Hire your perfect campervan to explore Portugal

Portugal is well suited for campervan hire and year-round camping due to a mild climate and an average of more than 300 sunny days per year.

During the summer months of July and August, expect temperatures of around 29°C to 37°C. When it's this hot you’ll want to be near the coastline where you will find cooler breezes and fresher nights.

We at Siesta prefer off-season campervan hire in Portugal from October to June to fully enjoy uncrowded beaches, campsites and restaurants. The weather is pleasant while less traffic and open parking spaces right by the beach are a great bonus too.

During the cooler months of December through March, you’ll be quite toasty as all of our Atlantic campervans and motorhomes are thermo insulated and come with auxiliary night heaters. Most of the South of Portugal rarely sees frost, making it Europe’s ideal winter camping destination.

The price of campervan rental in Portugal ranges between €50 per night during the low season to €175 per night during the summertime. The price of motorhome rental is a bit higher ranging between €90 to €225. Factors which affect the price of campervan or motorhome rental in Portugal include vehicle type, seasonality, rental duration, extras, upgrades and insurance cost.

Take a look at the date selector on our homepage. Enter your preferred dates and select the campervan or motorhome you want to rent to receive an instant campervan rental quote.

Below we break down some additional costs to give you a more accurate estimate of the total cost of a campervan holiday in Portugal.

Our data says that the average trip distance across all our campervan rentals for June 2022 was 809km. This would be a leisurely trip from Lisbon down to Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, and back to Lisbon. This would consume around 1 whole tank of fuel and cost around €120 to fill (estimate from July 8th, 2022). Take a look at this neat calculator that gives you real-time fuel prices based on the number of km’s you intend to drive.

There's no denying that the price of fuel has risen sharply recently. Luckily, our campervans are the most economical Euro 6 vans available on the market today. They take around 7L of diesel per 100km.

A pitch for two people and a campervan or motorhome with electrical hook-up costs from €15 to €25 per night. We’ve negotiated discounts of up to 10% with many of the best campsites in Portugal. Be sure to read our blog post on Best campsites in Portugal and just mention that you are in a Siesta van when booking a campsite to receive a discount.

Food, glorious food. Whether you enjoy staying in or eating out, campervan rental provides some surprising benefits and can save you a lot of money!

Unlike most traditional hotels, all our campervans and motorhomes are fully equipped with everything you need to prepare delicious meals wherever you are. This provides unmatched flexibility and better value for money than traditional dining options.

With amazing clifftop lunches and nights spent stargazing there’s nothing quite like exploring Portugal by campervan and cooking in postcard worthy locations. Imagine waking to the sounds of waves crashing on the shore and the joy of empty west coast beaches as you sip on a good cup of coffee and sample fresh local produce. Purchasing items from local markets costs a fraction of what you’d spend dining out too.

If you prefer to dine out, expect to pay €1 to €2 for coffee in a beach cafe. Lunch in a traditional village restaurant costs around €10 to €15 per person, with wine included!

Some of the beachside restaurants on the west coast can be more pricey but fresh fish of the day, for example in Arrifana, would cost you between €10 to €20 with extra added for desserts and drinks. 

Our vans vary in size, amenities, and style. Some are better suited for solo travellers and couples while others are ideal for groups and families.

Consider whether you will feel comfortable driving a larger motorhome, or prefer the agility and compact size of a campervan.

Certain models come with a manual transmission while others are automatic. Unlike our modern campervans or motorhomes, driving our vintage VW campers requires a bit more finesse. Check out the article to learn what it’s like to drive them.

Is a campervan exterior shower suitable for your needs or do you prefer the privacy of an interior shower & WC? If so, a motorhome is a better choice.

Ultimately, the choice is quite a personal one. If you’re unsure whether you should hire a campervan or motorhome, contact our team and we’ll help you make the right choice.

The majority of our customers rent a campervan for 1-2 weeks. Customers who embark on a tour of the whole country often choose to hire a motorhome in Portugal for 2-4 weeks.

We do have rental length minimums which vary by van and season and we offer long term rental discounts for bookings of 14 days or more. See our campervan hire deals for more information.

The process is quick, easy and can be completed online. Simply enter your travel dates, pickup and drop-off locations, find your perfect campervan or motorhome, fill out the online booking form and submit payment. You will receive an instant booking confirmation. Our team will handle the rest.

• Book early. Our campervans and motorhomes are very popular. During peak season we’re often fully booked 2 months in advance.
• Be flexible. If your preferred camper or motorhome is not available, our team can often find a great alternative. Get in touch via the website chat widget.
• Be informed. Our van descriptions, FAQ’s, terms & conditions and blog articles are a great source of information for anything related to campervan hire in Portugal.
• Don’t overpack. No one likes lugging around too much luggage. Our campervans and motorhome are fully equipped with everything you need.

Less is more! See our helpful article: 36 Camping Essential - Our Campervan Packing List. Learn what we put in all our campervans and motorhomes so you can travel lighter.

• Surf! - Don’t know how? Check out our Portugal surf guide for beginners.
• Swim - Water temperatures are quite pleasant most of the year.
• Sunbathe - You’re in the land of sunshine, make the most of it.
• Hike - Discover the Rota Vicentina and other incredible trails.
• Mountain bike - Portugal is mountain bike heaven. We offer optional bike racks and mountain bikes for rent.
• Yoga & Meditation - Lazy days and quiet places are perfect for relaxation.
• Cook - Our campervans are fully equipped with all you need to try new recipes.
• Make new friends - The Portuguese are kind and welcoming. Campsites are also a great place to meet like minded people.
• Play games - Extra time and no responsibilities means you can connect with your inner child.
• Stargaze - The night gets darker and the stars shine brighter when you leave the city in the rear view mirror.

Speaking the local language will always improve the experience of visiting a foreign country, but in this situation it is not essential. Tourist facing businesses such as shops, bars and services including RV rental in Portugal generally employ multilingual staff. Our website exists in Portuguese, English, German, French and Spanish and we have a multilingual team. If you need any assistance with campervan, motorhome or RV rental, please let us know.

Portugal is a very popular international holiday destination for RV and motorhome holidays. English is widely spoken around the bigger cities and by the youth. Spanish, French and German are quite well established also.

Road conditions in Portugal are generally very good, but if you choose motorhome or RV rental in Portugal, be careful when driving through narrow historic village streets. Certain areas are inaccessible for wider vehicles. Rainy days are rare during the summer months, but when they arrive and water combines with a dusty layer on the surface, road conditions can become quite slippery. Here’s the breakdown of speed limits in Portugal:

• 50km/h in residential areas
• 90km/h in rural areas
• 120km/h on national motorways

Portugal is an extremely safe and peaceful country. In the 15 years of running Siesta Campers we have had hardly any break-ins and we’ve had thousands of clients. We always recommend leaving your valuables out of sight especially when parked in towns or beaches closer to bigger cities.