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Following a fire that destroyed a motorhome parked near Cabo do Mundo beach in Perafita, PSD Matosinhos has proposed a municipal regulation for motorhome tourism. The proposals include creating designated areas with a 48-72 hour stay limit, prohibiting parking and overnight stays outside authorized zones, installing signage, regular inspections by the municipal police, and introducing a daily fee for services.
Portugal
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Aveiro's municipality announced the renovation of São Jacinto campsite will begin in September. The €2.2 million project includes a motorhome area and modernization.
Portugal
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On Thursday, August 6, a parked motorhome burned completely near Cabo do Mundo beach in Perafita, Matosinhos. No injuries were reported, and the fire did not spread to other vehicles.
Portugal
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Heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Azores forced the evacuation of 67 people from a campsite on Terceira. Seven incidents were reported, including floods on São Miguel and São Jorge.
The Viana do Castelo municipality rejected on Tuesday a request by FeelEverywhere to extend the concession from 20 to 25 years for a new tourism project on the site of the former Orbitur campsite in Cabedelo, Darque. It also refused a request to defer rent payments of 12,500 euros per month until operations begin. The project, aimed at caravanning and glamping, has seen its investment rise from 2.9 million to 4 million euros, with plans to increase jobs from 22 to 32 and motorhome pitches from 37 to 42. The refusal is based on the lack of construction work on site; the request will be reconsidered once work starts.
Portugal
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Borba municipality cleaned and maintained its motorhome service area (ASA) to improve conditions for travelers and reduce fire risk.
Radio host Inês Lopes Gonçalves said she spent a holiday with her twin sons in a motorhome. She described the trip as going well and said the family is already planning the next one.
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.
Hertz's Campers service offers a car with a rooftop tent, combining travel and accommodation. Minimum rental is two nights, booking at least 72 hours in advance. The vehicle is a Volkswagen T-Roc or similar. Available in Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and Funchal.
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.
Portugal ranked second among foreign destinations for motorhome travel in Europe, behind only Italy. According to the Camping-Car Park network, the country attracts tourists with its mild climate, extensive Atlantic coastline, and safety. In 2024, 26,562 motorhomes were registered in Portugal, compared to 5,000 in 2010. Sales rose from 219 units in 2017 to 471 in 2024. New motorhomes cost between €50,000 and €100,000, while used ones range from €15,000 to €50,000. Since 2021, rules prohibit overnight stays in protected natural areas, with fines from €60 to €300.
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.
Brazilian singer Kelly Key posted a video of herself driving a motorhome during a trip through Portugal with her husband and youngest son. The trip was conceived as a celebration of her husband's recovery after hospitalization. Kelly Key stated she plans to buy her own motorhome.
The motorhome service area (ASA) in Vila de Rei will be subject to restrictions from July 25 to August 2 due to the 35th edition of the Sausage, Cheese and Honey Fair. During the nine-day event, the ASA will be closed from 6 p.m. to midnight; outside these hours, only water discharge is allowed, and overnight parking is prohibited. Alternative parking is available at the Vila de Rei Occupational Activities Centre or at the Bostelim motorhome and rural camping park.
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.
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 Braga campsite (Portugal) reported 8,033 overnight stays in the second quarter of 2026, up 236 from the same period in 2025, a 3% increase. The average length of stay rose from 2.18 to 2.30 nights (+5.5%). From April to June, the site hosted 3,495 guests, with revenue reaching €74,462.89.
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.
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