Vanlife and surf culture go hand in hand on the Costa Vicentina, and the appeal is obvious — wake up near the waves, check the surf, drive five minutes, and paddle out. But the reality in this part of Portugal has changed significantly in recent years, and an honest guide is worth more than a romanticised one. Here's what's actually going on.
The legal situation
The Aljezur coastline sits inside the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. Within the park boundaries, wild camping and overnight parking of campervans is illegal. This isn't ambiguous — it's clearly prohibited by Portuguese law, and the park authority enforces it.
Fines exist and are issued. Enforcement has increased year on year as vanlife tourism has grown. GNR (Portuguese police) and ICNF (nature conservation) patrols check known spots, particularly in summer. Fines can run from €50 to several hundred euros depending on the infraction and location.
This isn't meant to discourage you from bringing a van — it's meant to save you a fine and a bad start to your trip. The legal options work well, and using them keeps this coastline the way everyone comes here to enjoy it.
Legal camping options
Municipal campsites
The Aljezur municipal campsite (Parque de Campismo de Serrão) is the most convenient base for surfing the area. It's a few kilometres from Aljezur town, has decent facilities (showers, electricity, laundry, a small shop), and is affordable — expect €8–15 per night for a van with two people, depending on season. It's well-positioned for reaching Arrifana, Monte Clérigo, and Amoreira beaches.
There are other municipal and private campsites in the wider area — near Odeceixe to the north and Carrapateira to the south. Standards and prices vary. Some are basic (a pitch, a tap, a toilet block), others have swimming pools and restaurants. Check availability in advance during July and August — they fill up.
Designated motorhome areas
Some towns in the region have designated motorhome parking areas (áreas de autocaravanas) with basic facilities — water fill-up, waste disposal, sometimes electricity. These are legal, inexpensive, and designed specifically for campervans. Aljezur and nearby towns have these, though facilities and availability change. Check park4night or similar apps for current information.
Day parking at surf spots
Even if you're sleeping at a campsite, you'll be driving to the beaches each day. A few things to know:
Arrifana has a car park above the beach. In summer it fills up early, and parking wardens patrol. Fees are modest (a few euros per day) but enforce them — tickets happen.
Monte Clérigo has roadside parking near the beach. More relaxed than Arrifana, but still gets busy in peak summer.
Amoreira and Vale Figueiras have unpaved parking areas. More space, fewer restrictions, but also fewer facilities (no shade, no water, no toilets).
Sleeping in your van at beach car parks overnight is the most common way to get fined. Don't do it. Surf during the day, return to your campsite at night.
Facilities and logistics
Water
Fill up at your campsite or at designated water points. Some village fountains are drinkable (look for "água potável" signs). Don't rely on beach parking areas for water — most have none.
Waste disposal
Campsite waste disposal points handle black and grey water. If your van has a chemical toilet, empty it only at designated facilities — never in nature. This is both a legal and basic decency issue in a natural park.
Fuel
Aljezur town has a petrol station. Lagos, 30 minutes south, has more options and sometimes cheaper prices. Fill up when you can — you don't want to be running low on a Sunday evening when everything's closed.
Laundry
Some campsites have washing machines. Aljezur town has a laundromat. After a week of surfing, you'll need it.
Groceries and cooking
The Saturday market in Aljezur is great for fresh produce. Small supermarkets in town cover daily needs. For a bigger shop, Lidl and Intermarché in Lagos stock everything you'd expect. A gas stove, a cutting board, and fresh market ingredients go a long way in a van.
Respecting the environment
This coastline is protected for good reason. The Natural Park harbours rare species, fragile cliff-top ecosystems, and some of the last undeveloped coastline in southern Europe. The rules exist to keep it that way.
Leave no trace. Pack out everything. No grey water on the ground. No toilet paper in the bushes. No fire pits.
Stay on established tracks. Driving off-road or parking on vegetation causes erosion that takes years to recover in this sandy, coastal soil.
Keep noise down. The campsites and parking areas are near residential areas and wildlife habitats. Generators running late at night don't make friends.
The vanlife community's reputation in this area has taken hits from the behaviour of a minority. The surfers and travellers who use legal sites, clean up after themselves, and respect the park are the reason the community is still welcome here.
Best season for vanlife
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) are the best months. Temperatures are comfortable for living in a van (18–25°C during the day), the surf is good, and the crowds are manageable.
Summer (July–August) gets hot — daytime temperatures reach 30–35°C and van interiors become ovens without shade or airflow. The coast is also at its busiest, and campsite availability tightens.
Winter (December–March) brings cooler nights (can drop to 5–8°C), rain, and bigger surf. A well-insulated van with heating works, but it's a different experience. The upside: empty lineups and no competition for parking.
Surf gear delivery to your van
We deliver surfboards and wetsuits to campsites and designated parking areas within our delivery zone — Aljezur, Arrifana, Vale da Telha, and Monte Clérigo. If you're staying at the municipal campsite or a designated motorhome area in the Aljezur area, we can bring the gear to you.
This saves space in the van (boards take up a lot of room) and means you don't need to travel with equipment. Check our pricing for weekly and two-week packages — the longer rentals make particular sense for vanlife trips.
FAQ
Can I wild camp on the Costa Vicentina?
No. Wild camping and overnight parking of motorhomes is illegal within the Natural Park. Enforcement is active and fines are issued. Use municipal campsites or designated motorhome areas. This keeps you legal and supports the facilities that make vanlife here possible.
How much does camping cost near Aljezur?
The municipal campsite runs approximately €8–15 per night for a van with two occupants, depending on season and whether you need electricity. Private campsites in the wider area range from €10–25. Compared to accommodation rental, it's very affordable — especially for extended trips.
Is there WiFi at the campsites?
Some campsites offer WiFi, but reliability varies. If you need consistent internet for remote work, a Portuguese mobile data SIM is more dependable. Coverage is generally good in the Aljezur area, though some beaches and valleys have dead spots.
Where can I empty my van's waste tanks?
At campsite waste disposal points or designated motorhome service areas. Aljezur's municipal campsite has facilities. Never dump waste in nature, storm drains, or at beach parking areas. Apps like park4night list service points along the coast.
Can I park my van at the beach overnight?
This is the most common way to get fined. Beach car parks within the Natural Park are for daytime use. Overnight stays — even if you argue you're "just sleeping, not camping" — are treated as illegal camping. Park at a campsite and drive to the beach each morning.
Bringing a van to the coast? Get in touch with your dates and campsite location — we'll deliver boards and wetsuits so you can keep your van space for living.