Van Life in Portugal: Our 10 Day Portugal Campervan Journey

A Portugal campervan journey might not be first on a listing of high adventures in Europe, however our expertise says in any other case.

While you consider taking a vacation within the small European nation of Portugal, what involves thoughts? Most individuals envision the glistening turquoise waters of the Algarve, the epic browsing in Nazare, or the historic cities of Lisbon and Porto.

However, Portugal is way more than its shoreline!

Van Life in Portugal: Our 10 Day Portugal Campervan Journey

We wished to discover past the everyday vacationer path throughout our sudden keep in Portugal. So, we determined to attempt a brand new journey and lease a campervan to discover the central and northern areas of the nation.

Recognized for its gorgeous farmland, vineyards, gastronomy, and tradition, plus rivers, lakes, and the towering mountains of the Peneda Gerês Nationwide Park, the central and northern areas are an underappreciated space of Portugal that travellers received’t need to miss. 

On this publish, I’m going to interrupt down our 10 day Portugal campervan itinerary, in addition to some issues that you simply’ll need to know earlier than renting your individual campervan in Europe.

And, don’t miss our video on the finish of this text!

Right here’s our journey report from 10 days travelling from Lisbon to the central and northern areas of Portugal in a campervan.

The Campervan Rental

We have been actually craving mountains and Mom Nature at this level in our Portugal keep. Tenting gave the impression of a fantastic concept, and what higher approach than being absolutely self-contained?

With a campervan, you may transfer round at your individual tempo, whereas having a rest room, kitchen, and bed room with you always. 

The Mannequin

We opted for the Lively Plus mannequin with Indie Campers and it was a superb match for our 10-day journey.

Sometimes, the campervan is supposed for 4 individuals, however because it was simply the two of us, we requested Indie Campers to offer us with a van that didn’t have fitted beds, however reasonably, a convertible mattress.

Not having everlasting stacked beds actually opened up the van and made it really feel way more spacious.

In the course of the day, the realm is the eating room with a desk and benches with cushions for sitting and hanging out.

At evening, the eating space transforms into the bed room. The cushions that have been used because the backrest when sitting down turn out to be the mattress for sleeping on, and the desk collapses to create a part of the mattress platform.

To be sincere, we have been too lazy to change from mattress to bench and simply left the mattress out your complete journey. Plus, we had a desk and chairs for the skin space and most popular to dine outdoors.

The Lively Plus mannequin campervan has a separate rest room with a bathe and a transportable chemical bathroom, an electrical cooler field, a transportable gasoline range, and all of the bedding and kitchen gear you would wish.  

The Specs

Nick and I knew we wished to have a campervan with sufficient area to not really feel cramped, however we additionally didn’t desire a actually lengthy van that may be troublesome to maneuver via Portugal’s slender streets and round small mountain roads. 

The size of the van have been good: 5,41m x 2,69m x 2,75m.

We have been additionally hoping for a more recent van and ended up with a guide 2018 Fiat Ducato diesel, which ran very well. 

The campervan had a 50L tank for clear water and a 30L tank for gray water, which was ample for us. A 220V cable for plugging in and charging the backup battery was additionally included.

If we have been going for any longer than 10 days, I believe we’d choose to lease the Nomad mannequin because it has an built-in range, a hard and fast bathroom, a fridge, and bigger water tanks.

Add-Ons

Indie Campers has some gadgets which you could add on to your rental, resembling surfboards, bicycles, moist fits, and extra. We opted for a small coal BBQ, a WiFi hotspot, a heater, and an outside desk and chairs. 

We didn’t find yourself utilizing the BBQ because of it being a hearth hazard at the moment of yr (June), and it was too heat for the heater! However, we did get lots of use out of the WiFi hotspot whereas working on-line and we used the desk and chairs day-after-day.

