Atlantic Coast, Portugal
The Atlantic coast from Lagos to Porto: cliffs, surf beaches, walled towns and port cellars, about 750 km with the sea on your left the whole way.
Lagos to Porto along the Atlantic
A one-way run up the west coast. The Algarve is warm and busy, the Alentejo coast between Sagres and Sines is neither, and the further north you go the greener and wetter it gets.
Since 2021 overnight stops in a motorhome outside designated areas are banned across Portugal, and the rule is enforced along the Algarve and inside the Southwest Alentejo natural park. Use the aires network instead: most coastal towns have one, and campsites are cheap outside August. Toll motorways run on an electronic system, so either register the vehicle or stick to the free N-roads, which are slower and better anyway.
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Top attractions
See what's worth seeing in the Dolomites
Ponta da Piedade
Sandstone stacks and sea caves west of Lagos. Boat trips from the marina reach the arches; the cliff path above them is free and just as good.
Sintra
Pena Palace, the Moorish castle and Quinta da Regaleira on one wooded hillside. The village roads are narrow and steep, so park in Portela and take the 434 bus.
Gaia port cellars
Two dozen lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia age port across the river from Porto. Tastings run year-round and most tours end with three glasses.
Sagres and Cabo de Sao Vicente
The southwestern corner of Europe. The fortress dates from the 15th century and the cape lighthouse marks the last land before the Atlantic.
Route suggestion
Day by day
Lagos and Ponta da Piedade
The cliff walk down to Praia do Camilo, then west to Praia da Luz. Short distances, and water that is warm by Portuguese standards.
Sagres and the Alentejo coast
Thirty-five kilometres to Sagres and Cabo de Sao Vicente, then 150 km north on the N120 through the Southwest Alentejo park to Vila Nova de Milfontes.
Lisbon and Sintra
About 200 km to Lisbon. Cross the 25 de Abril bridge for the view, then stay west of the city. Sintra is a 40-minute drive, or a train from Rossio.
Obidos and Nazare
One hundred and twenty kilometres north. Walk the walls at Obidos, then Nazare, where the offshore canyon lifts waves over 20 m, though only between October and March.
Aveiro and Porto
Two hundred kilometres up the coast via the canals of Aveiro to Porto. Ribeira, the Dom Luis I bridge and the Gaia cellars fill an afternoon and an evening.
Our recommended camper
The perfect vehicle for a trip around the Dolomites
Volkswagen Grand California
Volkswagen Grand California 600 – a premium camper with 4 belted seats, a full wet room, and a practical kitchen. Perfect for comfortable 2+2 family road trips.
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