Criticism of New Camper Park in Tomar

A temporary motorhome park on Avenida Maria de Lourdes de Mello e Castro in Tomar remains unused due to poor location. Caravanists cite lack of shade, sanitation, and proximity to heavy traffic as key issues. The municipality suggests using the old park for waste disposal and plans a provisional service area nearby.

Mário Prista, a grandson of Tomar natives, published an open letter to the mayor criticizing plans for a new motorhome parking area. He argues the chosen site is remote, lacks history, and poses security concerns, which would drive away itinerant motorhome tourists. Prista recalls that after the closure of one of Europe's best campsites in 2016, the city lost significant tourism revenue, while a temporary riverside parking lot attracted thousands of visitors year-round.

A new motorhome parking area has been designated on Avenida Maria de Lourdes de Mello e Castro in Tomar, Portugal. The previous site near Estádio Municipal António Fortes was closed due to storm damage and non-compliance with regulations (overnight stays were prohibited). Dumping operations are allowed only at the old location from 10:00 to 20:00. Mayor Tiago Carrão confirmed that the municipality is developing a proper campsite and caravan park.

The municipality of Tomar (Portugal) has established a new parking area for motorhomes on Avenida Maria de Lourdes de Mello e Castro, located 2 km from the former site. Wastewater dumping operations will continue at the old motorhome park near the Municipal Stadium, which has been prepared for this purpose. The former campsite is undergoing cleaning and restructuring and is reserved exclusively for dumping, permitted between 10:00 and 20:00. A temporary service area for motorhomes is planned for the new location, with construction expected to begin shortly.

In a letter to the editor of O Templário, reader M. Prista expressed dissatisfaction with the closure of the motorhome park in Tomar, Portugal. He stated that the facility was popular with thousands of motorhome travelers and that its closure would harm the local economy. The author notes that there are about 10,000 motorhome service areas in Europe and around 150 in Portugal, with numbers growing due to tourist appeal.

The Tomar municipality closed the old campsite to motorhomes after a storm in January, redirecting them to a parking lot without facilities. Authorities stated plans to create a new site, but it does not yet exist, while the old location is scheduled to host a Soup Festival in April 2026. Opponents argue this harms tourism and the local economy.