The Algarve is one of our favourite destinations for an unforgettable Algarve road trip in our campervan. Why? For several reasons: first, it is easy to travel, and you can find many free spots in nature. Additionally, it has a social atmosphere with numerous fellow van-dwellers, and communication is easy since most Portuguese speak English well. Let’s tell you all about our van life adventures! We made a list of our favourite spots for parking and exploring during our road trip.
But first, let’s provide a bit of background about the Algarve. Formerly the southernmost province of Portugal, the Algarve is now divided into several districts, with Faro and Albufeira being among the largest cities. Moreover, the Algarve extends along the entire south coast of Portugal, featuring many beautiful beaches, idyllic villages, and impressive cliffs. It is, without a doubt, the perfect place to discover and experience at an easy pace during your Algarve road trip.
A Home Awaits in the Algarve
Our favourite way of experiencing van life is day by day. We mainly stay at free spots and prefer to visit sites in nature, small towns, and hidden gems. We have tracked our route via Polarsteps, and now it’s time to share it with you.
Aljezur
To begin with, this municipality is located at the northwestern point of the Algarve. It is a quiet area, with a low population. There are many hiking trails, nice restaurants, and endless cliffs and beaches, making it a great stop on your Algarve road trip. For us, finding free spots in this area was a bit more difficult; however, there are some campsites nearby, and it is also possible to explore for a day.
Aljezur City
The town of Aljezur has undeniable charm. The small town features typical Portuguese houses and many little restaurants. You can easily park here and explore the town. Additionally, it has a laundromat and some supermarkets, which is very convenient! Don’t forget to visit the RetroActivo Vintage store, where you can find lovely vintage second-hand clothing!
Arrifana
Another place that has stayed with us is Arrifana. Here, you will find a beautiful beach and many nice restaurants along the coast. For example, the Sea You Surf Cafe offers delicious coffee and tasty snacks. It is, in fact, an ideal spot for doing some online work while enjoying the van life.
Villa do Bispo
Moving on, Vila do Bispo is a municipality in the southwest of Portugal. It’s a paradise for surfers, full of hidden gems and dramatic cliffs, making it a perfect stop for your road trip.
Primeiro de Maio
A place that has stayed with us is Primeiro de Maio. There is a campsite called Figueira Caravan Park in the village, where you can park for a low price and enjoy all the services you could need. Although we usually prefer free spots, we needed to empty the black and grey water at that moment. By chance, we came across this campsite. For us, it was not the campsite that made it special, but the walk to the hidden gem: Praia da Figueira. You can reach the beach via narrow sandy paths along the hills in nature. Furthermore, there is also a viewpoint where you can look out over the beach. It is well worth it!
Sagres
Please don’t skip Sagres, the southwesternmost point of the municipality. In Sagres, you will find a 15th-century fortress, where you can walk endlessly along the cliffs with stunning views. For a few euros, you can visit the fort, which provides information about the location. Unfortunately, you can’t see much of the fort itself, but it is a large area with many hiking trails. Importantly, you can park for free in the large parking lot, making it a convenient stop during your Algarve road trip.
Monchique
Next, Monchique is located more inland, surrounded by mountain peaks. Here, you will find the highest point of the Algarve, the Serra de Monchique, with a peak of 905 meters. The route through the mountains is breathtaking, offering a perfect escape into nature during your van life adventures.
Mãe Gaia
Near Mãe Gaia is a hidden magical place called Friday Happiness. Every Wednesday, there is an open jam session, and on Fridays, a pizza party with live DJs. This place is run by volunteers from different nationalities. Consequently, it’s a great spot to meet fellow travellers, enjoy music, and share great food—perfect for anyone embracing the van life lifestyle. You pay a small monthly fee for entrance. You can park here for a few euros overnight, along with all the other campers.
Monchique Village
A village that we, unfortunately, did not visit is Monchique. This village is known for its cozy old streets and thermal springs. The thermal springs are renowned for their health benefits due to the warmth of the water: the minerals come into contact with your skin and are absorbed through your pores. There are several hot springs in the region, including the one in Caldas de Monchique and the one in Fonte Santa, Alferce, which can be visited for free.
Lagos
Now, the municipality of Lagos is one of our favourites. The area is a bit busier, with a variety of activities that make it an exciting stop on your road trip. There is so much to experience, from wandering through the city to hiking the rugged cliffs of São Gonçalo.
Lagos City
The old city of Lagos is very charming, featuring small white streets, a beautiful boulevard, and great places to eat. It’s ideal for parking (in winter) and for strolling through the city. Here, you will find a restaurant with one of the best burgers in the world, called Nah Nah Bah Luz. The burgers have amusing names, and the sangria is delicious!
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Ponta da Piedade
Oh, this place! If you drive a little further, you will arrive at Ponta da Piedade. This is one of the places not to be missed on your Algarve road trip! Here, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the sea, with large rock formations and extensive hiking trails. It almost seems magical. There is ample parking, but it is a popular spot, so visiting in the morning is ideal.
Vale da Lama
A location in Lagos that we particularly enjoyed is Vale da Lama, home to an estuary connected to the Atlantic Ocean. It is popular among kite surfers and has many day and night spots for campers. At low tide, you can cross a path of stones to reach several beaches. If you enjoy peace and nature, then definitely don’t skip this place during your van life adventure.
