Lorena moves into camper van: 'I chose to live by my own rules'

The Águilas City Council has opened a public consultation period for a project to build a motorhome parking area in the Cope district. Interested parties may review the plans and submit objections within 30 working days starting Monday. The project is promoted by Magonsa Activos e Inversiones, led by Antonio Quiñonero Martínez.

CamperDays suggests Malaga and Marseille as September destinations for campervan trips, with rental options below 100 euros per night. Eurostat data shows July and August accounted for 31.1% of all tourist overnight stays in the EU in 2025, while in Spain campsite occupancy drops from 61.3% in August to 44.1% in September (INE), leading to lower prices and greater availability.

At the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, Spanish manufacturer Benimar introduced its new entry-level Kaleo range, positioned below the Tessoro and Mileo models. The flagship K640 is 6.3 meters long, 2.32 meters wide, and 2.89 meters high, accommodating 3-4 people and featuring a full bathroom with a separate shower. It is built on the Citroën Jumper platform with a 2.2-liter diesel engine producing 140 hp and a manual gearbox, with an optional automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes LED daytime running lights, lane departure warning, automatic city braking, and other safety features. Sales are expected to begin in the coming months, with prices starting at around €60,000 excluding registration tax.

A new regulation (Real Decreto 518/2026) issued by Spain's Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) takes effect on October 1, 2026. It clarifies the distinction between parking and camping: parking (legal) means stopping in a permitted area, respecting markings and time limits, with overnight stays inside the vehicle not considered camping. Camping (fine of about 200 euros) includes placing tables, chairs, awnings, or stabilizer legs outside, exceeding the parking space, discharging liquids, or causing disturbances. The regulation follows Supreme Court case law, eliminating legal uncertainty, but municipalities retain the right to restrict parking times, especially in coastal and tourist areas. Spain's motorhome fleet grew from 48,607 in 2015 to 136,563 in 2025.

Journalist Gonzalo Serrano tested the Opel Zafira Life by Tinkervan in the Guara trim with a pop-up roof. The conversion by Spanish company Tinkervan offers a five-seat vehicle with two beds (1.30 x 2 m), rotating front seats, a 100 Ah auxiliary battery, and a 2.2-liter diesel engine (180 hp). The base price is €50,000, and orders are placed through official Opel dealers, taking about 45 days.

Pedro Castañeda, who has been managing Praíña beach in A Estrada since 2020, says motorhomes are a major driver of tourism to the area. The beach has become a popular destination, attracting visitors from across Spain and abroad. This year, motorhomes have been frequenting the beach even on weekdays, boosting local spending. The site offers showers, grey and black water disposal points, and parking for over 100 motorhomes. Future plans include a chill-out area with wooden decking and a vegetative roof for evening use.