Hi. I'm a newbie to forums so please excuse any faux pars.
We are usually tent campers but this year, to celebrate a number of family milestones, we have booked up to go to Portugal in August and hired a motorhome. Please can we ask you for tips? Some questions are: do you need to book campsites in advance? I believe you can't with Aire and we are more inclined to be unorganised anyway. If this is the case, what time do you need to turn up to get a space (reminiscing Australia travels and turning up at 6pm only to find the last spot, next to a busy, 24/7 railway!)? Is it best to leave the motorhome in carparks and use public transport to get into cities or small villages or towns?
All advice welcome. Wishing you a happy summer of camping.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Never camped in Portugal, but a start would be getting hold of the 'ACSI' book.(you can also get an App. for your phone) This list a vast number of campsites in the country (and other countries on the way). And will give you a flavour of each. It also normally gives you a cheaper rate, but unlikely at the time you are going. It may also pay to book ahead given the time.
Unless what you have rented is absolutely massive, i wouldnt think there was a problem with taking it into towns etc.
Good luck.
Message posted by iank0104/7/2018 at 2:16pm Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser Location: Worcestershire
Joined: 30/6/2004View ProfileReplyQuote
Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 03/7/2018
Never camped in Portugal, but a start would be getting hold of the 'ACSI' book.(you can also get an App. for your phone) This list a vast number of campsites in the country (and other countries on the way). And will give you a flavour of each. It also normally gives you a cheaper rate, but unlikely at the time you are going. It may also pay to book ahead given the time.
Unless what you have rented is absolutely massive, i wouldnt think there was a problem with taking it into towns etc.
Good luck.
ACSI book is not much use as it is for low season sites. As they are travelling in August probably a good idea to book ahead, but expect to pay a lot more.
Message posted by Kelper04/7/2018 at 9:05pm Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480 Location: Northern Ireland
Joined: 21/4/2011View ProfileReplyQuote
While we toured Portugal about a year and a half ago, we joined the "Orbitur" camping club. They have 26 campsites all over Portugal. Look them up online.
A very helpful site manager suggested it and pre booked our sites for us.It was heavily discounted to normal rates like ACSI. A good way of seeing different parts of Portugal. We went from the North, Caminah, then Canidelo (bus into Porto), then on to Algarve, Quarteira (between Villamoura and Faro). We could have toured around much more and regretted that we didn't afterwards. Next time!!
Have a search on this website under Portugal - there are loads of sites shown of varying sizes and prices.
Have been several times but only in winter. Last year 2 of the smaller CL type sites we used told us some sites are closed in August as they find its too hot for campers - so worth checking dates if looking at smaller sites.
In smaller towns and villages I would park up on the edge and walk in. Some of the village streets can be very small and finding a spot to park impossible. Most places are very motor-home friendly and lots of specific motor-home parking spots in the larger car-parks on the edges of towns.
Orbitur campsites are very large with up to 500 spaces so unlikely you wouldn't get a space, but there are plenty of smaller sites with a handful of pitches that you might need to book. With aires its like anywhere the best ones fill up early, so you might want to think of stopping early afternoon.
Message posted by coogee02/8/2018 at 8:51am Outfit: None Entered Location: None Entered
Joined: 15/4/2013View ProfileReplyQuote
Topic: Portugal campsites/aire