There are 3 ceiling vents which assist to chill the van and it’s fairly properly insulated. However there are not any followers for air flow built-in, which was wonderful for us in June within the North, however in case you have been going to lease the van in the summertime within the Algarve, I’d say a small fan can be a superb buy.

You possibly can decide them up for about €8 at any FNAC or related electronics retailer in Portugal. I’d like to see a fan included in future fashions of the van or non-obligatory as an add-on.

The Value

The price of the rental varies relying on which era of yr you lease (excessive season vs. off-season), how lengthy you lease for, and what campervan mannequin you lease. 

The Lively Plus mannequin that we rented with Indie Campers price €65 per day, plus add ons (the 4G, limitless WiFi hotspot was €20, outside desk and chairs have been €20 as properly — whole, not a nightly fee.)

For 10 days of travelling, we spent €200 on gasoline for the van and €100 in tolls.

For the campsites, in case you wild camp then it’s free. We stayed in 3 totally different designated campgrounds and the prices in June have been:

1. Uxa Paraiso – €6 per evening per individual. €2 per evening for electrical energy. Complete: €14 / evening
2. Lima Escape – €6.50 per evening for the campervan. €4.50/individual/evening. €3.50 per evening for electrical energy. Complete: €19 / evening (Lima Escape and Indie Campers have a partnership, so we truly obtained a ten% low cost off the whole)
3. Vidoeiro Gerês Tenting – €6.20 per evening for the campervan. €4/individual/evening. €3.60 per evening for electrical energy. Complete: €17.80 / evening.

Our 10-Day Portugal Campervan Journey Itinerary

Having spent nearly all of the previous couple of years residing on a Caribbean island, and the previous 3 months in lockdown mode within the metropolis of Lisbon, it was time to go to the mountains. 

We got here up with the highway journey route based mostly on the actions on provide, the pure magnificence, and elements of the nation that have been away from city areas. (We wished to keep away from cities with the campervan and keep away from massive crowds to assist keep social distancing.)

I spent fairly a little bit of time Googleing the northern a part of Portugal and didn’t provide you with all that a lot info on-line.

So, I opened up Google Maps and zoomed out and in, whereas trying to find Pure and Nationwide Parks, campsites, viewpoints, hikes, and scenic spots. 

Lastly, a tough itinerary was shaped, and we stuffed within the particulars as we went.

Portugal is a bit complicated for travellers because the nation is split into areas, adopted by districts, municipalities, parishes, and neighbourhoods. On this itinerary, I’m simply going to checklist the primary areas we have been in!

Lisbon to Sintra

You could assume we’re loopy, however despite the fact that we have been undoubtedly attempting to keep away from small roads and areas that aren’t appropriate for a campervan, after leaving Lisbon, we did go to Sintra — a small village with slender, winding roads.

This fairytale UNESCO city is only a fast 30-minute drive from the capital, but feels worlds away. 

After lots of “How far am I to the sting?” and “Am I going to hit that automotive?!”, we lastly discovered a parking area that was lengthy sufficient for the van and felt relieved that we’d be strolling for the following few hours.

The mountainscape of Sintra was attractive and immediately, the air felt a bit cooler. Dominating the hills have been vibrant, Disney-looking palaces, and a fortified medieval Moorish citadel.

The panorama was breathtaking and whereas we didn’t see all of Sintra because of time constraints, we did go to the favored Quinta da Regaleira with its deep spiral properly, palace, church buildings, and gardens.

Besides for two individuals who arrived as we have been leaving, we have been the one vacationers there, which, based mostly on the feedback we obtained on our Instagram pictures, is just not how this place usually appears! 

Sintra to Penela

Positioned a couple of 2-hour drive north of Sintra (about 20 minutes south of town of Coimbra) is the village of Penela.

Whereas we did take pleasure in sleepy Penela with its citadel towering over the village, we have been there for the close by campground and the encompassing mountains and river.

Passing by vineyards, and down a slender, bumpy filth highway, we arrived at Uxa Paraiso, which was run by a well-travelled Frenchman named Julien. He confirmed us round and helped us discover the proper place to park on his 5-hectare property.

