Nestled along the southern coast of Portugal, the Algarve has long been a favourite destination for people looking to enjoy stunning beaches and beautiful weather. While the region has plenty of options for the average holidaymaker, it also has a lot to offer those renting a motorhome in the Algarve.
Being situated across the southernmost edge of Portugal, the Algarve enjoys over two hundred kilometres of coastline encompassing more than 100 beaches. There is certainly enough to keep a campervan moving for as long as you like, but it is possible to experience a bit of everything the Algarve has to offer in 7 days without rushing.
The Algarve may be best known for villas and holiday homes, but RV rentals provide a way to see the south of Portugal that can’t be matched. Read on to learn more about this wonderful region, and start planning your next road trip.
Undoubtedly one of the biggest highlights of the Algarve is the 210 kilometres of picturesque coastline that affords visitors a variety of beaches, rock formations, campsites, and more. As the Algarve spans the entire southern boundary of Portugal, half of its borders meet the ocean.
Portugal is already a warm country, and the south of Portugal enjoys some of the most pleasant weather in Europe, being warm while not oppressively hot. On average, only 2 months out of the year don’t benefit from fine weather, and even those two months are mild.
Heading into civilisation, the town of Loule boasts a daily market—excluding Sundays—which sells locally grown produce and handicrafts. On Saturday, a further two markets join the fray, turning the place into a lively market town for the day.
Of course, you can explore natural highlights while trekking through the Algarve in your motorhome. The Algar de Benagil—Benagil Cave—can only be reached by water and provides a gorgeous location for spending a relaxing afternoon. For a touch of history, the castles of Castro Marim that have been around since the 1600s are not far from the Sapal Nature Reserve.
The Algarve is relatively small in size, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to see. It does mean that you can be confident of seeing a lot of it, even if your motorhome getaway is only a week long.
The Algarve offers over 200 kilometres of travel along the southern coast and up the western coast, and from there, you can travel inland, back along the length of the region. There are picturesque villages, nature reserves, and beautiful scenery that will make you want to ease off of the accelerator pedal.
Of course, there is plenty to see in the heart of the region. You will see a lot more of what the Algarve has to offer if you zig-zag across the region rather than looping around the edges of it.
If you plan to rent a campervan in the Algarve—or any of Portugal, for that matter—you will need to be at least 21 years old and have a valid credit card. Portugal is a very motorhome-friendly country, with great infrastructure and plenty of wide roads that are a joy to drive on.
One thing to note is that wild camping, free camping, dry camping, and boondocking—names that are essentially interchangeable—are no longer allowed in Portugal. This means that you will need to be officially pitched up to sleep in your motorhome overnight, which means finding a campsite. Fortunately, there are many places to park up legally throughout the region, particularly along the coast.
The weather in the Algarve region is renowned for being warm most of the year without being excessive. That being said, if you are visiting from a temperate or cold region, you should be prepared for the hot weather. The hottest months are between late April and early June or mid-September to late October. These are also the busiest periods for tourism.
If you’re planning on a trip to Portugal, get the most out of your visit with a motorhome excursion to the Algarve. Whether you want stunning beaches or fascinating nature reserves, there is something for you. Not to mention the almost beautiful year-round weather.
You would like to start your tour at another station, for example in the north? camperboerse.com also offers mobile homes for rent in Lisbon, Porto or Coimbra.
So, when you’re ready to book your motorhome trip around the Algarve, head over to motorhomebookers.com.