Portugal is a great country for camping. There are a good selection of campsites in all of the popular and many quiet areas. Most are good value. Free camping is very popular in Portugal. There are many undeveloped areas around the beaches, especially on the Atlantic coast.
Campsites in Portugal
Portugal has the cheapest campsites in western Europe. Prices range from €2 to €10 per person, per night. Crime is uncommon on Portuguese campsites. Many campsites have residents, and long-stay caravans where the owners only visit at weekends or holidays. The major campsite in each town or city is signposted, often others too. Small blue and white signs are also attached to signpost polls, indicating approaching campsites. Almost all campsites will ask to see your passport when checking in, and for you to leave a form of identification at reception during your stay. See the guide to campsites.
Recommended guidebooks to campsites in Portugal
There are a range of guidebooks with great information about the campsites across Portugal. They can save a good deal of money and time.
Municipal campsites in Portugal
The Municipal campsites (state run) are normally very cheap, although not to the quality of the independent sites. Municipal sites are great for spending long periods of time and keeping costs low. They have the standard campsite facilities, but they may be faded. During the summer (May to September) costs are typically €5 per person, per night. Outside of summer the cost is halved.
Free camping in Portugal
Portugal is one of the best countries in western Europe for free camping. There are lots of places where it is possible to free camp, either by the beach or further inland. In the Algarve free camping is official banned. However, outside of summer the police do tolerate responsible free camping. During winter the Algarve is the warmest place, but can get busy. The Alentejo region, north of The Algarve, offers a great less-crowded alternative. See the guide to free camping.
I was wondering what you know about the new hight control at some of the parking at the beach. For what I´ve heard there is a lot of hight controls before you enter the beach, so you cant park there with your camper anymore, not evel with your converted van.
Do you know anything about that? I was wondering because I was so sure to buy a van with a high top, but now I am back on considering one with a low ceiling.
thanks in advance!
best, kate
hi I’m from Ireland our winters start in the end of August I mean cold weather till April would this coincide with Portugal because we are thinking of living there over the winter months in our motorhome thanks Liam and Dorina
Portugal is one of the warmest places during Winter. I spent an entire Winter there and enjoyed it. Lots of places to explore, and not expensive.
New RV Portugal group
http://www.facebook.com/groups/rvportugal
A group to share information about RV in Portugal…free parkings…etc…
Me and my family will be posting all we can find.
The group will be always in English to be easy to use by non-portuguese speakers.
Please feel free to join and share it.
Free Camping in Algarve
Just wanted to update this as yet again in recent years the Police have been issuing big fines to campers in the Algarve.
Some people say it is not fair but as a camper owner myself I check when I go to a new country about the rules, so for those free camping in the Algarve in the Summer months – tough.
I have to add to this that the police seem to been issuing fines out of summer also now, so be careful where you park in the Algarve.
All big towns have campsites and many are municipal and cheap. The rest of Portugal is generally OK but if you are parked in the way or illegally then you will be fined. Our local site at Foz do Arelho on the Silver coast is 2Euros per night/per vehicle (not person), so no excuse not to use these if you are planning a longer stay.
Campsites
Hi Wendy, just read your comment.
Can you tell me where this campsite is located? I’m planning to come to Portugal next year and 2€ is a fair price 🙂
Do you know of any other places in that price range?
Greetings, Hans
Foz
Wendy
the price is now 5€ 🙂
Jan
question
Hi wendy,just seen you comments on here regarding portugal,local campsite in silver coast,i have a campervan and you say its 2 euro per night,but just gone up to 5 euro per nite,can you tell me where that camping site is please,as would like to visit.
Thankyou
jay.
Algarve camping
Try http://www.chickenrun.vpweb.co.uk
We’ve stayed at Chicken Run
We’ve stayed at Chicken Run and it was a lot of fun. Super cheap.