Exploring Portugal via Motorhome: A 20-day Journey from Lisbon to the Algarve
Embark on a captivating journey through Portugal with this 20-day itinerary designed for motorhome travellers. This adventure takes you from the vibrant city of Lisbon, along the picturesque southwest coast, and up to the historic city of Porto.
Starting in Lisbon
Lisbon, the capital and heart of Portugal, offers a rich blend of culture, history, and cuisine. However, navigating the city with a motorhome can be challenging due to narrow streets and traffic congestion. It's best to use designated motorhome parks or campgrounds on the city outskirts and utilise public transport to explore the city centre.
Exploring the Southwestern Coast
Costa Vicentina
This coastal region boasts stunning beaches, natural parks, and relaxed towns with ample motorhome-friendly camping and parking options.
The Algarve
Known for its paradisiacal beaches, the Algarve offers a unique blend of historic towns and scenic landscapes. However, it's essential to plan ahead for parking and overnight stays due to the increasing number of tourists.
Historic Towns Along the Way
Sintra
A fairy-tale town famous for its palaces and lush gardens, Sintra is a must-see. Parking a motorhome near Sintra is doable with proper planning, usually outside the city centre, then use local transport or hiking to explore.
Porto
Famous for its port wine and the Ribeira district, Porto's narrow cobbled streets limit direct motorhome access. Find dedicated parking areas and explore the city on foot or public transit.
Challenges in Big Cities
Large motorhomes can struggle on steep, tight, twisty roads, especially in mountainous or historic areas with narrow streets. Limited parking spots for motorhomes in city centres require advance research and use of official motorhome parks. Portugal has an electronic toll system, so ensure your motorhome rental includes toll payment options or follow local procedures carefully.
Practical Tips
- Rent from established companies like Indie Campers which offer a range of campervans and helpful customer support for road trips in Portugal.
- Plan your route with frequent stops (e.g. 50-80 miles between destinations) to avoid fatigue and allow sightseeing.
- Use official motorhome sites or campgrounds to overnight safely.
- Incorporate slower travel days in scenic natural areas such as Ria Formosa or Costa Vicentina for relaxation.
This itinerary offers a balanced mix of popular sights and the challenges posed by narrow city streets and toll systems. Booking appropriate motorhome parking in advance and being prepared for winding roads enhances safety and enjoyment.
Additional Highlights
- The Troia peninsula, a stretch of fine white sand, clean, calm waters, and plenty of wind, is reachable from Setúbal by ferry.
- Cape St. Vincent is one of the most emblematic places in the south of Portugal, considered for centuries as "the end of the world".
- Costa Caparica has 15 kilometers of golden sandy beaches and cool Atlantic waters.
- Praia de Monte Clérigo is a very accessible beach at the foot of a small collection of white and pink houses with a seaside feel.
- Praia do Beliche is a secluded and steep cove, protected by high cliffs, with a warmer microclimate and a wooden beach bar.
- Zambujeira do Mar is an authentic fishing village with small white houses, a traditional cliffside port, and inviting restaurants serving fresh fish.
- Vila Nova de Milfontes is a popular tourist destination for the Portuguese.
With 18% of the nearly three million motorhome owners in Europe planning to travel to Portugal this summer, this itinerary provides an excellent starting point for your adventure. Enjoy the journey!
Incorporating the provided words, here are two sentences:
- The Algarve region offers a unique blend of historic towns and scenic landscapes, making it an ideal destination for travelers with cars, pedestrians, and motorhome travelers alike.
- After exploring the southwestern coast and historic towns like Sintra and Porto, consider relaxing at Praia de Monte Clérigo, a beautiful and motorhome-friendly beach.
