The Best Campsites in Spain and Portugal
Spain and Portugal have long been cherished havens for British travellers, enchanting visitors with their diverse landscapes, rich histories, and warm hospitality. These two Iberian gems remain among the top choices for British tourists and campers seeking memorable experiences.
Spain, with its vibrant culture and varied geography, caters to a wide range of interests. From the sun-soaked beaches of the Costa del Sol to the historic allure of cities like Barcelona and Seville, there's an abundance of treasures waiting to be discovered. The passionate flamenco performances, mouthwatering tapas, and iconic architectural wonders such as Gaudí's Sagrada Familia create an irresistible allure.
Meanwhile, Portugal, with its timeless charm and coastal allure, captivates those seeking a more laid-back escape. The picturesque landscapes of the Algarve, with its golden cliffs and hidden coves, draw in sun-seekers. Lisbon, the vibrant capital, tells a story of centuries past through its narrow cobblestone streets and historic neighbourhoods like Alfama. The Douro Valley, famous for its terraced vineyards, offers a taste of Portugal's world-renowned wines.
Las Dunas is an extensive, impressive and well-organised resort-style site with many on-site activities and an ongoing programme of improvements. The site has direct access to a superb sandy beach stretching for nearly a kilometre, with a windsurfing school and beach bar. There is also a much-used, huge swimming pool, plus a large double pool for children.
Yelloh! Village Turiscampo is an outstanding site run by the friendly Coll family. The site provides 240 pitches for touring units, mainly in rows of terraces, 216 of which have 6/10A electricity, some with shade. There are 75 deluxe pitches with water and drainage. One hundred thirty-eight bungalows for rent occupy the upper terraces.
The Ribas family has run Camping Solmar for over 40 years, and a warm welcome awaits you. The well-equipped site is located 150 metres from a sandy beach in the busy resort of Blanes and is sprinkled with palm trees. The accessible, shaded pitches are 65-85 sq.m., and all have 6A electricity connections. On-site amenities include an attractive restaurant, bar, terrace, and a central swimming pool complex with islands and bridges.
Playa Montroig Camping Resort is about 30 kilometres from Tarragona, set in its own tropical gardens with direct access to a very long, narrow, soft sand beach. The central part of the site lies between the sea, road and railway (as at other sites on this coast, with occasional train noise on some pitches) with a huge underpass. Aside from a wide range of excellent facilities, notably an impressive aqua park and dining options, Port Aventura theme park is 20 km away, making this a highly desirable location for many families.
In the Bay of Roses, south of Empuriabrava and beside the Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, this is a high quality site of particular interest to nature lovers (especially birdwatchers) and families. A large site, there are 1,110 well kept, large, numbered pitches, all with electricity and on flat, sandy ground. Beautifully laid out, it is arranged around the river and waterways, so will suit those who like to be close to water or who enjoy watersports and boating. It is also a superb beachside site, and there is also accommodation for rental.
Very efficiently run, Camping La Marina Resort has 450 touring pitches of three different types and sizes ranging from 50 sq.m. to 150 sq.m. with electricity (10/16A), TV, water and drainage. Artificial shade is provided, and the pitches are well maintained on level, well-drained ground, with a particular area allocated for tents in a small orchard.
Alannia Costa Blanca (formerly Marjal) is a fully equipped site situated 15 km. inland on the southern Alicante coast, close to the towns of Crevillente and Catral and the Parque Natural de El Hondo. Around 1,200 hardstanding pitches range in size from 90-95 sq.m, and all have electricity (16A), water, drainage, TV and high-speed internet connections (charged).
Camping Bravoplaya is a vast site divided into two by a quiet road, with a reception on each side with friendly, helpful staff. There are three pool complexes (one can be covered in cooler weather and is heated), all of which are on the west side, whilst the beach (of shingle and sand) is on the east. Both sides have a restaurant – the one on the beach side has two air-conditioned wooden buildings and a terrace.
Lo Monte is an all-year site located at Pilar de la Horadada, the most southerly town on the Costa Blanca. It is just 1 km from Blue Flag beaches. There are 127 pitches, most of which are for touring units. All have 16A electricity (Europlug), water and drainage. Leisure facilities include an indoor pool (open all year), an outdoor pool (open May to September), and a wellness centre. This is a popular holiday destination with a good range of facilities.
Sitting on the terrace in front of the restaurant – a beautifully converted Catalan farmhouse dating from 1908 – it isn't easy to believe that in 1982, this was still a farm with few trees and known as Mas Roque (literally, Rock Farm). Since then, the imaginative planting of thousands of trees and gloriously colourful shrubs have made this large campsite most attractive. It has an impressive range of high-quality amenities and facilities open all year.
This campsite is situated on the beach in the small fishing village of L’Ampolla, famous for its gastronomy, peaceful beaches and coves. The site offers 87 large grass shady touring pitches with electric hook up connections available a and fully equipped bungalows for rent. Ideal for couples, families and anybody who wants lots of activities including fishing, excursions (walking, cycling, horseriding, boats), watersports (windsurfing, kite-surfing, kayaking and waterskiing), as well as good food and relaxation.
Previously known as Camping Cuevas Mar, this is a well-established campsite that proves popular and busy during the warm winter months. The 179 flat pitches on a stone chip are generally 80-100 sq.m. each with a 6/10amp electric supply. Shrubs and trees (some shade) act as pitch dividers, and those near the road are not overly affected as traffic volume is relatively low. Some areas have shade canopies erected during the hot summer months. Overall, throughout, there is a peaceful atmosphere.
Camping Kikopark Playa is a smart site nestling behind protective dunes alongside a Blue Flag beach. There are sets of attractively tiled steps over the dunes or a long boardwalk near the beach bar (suitable for prams and wheelchairs) to take you to the fine white sandy beach and the sea. From the central reception point (where good English is spoken), flat, fine gravel pitches and access roads are divided to the left and right.
This is an extensive site set by an attractive weir near the town of Mendigorria alongside the River Arga. It takes its name from an old water mill close by. It features a sophisticated dock and boat launching facility and an ambitious watersports competition programme in the season with a safety boat present at all times. A Roman aqueduct (4km) is well worth a visit, perhaps by bike. July is very busy due to the bull running festival in Pamplona (28 km).
Michelle, Josep and their daughter run this spacious, friendly site, which is always a popular destination. It is spotlessly clean and well-maintained, and the owners operate the site in an environmentally friendly way. Eight hundred seventy-two level grass pitches (720 for touring units) are laid out in a grid system, all with 10A electricity.
A very welcoming, open site that is attractive and well-maintained. The 230 grass pitches are flat and well maintained, with some shade and 10A electricity. Ten pitches also have water and drainage. Thirty smart mobile homes are placed unobtrusively at one end of the site. A pleasant pool complex, fringed by attractive palm trees, has a lifeguard, and the brightly coloured play areas are clean and safe.
The beautiful city of Santiago has been the destination for European Christian pilgrims for centuries, and they now follow ancient routes to this unique city, the whole of which is a national monument. The As Cancelas campsite is excellent for sharing the experiences of these pilgrims in the city and around the magnificent cathedral.
Here's a charming, well-run site, close to bustling Faro and with a bus service to the resort of Albufeira from the gate. There's space for 1400 touring units on generally flat ground with some terracing on the upper area and trees and shrubs giving reasonable shade in most parts. Pitches are not marked or numbered; you can take as much space as you wish. Electrical connections (10A) are available throughout. Winter stays are encouraged, including a pool and the main facilities remaining open.