Portimão
On to Portimão, which is busier than most regions in the Algarve. It largely depends on tourism and fishing. Portimão city is a port town located on the Rio de Arade River. It is known for its long beaches, where you can walk endlessly.
Alvor
We stayed for a few days near Alvor, where you can find nice spots to park the camper. You can relax on the beach and walk to Praia da Rocha, where there are several bars and restaurants. Unfortunately, many shops and restaurants were closed due to bad weather when we were there, but it was still nice to stroll through the streets.
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Praia da Rocha
It is ideal to park here with the camper, close to the beach. The area was bustling with campers when we visited, making it a great spot for socializing! The beach next to the car park is beautiful, featuring many boulders in the water. You can also walk up a hill for a nice view of the area.
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Silves
Moving inland, the municipality extends into the heart of the Algarve, where much history can be found. For years, it was owned by the Moors, and from the 13th century, it returned to the hands of the Portuguese king. In the south, there is a beautiful nature reserve where we spent most of our time in Portugal.
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Lagoa dos Salgados
Here lies a hidden gem where you can walk along the coast, spot birds, and spend days with other van-dwellers. This place was and still is our favourite in the Algarve. Den loves bird watching and wanted to visit. By chance, we found a beautiful spot to park, and we stayed for about 10 days. We even saw flamingos!
Albufeira
Perhaps you know that the city is famous for its tourists and vibrant nightlife. However, the municipality of Albufeira has more to offer. It is the southernmost municipality of the Algarve. Besides the hustle and bustle, you will find beautiful beaches, small fishing boats, and cozy streets with quaint cafes and shops.
Albufeira City
While it wasn’t our favourite, we thought it was worth discovering the city. Albufeira is large but feels small in some areas. There are several neighbourhoods with small white streets and typical Portuguese houses. The old town is particularly charming. If you need specific items, it’s an ideal place, as there are many shops available. We love Dutch snacks, and they have them here too. If you crave a Dutch treat, go to Patricks’ Corner!
Loulé
Next, Loulé is one of the oldest municipalities in the Algarve, with beautiful beaches and villages, and a place where wealthy tourists rent or buy summer homes. For us, this was a must-visit destination, as Bai’s father used to work at a beach bar here many years ago!
Quinta do Lago Beach
You will find many beach bars, luxurious summer homes, and long sandy beaches along the coast. Yet, there are beautiful places to park for free (in low season), where you can catch a stunning sunset! We thoroughly enjoyed our time there.
Almancil
Almancil is a small village featuring some restaurants and supermarkets. For us, it wasn’t particularly special, but it’s ideal if you want to eat cheaply or do laundry!
Faro
Faro is a top destination! The city and municipality offer so much. There’s nature, a city rich in history full of life, and all the services you need for your camper!
Faro City
The old town is charming, with nice bars and restaurants. We had a wonderful night out, complete with live music and fun. It’s easy to park in the city with your camper, and sometimes for free! Don’t forget to eat at 100 Montaditos, a tapas bar where you can get a large lunch for less than 10 euros! Here, you’ll see beautifully coloured houses and stunning wall art. You must visit Faro!
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Parque Natural da Ria Formosa
Next to the airport lies the nature reserve: Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. It’s a strange experience, as in the parking lot you can hear and see planes while being surrounded by many other campers, but it’s adjacent to a nature reserve. From the parking lot, you can walk to the area, where there are numerous hiking trails featuring beaches, forest areas, and mudflats. The variety is incredible. You can spot spoonbills, flamingos, and birds of prey here.
Ilha de Faro
Ilha de Faro, or the island of Faro, is a peninsula with many restaurants and bars. There is also a campsite on the island. It is frequented by locals and is generally not allowed for campers, although it is tolerated in the low season. You can reach the island via a small bridge or by boat for a few euros. The bars and restaurants here are a bit pricier, so we brought our groceries. Take a lovely beach walk; it’s fantastic.
Tavira
Tavira is a town and municipality in the Portuguese district of Faro, very close to the Spanish border. You will find beautiful canals and a lovely harbour at the mouth of the River Gilão. When we were in Tavira, we were eager to head to Spain. This was our last stop on this incredible Algarve road trip!
Tavira City
Tavira city has stayed with us. The city has a delightful atmosphere, with charming colours and flags, and a picturesque view over the two large bridges that connect the old and new centres. For a few euros, you can also take a boat to the beach: Praia da Ilha de Tavira. This is a sandbar island where many locals enjoy spending a day at the beach.
Your Ultimate Algarve Van Life Adventure Awaits
As we wrap up this journey through the Algarve, we hope you’ve found inspiration for your van life adventures along Portugal’s southern coast. From serene beaches to charming villages, and dramatic cliffs to tranquil nature reserves, the Algarve has something for every traveller. Whether you’re seeking quiet spots to relax or vibrant towns to explore, this region truly offers the best of both worlds.
The freedom and flexibility of a road trip in your campervan is the perfect way to experience this diverse and beautiful region at your own pace. We hope our list of favourite spots helps you discover new places, meet fellow van-lifers, and enjoy everything this magical part of Portugal has to offer. Safe travels, and may your Algarve road trip be filled with unforgettable memories!
Have you been to the Algarve? Share your favourite stops or tips for fellow van-lifers here.
