Traveling in a van has always been on my bucket list. The ultimate freedom, the last-minute planning, the horizon as our only limit… So when the opportunity came up this summer, I didn’t hesitate for a second. That’s why today I’m taking you on a week-long road trip in Portugal from Faro, Algarve, to Zambujeira do Mar, Alentejo. Where did we stop along the way ? How did we rent our van ? Where did we sleep ? You’ll find out about all this (and more !) as you read on. Ready for this 7-day trip in Portugal ? Then time to hit the road !
Sommaire
Note : this article contains links to the van rental company Siesta Campers, who were incredibly generous in sponsoring our trip. More details to come !
Renting a van and driving around Portugal
How to rent a van in Portugal ?
As mentioned in the intro, we rented our van from the rental company Siesta Campers. This article is sponsored by them, but as always, my content is 100% genuine and honest ! It was my first time trying out a van road trip in Portugal (or anywhere, for that matter) and I must say everything went perfectly.
From the warm welcome on-site to the customer service, and the ease of navigating their website to choose the perfect model of van for your trip… This team really knows their stuff. For what they offer, their pricing is absolutely fair.
And that’s not even mentioning the van itself ! We chose the Siesta Atlantic and loved its blend of modern and vintage design, its ease of driving and especially its practicality. Apart from a toilet, we had everything we needed to live comfortably throughout the road trip. A comfy bed, a fully equipped kitchen, a shower, electrical outlets… I joked that the van was better equipped than my old apartment, but it might just be true 😂
In short, I’d like to give a huge thank you to Siesta Campers, without whom this trip wouldn’t have happened ✌️ If you also want to rent a van for your next road trip in Portugal, you can do it right here:
How to drive in Portugal ?
Let me start by saying that if you’re wondering « is Portugal good for road trips ?« , the answer is yes ! The roads are great and some of them really scenic. And yes, it is easy to drive in Portugal.
Some things to know on how to drive in Portugal if you’re coming from abroad (especially from the US):
- Like in other european countries, it is still very common to drive manual cars. Our van was actually manual.
- The speed limits are surprisingly low ! Especially since we chose countryside roads most of the time, the limits were very rarely above 70 km per hour.
- If you’re planning on taking the highway, you should know that you’ll encounter different types of tolls : traditional toll systems, where you just stop and pay manually and electronic toll systems, where gateways detect vehicles passing through. More information on that here.
- And if you’re wondering what documents you need to drive around Portugal : just your international driving licence !
Where to spend the night with a van in Portugal ?
It’s the only thing that made me a bit nervous before we set off. Here are some handy tips if you’re also planning a van road trip in Portugal :
- Yes, wild camping is allowed in Portugal, EXCEPT in protected areas, and unfortunately for us, most of the coast falls into this category (here’s a map for you). But outside these areas, you can assume that as long as you don’t set up all your camping gear—tents, tables, etc.—and there’s no sign indicating private property, you’re all good.
- If you need access to water, electricity, showers… head to a campground. The ones we found cost between €6 and €15 per person.
- Throughout the entire road trip, we used the Park4night app available on Google Play and the Apple Store. It was a total lifesaver ! The app allows you to find all the spots where you can spend the night directly on a map, as well as parking suitable for vans/RVs and even public water points and showers.
Our 7-day itinerary in Portugal
Now let’s dive right in : what route did we follow during our week in Portugal ? If you need a Portugal travel plan and you’re wondering where to go for a Portugal road trip, you’re at the right place. Since the south of the country had been calling my name for years, we naturally chose to start our Portuguese road trip in the Algarve, before gradually heading up to the stunning Alentejo region. Want more details ? Then keep reading:
Day 1 : Faro & Falésia beach
With palpable excitement (and visible too, see the photos 😅), my dear friend Cassandra and I arrive in Faro, the capital of the Algarve region. Since our van isn’t available until the afternoon, we decide to make the most of this free time by exploring the city on foot. We wander through the cobblestone streets of the historic center, meandering through the alleys until we stumble upon Largo Da Sé square with its magnificent Faro Cathedral :
When our stomachs start to growl, we stop at the restaurant « Cantinho » (Google Maps link here), drawn in by its colorful facade… This meal turns out to be the best of the trip, so I highly recommend it !
The afternoon arrives and we dash to pick up the van from the Siesta Campers Faro hub near the airport. We’re ecstatic: our week-long road trip in Portugal officially begins ! Without wasting any time, we set off for Falésia Beach, located 40 minutes from Faro, since we can’t wait to feel the sun on our skin and the sand under our feet. It’s worth mentioning that I met my friend while living in Bali (I have an article on that here) and the beach is the place that makes us the happiest 🌞
The beach is even more divine than we imagined. Ochre cliffs that almost resemble our famous Colorado Provençal in France, tranquil waters and a sunset that makes this palette of colors even more vibrant. In short, it’s the perfect way to kick off the first day of our road trip along the Portuguese coast.