We have been the one company right here for two nights and it was pure magic. 

Wild mint was rising on the bottom and each step we took launched an aroma of spearmint gum (or, mojitos!). Other than mint, the property had flowers and timber, plus 2 cats, goats, and sheep. 

Whereas the view from the campsite (and the pool) was sufficient to make us need to keep, we peeled ourselves away to discover the encompassing space of Fragas de São Simão.

After mountain climbing alongside the river and thru the forest, the panorama opened as much as reveal towering craggy cliffs with pure swimming holes at their base.

We loved a really chilly swim earlier than heading again to the camp to take pleasure in our ultimate evening close to Penela.

Penela to Peneda-Gerês Nationwide Park 

From Central Portugal, it was time to move north and expertise the one nationwide park within the nation, Peneda-Gerês.

Recognized for its mountains, rivers, and small villages, this was a spot we have been very a lot trying ahead to. As we arrived at our campsite (Lima Escape) on the outskirts of the park, we have been instantly in awe. 

We spent 2 nights right here surrounded by pine timber and with a stunning view of the Lima River.

Nick did some fishing on the shoreline whereas I learn a guide. Evenings have been spent cooking dinner within the campervan and having fun with a glass of wine at sunset.

We additionally took a tremendous day journey to the small, conventional village of Soajo. It’s solely a couple of 20-minute drive from Lima Escape, but it surely’s a really scenic route. 

As soon as in Soajo, we wandered round on foot exploring the small roads that wind via homes and farmland, earlier than testing the 18th-century granite granaries which have been utilized by the neighborhood to securely home the harvest of corn. 

From there, we made our approach to Poço Negro which is a beautiful pure swimming gap simply off the aspect of the highway! This was a fantastic place to sunbathe, soar off the rocks into the deep water beneath, and simply chill out. 

Soajo is a must-see little village, and whereas we didn’t make it to close by Lindoso (we have been having fun with pure swimming pools an excessive amount of!), we’ve heard it’s additionally a fantastic place to see.  

Peneda Gerês Nationwide Park to Ponte Da Barca

The campsites we had stayed in up till this level have been nice — and essential with a purpose to cost up the second battery, and use the providers (filling up with water, emptying of gray water, and many others.).

However what’s so fascinating about having a “dwelling on wheels” is the flexibility to wild camp, or boondock. We have been actually trying ahead to this type of tenting.

Utilizing the Park4Night app (extra info beneath), we seemed for someplace to remain in a protected and quiet location that provided a river for fishing and doubtlessly swimming. 

We discovered simply the place…though getting there was an pointless problem. 

We adopted Google Maps taking place a cobbled, residential highway that was barely the width of our automobile for fairly a while. Why we had gone this far, I don’t know.

We had dedicated to it and we have been nearly there, so turning again didn’t make sense — and would’ve been extremely troublesome to do.

Finally, we arrived at a stunning overhang of completely manicured flowers and vines. However, the van was far too tall to clear them!

The choice was made to reverse out of the slender highway till we discovered someplace to show round. I obtained out of the van and tried to direct Nick utilizing hand motions and yelling: “Left!” “Just a little to the appropriate!” “STOP!”

Adopted by Nick’s reply: “I can’t see your fingers in any respect if you’re immediately behind the van!!” 

We should’ve been fairly the sight for the locals who have been almost definitely watching us and laughing from their home windows. Miraculously, Nick was in a position to maneuver the van out of our predicament with out scraping the perimeters.

Lastly, after taking the right flip, on a large 2-way highway, we ultimately arrived at our dream spot on the Lima River close to Ponte Da Barca. 

With nothing greater than a discipline, a few picnic tables, and a small winery all set alongside the slow-moving river, this may be our spot for the evening.

After fishing, studying, making dinner, and enjoyable, we loved wine beneath the total moon and fell asleep to the sound of crickets and frogs. 

