All we ever wanted – for as long as I remember – was to drive along the Portugals rugged West Coast with nothing but ocean on one side, with a few essential pieces of clothing in our backpacks, with no hotels to check-in or out and with our future unwritten.

We have talked and dreamed about this type of road trip for way too much and for way too long and I’m glad we finally made it happen.

We longed freedom of the road and didn’t mind our hair full of salt, shoes full of soft sand and pockets full of pine kernels and seashells.

We did not plan much for this road trip. Instead, we favoured practising new travel movement taking the world by storm – slow travel. Our initial goal was to rent a campervan and drive from the capital city of Lisbon to Faro located in the sunny southern region over seven days, devoting our time to surfing and getting to know Portugal more.

One week was enough time to squeeze in visits to quaint villages, photograph endlessly verdant vineyards, go for a quick side trip to our much beloved Ericeira, Nazaré and Peniche, spend a day exploring Sintra castles and more.

Spending a week without the luxury of hot water, comfy bed and without Wi-fi, while mastering the art of living in a super small space we learned quite a lot about ourselves, had a chance to clear our heads and forever changed the way we look at our lives.

Welcome to Portugal and welcome to van life!

Campervan rental and where to stay

Renting a campervan in Portugal is very easy. There are loads of companies to choose from, and as we travelled in the first week of April, which is considered off-season, we managed to get a real bargain with loads of stuff thrown in at no extra cost.

We booked our home on wheels with PORTUGAL BY VAN, a small company run by a handful of friendly and knowledgeable locals. Our three-seater was spacious enough for the two of us and contained a little fridge, kitchen utensils, a solar-powered shower, cooker and even a BBQ.

Portugal is a paradise for travelling by campervan. Digital nomads and adventure seekers can easily navigate away from busy tourist spots and sleep under the stars in amazingly beautiful locations even fancy all-inclusive resorts would struggle to provide.

On average, campsites around Europe can cost up to EUR 25 per night. So a week or two camping around Portugal would add a significant amount of money to the budget. Gladly abundance of free campsites scattered throughout the country won’t leave you hanging dry. Check out VWFurgo and iOverlander for more detailed information; we found both sites useful.

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Best time to go to Portugal

With 300 days of sunshine, the weather in Portugal is mild pretty much all year round.

July and August are hectic months with prices at their highest and the crowds at their bulkiest. September and October are perfect for visiting the southern part as the temperatures are below scorching and crowds are much thinner.

We prefer the springtime. At this time of the year, nature wraps Portugal in a fluffy cloud of pink almond blossoms, and the Atlantic breeze brings the essence of the fast-approaching summer.

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Highlights of our Portugal road trip

• Flavourful Pastel de Natas
• Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park
• Fragrant orange trees in full bloom
• The ancient Roman Temple of Évora in beautiful Évora town
• Sintra town and a fantastic Quinta da Regaleira estate
• Boundless Atlantic waves
• Mesmerising sunsets and sunrises

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Day 1. Arriving in Lisbon and  picking up the campervan

Although we had an option to fly into Faro or Porto, we decided to travel from Dublin to Lisbon and start our journey there.

We deliberately booked an early morning flight, giving ourselves a full day ahead for picking up a campervan, stocking up on supplies and driving to Nazaré to spend the first night.

We arrived just in time for sunset and settled in beside a small fort perched on a cliff edge facing the notorious North Beach well known for massive waves.  The sun was rapidly vanishing behind the horizon, allowing the falling night to swallow the last of the light. Air was unforgivably heatless; it was creeping under my clothes and down my spine.

However, as the scent and the roar of the ocean arouse, reflecting the vibrant shades of the sunset, we felt entirely at ease. Gazing up and seeing loads of shooting stars was the most rewarding way to end our first day on the road.

When it comes to surfing, a potential in Nazaré is entirely on a different level. Waves are incredibly vast, and currents are strong. However, for those brave enough and with the right gear, this place is a playground. In 2011 Hawaiian daredevil Garrett McNamara set a Guinness World Record by riding a 78ft wave, and after that, in January 2013 he surfed an estimated 100-foot one.

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Day 2. Visiting Sintra Town and its charming castles

One of our favourite things about Portugal is it never feels huddled, except when it comes to a very imposing Pena Palace. Thousands of tourists come to gawk at the multicoloured castle tucked amidst well-trimmed gardens, and it is impossible to blame them. We wanted to see it to

Pena Palace is a centrepiece of the Sintra region with a touch of romanticism, incredible viewpoints and with a charming exterior. On top of the Palacio Nacional da Pena, we also visited Monserrate Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and The Moorish Castle.

After exploring the Sintra region, we set the sails south and crossed the Tagus river over The 25 de Abril Bridge.

