More Portuguese choose rooftop tents over traditional camping

The Santana 1 special stage (PEC 6), 12.03 km long, started about 20 minutes late due to a motorhome parked roughly a kilometer from the start. The safety car reported that the vehicle was removed before the stage was allowed to begin, and all safety conditions are now met. Despite fog in the Santana area, the safety car official said weather conditions should not affect the drivers' performance.

In Portugal, overnight stays in motorhomes are not allowed everywhere. Under Lei n.º 66/2021, outside protected areas and where no local regulations forbid it, a motorhome may stay overnight for up to 48 hours in the same municipality. In Natura 2000 zones and protected areas, overnight stays are prohibited outside designated sites. ASA (Áreas de Serviço de Autocaravanas) service areas provide water and waste disposal, with a maximum stay of 72 hours. Fines for illegal overnight parking range from €60 to €300 in ordinary areas and from €120 to €600 in protected zones. Private ASA charges between €10 and €30 per night; some municipal areas are free.

Portugal's Law No. 66/2021 restricts motorhome parking in protected areas and coastal zones, but three inland municipalities still offer free parking. Arouca provides 10 spaces (6 in the town centre, 4 in Espiunca) with free 48-hour parking, except on fair days. Castelo de Paiva and Cinfães also offer free parking with no time limit, though Castelo de Paiva prohibits parking on fair days, and Cinfães has 8 spaces in Souselo park and a paid campsite in Mourilhe. Violating rules in protected areas results in fines of €60 to €600.

Before a long motorhome trip, a technical check is essential. Bruno Gomes, technical director of ACP Assistance, recommends a test drive and inspection of oil and coolant levels, tire pressure and condition, air conditioning, and water system leaks. Special attention should be paid to water circuits, gas systems, skylights, and antennas, as their failure can cause serious risks. Due to the vehicle's weight, tire changes are best left to roadside assistance; for electric motorhomes, incorrect jack placement can damage the battery pack.

A British couple bought an abandoned caravan park in Portugal and turned it into a tourist accommodation complex. The project involved restoring infrastructure and creating camping spots.

On Friday, the National Republican Guard (GNR) conducted an operation against illegal camping on Ermal Island in Vieira do Minho. Numerous tents and motorhomes were removed, and beaches near the island were also inspected. The operation uncovered unlicensed establishments with illegal water and electricity connections, as well as traces of campfires, which are banned due to fire risk. Ermal Island, once known for a music festival, attracts hundreds of visitors despite a camping ban on its river beaches.