5 Best Campervan Parking Spots in the North of Portugal

Wildlife Camping from Beaches to Forests.

The northern coast of Portugal boasts countless beaches and charming towns, which make the subject of an incredible road trip or camper-van adventure. We have selected 5 of our favourite spots to park for the night. Whether you are a keen surfer, sociable traveller, seeker of nature and memorable moments, this is for you.

5. Praia Baleal’s surf town

You may have heard of Peniche and its infamous Supertubos beach which welcomes surf champions each year. Tucked away on a presque-île 10 minutes north of it, lesser-known Baleal has been swept up by skateboards, açai cafes and a more relaxed traveller vibe, making it an optimal destination for a stop on your camper-van journey. Parking in front of Bar do Bruno will give you direct access to Praia Baleal Sul, a bay which offers a range of waves for both beginners, intermediates and more.

This is a great place to start your trip and meet other travellers in cafes such as Washed-Up Cafe & Bar, Hangfive surf & coffee or even the nearby Selina. The summer also boast various live music events, so make sure to check these out too.

4. Fão’s sunset

Submerged in the National park “Parque Natural do Litoral Norte”, Fao is a more dormant costal town parked between Porto and Viana do Castelo. As the northern winds were shying us away from reaching Viana do Castelo and venturing north into Spain, we opted for a lesser known place dominated by nature and far from the city. We parked in a quiet spot (not a parking) at the small access of Praia da Bonança, which gave a plunging view of the sunset and empty beach from the back of our Volkswagen van. Some locals seemed to also enjoy biking to this hidden beach access at sunset.

Having your own board is optimal to surf at sunrise and avoid the winds, but there are also surf schools around, in both Fao and Apúlia, which is a 8 minute drive south. Beyond venturing in the pathways of the National park, admiring the old wind mills, you can also enjoy a meal or drink at O Jardim.

3. São Simão’s creek

A slight change from the coast and surfing - we were keen to get a taste for Portugal’s inland forests. After passing through the majestic castle walls of Obidos, we made our way to the Fragas de São Simão - a tiny town and river ravaged by fire in 2017 but newly reforested and rewildered. We parked our camper van just below the chapel Ermida de São Simão, spending a night completely alone surrounded by forest. There are numerous miradors (including one by the church) which let you appreciate the entire valley and extent of reforesting.

The nearby village of São Simão was very quiet, still being rebuilt one old stone at a time. Following the pathway indications, we walked through the village, past the eucalyptus and cork trees which make up the local flora, and finally arrived at the lush river and water mill ruins (max 1h30 walk). We were alone and could enjoy a bath in the river’s cool waters. Restaurante Varanda do Casal is very well rated but was closed when we were there (opens Thurs-Mon).

2. São Julião’s surf beach

A slightly better-known beach for the surfers, Praia de São Julião was one of our most welcoming spots to park for the night.

Poised between two cliffs, it is a more intimate beach which offers great waves and beautiful sunsets. The parking was filled with other travellers, and João, the owner of the newly set-up surf school, board rental and local restaurant, welcomed us warmly. A yoga session on the wooden floor-boards of the restaurant terrace at sunrise is one of many highlights of our time there. We also enjoyed walking up to Gota d’Alcool for a breakfast overlooking the surfers.

São Julião is close to Ericeira so is also a convenient place to start your trip and top up on groceries at the Continente 10 minutes away.

1. The fishermen’s Praia de Mira

When returning south from Porto, we needed to find a place to spend the night and break up the drive to Peniche. Praia de Mira was a completely unexpected find and encompasses some of the magic of wild camping throughout the coast of Portugal. A 40 minute drive south of Aveiro, driving to this beach resembles cruising the wild coast of California, tall trees slanting in the wind, dunes stretching out as far as the eye can see. We parked at the beach access “Estacionamento Praia de Mira (Sul)” at sunset and enjoyed the complete silence around us, jumping on the rocks which jarred out of the waves and enjoying a meal below the full moon.

In the morning we were joined by some fishermen, seeking their morning catch whilst we ate some oats and blueberries.

Later I connected my laptop and we drove off, back into the real world.