Ponte Da Barca to Montorros (by way of the Coura River) 

Right now was the day Nick had been anticipating essentially the most. After having no luck fly fishing the few days prior, he determined to rent an area skilled information to indicate him the most effective spots — and the most effective strategies for the realm. 

We met up with Antonio from Minho Fly Fishing and set off to the Coura River. There’s no approach we might’ve discovered ourselves on this quiet, pristine a part of Portugal had we not joined this non-public tour. 

Not solely was the fishing nice (Nick caught 7 rainbow and brown trout), however the surroundings was gorgeous as properly.

We have been surrounded by lush forest your complete time whereas sitting and standing on boulders alongside the dashing river. Once more, wild mint blanketed the bottom.

Seven hours was spent with Antonio studying about fishing and life in Portugal, and earlier than we knew it, it was 8:30 pm.

After we ultimately arrived at our second wild campsite alongside the Minho River (which acts as a pure border with Spain), we had about 20 minutes left till the solar absolutely set. 

This was one other attractive wild camp spot with a number of picnic tables and nobody else round. Except for the croaking frogs and the late-night fishermen who arrived at 1:00 am, this was a really peaceable spot. 

It’s value spending a while within the northwestern a part of Portugal alongside the Minho River.

The city of Vila Nova de Cerveira is a picturesque place recognized for its paintings, craft outlets, boat journeys on the Minho River, and surrounding hikes within the mountains. We spent a few hours simply wandering round and having fun with the quiet city.

Going from Vila Nova de Cerveira to Valença is a well-maintained path good for biking, jogging, or strolling. 

Montorros to Lima Escape

After 2 nights of untamed tenting, we have been in want of some gasoline for our gasoline range, electrical energy for our second battery, and water for our bathe and sink.

So, we headed again in the direction of Peneda Gerês Nationwide Park within the late afternoon and loved one other evening at Lima Escape campground which had all of the facilities we wanted, plus a BBQ. 

Lima Escape to Gerês City

Staying within the nationwide park boundaries, we drove to Gerês. We weren’t anticipating a lot from at the present time and have been simply trying ahead to the country campground that we deliberate to remain at close to the city of Gerês.

The drive turned out to be a spotlight of our whole journey! 

The highway winded its approach up the mountainside, passing small villages and Roman ruins, earlier than opening as much as reveal a plateau overlooking the valley beneath. Huge granite boulders dotted the terrain and wild Garrano horses roamed free. 

These kinds of scenes continued till we reached Terras de Bouro space in Brufe the place we determined would make a superb pit spot.

With camp chairs and peanut butter and jam sandwiches in hand, we discovered the proper spot and loved lunch with a view. 

That’s the beauty of having a campervan, we had all of our meals with us, cutlery and dishes for making meals, and camp chairs for having fun with a cushty picnic. 

Persevering with on, we handed a tribe of about 50 goats on the highway and one other epic viewpoint earlier than lastly arriving at our campsite the place we’d be spending the following 2 nights — Vidoeiro Gerês Tenting. 

This rustic, pure campsite had parking spots proper alongside the river, an outside BBQ space, showers, bogs and a pure swimming gap within the river. 

With quite a few mountain climbing trails, waterfalls, and viewpoints close by, we gave ourselves 2 nights right here — however may’ve spent for much longer.

This was the final cease on our 10-day campervan highway journey via Portugal and it was an effective way to finish the journey earlier than returning the van in Lisbon.

Suggestions for Travelling Portugal by Campervan

After experiencing the journey, there are some things that we want we might’ve recognized beforehand. Listed below are a number of suggestions: 

1. Get a Through Verde Tag 

The toll roads in Portugal are comparatively new, pretty costly and fairly complicated for foreigners. 

When you’ve got a Through Verde tag in your window and a Portuguese debit card, you merely drive via the toll cubicles and the toll cameras on the freeway. The prices can be routinely added to your tag and routinely charged to your debit card.

