Road Trip Portugal
Sea caves, coastal van camping, and quaint Portuguese towns.
Written by Gracie Rounds
Introduction
If you’re planning a Portugal road trip there are many different routes that you can take, but if you have any sort of inclination towards coastal van camping, the route from Lisbon to Lagos will leave you wanting for not.
There are different options for this route, some more direct than others, but sticking to the coast will get you the most scenic views and opportunities for adventure. The N120 out of Lisbon will keep you close to the sea and allow for tons of camping destinations as well as stunning beaches and picturesque small towns.
This guide will take you to some of the best “secret gems” southern Portugal has to offer.
Where to Get Your Van
Although it would also work to rent a car and camp with tents along the coast, a van will have you covered in the initial rental with everything you need to sleep, cook, and drive. But as vans take a level of comfortability in manuevering, definitely feel free to look into whatever option works best for you.
If you do opt for a van, Siesta Campers is a really fantastic choice with options ranging from modern to classic all-equipped vans.
You can also choose to add-on a surf-board and wet suit rental that can be strapped to the top of your van- and as you’ll see when reading on, surfing is something you don’t want to miss on this trip.
Camping Along the Way
Depending on your route and the amount of time you have, you could stop and camp many different times or only hit one or two spots. These three are all fantastic options, with the flexibility to stay for just a night or more.
The beaches of Praia de Samoquiera and Praia de Beliche are both legal camping spots near the beach where you can park your van and have tons of things to explore. The former will be about half-way between Lisbon and Lagos, so could be a good stop for your first night. And Praia de Beliche also has a bunch of dirt roads going up the north side of this beach for great places to watch sunset, and they are not too well-known.
Very close to Lagos is a real hidden gem of a camping spot that can only be accessed by following these coordinates. You can drive up here and spend the night, and although it can get a bit windy it’s entirely worth it. An incredible sunset can be seen over the town of Luz from this vantage point. This might be your favorite spot to stop and camp along the whole journey, and you are likely to not see many other people up there!
Beaches, Surfing, and Caves
Adventurous opportunities will be at the tip of your finger around every corner of this trip. For those who are interested in surfing, there are lots of options depending on the season.
Peniche and Ericiera are both options for good waves, and Ericiera is also a hip little surfer town that you can enjoy. If you are a really experienced surfer, check out Nazare.
Quality beaches along this route include Praia do Riberio do Cavalo, Praia Dona Ana, and Marinha Beach. All are really enjoyable to sit and watch the waves or walk along. Marinha Beach is also a great spot to set up for a picnic along the nearby cliffs, but this beach also gets to be really touristy depending on the season so just do your research.
Probably the most adventurous part of this route would be seeking out the open ceiling caves that are famous in southern Portugal. There are many, with some being more well known than others, and are definitely worth exploring.
Right by your camp spot at Praia de Beliche, if you walk all the way to the right side of the beach you will find an open ceiling cave. This will be one of the lesser known caves, and the beach will oftentimes be private and secluded. If you swim from here you’ll find more caves nearby, as the whole coast in this area is lined with them. You can rent a kayak to explore these more in-depth if you’re not as strong of a swimmer.
The Benagil Cave is the most famous and well-known sea cave in the area. If you search online you will see pictures of the gaping “eye” in the ceiling of this sea cave that attracts so many visitors. You will want to go as early as possible in the morning to avoid crowds. You are told that the only way to reach the cave is by renting a boat or kayak but if you walk to the end of Benagil Beach you can also swim less than 5 minutes to reach the cave. But again, if you’re not a strong swimmer a kayak is always an option! And if you do choose a kayak, you can continue on after you’ve visited this cave down the coast to Cao Raivoso Beach, which is likely for you to get to experience without anyone else there.
The last open top cave to make sure to put on your list is Praia do Camilo in Lagos. You have to walk about 200 steps to get down to the bottom, so make sure to bring snacks and water, but it is entirely worth it.
Lagos
As you’re reaching the terminus of your road-trip, you will not want to miss exploring everything in and around Lagos. The camper van provides a different level of experience than a person solely visiting the city, and there is so much to see and do.
For those who are loving the beach adventures up until this point, you will not want to miss the strip beside Beach Estudantes. You can hop from beach to beach here through cave tunnels that take you to secret coves and stunning views.
The Old Town in Lagos has a lot of really fun coffee spots and sightseeing opportunities. Just keep in mind that the streets are really narrow and it will be difficult to manuever the camper van in and around this area, so it’s recommended to park before you enter Old Town.
Coffee and Waves is a really fun spot to grab coffee in this area, and it doubles as a surf repair shop and wine store. After coffee, if you’re interested in history the Castle of Lagos is a fascinating look into medieval architecture.
Conclusion
It’s undeniable that this coastal road trip has something for everyone. For someone more adventurous you can find sea caves to explore and waves to surf, and for the more passive person sunsets, walks along gentle cliffs, and lovely towns are never far. Let us know how it goes!
