This Must Be the Place: A Guide to Vanlife in Portugal

Where to park, hang out and party for the ultimate vanlife experience in Portugal

Exploring vanlife in Portugal with a Siesta Camper is the easiest way to see the best parts of this gem on Europe’s western edge without trying too hard. Whether you opt for a technicoloured Kombi, an electric ID Buzz, or a luxury motorhome for your casa on wheels, embracing vanlife in Portugal lets you choose the pace and the place - so you can go (or stay) exactly where you’d like.


With 300+ days of sun and endless beaches to choose from, Portugal has attracted the vanlife community for years. While some adventure seekers make the trek north to explore Porto, Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês and the region’s vast collection of river beaches, a majority of vanlifers gravitate toward the south and west coast, where the year-round warm weather makes for easy living.


Vanlife is best known for the independence it brings, but we are social creatures by nature and finding a few kindred spirits along the way can turn a solitary road trip into a journey of meaningful connections and lifelong friendships. In this very special roundup, we share some of our favourite van-friendly beaches, spots and spaces to immerse yourself in the vibrant international community of vanlifers, digital nomads and free-spirited wanderers here in Portugal. Jump aboard the Siesta bus and let the adventure begin!

Baleal Island (Peniche)

Baleal is a small island in the Peniche region separated from the mainland by a sandy tombolo. Praia do Baleal is a stretch of coastal paradise known for mellow waves, making it an excellent stop for any beginner surfer and one of Europe’s favourite water sports destinations. To immerse yourself in Peniche’s relaxed and unpretentious surf community, join the other surfers and vanlifers exchanging park-up tips and secret surf breaks over coffee and veggie-friendly meals at the Supermarket Café.

ROOTS (Aljezur)

This bustling vegan café attracts a mix of surfers, vanlifers and eco-conscious travellers looking for a welcoming space to meet up, kick back and share a meal after catching the morning waves. There’s also a real gem of a market just down the street where you’ll find seasonal produce, local crafts, and a friendly community vibe. It’s perfect for stocking up on essentials, sweets and treats. Head here on Saturday mornings to discover all the fresh produce from the local farmers who come down from the hills.

Praia do Amado (near Carrapateira)

While overnight camping isn’t allowed, Praia do Amado is a great day spot to park with an unmistakable vanlife vibe. Expect peaceful mornings, abundant surf culture, and a colourful collective of creative rigs, from German off-road trucks to old hippie buses. With its laid-back community of beach lovers and a great café serving out of a little hut, this is an easy place to meet people.

Laundry Lounge (Sagres)

Sagres is home to some of Portugal’s best surf spots and a strong vanlife spirit that reflects this. At the Laundry Lounge you’ll find vanlifers stopping by to wash clothes, grab a bite to eat, enjoy a cocktail or catch the occasional evening of live music. Whether you’re looking to connect with fellow travellers or just need to get some laundry done, this is a unique spot that’s grown into a vanlife gathering space, with plenty of regulars who know all the local surf spots well.

Looking to wander a bit? Just down the road is another surfer hub called the Hangout with good food, a surf shop, live music and tattoo parlour. Some say a tattoo is the best souvenir..

Praia do Barranco

The track to this hidden “Hippie Beach” is a bit of a killer, but if you take it easy and go slow, you’ll see why it’s worth the effort. 20 years ago you could park here in August and not see anyone, apart from the occasional naked hippie. Today, Praia do Barranco’s laid-back vibe gives a nod to its history, and those who make it to the beach are rewarded with a friendly, intimate spot where both locals and vanlifers gather to soak up the sun and enjoy the community.


If the surf is washed out on the west coast, this secluded cove can get some nice clean waves. When it’s on, expect an influx of surfers. If you time it right, you may be able to score a spot in the small car park at the bottom where vans pack in tight and lore has it some pretty wild full moon parties take place.



🗺️ Looking for more secret beaches? We have a blog for that.

Barão de São João (Region of Faro)

With a vibrant history going back to the ‘80s, Barão de São João is one of the original vanlife hangouts. While those travellers have since settled down on bits of land nestled back into the hills of the Algarve and the once beloved hippie market now closed, its spirit lives on at Central Café and Bar Atabai. Stop by for live music on Fridays, where you’ll find a multi-generational vanlife crowd enjoying a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Also nice to know: the nearby skatepark doubles as a second-hand market on the weekends.


When you get hungry, stop by the plant-based Algarvegan Hummus Bar, a small white catering trailer in a nearby field serving some of the best homemade falafel, hummus and pita we’ve ever had in the Algarve.

Grand Café (Lagos)

Each Friday night Grand Café hosts a DJ Toby One set with a mix of house, techno and D&B. This has become a go-to party spot for vanlifers and surfers looking to rave and let loose. 

The Morning After: Coffee & Waves (Lagos)

Recuperate from a night of partying with a photogenic breakfast and your favourite specialty coffee beverage at Coffee & Waves before heading next door to swoon over the custom surfboards at Bob’s Boards. And if last night’s dance party didn’t stop until sunrise, it’s good to remember that Coffee & Waves has a really great to-go window, just in case.

Bank Marmelete (Region of Faro)

Situated between Aljezur and Monchique, this old bank has been transformed into an eclectic space offering some truly useful amenities to the vanlife community, including brunch, a bar, laundry facilities, a great market and even live music. Known for its friendly crowd and relaxed-yet-lively environment, this is a fun one to dip into if you're passing through.



💡 Tip: Before heading out on the road, join the “Van Life Portugal" Facebook group for more connections and updates on local hangouts. You’ll find invites to gatherings, campouts, and various volunteer opportunities. 

📓 First time vanning it? Check out our comprehensive Vanlife Guide.

Tips for Volunteering + Working in Exchange for Lodging

If you’re looking to offset the expenses of an extended road trip and don’t mind a work exchange, it’s quite easy to find volunteer opportunities in Portugal to help budget your vanlife adventure and keep camping costs low. Many families and farms even prefer van dwellers, as they bring a particular level of self-sufficiency to the mix. Usually you’ll trade a few hours of work over a predetermined number of days in exchange for a place to park, a few meals, and occasional other perks. It's important to do your research, read reviews, and ask questions. Take note of red flags (like paying to work), unrealistic expectations (long hours, day after day) or unsafe living/working conditions. When in doubt, trust your gut.

Wigglestail Animal Sanctuary (Albufeira)

If you’re travelling through the Algarve and enjoy spending time with animals, the Wigglestail Animal Sanctuary invites vanlifers to stay on-site in exchange for spending a few hours of your day socialising and cuddling with animals, taking dogs for walks, and improving the camping area for future volunteers. Expect to make friends with some pigs, goats, sheep, horses, dogs, cats and at least one donkey. Talk about a dream team.

Workaway (across Portugal)

Workaway has been around since 2002. It’s a great place to find volunteer opportunities on the road that overlap with your personal interests, whether that’s permaculture, mushroom farming, caring for animals, or providing bilingual au pair services. Portugal is filled with eco-projects and small farms that welcome vanlifers as volunteers, and it’s a great place to meet fellow vanlifers while learning a new skill or two.

Conclusion

Finding your community while living in a campervan is going to improve your overall experience, whether you travel through Portugal, Spain or beyond the Iberian Peninsula. Friendship and finding like-minded individuals in faraway places is what makes travel so good. Whether it’s sharing the perfect day spot with other surfers, getting directions to a hidden beach from a fellow vanlifer, or exchanging stories over a morning cup of coffee while you both do laundry, finding your community on the road can turn an adventure into a lifestyle, and the vanlife community in Portugal is a vibrant one where you’re always welcome.