The road to Portugal.

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Carthago chic eline
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IMG_2912.JPG This is a follow on from The road to Jerez,after leaving the circuit campsite I went to El Rocio. Stayed at the campsite so that I could get a washing done,then headed into town. Well it is interesting,the streets are all sand and it looks kind of Wild West. IMG_2910.JPG
 
IMG_2919.JPG IMG_2919.JPG Today I just went 20km south to the beach at Matalascanas,which is basically a tourist town. Big long prom which I cycled along and back before I dipped my toes in the ocean. Tonight the weather is to change big time as there is a storm coming in for a few days,caught this a few minutes ago. IMG_2921.JPG
 
we go inland from there and park in the forests not far from laguna pozas. nice for a few nights , or up the coast at mazagon , its always friendly there .
 
Yes, if the storm comes and you are at Mazagon you could park on tarmac at the marina instead of the beach. We've done it many times with no problems
 
mind from jerez its a great drive to sanlucar then to bonanza and carry on la algaida and on following the salt lake cross the river on a real old bridge and on to quelpo de llano, and then isle mayor then on to villamanrique then down to el rocio. much more exciting than the road to seville . some great wild places to stop for a few nights on the way.
never seen little joe or any of the other folk on tv bonanza but we keep looking .

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Got to Portugal after refueling at Ayamonte,there is a big push at the border over the A22 toll.They have blocked off direct access to it and you are filtered into the pay station,lots of cops and toll assistants at the booths.Didn't get a box as I was turning off for Castro Marim and will use the 125.
 
IMG_2923.JPG Getting blowy again,think we are in for more wet weather tonight. Photo was earlier today.
 
Where is Mrs Bigtree?


.

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if in portugal just hug the coast . at lisbon cross the bridge take a right and sneak back on yourself right down to the docks then turn right and follow the sea all the way up. depending on the size of your vehicle take all the turnings to the sea . look out for overhanging things though . but the west coast is a real adventure , some are forest roads can be a bit bumpy but go slow .
as i have said before i use mapamax map bppk of spain and portugal . it names small coves beaches etc , but we follow the white roads .its amazing how much there is to see away from the main roads . have a good one . turn left follow the sea .
or right if going down .ha ha .
 
vwalan said:
if in portugal just hug the coast . at lisbon cross the bridge take a right and sneak back on yourself right down to the docks then turn right and follow the sea all the way up. depending on the size of your vehicle take all the turnings to the sea . look out for overhanging things though . but the west coast is a real adventure , some are forest roads can be a bit bumpy but go slow .
as i have said before i use mapamax map bppk of spain and portugal . it names small coves beaches etc , but we follow the white roads .its amazing how much there is to see away from the main roads . have a good one . turn left follow the sea .
or right if going down .ha ha .
Click to expand...
Excellent advice. From Sesimbra round to Setabul is spectacular, and we're planning to do it the other way from the Algarve direction shortly
 
Hi,
Been following this thread to get advice about Northern Spain and Portugal as we'd planned to go for a month in June (ferry to Caen booked!).
We don't see much about the Northern areas though - is there a reason for this? Most threads seem to be about Southern Portugal/Algarve.
This is new territory for us so any advice would be welcome. Also are we being a tad ambitious trying to get to Lisbon area (and back) in 4 weeks?

Thanks
 
johnandi said:
Hi,
Been following this thread to get advice about Northern Spain and Portugal as we'd planned to go for a month in June (ferry to Caen booked!).
We don't see much about the Northern areas though - is there a reason for this? Most threads seem to be about Southern Portugal/Algarve.
This is new territory for us so any advice would be welcome. Also are we being a tad ambitious trying to get to Lisbon area (and back) in 4 weeks?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Most people seem to chase the far south because of the tourist attractions and the slightly better sun/rain mix, whereas the north is a lot less undeveloped and unexplored.

Living in both London and Lisbon, we have found that temperatures are typically 6C higher in Lisbon, with another 2-3C added when you go the extra 250Kms to the Algarve.

It does seems to rain a lot more in the far north, hence it is called the "Green Coast". Still, a lot less than the UK. The area around Lisbon is actually becoming a lot more fashionable with visitors, a lovely city with plenty to do, and some tremendous local beaches and countryside. Sintra, Cascais, Obidos and Sesimbra are must visits in my opinion.

To my shame, my experiences of N. Spain are limited, mostly en route for Portugal. Typical route is Santander, Salamanca (site) , Belmonte (aire) and then on to Lisbon. I plan to remedy this next month, by going to Lisbon the long way around (via Spain)

I have done London-Lisbon and back in four and a half days (with two co drivers and lots of furniture), so a month is plenty. Have a great trip
 
You need 3 apps
Camper contact
Park4night
Make sure to read the the reviews

And maps.me this is a great way to find things and plot your journey just save the highlighted spot then insert your comments
Just make sure you upload maps you need before setting of as they are quite large files

We have spent 2 weeks coming down from Calais
And are now on north west coast of Spain slowly heading down into Portugal
We will not be going lower than Lisbon and proberbly nor that far
The parking areas with facilities are plenty and parking in towns and beaches are very good
And in my opinion so far the local Spanish are much more friendly to not Spanish speakers and so long as park sensible the police seem to leave you alone
We love it far more than med side much more rural

If you like rural non commercial areas and beaches you will love it
If you want night life and a typical tourist scene you are on wrong coast

Enjoy what ever you do


Hey, check out my current location on the MAPS.ME map! http://ge0.me/gn-FnBj1vq/My_Position
ge0://gn-FnBj1vq/My_Position

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Last edited:
Having lunch in the old town of Lagos. Quite nice here and the Aore by the football stadium is good value for money. Visit Sagres tomorrow then start heading up the coast to meet friends in Spain. Got moved 2 days ago at Playa Marinha. However, got the walks in first and GNR were polite and respectful
 
IMG_2929.JPG
Got to Manta Rota and had a bit of lunch,Trev's Tapas with a nice Portuguese red. Don't bother GTB , you couldn't afford me. :D Guess the price of the bottle of wine if you like.
 
vwalan said:
mind from jerez its a great drive to sanlucar then to bonanza and carry on la algaida and on following the salt lake cross the river on a real old bridge and on to quelpo de llano, and then isle mayor then on to villamanrique then down to el rocio. much more exciting than the road to seville . some great wild places to stop for a few nights on the way.
never seen little joe or any of the other folk on tv bonanza but we keep looking .
Click to expand...
Think Little Joe will be either dead or in an old folks home,,BUSBY.
 
