...
I agree with the sewage smell, it’s very pitch related and there is one really bad spot.

Screenshot 2023-02-20 093347.png
 
Ven said:
We don’t really use proper campsites but the we have used Alvor Camping and would recommend if you make it down to the Algarve. Although not the best in terms of layout and size of pitches (for the price) but is in a great location within walking distance of a vibrant village with loads of bars and restaurants. It has a pretty riverside and a gorgeous sandy beach.

Rumour has it you might bump in to the odd fun member there too 😊

If you decide to use motorhome parking areas rather than sites, let us know and I’m sure lots of people will have recommendations.
Click to expand...
Is this dog friendly please?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top