Photos: Raphael Assouline, José Duarte, Marc Wieland, Niklas Jonasson, Nick Kane
Itinerary · Portugal
Algarve Van Trip
7 days along the Portuguese coast
The Algarve is the easiest region in Europe for a first van trip: coastal roads, golden cliffs, beaches reachable by van and plenty of sunshine. This itinerary runs from Faro to Cape St. Vincent (the south-westernmost point of Europe), by way of coves, surf spots and fishing villages.
The route
Indicative route, in straight lines between the stops, in travel order.
View on Google Maps →The 8 stops
Good to know before you go
The real budget for 7 days
Allow around €880 to €1,250 for 7 days from April to October, for two. This budget covers three items only: rental, diesel and nights (one campsite night each evening). Food, restaurants and activities are extra. Prices checked in October 2026.
- Van rental: €80 per day from April to June and in September-October, €100 to €120 in July-August (VanCowork): €560 to €840 for 7 days.
- Diesel: €2.175 per litre in Portugal on 19/10/2026 (Fuel-prices.eu). For 620 km at 9 to 11 litres per 100 km (our estimate for a van): €121 to €148.
- Nights: €27.85 to €37.40 per night for two at Orbitur Sagres campsite (Campercontact): €195 to €262 for 7 nights.
- Total: €876 to €1,250, so around €880 to €1,250.
Where to sleep in a van in the Algarve
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
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
Keep exploring
