Where to now in Southern Portugal

Myles Ward

Myles Ward

Joined
Mar 11, 2019
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Hi... We're leaving Lisboa Camping tomorrow morning and were just wondering where we should go next on our way to Malaga. We're not on a time limit, so are able to bimble down. Looking to hear from your knowledgeable experience.
 
Wow TM59... excellent. Sounds exactly what we're looking for! Thank you!

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Myles Ward said:
Wow TM59... excellent. Sounds exactly what we're looking for! Thank you!
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The same Company own the Silves site as well as the Tavira one and another at Falesia.
They are all of an excellent quality.
 
Camping Milfontes in Vila Nova de Milfontes, Campsite at Zambujeira do Mar.
The coast in that area is spectacular, it is illegal to wild camp in the area, the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, so best to stay on sites or Aires.
Silves is worth visiting there are a few Aires there, we prefer the one nearest to the town near the sports centre/swimming pool by the river.
 
We have just stayed in 2 of the Algarve Motorhome Parks (Falesia and Tavira). Both are good, but are definitely aires more than campsites. The one in Falesia has several restaurants and a mini market within walking distance and is next to a huge beach. Getting a spot was tricky though - the best tip is to arrive 9-10am and check with them as they do not take bookings. They were busy last week as a lot of people seem to stay for weeks or months. If they are full, you can try a similar site about 100 yds away or wild camp at Tomato Beach which is close by.

The site in Tavira is quite similar, but a long walk (30 mins) into town and no beaches with walking distance. There‘s a large shopping centre/supermarket nearby though. Both are nice with a good vibe.

Also worth mentioning is a lovely site in the hills above the Algarve coast (Motorhome Ecopark Sao Bras de Alportel). It’s a little quieter & more rural with cooler temperatures, but well run and a lovely place to stay if you like walking or cycling.
 
I am completely biased, but Alvor is the best town on the Algarve 😜
No aire anymore, but a good campsite at €16pn Inc. Right on the edge of town with easy access to the town, beach, boardwalks, nature walks, etc and plenty of bars and restaurants Within minutes.
If you want a luxury site, Turiscampo just outside of Lagos is extremely nice, probably the best and the facilities are first class ( they take ACSI) albeit a bit out of town, and a good cycle to the nearest coast at Luz and busses into Lagos, which is well worth a visit.
Aires are plentiful, but are very busy with snowbirds.
wilding is frowned upon, but 48hrs is permitted in authorised places,although no one seems to know what these are🤣
don’t try to overnight in any coastal car parks, big no no!

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What is Lisboa camping site like? have read mixed reports. Hoping to get to this area next spring.
 
BreweryDave said:
I am completely biased, but Alvor is the best town on the Algarve 😜
No aire anymore, but a good campsite at €16pn Inc. Right on the edge of town with easy access to the town, beach, boardwalks, nature walks, etc and plenty of bars and restaurants Within minutes.
If you want a luxury site, Turiscampo just outside of Lagos is extremely nice, probably the best and the facilities are first class ( they take ACSI) albeit a bit out of town, and a good cycle to the nearest coast at Luz and busses into Lagos, which is well worth a visit.
Aires are plentiful, but are very busy with snowbirds.
wilding is frowned upon, but 48hrs is permitted in authorised places,although no one seems to know what these are🤣
don’t try to overnight in any coastal car parks, big no no!
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It's a much easier cycle into Lagos than it is into Luz,,bloody steep hill to pedal up going and coming back,, BUSBY 😊😊
 
DUE SOUTH said:
We have just stayed in 2 of the Algarve Motorhome Parks (Falesia and Tavira). Both are good, but are definitely aires more than campsites. The one in Falesia has several restaurants and a mini market within walking distance and is next to a huge beach. Getting a spot was tricky though - the best tip is to arrive 9-10am and check with them as they do not take bookings. They were busy last week as a lot of people seem to stay for weeks or months. If they are full, you can try a similar site about 100 yds away or wild camp at Tomato Beach which is close by.