PhilandMena said:
Having lunch in the old town of Lagos. Quite nice here and the Aore by the football stadium is good value for money. Visit Sagres tomorrow then start heading up the coast to meet friends in Spain. Got moved 2 days ago at Playa Marinha. However, got the walks in first and GNR were polite and respectful
Click to expand...
Hope it was Adega da Marina that you ate at,The local hotspot
 
I have followed your advice before Alan and will be doing it again.

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I have followed your advice before Alan and will be doing it again.
 
It's a hard life,but I have about half a bottle left before I go to bed!!
Love everybody **. Even tootles ,night night!!!!!!!
 
pyro said:
Most people seem to chase the far south because of the tourist attractions and the slightly better sun/rain mix, whereas the north is a lot less undeveloped and unexplored.

Living in both London and Lisbon, we have found that temperatures are typically 6C higher in Lisbon, with another 2-3C added when you go the extra 250Kms to the Algarve.

It does seems to rain a lot more in the far north, hence it is called the "Green Coast". Still, a lot less than the UK. The area around Lisbon is actually becoming a lot more fashionable with visitors, a lovely city with plenty to do, and some tremendous local beaches and countryside. Sintra, Cascais, Obidos and Sesimbra are must visits in my opinion.

To my shame, my experiences of N. Spain are limited, mostly en route for Portugal. Typical route is Santander, Salamanca (site) , Belmonte (aire) and then on to Lisbon. I plan to remedy this next month, by going to Lisbon the long way around (via Spain)

I have done London-Lisbon and back in four and a half days (with two co drivers and lots of furniture), so a month is plenty. Have a great trip
Click to expand...

Peter & Elaine said:
You need 3 apps
Camper contact
Park4night
Make sure to read the the reviews

And maps.me this is a great way to find things and plot your journey just save the highlighted spot then insert your comments
Just make sure you upload maps you need before setting of as they are quite large files

We have spent 2 weeks coming down from Calais
And are now on north west coast of Spain slowly heading down into Portugal
We will not be going lower than Lisbon and proberbly nor that far
The parking areas with facilities are plenty and parking in towns and beaches are very good
And in my opinion so far the local Spanish are much more friendly to not Spanish speakers and so long as park sensible the police seem to leave you alone
We love it far more than med side much more rural

If you like rural non commercial areas and beaches you will love it
If you want night life and a typical tourist scene you are on wrong coast

Enjoy what ever you do


Hey, check out my current location on the MAPS.ME map! http://ge0.me/gn-FnBj1vq/My_Position
ge0://gn-FnBj1vq/My_Position
Click to expand...

Thanks Pyro and Peter and Elaine, that's really useful info and makes us think it's worth the venture into Portugal. (We usually turn left out the ferry and go the other way into Germany, Italy and/or Greece). We probably won't get very far South unfortunately but....we'll see! P&E - We do prefer the less commercial areas and the quieter areas so maybe the North coast of Spain and Northern Portugal will be just what we're looking for. We had a great month in The Peloponnese a couple of years ago, again rural and generally less commercial and we loved it.

Thanks again all for taking the time to reply,
 
johnandi said:
Thanks Pyro and Peter and Elaine, that's really useful info and makes us think it's worth the venture into Portugal. (We usually turn left out the ferry and go the other way into Germany, Italy and/or Greece). We probably won't get very far South unfortunately but....we'll see! P&E - We do prefer the less commercial areas and the quieter areas so maybe the North coast of Spain and Northern Portugal will be just what we're looking for. We had a great month in The Peloponnese a couple of years ago, again rural and generally less commercial and we loved it.

Thanks again all for taking the time to reply,
Click to expand...
Not wanting to moan or anything but this is my thread o_O
I could provide very useful information of places to stay up as far as Figueira,after that I will find other places. VW Alan has already said what to do.
 
Sorry, I wouldn't have posted without seeking your permission first had I had known it was your private thread

My bad :Eeek:

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Last edited:
pyro said:
Sorry, I wouldn't have posted without seeking your permission first if I had known it was your thread

My bad :Eeek:
Click to expand...
Nothing to do with you buddy,it's just others seem to pick up on a thread instead of starting their own and asking questions. As I said at the start of this one it is a follow up from The road to Jerez and I will post where I go and what each stop is like. I have previously done a lot of the coast but will go to other parts that I have not been to and comment on these places.
 
you could do the barragems , nice one near ourique,or santa clara a good old hippy one. pego de altar is nice but can get busy. was better when the old lady lived in the big house there. nice old lady.
another nice place is maladinha . follow a dirt track past the camp site goes to a fantastic surf beach . not far from villa nova de milfontes. also near alfambras up the coast from the algarve is a nice natural font by the road side on the right going up. great little place for a stop for lunch etc . not overnight.
 
IMG_2935.JPG
IMG_2933.JPG
Last night at Manta Rota.

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