We spend the night in this great campsite located just a 5-minute walk from the beach. Quick hot shower (we won’t have this luxury throughout the trip!), then off to bed💤
Day 2 : Albufeira & Benagil
Our second day of the road trip through southern Portugal kicks off with a short drive: it only takes 20 minutes to go from from Falésia Beach to the town of Albufeira. I should mention that throughout the entire trip, we rarely drove more than 2 hours a day… there was just too much to see in such a small area !
I’ll be quite brief about Albufeira since our stop was rather quick. The big buildings and swarms of tourists was not really the vibe. After a short stop at the dos Pescadores Beach, we grab a quick açai bowl and hit the road again. [I’ve read online that the old town is quite cute, so maybe check it out if you have the time?]
The next stop has us much more excited. It’s the Benagil Cave, a place I’ve been dreaming to visit. To be honest, I always approach Instagram-famous spots with a bit of skepticism, and the cave was no exception. So I went there with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. As it turned out, I was concerned for the right reasons: the crowds were overwhelming. Nevertheless, I must admit that the place is absolutely stunning.
To access the cave, you can choose to go by paddle board, canoe, or boat (departing from several locations). We opted for a canoe and paddled for a few minutes, following a guide who was mainly there to manage the flow of traffic 😬. For this 1-hour kayak tour, we paid €25. Here’s the link to the activity:
my advice
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My tips for visiting the Benagil Cave during your road trip in Portugal :
- arrive early in the morning, or you will have to share the place with dense crowds
- unless you plan to visit multiple spots, go for the paddle board or canoe. The cave is only a few hundred meters from the beach !
- respect the site ! I saw tourists smoking there and throwing their cigarette butts in the sand and I had to resist the urge to insult them…
For those you’d like to access the cave from another town : here are the links for a 2h30 boat tour from Albufeira and a 1h30 boat tour from Portimão.
Day 3 : Portimaõ & Lagos
The third day of our week-long road trip in Portugal starts off slowly in Portimão, as we spent the night in a parking spot nearby. Portimão is another highly touristy town, much like Albufeira. Although there are things to see there, we decide to just take a short break on the vast Rocha Beach before heading to more « natural » spots.
After a 30-minute drive, our little van arrives in the city of Lagos, which beaches are said to be breathtaking. Our expectations are met: they truly are. We start with Dona Ana Beach (see above), which looks like it’s straight out of a movie… Surprisingly, there are hardly any people there ! We enjoy a peaceful moment away from the crowds.
After an amazing lunch at this restaurant (go for the local dishes, not the snacks !), we head to Do Camilo Beach. It’s a lot more crowded here, but the place is still stunning. We choose not to swim since it’s far too chilly for our bodies used to tropical waters 😅, but we do enjoy a fantastic sunbathing session. Once again, I find the setting incredibly cinematic with these long wooden stairs, the cliffs with natural arches and the deep blue water. In short, it’s a must-add to your road trip in southern Portugal.
Day 4 : Lagos
While enjoying our breakfast in the bright sunshine, two thoughts cross our minds : 1) we’re quite fond of Lagos and 2) we’re craving a lazy day. So, on a whim, we decide to stay put for this new day of our road trip in Portugal. That’s van life for you: no agenda, no hassle 😎
Lagos has already begun to satisfy our thirst for spectacular landscapes and we want more : next stop, Ponta da Piedade, an extraordinary rock formation that leaves us speechless. There’s something quite magical about the silent dance of boats and paddle boards weaving through every crevice of the cliffs. Despite the scorching sun, we stay there for a long time, mesmerized by the place.
The day ends on a gentle note at a small café where I try to catch up on my overdue emails (that’s the reality of freelancing…!).
One activity we would have done if we had more energy that day were the boat excursions down the cliffs ! In fact…
my advice
If you want to enjoy some water activities in Lagos during your week-long road trip in Portugal, you’re in for a treat with this kayak tour at Ponta da Piedade, this boat cruise at the same spot or this Algarve cruise by catamaran.
Day 5 : Sagres
A marvelous sky wakes us up in Sagres, at the southwestern tip of Portugal, where we arrived the night before. The seagulls have been squawking for a while and the village around us is starting to come to life. There’s a buzz of excitement in the air : upon arriving yesterday, we quickly recognized the familiar « surf destination » vibe (Cassandra and I have been living in Uluwatu, Bali for six months now).
