Portugal: Portalegre awards €2.1M contract to revamp campsite in São Mamede mountains

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.

The Lima Escape campsite in Ponte da Barca has been named one of the six coolest campsites in Portugal for motorhome travel, according to a selection by European motorhome and campervan rental platform Yescapa. Located on the banks of the Lima River at the entrance to Peneda-Gerês National Park, it is the only representative from Alto Minho on the list. The selection comes amid heatwaves in the country and growing demand for shaded, water-accessible spots. Other parks include Ponte de Salto, Kong Hill, Huttopia Lagoa de Óbidos, Colina do Sol, and Salema Eco Camp.

The European network Camping-Car Park has opened its first site in Portugal's Algarve region, located at Quinta Santo Anjo in Lagos municipality, with 54 pitches for motorhomes, 750 m from Burgau Beach. Overnight fee is €20; services include fresh water, waste disposal, electricity, laundry and security. This is the company's fourth site in Portugal (total 172 pitches), with expansion planned.

On the night of July 8, a motorhome was completely destroyed by fire near a chapel in Vila Nova de Oliveirinha (Tabua municipality). 16 firefighters with 5 vehicles responded. No injuries; cause and damage under investigation.