Alentejo Coast and Rota Vicentina

What should you know before visiting Alentejo Coast and Rota Vicentina?

Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €19 (Portugal).

• The natural park covers about 75,000 hectares. Towns from north to south: Santiago do Cacém, Porto Covo, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Odeceixe, Aljezur, Carrapateira, Vila do Bispo and Sagres.
• Press reports say the 2021 road-code amendment (Law 66/2021) bans motorhome overnighting in protected areas, Natura 2000 and coastal-plan zones outside expressly authorised spots.
• In 2021 the nature agency ICNF set criteria for motorhome service areas: up to 72 hours, not in the park's total or partial protection zones, and generally not within 500 m of the shoreline.
• The park plan bans camping and caravanning outside designated places. The Rota Vicentina recommends walking from September to June.

The drive

The coast links the quiet rural Alentejo with the wild stretch of the Algarve. Behind it lie dunes, river valleys, scrub, and oak and pine forests. Two walking routes give orientation: the Historical Way starts in Santiago do Cacém and the Fishermen's Trail in Porto Covo. In the south, Lagos and Faro are the gateways. We found no verified length, height or weight limits; follow signs and judge road conditions on site.

Camping

Press reports say the 2021 road-code amendment (Law 66/2021) bans motorhome overnighting in protected areas, Natura 2000 and coastal-plan zones outside expressly authorised spots. The ICNF describes service areas with waste disposal and fresh water as a complement to campsites, with stays of up to 72 hours. Outside such places the park plan bans camping and caravanning. Ask the ICNF and the municipality about current sites and rules.

FAQs