We decide to start the day with a visit to the Sagres Fortress, which imposing silhouette can be seen from miles away. I highly recommend it since the entrance fee is only €3 and the site has a lot to offer : an exhibition center, several viewpoints, the lighthouse and of course, the fortress. From the fortress walls, you even get to watch the surfers riding the waves of do Tonel Beach.
We spend the afternoon running errands and making necessary stops for the van – understand : we don’t always have a place to do our dishes or empty the wastewater..! It’s a slightly less glamorous aspect of van life in Portugal, but this vagabond life has gotten us quite entertained 😂
To make the most of the beautiful weather, we go to Mareta Beach, which is almost deserted except for a few locals at the café, to soak up the sublime late afternoon light.
Day 6 : Aljezur – stop at Amado beach
This morning our van heads north under a majestic sun and to the sound of a Brazilian playlist. We leave the Algarve and its ochre cliffs for the Alentejo, a region praised for its wild beauty and vast beaches. Needless to say, we’re in high spirits.
Among the spots our local friends recommended was Amado Beach, located 25 minutes north of Sagres. The road to get there is stunning. We weave through paths lined with eucalyptus trees and drive deep into the hilly countryside, dotted here and there with small villages.
The beach is breathtaking. It almost has an end-of-the-world feel with its isolated location, colossal cliffs and almost eerie calm. A few brave souls defy the chilly water and average conditions to dive in with their boards and we watch them from afar. We think to ourselves this place was definitely worth the detour on an Alentejo road trip.
We then decide to have lunch in the charming village of Aljezur, located 30 minutes away. Despite our full stomachs, curiosity drives us to wander aimlessly through the alleys of the historic center, up to the medieval castle overlooking the river and valley. A timeless sight.
We’ll wrap up this sixth day of our van road trip in style at Arrifana Beach, just 15 minutes from Aljezur. This beach has been one of my favourites because of its grandeur… but also because the conditions were FINALLY right for me to surf for the first time in Europe 🤩 I’d be lying if I said the wetsuit and cold water were a pleasure, but I still had an absolute blast.
wanna surf in portugal ?
If you want to try surfing for the first time in Portugal, Arrifana Beach is great for beginners ! If you have no experience, it’s best to book a lesson, which you can do right here :
Day 7 : Zambujeira do Mar – stop at Odeceixe
We’ve reached the last day of our 7-day road trip in Portugal. Can you believe it ?
After spending a night in a little natural paradise straight out of a fairy tale just outside Aljezur (a stream, a weeping willow dancing in the wind and baby birds chirping in the morning—yes, magical), we head to the village of Odeceixe, 20 minutes north. We settle for a coffee in the sun with a view of the beach since the wind is blowing hard. The waves crash against the black rocks. I can’t resist pulling out my sketchbook to capture this dramatic panorama.
We drive another 20 minutes north to reach the final stop of our road trip: the village of Zambujeira do Mar. We set up camp at this well-equipped site before heading on foot to the town center. Quick lunch near the charming Nossa Senhora do Mar chapel overlooking the ocean, followed by an afternoon of sunbathing on the beach. We then return to our home on wheels for one last meal and a relaxed evening at the campsite.
The next day, we drive just under 2 hours inland to return the van in Faro. And that’s how our 7-day tour of Portugal comes to an end !
👉 Note that it’s definitely possible to adjust this itinerary for a 5-day road trip in Portugal ! For example, you could spend just one day in Lagos and skip a stop that interests you less 🙂
Our budget for a 1-week road trip in Portugal
I received a discount on the van rental in exchange for producing this article, but here’s the « normal » rate:
| Expenditure | Price |
|---|---|
| Van rental at Siesta Campers | from 70 € / night for a van with a double bed |
| Flight, roundtrip from Paris | 150 € / person |
| 2 nights at a campsite | 16 € / person |
| Various expenditures | 300 € / person |
| Total for 1 person | 676 € |
When to go to South Portugal
Expecting sweltering heat, we were surprised to find pleasantly mild temperatures throughout our stay ! It averaged between 25°C and 30°C, but the cool ocean breeze always helped refresh the air (we even felt chilly at some beaches).
Generally speaking, the best time to visit the Algarve and Alentejo is between May and October. However, even in winter, temperatures remain quite comfortable in both regions (between 10°C and 17°C), and there are naturally fewer crowds.
Good to know : if you’re coming here for surfing, be aware that the biggest waves in Portugal are in winter ! Summer, on the other hand, is better suited for beginners 🙂
I hope you enjoyed this article about our week-long road trip in Portugal ! Feel free to share your thoughts or questions in the comments below. I’ll see you soon for more adventures 👋
If you enjoyed reading this, go check out What to do in Naples (Italy) in 2, 3 or 4 days ?, Puglia: a one week car-free itinerary and A week in sunny Sicily: the ultimate itinerary.
