Algarve municipalities discuss creating motorhome sites

The Labour Court of Leiria has ordered the Leiria City Council to hire four workers from the Pedrógão Beach Campsite who lost their jobs after the council took administrative possession of the municipal complex and the company that employed them lost its concession.

The organization Counting Stars, specializing in astronomical experiences, invites campers to the fifth edition of Star Camp on August 8, 2026, in Fafe, next to the Casa do Penedo. Participants can observe stars and planets through telescopes, attend an astrophotography workshop, have dinner, camp overnight, and enjoy breakfast at sunrise. Prices: €85 for adults, €149 for couples, €22 for children aged 7–12, and €68 per person for groups of three or more. Participants must bring their own camping gear.

Counting Stars, a project focused on astronomical experiences, invites campers to the fifth edition of Star Camp on Saturday, August 8, 2026, in the municipality of Fafe, next to Casa do Penedo, a 1970s rural house known as the 'strangest house in the world' due to its location among four large granite boulders. Participants can observe stars and planets through telescopes, attend an astrophotography workshop, visit Casa do Penedo, and stay overnight in a tent with dinner and breakfast at sunrise. Prices: €85 per adult, €149 per couple, €22 for children aged 7–12, and €68 per person for groups of three or more.

The startup Vanlifezone from southern Styria has developed a digital map with more than 250,000 campsites and parking spots. The map shows Natura 2000 areas, local restrictions, and community warnings to help travelers avoid fines of up to 400 euros for illegal overnight stays in protected zones, for example in southern Portugal. The project received a startup grant of 6,000 euros from the city of Graz.

Portuguese outlet ECO tested the Volkswagen California Ocean priced at €99,669.75. The motorhome features a 2.0 TDI engine (150 hp, 360 Nm), 7-speed DSG, front-wheel drive, and fuel consumption of 6.8 L/100 km. Over four days with three children in the Pedrógão Grande area, the vehicle was evaluated for daily use and holiday travel. Highlights include a functional kitchen, sleeping arrangements, and autonomy, but the lack of a toilet and dimensions (5.17 m) limit versatility.

A week-long camping test in a Tesla Model Y in Portugal covered nearly 2000 km. The author used a personal Decathlon inflatable mattress instead of the official Tesla one. Disabling Camp Mode saved 10–15% battery per night, with air conditioning activated via smartphone in the morning. To avoid false alarms when leaving the car, automatic door locking was turned off.