Are you thinking of travelling to Portugal in your motorhome this summer? Motorhome trips and caravan holidays are increasingly popular across Europe, and Portugal is one of the best caravanning destinations for those who want to enjoy maximum freedom and beautiful landscapes. This is our guide to caravan holidays in Portugal in 2022, including the best motorhome routes in Portugal, as well as details about the best caravan parks and campsites, not to mention some simple tips to get you on the road.
Calculate the cost of your caravan holiday in Portugal
Before planning a caravan holiday in Portugal, it is necessary to make calculations and simulations of the potential expenses. It is convenient to consider not only the expenses when it comes to fuel, but also food, equipment and unexpected situations. This is the best way to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Fuel: how much does the vehicle consume? What is the price of fuel in each region? How many kilometres can you cover?
- On-board equipment: many caravans have gas bottles, the price of which is included in rentals. If you own the caravan, you need to take this expense into account;
- Campsites: if you plan to rent a campervan or motorhome in Portugal, do careful research when it comes to prices, and also factor in if you have to stay in a hotel for a couple of nights;
- Tolls in Portugal: on most of the motorways in Portugal you have to pay tolls, the price of which varies across the country;
- Food: calculate what you will have to spend on food and drink so that you don't lack anything during your holidays.
In spite of these costs, motorhome holidays can be a great way to enjoy an economical holiday, with the amount you spend on a motorhome trip depending a lot on your requirements and needs.
Best motorhome routes in Portugal
Portugal has some of the best motorhome routes in Europe and campervanning around Portugal will lead you to discover some of the country's most beautiful landscapes.
- Motorhome tour along the EN2: this trip along Portugal's "Estrada Nacional 2" is a popular choice for many caravanners as it is the longest road in Portugal. It allows you to visit countless towns, villages and cities from north to south, such as Chaves, Góis, Abrantes, Viana do Alentejo, Castro Verde, Loulé or Faro. There are 738 km of plains and many traditional local flavours to discover for the foodies among you;
- Motorhome tour along the Costa Vicentina: Beach lovers will love this paradise that connects Sines harbour with Burgau beach in Vila do Bispo. It is ideal for a 1 to 2 week motorhome tour and you will fall in love with the Alentejo coastline and the variety of beaches, estuaries and wildlife.
- Motorhome tour in the North of Portugal: Have you ever thought of visiting Guimarães, Braga or Porto by motorhome and exploring their museums and churches? Besides the surrounding nature, it is in these cities that you will find the Paço dos Duques de Bragança, the Santuário do Bom Jesus de Braga or the Torre dos Clérigos, some of the oldest and most emblematic historical monuments in Portugal.
Caravn parks in Portugal
Once you have your motorhome travel itinerary set, you should book your place in caravan parks or campsites and get to know Portugal's Motorhome Service Areas (known in Portugal as Áreas de Serviço para Autocaravanas or ASA). In the height of summer, they tend to be busy and sometimes it is difficult to find a spot. So start exploring what's on offer and make your reservation.
The image above shows Portugal's motorhome service areas in Portugal, which includes the best campsites and caravan parks in Portugal. But remember to do your research: there are parks that allow you to dispose of dirty water, fill up the water tank and even connect to electricity. There specific caravan parks all over Portugal, and it is completely forbidden to stay overnight in protected areas or sites with the respective prohibition traffic sign.
