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Rent a Campervan Algarve – Complete Guide for 2026
Nina
Ocean Camper CEO
Ocean Camper CEO
Thinking if you should rent a campervan Algarve for your next holiday?
If you love freedom, nature and discovering hidden beaches at your own pace, an Algarve campervan road trip is probably the best way to experience Portugal’s sunny south.
In this guide you’ll find everything you need to know: when to go, where to sleep legally, how much it costs, the best Algarve camping sites, and why small campervans (like the ones from Ocean Camper in Faro) are perfect for couples and friends.
The Algarve is one of Europe’s sunniest regions, with over 300 days of sun and around 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.
That means:
For campervan life, this climate is close to ideal.
Within a relatively short driving distance you can reach:
With a campervan you can wake up by the ocean one day and in the hills the next, without changing hotel.
A traditional holiday usually means:
With campervan hire Algarve, your vehicle is also your accommodation:
Small, well-equipped campervans from Ocean Camper are designed exactly for this: simple, functional and budget-friendly, made for two people and fully equipped for cooking, sleeping and relaxing.
When you rent a campervan Algarve, you travel on your own rhythm:
You’re not tied to a single town or hotel. A campervan makes the whole region your playground.
Some of the best memories from an Algarve campervan road trip are the simple ones:
Hotels can’t really compete with that feeling.
Portugal changed its motorhome and camping laws in recent years. Here is the short, accurate version for 2026.
Law 66/2021 introduced the so-called 48-hour rule: outside protected and coastal restricted areas, you can stay overnight in your campervan for up to 48 hours in the same municipality, as long as there is no local by-law saying otherwise.
However, wild camping (setting up camp in nature) is still forbidden in:
Fines for illegal camping are usually between €120 and €600.
And very important: on public car parks and roads you cannot show “camping behaviour” – so no chairs, tables, awnings or BBQs outside the vehicle. Only parking and sleeping inside is allowed.
For a full, always-updated explanation, check Ocean Camper’s law guide:
👉 Wild Camping & Camping Rules in Portugal
The Algarve has dozens of campsites and holiday parks spread along the coast and inland. They usually offer:
Typical prices for a campervan + 2 people are around €20–€30 per night, depending on season and facilities.
To make your life easier, Ocean Camper prepared a hand-picked list of the best Algarve camping sites with photos, pros & cons and GPS locations:
👉 Best Campsites in the Algarve 2026
Motorhome service areas (aires):
They are great for 1–2 nights while you tour the region and want something practical and legal.
More and more small rural properties, eco-farms and vineyards welcome a few campervans on their land. You’ll find them on platforms like Campspace or via local recommendations.
Perfect if you want:
Here is a compact, realistic route starting and ending in Faro.
Day 1–2 – Faro & Ria Formosa
Pick up your campervan in Faro, explore the old town and drive to the Ria Formosa islands (Faro beach, Culatra, Desert Island).
Day 3 – Tavira & Eastern Algarve
Visit Tavira, Cacela Velha and the sandbanks around Santa Luzia. Sleep near one of the eastern Algarve camping sites.
Day 4 – Lagos & Ponta da Piedade
Drive west to Lagos for cliffs, caves and city life.
Day 5–6 – Costa Vicentina & Sagres
Surf or relax at Arrifana, Amado, Bordeira, Monte Clérigo or Sagres – some of Portugal’s most iconic surf beaches.
Day 7 – Inland Monchique or back through the countryside
Finish your Algarve campervan road trip in the mountains for fresh air and views, then return to Faro.
Yes. You combine transport and accommodation, save money compared to car + hotel, and get full freedom to explore beaches, towns and nature at your own pace. For most travellers who like flexibility, campervan hire Algarve is absolutely worth it.
Wild camping is forbidden in protected areas (Natura 2000, natural parks, many coastal zones) and wherever signs prohibit it. Outside these areas, you may stay up to 48 hours per municipality if there is no local restriction and you do not display camping behaviour. Fines typically range from €120–€600.
Full explanation here:
👉 Camping Rules & Wild Camping in Portugal
Most campsites charge around €20–€30 per night for a campervan pitch with 2 people, depending on season, facilities and location.
For our favourite addresses, see:
👉 Camping Rules & Wild Camping in Portugal
Mini-campervans like those from Ocean Camper usually don’t have built-in toilets or showers. Instead, you use campsite facilities or add optional extras (portable toilet, solar shower). This keeps the vans compact, easier to drive and cheaper to rent.
No. The Algarve has good roads and clear signage. A small campervan is similar to driving a normal car and fits into standard parking spaces, which is ideal for villages and supermarkets.
No. A standard Category B driving licence is enough for regular campervans under 3,500 kg in Portugal.
Typically:
Exact equipment list and options: https://oceancamper.com/extras
Faro is ideal: it has the international airport, train and bus connections, supermarkets and quick access to both east and west Algarve. That’s why many companies, including Ocean Camper, are based there.
If you’re dreaming of waking up by the ocean, chasing sunsets along the cliffs, and exploring the south of Portugal with full flexibility, an Algarve campervan road trip is for you.
Check prices, availability and extras here:
👉 Book your campervan in Faro with Ocean Camper
Pack light, respect the rules, be kind to nature – and enjoy one of Europe’s sunniest regions on four wheels.
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