• Read More about Sintra castles: A QUICK GUIDE TO VISITING MAGICAL SINTRA CASTLES FOR THE FIRST TIME

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Day 3-4. Exploring Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina

This protected stretch of land, wholly exposed to natural elements, exceeded our expectations. We did not see any visitors for two days, and coastal habitats with such staggering diversity were unlike anything we have seen before.

Besides fishing eagles, another bird species nesting along Vicentine Coast Natural Park is a white stork. We looked out for a signpost for Cabo Sardão as we wanted to see the birds and photograph a nearby lighthouse known for its unique characteristics.

Builder misread the construction plans, leading to the lighthouse being built with the entry door facing the ocean, which is the wrong way round. We found the lighthouse and plenty of nests but no storks in them, just a few high up in the sky.

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Day 5-6. Discovering the sunny south region

Our first stop in the southern Algarve was a place that’s very popular among surfers. Sagres village, located in the uttermost southwest of continental Europe is worth the stop, especially to experience the ‘end of the world’ feeling at the iconic Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse.

After pausing at Sagres for a much-needed green tea and Pastel de Nata, we set up to visit beautiful beaches around Lagos.

Some places feel familiar because we keep seeing them on social media but it’s completely different to see them in person. This was the case with the Ponta de Piedade.

We could not believe there was no one around that day. Well, apart from a camper van with German license plates parked right beside the ‘no overnight parking sign, it was just the two of us. Beautiful coves and towering limestone cliffs were much more significant than we imagined.

As soon as we arrived in Albufeira, we wanted to get out. Yes, we have to admit that the old town is charmingly welcoming, the beaches are stunning, and all the apartments painted in blue, pink, green and orange colours around the marina were super cute. However, to have people approaching us every 100 meters with a purpose to lure us into restaurants and cafes was very much annoying.

Leaving Albufeira, we spent a few hours in a place where storks nesting high up on chimneys attracted visitors attention and where neoclassical archway, Arco da Vila, marks the gateway to the historic old city.

Faro is the capital of Portugal’s southern region, and as soon as we arrived, we went straight to the rooftop of The Cathedral of Saint Mary for panoramic views of the Ria Formosa lagoon.

The first noticeable thing about Faro was the sweet smell coming from orange blossoms. We learned that traditionally, these flowers are used to make honey and perfume.

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Day 7. Évora and a way back home 

The fastest and most convenient way to get back to Lisbon from Albufeira was to travel on the A2 highway, which is also quite a dull drive without many possibilities to make photo stops.

Valters remembered reading in one of the surf magazines about a little historical town called Évora. The next day we got up unusually early to be ready for a drive through the south-central part of Portugal known as the Alentejo region.

The Alentejo might be the Portugals most impoverished region, but the landscape unfolding before our eyes was beautiful and very different from what we were used to driving along the coast. Large green and yellow fields of crops on one side of the road and trimmed vineyard hills on the other.

We fell in love with the twisted olive trees and cork oaks scattered throughout.

Not only is Évora a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network. The best way to see the place is on foot, and we started from the main square – the Praça do Giraldo.

We got a map at the Tourist information office to be sure we do not miss anything. Besides traditional heritage, culture and slow pace of life, Évora is a vibrant and young city with a large number of students who attend the second oldest university in the country.

 

Budget-how much does one week in Portugal with a campervan cost!

Our one-week road trip along Portugal’s west coast was one of the most memorable and adventurous road trips we have ever done. Regarding travel costs, Portugal is a perfect place for budget travellers. We visited Portugal in 2014 and were fortunate enough to find a brand new campervan rental company.

Transport:

• 1-week campervan rental – 350 euro. Yes, that’s how much we paid, I double-checked all the receipts to make sure I wasn’t making a mistake. We visited Portugal in the first week in April in 2014 and were fortunate enough to find a brand new campervan rental company. To get a discount we had to ‘like’ their Facebook page, and in return, we received a grand bargain. If you decide to rent a van from PORTUGAL BY VAN company and are willing to travel in low season, prices start at EUR 55 per day.
• Premium insurance – 42 euros(7.50 per day) included all damage and collision waiver, unlimited km’s and an extra driver.
• Surfboard rental for a week- 50 euros
• Sleeping bags and pillow rental- 30 euros

Fuel:

• In total, we spent 120 euros on fuel

Food:

• Grocery shopping at the supermarket  – 106 euros
• Eating out – 50 euros

Attractions:

• Entrance to 4 castles in Sintra for two people – 72 euros

Additional expenses:

• Presents, postcards, stamps – 25 euros
• Parking – 5.50
• Campsite fees – 38.10

TOTAL COST: 958.60 euros for two people + flights

And it is a wrap! Seven days, three regions and 1800 km! Obrigada, Portugal, will be back for more!

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Now, over to you!

Have you travelled around Portugal in a campervan? Let us know in the comments below!

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