The site in Tavira is quite similar, but a long walk (30 mins) into town and no beaches with walking distance. There‘s a large shopping centre/supermarket nearby though. Both are nice with a good vibe.

Also worth mentioning is a lovely site in the hills above the Algarve coast (Motorhome Ecopark Sao Bras de Alportel). It’s a little quieter & more rural with cooler temperatures, but well run and a lovely place to stay if you like walking or cycling.
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The beach is a 20mins. walk from Tavira Camper stop.
 
We were in Portugal last month. Wild camping on the Algarve is a definite no-no. We got moved on from a carpark along with three other vans by the GNR in the early afternoon, nevermind overnight. They also appear to have put restrictions on motorhomes on the roads actually leading up to various car parks and beaches, so that you will commit a traffic violation in accessing the car park as opposed to a simple parking transgression.

We were generally not very impressed with the municipal aires. Cramped and dirty and not particularly cheap, although the aire at Manta Rota with access straight onto the beach and boardwalks was good.

However, commercial campsites can be bargain. We enjoyed the one at Alvor mentioned by BreweryDave. Even better though was the large commercial campsite at Albufeira. We had failed to get into the aire there as completely full with what appeared to be mostly long term residents, but the campsite about a mile further out was only 2 euros more, and was in another league altogether. Large plots amongst the trees, huge swimming pool, spotless toilets and showers, etc.. The walk into town is along a traffic free foot and cycle path.

But it is hit and miss. We hated the campsite at Lagos. Like a shanty town. The standard of sites in Portugal appears really variable, and cost isn't much use as an indicator of quality.

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This is a photo of the sign restricting access to motorhomes along roads referred to in Barti Ddu post
 

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Thank you so much for all the info. Very interesting. We are now at the aire just outside Sagres in Vila do Bispo. Good stop off!
 
Myles Ward said:
Thank you so much for all the info. Very interesting. We are now at the aire just outside Sagres in Vila do Bispo. Good stop off!
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No worries. Wish we were still there. Currently in Le Touquet - wet, windy and cold, with a Eurotunnel crossing booked for tomorrow for our return to Blighty. Brrrrrr.
 
Myles Ward said:
Thank you so much for all the info. Very interesting. We are now at the aire just outside Sagres in Vila do Bispo. Good stop off!
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Ah interesting. There wasn't an aire there last year. Is it new?
 
If you enjoy fine wine and dining, make your way to Herdade de Esporao for a 5 star meal with wine per course. It's brilliant, a better than Michelin meal for 65E. After that you can drift over to picturesque Monsaraz aire and enjoy the fantastic view over the Spanish border before you make your way to Malaga. You can go to Evora first, spectacular remains there.

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Adrian1, many thanks for the info on Lisboa camping. Hopefully we will pay it a visit next year.
 
DelMar said:
Adrian1, many thanks for the info on Lisboa camping. Hopefully we will pay it a visit next year.
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Been there in the RV about 4 times now, as said it's a bit dated but plots are big and have full facilities including black waste.
When we went 2 years ago they had added a large children's play area.
Many plots have high trees so you may find satellite reception difficult.
Good 4g signal.
Toilet blocks are ok and kept reasonably clean.
Buses 100 yds up the road, cheap and clean.
We will go there again.
 
Olley, that sounds ideal, with the local bus stop so close for Lisbon. Many thanks for the info.
 
About a dozen motorhomes (some huge gin palaces!) have been parked up on waste ground in Altura, eastern Algarve for a couple of weeks now, I guess they don't get moved on during the winter. Worth a visit for the beautiful beach, you can walk for miles, dogs ok in the winter.
 
Once again thanks for all the recommendations. We stayed at the Silves and the Tavira aires. They were great. We then went to the campsite at El Peurto de Santa Maria opposite Cadiz (ok I guess) and then parked up for the day in Cadiz in one for the Campercontact areas a short walk into the old town. Next day arrived at the Tarifa aire and watched the beautiful sunset. Thanks all.

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