Porto Campsite/Motorhome Stop?

[Esperelda]

Hi, We're planning to be in Portugal at the end of May and would love to visit Porto. Can anyone recommend somewhere to stay nearby? We have bikes and are happy to cycle up to 8 miles to get there, or use a train or a bus (if they'll allow my small dog on!). Any suggestions welcomed! Thank you.

 

[klaatu]

I know that Robert Clark has been to Porto for a port tasting, so he may pop up and suggest somewhere.

 

[Robert Clark]

We stayed at the aire in central Porto. Was an easy walk into town and fine for a night.

We also stayed further upstream the Douro river at Peso da Regua which has a railway station with a direct service to Porto, though we haven’t used it.

 

[MyrtleGuru]

We left the van at a very cheap but basic municipal campsite in Espinho, where the security looked pretty good, and took the bargain-priced train to Porto. A fine city to visit.

 

[Granjan]

There are a couple of Orbitur campsites fairly near, we stayed at the one south of Porto, easy bus ride into Porto but no idea about the dog. Well worth 2 or 3 days stay.

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[Solwaybuggier]

There’s a site at Vila Cha to the north - not bad, although they are prone to pack people in a bit! It’s a shortish taxi ride to a metro station to take you right into Porto - probably bikeable to the statio? Pleasant enough village, with a beach.

There was a thread recently (on another forum?) where someone was positive about the ParcoBiologico de Gaia, on the outskirts of Porto, sounded like an aire but with hedged pitches - not been there ourselves, so can’t comment. Only fairly small, though.

We did stay at the Orbitur in Madalena about 6 years ago - it may have improved since then, but at the time it felt semi-derelict and we’d not return. It is an easy (if hair-raising) bus ride into the city.

Porto is great, although it does get busy.

 

[Gaston aires]

Like Robert Clark we used the aire last September at Nova de Guia. It had a for sale sign on the land so presumably it will eventually cease as an aire.
A very well located, safe aire, free and a nice walk along the boardwalk and over the bridge into Porto.
Phil

 

[Lot lover]

You may wish to check the rules about muzzling dogs on pubic transport in Portugal. I believe that some big ugly dogs are not allowed but ickle ones should be ok.

 

[Busman]

Like Robert Clark we used the aire last September at Nova de Guia. It had a for sale sign on the land so presumably it will eventually cease as an aire.

According to Camper Contact review Aire above at Porto Porto closed for redevelopment 30/10/19

 

[spitfire]

Have stayed twice at Orbitor Madelena twice . Not a pretty site but perfect with bus to Porto outside .

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[peterc10]

We stayed at the country park and zoo that has a well equipped Aire including marked pitches with electricity. Bus stop outside the entrance and a few minutes ride into the centre of Oporto. Not cheap at 15€ but that includes entrance to the park/zoo which is well worth a visit. Details are on Campercontact.

 

[Lenny HB]

We stayed at the free Aire at Venda Nova right next to the tram stop.
Porto was one of the few places in Portugal we didn't like. Apart from the area by the Port warehouses the place was dirty rubbish everywhere & everywhere you went stunk of piss.

This was our visit.

Lenny's on the road to Portugal

Lenny HB Would you be able to post a picture of the route you took to get to Portugal please How much of the route was using toll roads ?in advance ?

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[jongood]

According to Camper Contact review Aire above at Porto Porto closed for redevelopment 30/10/19

Isnt this the one that every other review is complaining of break ins?

Just a note for anyone considering cycling or scootering in Porto, there are a lot of cobbles and it gets very slippy if it rains.

 

[billym]

We stayed last spring at Camping Salguieros Camper contact 10002.
A bit of a dump but the bus was right outside to Porto

( The train from Peso De Regua to Porto takes about 2 hours but there is a fantastic 40 minute train ride the other way to Pinhao)

 

[peterc10]

We stayed at the country park and zoo that has a well equipped Aire including marked pitches with electricity. Bus stop outside the entrance and a few minutes ride into the centre of Oporto. Not cheap at 15€ but that includes entrance to the park/zoo which is well worth a visit. Details are on Campercontact.

This is Campercontact No 11641. It is listed under Avintes rather than Oporto

Looking at the map it is further away from Oporto than I thought.

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[Lenny HB]

Isnt this the one that every other review is complaining of break ins?

No, that is the one south of the river closest to Porto.

 

[Captain Pants]

There’s a site at Vila Cha to the north - not bad, although they are prone to pack people in a bit! It’s a shortish taxi ride to a metro station to take you right into Porto - probably bikeable to the statio? Pleasant enough village, with a beach.

Stayed at the Vila Cha site last May and would recommend it for a short stay, especially if you’re a bit concerned about security on aires or want full facilities. We really enjoyed Porto, much nicer than Lisbon and lots going on at the riverside around the famous Don Luís bridge at the weekend, especially Sunday afternoons. Sorry, don’t know about dogs on trams. Definitely bikeable from campsite to metro station at nearby shopping mall/fashion outlet. There are some lovely wild beaches on the coast around that area.

 

[berni109]

what peterc10 said.
great place to say and whats €15 in the grand scale of things.
its more like a mini campsite with private pitches.

 

[Drexxer]

what peterc10 said.
great place to say and whats €15 in the grand scale of things.
its more like a mini campsite with private pitches.

We're there now, very secure, I just wish this rain would bugger off!

Heading south soon methinks

 

[Lenny HB]

We really enjoyed Porto, much nicer than Lisbon

I don't understand that, we found Porto dirty, smelly and rubbish everywhere apart from down by the Port Warehouses. By contrast Lisbon was clean, tidy, beautiful got to be one of the nicest capital cities. Going to go back to Lisbon for a city break.

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[Captain Pants]

I don't understand that, we found Porto dirty, smelly and rubbish everywhere apart from down by the Port Warehouses. By contrast Lisbon was clean, tidy, beautiful got to be one of the nicest capital cities. Going to go back to Lisbon for a city break.

As they say, “you pay your money and take your chance”. I found Lisbon a bit sleezy in places. I was offered drugs on the street there. Otherwise not much of interest apart from the usual tourist stuff - trams/monuments etc. Porto by contrast was vibrant, felt less touristy and had a great vibe down on the river front on the Sunday when we visited. After Seville and Granada, one of my Iberian favourites.

 

[Esperelda]

Many thanks for the helpful information, I shall look into these aires etc. It's always good to hear from others who have visited. I shall have to remember to take the muzzle for my dog when we go out, although I'm not sure she could do anyone any damage!