10 Facts about Portugal for Campers

Long, sandy beaches, port wine, and a burning passion for football: Nearly everyone associates Portugal with these things. We’ve taken a closer look at Portugal as a camping destination, though, and we’ve found some other fascinating facts for you. In this article, you’ll find out how many campsites there are here and what role the Portuguese played in shaping England’s tea culture.

Portugal has become a particularly hip destination over the last few years. It might not be one of the typical countries for campers, and everything is a bit simpler than most campers are used to, but there’s hardly a better place to camp by the Atlantic Ocean all year round.

Fact #1: There Are More Than 230 Portuguese Campsites

Berlenga Island © Canva

From the Spanish border to the coast of the Atlantic, you’ll find over 235 campsites listed on camping.info. Most of the campsites are near the coast in western and southern Portugal. As you move into the centre of the country, sites become scarcer. Want to add a little island flair to your next holiday? Great campsites await you on the Azores and Madeira as well.

Fact #2: Camping Beira-Marvao Alentejo is Our Community’s Favourite

One of our community’s favourite campsites is on the Spanish border, in the heart of the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park. It has a saltwater pool, bicycle hire, a rental car for getting groceries, as well as new, spacious sanitary facilities. Camping Beira-Marvao Alentejo has 4.93 out of 5 stars, particularly because of its tranquillity, friendliness, and cleanliness. No Portuguese campsite has won a camping.info Award yet, but with your ratings, that could soon change!

Fact #3: Portugal is the Most Affordable Country for Camping in Western Europe

Porto © Canva

Two guests will pay an average of €18.09 per night on the edge of the Iberian Peninsula. According to our comparison of European prices, Portugal’s prices are in the bottom third, making it one of the most affordable countries for camping in Western Europe.

Fact #4: Savour the Last Bratwurst Before America

Cape St. Vincent © Canva

Enjoy the beautiful view of the Atlantic at the south-westernmost point in Europe! Wanderlust is practically a guarantee at the tip of the Algarve, on the cliffs of Cape St. Vincent. At the end of the road that leads to the rough Atlantic coast, you’ll find several souvenir shops, and you can even treat yourself to the last bratwurst before America. And if you want proof you were here, the bratwurst stand owners will give you the highly coveted Cape Certificate (for a small fee) as a reminder of your holiday in Portugal. What are you waiting for?

Fact #5: It’s the Land of the Sea

The Land of the Sea © Canva

It’s hard to believe that nearly 3,000 km of coastline stretches out across the mainland, the Madeira archipelago and the Azores. The Portuguese coast is full of wonder, with rocky cliffs that drop deep into the sea across the Algarve, a mysterious underwater world around the Azores, and the beauty of the relatively new diving paradise around Madeira. Vitamin Sea, here we come! Dive right in: A one-of-a-kind diving experience awaits you here.

Fact #6: Cross One of the Longest Bridges in the World

Vasco da Gama Bridge © Canva

The Vasco da Gama Bridge connects Lisbon with the cities south of the Tagus, the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula. It is 17.2 km long, including the main bridge and its viaducts. The bridge cost approximately €1B, and construction began in 1995 and ended in time for the Expo 98, three years later. Only surpassed by the Crimean Bridge, it is the second-longest bridge in Europe.

Fact #7: They Love Bacalhau

Bacalhau © Canva

Bacalhau is the Portuguese word for cod and, in culinary terms, it refers to dried and salted fish. This national dish has its origins in their seafaring history: Sailors could only eat cured foods on their long sea journeys, which is why dried fish was essential. To this day, you’ll find Bacalhau in every fish shop and at every market across the country.

Fact #8: The Portuguese Brought Tea to England

You can’t help but think of tea when you think of England: But did you know that it wasn’t the English themselves who got the tea craze going? Tea was originally most popular in Portugal. Then, the Portuguese Infanta Catherine of Braganza brought a crate of tea with her to England as a dowry when she married King Charles II in 1662. Teatime thus became a daily occurrence in the court, and that’s how the English discovered their love for tea.

Fact #9: Prepare to Meet Some Passionate Football Fans

When football is on and everyone cheers, join in! A tip for the less experienced: Don’t pretend to be a serious fan when you’re not — The Portuguese will be able to tell right away that you’re faking. Football is a beloved sport in Portugal. According to the American journal Politico, there 250 football coaches from Portugal in 2015. FC Porto, Sporting CP, and S.L. Benfica are the three largest teams in the country. The latter has 270,000 members, making it the largest in the world. Football isn’t a matter of life and death for the Portuguese — It’s much more serious than that!

Fact #10: The Portuguese are Relaxed, Polite and Helpful

What good is it to get worked up over things that you cannot change? We could probably all learn a little something about serenity from the Portuguese. Don’t sweat the small stuff — You’re on holiday, after all! Not only that, but the people in Portugal are very polite and helpful. Try to use a few phrases in Portuguese instead of finagling through your holiday in English: It shows that you truly want to engage with the country and its people. Here are a few basic phrases to get you started:

Good morning = bom dia
Please = por favor
Thank you = obrigado/a
Excuse me = desculpe
How are you? = come està?

Well, have we piqued your interest? With these facts, you’ve got a peek into the world of the Portuguese. Now, head to camping.info to find campsites in Portugal for your next adventure. Divirta-se — Have fun in Portugal!