L’Algarve en Camping-Car : advice, areas, routes

How do I visit the Algarve in a camper or in a furnished van? Here are our tips and routes to discover one of the most beautiful regions of Portugal.

Portugal is a beautiful country, but the Algarve is probably one of the most beautiful regions! Visiting the Algarve in camping-car is therefore a very good idea. The region extends over 4,988 km2 on the southern coast of Portugal. This is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for holidaymakers!

There are several reasons for that! Of course, beaches that extend to a loss of sight and lined with azure water are often the main reason. However, many tourists also visit the Algarve for its rich cultural and historical heritage. You can find museums, monuments dating back to centuries as well as Portugal's flagship places in this region.

Wanderlix offers this mini guide to prepare your road trip!

Ideas of itineraries in Algarve

However, the Algarve is wide enough. If you have little time, then think about planning your itinerary in advance. This will allow you to make the most of your road trip. To help you, here are some ideas to visit the Algarve in camper:

• 7 days: Faro, Lagos, Silves, Cap Saint Vincent, Alvor and Aljezur
• 10 days: Faro, Lagos, Monchique, Sagres, Silves, Cap Saint Vincent, Alvor and Aljezur
• The coast in 10 days: Vila Real de Santo António, Cacela Velha, Santa Luzia, Faro, Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos, Cap Saint Vincent and Aljezur
• 15 days: Vila Real de Santo António, Faro, Lagos, Monchique, Santa Luzia, Sagres, Cap Saint Vincent, Silves, Alvor and Aljezur
• 30 days and more: itinerary of 15 days + routes of 10 days for the coast + Carrapateira, Marinha and Ferragudo

Of course, nothing obliges you to follow these routes sometimes very ambitious. They're here to give you some ideas. Your final route will reflect your interests as well as the places you really want to see in Algarve!

Drive in Algarve in motorhome : traffic rules to know

Note, however, that speed limits change from France. These are the following for motorhomes:

• 120 km/h on paid highways,
• 100 km/h when you drive on free fast tracks,
• 90 km/h out of town,
• 80 km/h for driving on roads with separate roads,
• 70 km/h for secondary national roads, IP or IC,
• 50km/h in agglomeration, unless otherwise indicated on a road sign.

With regard to mandatory documents and equipment in your camper, they are relatively numerous. You will of course need your help permit European or international at all times. In addition, you must be in possession of Certificate of Registration the vehicle and its insurance card . It is also mandatory to have an identification of the country of origin on the rear of the vehicle. However, it is generally present on the registration plate. Finally, you will need a certificate use of a third party vehicle. This will save you a lot of trouble in case of control.

Let's go now equipment . You must have the following items with you to visit the Algarve in furnished van:

• Two security triangles,
• A yellow vest for each passenger on the motorhome,
• Take an extinguisher,
• A spare wheel.

In addition, it is advisable to take a first aid kit. You can also take a European parking disc and a set of replacement bulbs. These may be useful during your stay.

Finally, be careful when you are visiting the Algarve on a camping-car. Indeed, the number of accidents generally in Portugal is higher than in other European countries.

Motorway pass in Algarve: what price for your motorhome category?

First, you will have the classic method: tickets. In this case, you will need to take a ticket to a dedicated terminal when you enter a paid highway. You will have to keep the ticket to a second terminal. This will allow you to pay according to the number of kilometers carried out.

The second method is to use electronic tolls with dematerialized pay. These work with passing sensors that identify the vehicle’s plate. The amount due is then immediately calculated and deducted from your bank card. This will prevent you from making the line at the tolls. Note that several companies have operated this service since 2011.

Finally, here is a list of the tolls between some of the largest cities in the region. These rates are those of 2019, but may be subject to changes:

• Faro – Tavira : 2,05€
• Faro – Silves : 3,15€
• Vila Real de Santo António - Faro : 3,80€
• Faro – Monchique : 3,95€
• Vila Real de Santo António – Portimão : 6,95€
• Vila Real de Santo António - Aljezur: 9€

Of course, you can also find free roads. These will not allow you to connect the largest cities as fast as the highways. Nevertheless, they will allow you to admire the Algarve landscape and countryside. Note that these roads are more frequented, especially by the Portuguese. Redouble your vigilance to avoid an accident.

Campsites in Algarve : where to park ?

However, if you want to easily find the best places to park, you can use some platforms. These include Campercontact or Caramaps. They can quickly find nearby campsites or parking areas. You can sleep peacefully with the best "spots" and user reviews.

Please also note that, officially, it is forbidden to camp outside campsites or parking areas for campers. However, you can still try the wild camping experience if you do not fear fines. In addition, there are now applications such as Park4night, which can easily find "spots". Indeed, it allows to see places advised by the community. You can also see places to be avoided because, in particular, police controls.

How and where to rent a motorhome in France?

Would you like to go to the Algarve with your Camping-Car or van for example? It is now easy to rent a motorhome in the Hexagon. How? Using interrelationship platforms between tenants and particular camper owners as Yescapa For example.

How does it work?

• At first, you have to choose the motorhome in your city (For example Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, Paris, Montpellier or Marseille).
• Be careful choose unlimited mileage, to check the number of beds available and if travel abroad is possible.
• Do your work online rental request and share your travel information (dates, rental options, mileage, etc.) to the owner.
• If your request is accepted and after payment, you will have access to the owner's contact information to organize a First meeting.
• Day J, present your driver's license and pour bail.
• One. status of premises is executed and a lease is signed between the two parties. When you return, after shaking the Algarian roads, sign the state of the return places and the tower is played!

How and where to rent a motorhome in Algarve?

If you prefer to rent a motorhome in Algarve rather than France, it is possible to do so online. This will allow you to avoid finding yourself in the region without any camper or van available.

For this, you just have to go to a camping-car rental site. You can enter the important criteria to choose the vehicle, as well as the dates of your trip. You will then choose the one that suits you, according to the price and the possibility of making unlimited kilometers. After sending an application and receiving a confirmation, you will only have to pay online. You will then receive a confirmation email and will only have to pick up your camper once you arrive in Algarve!

What is the best time to travel to Algarve on a motorhome?

Located in the extreme south of Portugal, the Algarve is one of the most sunny regions in the world. Indeed, there are just over 2,700 hours of sunshine per year. In addition, it is subject to a Mediterranean climate. This gives it mild to warm temperatures all year round.

Summer is therefore hot , with temperatures between 20°C and 30°C. The weather is generally dry, and a drought period is possible between July and August. Winter is enough soft . The temperatures are between 11°C and 17°C, with little precipitation.

It is therefore possible to visit the Algarve in a van installed at any time of year! Nevertheless, the most pleasant remains to leave between June and October . Temperatures are always above 20 °C during this period and the risk of rain is very low.