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Camping and Caravanning in Portugal

There is an extensive network of camping and caravanning parks across the country, all well serviced and mostly in beautiful wooded areas or within easy access of beaches. Casual overnight stops on roadsides or in the country are prohibited in the Algarve , but limited stopovers are allowed elsewhere provided you do not disturb the area. You may stop for a reasonable amount of time on a motorway service station to cook a meal.

Campsites

Camp sites are very cheap, some working out at little more than a pound or two per night, although parking and caravans have an extra charge, still very low. There are four classes of site, almost as a star category in a hotel, but in addition there are private parks where only members of that particular association may stay. There are also two types of general parks: those which belong to certain clubs or to the Portuguese Camping and Caravanning Federation - only foreign visitors holding an International FICC card may use them - and free sites, where usually a passport will suffice for entry.

Most sites have excellent facilities, but remember, if you are camping in the summer months, the wooded, sandy locations are also the resting place of irksome insects, so be well protected. A useful publication giving information on all the camp sites is the Roteiro Campista (camping guide) available from most bookshops/kiosks in Portugal .