Tags are both included in autos that you simply lease (for an additional charge), or could be rented at Through Verde shops and CTT Put up Workplaces across the nation. The fee is €6 the primary week and €1.5 every week after, plus a refundable deposit.

I’m going to imagine that almost all of you’re like us, vacationers with out a native debit card.

In that case, you’ll should cease on the guide cost gates on the freeway (they’re clearly marked) and pay as you go along with money or bank card (overseas bank cards work on the gates).

Should you don’t have a tag, every time you go beneath a big array of cameras suspended over the freeway, your campervan’s license plate can be marked.

Then, after a minimal of two enterprise days (it takes that lengthy on your fees to register) and a most of 5 enterprise days after you’ve handed via these cameras, you’ll must go to a publish workplace (CTT) with a purpose to pay the tolls which have collected. 

Having to consistently cease on the freeway to make funds, and having to discover a CTT workplace (and ensure to pay on time to keep away from penalties) isn’t one thing you’ll need to cope with whereas on vacation.

To make issues simpler, ask your rental firm if a Through Verde tag is included and if not, ask in case you can lease one from them. Indie Campers didn’t have the tag and we discovered it a little bit of a problem having to determine the cost of tolls. 

We spent roughly €100 on tolls throughout our 10-day highway journey. Click on right here to study extra about toll roads in Portugal. 

2. Keep away from Cities

In fact, you received’t be capable of keep away from all cities and there’ll most likely be a number of that you simply need to see. Nevertheless, with such a big automobile, discovering parking and driving via slender roads could be a bit troublesome. 

We needed to go to Braga to get a fishing license and it took endlessly to seek out someplace to park — we thought we discovered the proper place, solely to be advised it was a bus cease!

Relying on the peak of your van, you’ll almost definitely be too tall for underground parking as properly (ours was). 

Mainly, it’s hectic and a bit nerve-racking attempting to drive a big automobile within the cities. Stick with the countryside, highways, and small cities, or park on the outskirts and take the tram, metro or an Uber.

3. Inventory Up

Earlier than setting off, ensure you have every little thing you want — chemical substances for the bathroom, propane for the gasoline range, coal for the BBQ, bathroom paper, and many others. 

We assumed it could be simple to seek out tenting gear and we’d merely buy as we wanted.

Nevertheless, it was unimaginable to seek out extra chemical substances for the bathroom (that means we couldn’t wild camp as a lot as we wished to), and the one place we discovered propane gasoline canisters was at Lima Escape campsite. 

Additionally, relying on the scale of your fridge, I like to recommend grocery buying both beforehand or on the primary day. Since we have been residing in Lisbon, we have been in a position to grocery store and had our meals principally deliberate out for your complete time.

The fridge within the Lively Plus mannequin was small, however was ample for stocking about 5 days of chilly meals together with sausages, some fruit, cheeses, milk and many others. The Nomad mannequin has a bigger fridge.

Having to spend a few of your journey time in outlets and supermarkets (whereas looking for parking) isn’t the easiest way to spend the vacation. Get every little thing directly and then you definitely’re all set!

4. Obtain the Park4Night App

Park4Night is such a fantastic app! The premise is straightforward.

Should you keep someplace superior (both an precise campsite or a wild camp spot), then you may add a number of pictures, the coordinates of the place it’s positioned, what facilities are on provide, and the professionals and cons.

Future campervan travellers will be capable of keep there as properly based mostly in your advice.

When in search of a spot to remain, you merely search round your present location to seek out close by locations that sound good to you. That’s how we discovered the two wild camp spots that we stayed at. 

So long as you respect the realm, are quiet, and don’t depart any rubbish, then wild tenting is often not a problem. In fact, in case you’re requested to depart or are advised you may’t spend the evening, then you definitely’ll should obey.

