I spent 11 days driving north to south through Portugal in my van. I love this country and it has to be one of the most van friendly countries I’ve been to!
Here’s my journey through in 20 photos, driving from north to south:
Exploring Porto
See other post: 17 photos of Porto that made me want to stay
A stop over in Coimbra
A nice historic town built down the side of a hill on the bank of the River Mondego and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe
Through the forest
To the coast
This is the town of Nazaré. This is right near where the biggest wave (nearly 100ft) ever surfed was a few years ago
I spotted some vans
Just in time for sunset
I stayed the night. I can’t miss this sun rise…
Living like this makes me love getting up early in the morning. I’ve learnt how watching the sun rise completely changes the whole day.
Surfing is the main thing around here
This guy is an architect but he also lives in his van, travels and surfs
I moved along the coast to Baleal
And down to Peniche
Another amazing bit of Portuguese coast
These huge beaches have to be some of the cleanest and nicest I’ve ever seen… and the waves are huge
Now to the town of Sintra
I did a separate post on this. See Exploring the slightly surreal town of Sintra
A quick stop in Lisbon
I camped here
Right in front of the Rua Augusta Arch
I continued south via some backroads
I found this lake
This was just north of Odiáxere
So I camped here for the night
Then in the morning I met chris, he’s a follower of the blog
We jumped out of a plane at 14000 feet
See this post: Jumping out of a plane with Chris, a follower of the blog
I camped under the stars thinking about what the hell just happened
And the next day (Christmas day) I got a ferry to Morocco
See my video: Vanlife – Christmas Breakfast Video
Portugal, I will be back
I was surprised how much warmer Portugal was than Greece, where I spent last winter. I didn’t have to use my heater once and could easily get up before sun rise.
Feel free to share your favourite places and spots in Portugal below in the comments. And thanks to the people who suggested some of these great places above
Portugal is an amazingly diverse country. My favorite experience was in Coimbra at their University student parade. Each faculty constructs massive floats and drives them through the historic downtown. Unbelievable…from what I remember anyway 🙂
Very inspiring. Love Portugal and looking forward to exploring by van soon!
So old school…. Traveling by va is a really awesome way to explore the country.
Amamzing! Traveling by van is one of the greatest ways to spend your vacation.
Hello 🙂 my husband and I have recently finished converting a Ford Transit as our ‘honeymoon’ – we take our first trip at the end of the week for 3 weeks travelling around Spain & Portugal – what are your findings about wild camping in Portugal?
All I want to do is travel like this!!!
Search in internet for “serra do geres”… the google images will speak for themselfs why you have to go there
Great sum up. We spent 31 days in Penichebaleal in November/December 2015 and about 20 days in December 2014 great place. We also have a blog
Marcsamandmax.blogspot.com
Mike I’m intrigued by the man who is an architect but still travels in his van – I’m inbetween finishing my undergrad and starting my masters in architecture (which I need to have to be an architect in the uk). I’m torn though, I just want to live nomadically but architecture is the kind off career you need to be fixed in one place. How does he do it? Does he work some of the year then tavel the rest or does he somehow do both simultaneously? Loving your posts btw, tipping me closer and closer to persuing full time long term travel!!
Just bought your ebook. Don’t know when I’ll get started but hopefully soon
Coool. Thank you for buying it and supporting me. Enjoy
Great photos! The last photo was very impressive!
Portugal is an amazingly diverse country. My favorite experience was in Coimbra at their University student parade. Each faculty constructs massive floats and drives them through the historic downtown. Unbelievable…from what I remember anyway 🙂
Ahh sounds cool. I missed that
Amazing inspiration !! I’m 46 and in a few months i’ll be on my way….quit job in mars 2016. gonna travel europe by van .!!!
Wish I was 40 years younger and had the courage to do what you have done!
Amazing…. thanks for sharing your great pics. Portugal looks lovely. Looks like you have the sun inside your van on last pic 🙂 ….. or your bacon is on fire :O
Its my dream to be able to do that. Living in a van and traveling, just wow and I know that life style is not for everyone I also realize that I must work my ass off to achieve it!
I would love some advices through email or something.
Thanks for the inspiration!