Portugal by van
Portugal is the easiest destination in Europe for a first van trip: golden Algarve cliffs, Costa Vicentina surf spots and plenty of sunshine. The Atlantic coast road, from Lisbon to Cape Saint-Vincent, takes a week.
Our itineraries
Travelling in Portugal by van
On the road
Stops not to miss
In Portugal, the rule is written in the Highway Code (article 50-A, amended by Law 66/2021 of 24 August 2021, Diário da República): - In natural parks and Natura 2000 areas, spending the night or setting up camp in a van is forbidden outside authorised sites. This includes the Costa Vicentina (Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park), so Arrifana and Sagres too. Wild camping is not "tolerated" there: the fine is €120 to €600. - Elsewhere (outside protected areas and coastal plan zones), a vehicle registered as a motorhome may stay overnight for 48 hours at most in the same municipality, unless local rules or signs say otherwise. Fine: €60 to €300. Note: a converted van registered as a car or a goods vehicle does not qualify (Siesta Campers, Algarve rental company, September 2026). Ask your rental company what the registration document says. - "Overnight" means staying on board between 10 pm and 7 am. "Setting up camp" means taking more space than the van itself: table, chairs, awning, levelling blocks. The Portuguese motorhome federation reports fines for levelling blocks or a step left out (CPA, 12/08/2025).
The safest places to sleep: campsites (such as Orbitur Sagres) and paid motorhome parks (such as Figueira Caravan Park). That is what our budget counts.
When to go
Portugal month by month
April to October
- Jan : Outside the best time
- Feb : Outside the best time
- Mar : Outside the best time
- Apr : Best time
- May : Best time
- Jun : Best time
- Jul : Best time
- Aug : Best time
- Sep : Best time
- Oct : Best time
- Nov : Outside the best time
- Dec : Outside the best time
Elsewhere