5. Have a WiFi Hotspot or Knowledge 

If like us, you’re employed on-line then you definitely’ll undoubtedly need to have entry to a WiFi connection. Plus, for security causes and for navigation, you’ll need to ensure you have a telephone with service.

You’ll undoubtedly need to make the most of Google Maps on your journey (or whichever map program you utilize), so having knowledge in your smartphone, or a WiFi hotspot is a should. 

Having a mix of each can be the most suitable choice as one may need higher service than the opposite relying on the place you’re. If there are any emergencies, you’ll need to have the ability to name for help as properly.

Indie Campers gives a WiFi hotspot for simply €20 for your complete journey and it’s limitless! We discovered the web to be quick sufficient to work on, watch YouTube, Netflix and many others.

6. Familiarize Your self with the Performance of the Van

After we rented the campervan with Indie Campers, we got a rundown of how every little thing works. However, we had additionally been researching on YouTube beforehand, which helped to get a visible.

You’ll need to know learn how to cost the van, learn how to fill and empty the gray water tank, and the way the bathroom works.

Right here are some things to know for the Lively Plus mannequin:

• The 220v cable twine plugs into electrical shops at campsites and this fees your auxiliary battery — which is what the fridge, the USB plug-ins, and the within lights run on.
• The fridge will run, together with the USB plugs and the lights, for round 2-3 days (tough estimate) earlier than the battery dies.
• The 220v shops within the van solely work if you’re plugged in, so if you’re wild tenting you received’t be capable of cost your computer systems or plug in massive gadgets.
• Replenish the gray water with common faucet water. There needs to be hoses at campsites that you need to use.
• You’ll know the gray water is full if it begins to leak out! Ensure that the valve is closed once more after you empty it.
• There are indicators for “service stations” at campsites in Portugal. And, you will discover these on the Park4Night app as properly. Be sure you’re dumping your bathroom waste and your gray water in a chosen space.

Execs and Cons of Campervan Life

We actually loved our 10-day journey! However, as with something, there are a few downsides to travelling by campervan. 

The plain “professionals” to this type of journey are the truth that you’re absolutely self-contained and never reliant on anybody, something, or wherever.

You’ve got your meals and water with you, your rest room services, your mode of transportation, and a spot to sleep at evening. 

We had lots of enjoyable cooking our meals within the night and making breakfast within the morning. We liked parking in distant locations and falling asleep to the sound of nature. 

Having a campervan permits for an thrilling journey and lots of freedom!

There have been solely a few downsides to travelling this fashion, and a few issues to pay attention to.

First, if you get to a campsite that you simply actually like, you don’t have something to depart behind to order the spot if you head out for the day.

Should you have been tenting with a tent for instance, you’d depart your tent arrange and head out within the automotive for the day, coming again to your similar campsite.

Second, the area can begin to really feel a bit cramped and also you’ll simply neglect the place you positioned one thing in case you aren’t correctly organized.

Be sure that every little thing has its place and that you simply put it away within the similar spot every time. We spent greater than an hour in search of the keys in the future…

Should you’re correctly ready, I’m certain you’ll take pleasure in your self as a lot as we did. The truth is, we’re planning to journey by campervan to discover another elements of Portugal within the close to future!

FAQs About Travelling Portugal by Campervan

Should you nonetheless have a query about Portugal campervan journey, try the FAQs beneath. Many have been lined within the article, however you will discover some fast solutions right here.

Take pleasure in Exploring Portugal by Campervan

Portugal has a lot to supply vacationers and locals alike, and travelling by campervan is an effective way to expertise the seashores, mountains, and vineyards. 

Park on a cliff overlooking the ocean, subsequent to a river, or surrounded by fruit timber — with a campervan, the selection is yours. 10 days is an efficient period of time to get a style of what Portugal is all about, and our journey with Indie Campers is one which we received’t neglect. 

To study extra about renting a campervan in Portugal, click on right here. And, be happy to electronic mail us or remark beneath with any questions you may need!