A trip to Portugal can be many things: time spent enjoying some of the best beaches and surf spots in western Europe; losing yourself in the tapestry of architectural intrigues left by centuries of invaders; or simply chilling out amidst the oh-so-delightful mix of picturesque Portuguese landscapes with a glass of her famous wine. With this representing just a cursory glance of what Portugal has to offer, you can be sure that motorhome hire in Portugal is the ideal to way to explore this captivating country.
Portugal is the late developer of the western European countries, and is still a very traditional one, especially once you get further away from the more densely populated towns and cities. It is also the cheapest country in western Europe, and your Euros will go much further here than in neighbouring Spain. Fuel prices in Portugal are generally the biggest expenses.
Getting to Portugal from the UK is easier than ever, with the most popular method being to fly. Flights run daily from airports in London, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol and go to Porto, Lisbon, and Faro airports. There are no direct ferries to Portugal from the UK; however, with ferry services going to Spain and France, you can pick up your motorhome from one of our Spanish or French suppliers, and make Portugal a stop on your motorhome hire tour of western Europe. Just be sure to check with your supplier beforehand regarding their terms and conditions on taking their vehicles across borders.
The north of Portugal is a land of dense vegetation and profound historic and cultural wealth, as evidenced from the amount of castles and manor houses left over from the particularly intense medieval period in the region. Porto - Portugal's second largest city and the capital of the region is here. This is the birthplace of that rich sweet wine – port, after which the city is proudly named. This is a student city with a fun nightlife, where you can mingle with locals in its small bars in the evening, and then take a midnight stroll with everyone else along the river Douro.
From here you can travel south into Portugal's middle section: a region of contrasting landscapes and outstanding natural beauty and, surprisingly, a thriving British expat community (apparently the landscape here of mountain peaks and lush rolling hills are reminiscent of the Lake District, only with better weather). Here you'll also find lots of sandy beaches as well as pine and eucalyptus forests, making this a particularly great region for camping in.
Portugal has the cheapest campsites in western Europe, with prices going as low as €10 per person, per night. Expect prices to increase the further south you go. Most sites are well equipped with pitches for motorhomes. WiFi, washing machines, restaurants, fresh daily bread, and outdoor activities aimed at kids and adults are among some of the services available,. Crime is uncommon in Portugal, the biggest crime committed being theft, so be sure to always lock your vehicle even when staying at a campsite. Wild camping is illegal in Portugal, but is tolerated by the police outside of the high summer season as long as you are sensible about where you park up your motorhome.
A trip to Portugal wouldn't be complete without taking in the coastal capital of Lisbon, which is taking you closer to Portugal's most popular region: the Algarve. Here the sun is hot in the summer and the beaches are bursting with tourists, attracted by its sandy beaches bordered by blunt cliffs. This is holiday resort county, so if you want to avoid the crowds, do it like the Portuguese and avoid the high season from July to mid-September. If you want to steer clear of the yachters and young clubbing crowd, head out into the surrounding hills. Many festivals celebrating the region's food, wine, music, and art are held in the villages here. Food markets are also a weekly occurrence, which is a great chance to stock up on some local, fresh produce before heading off to your next destination on your motorhome hire adventure in Portugal.
Don't miss out on exploring one of the most surprising and dynamic gems of Europe. Get booking your motorhome hire tour in Portugal today when you submit your first booking enquiries online at www.campanda.co.uk.