10 usefull apps in Portugal
Useful apps we use in Portugal We share our 10 tips for useful apps that we use daily or weekly!
Everyone knows that the journey is just as enjoyable as the destination, so here we share our tips for the most beautiful route from Northern Europe to Portugal.
In this blog, you’ll find: the fastest route to Portugal, a route rich in culture, and a route surrounded by nature. Plus, practical tips for campsites in France and Spain. And as a bonus: the N2 in Portugal.
- sannetermote
- Last updated on 14 March 2025
Fast or scenic?
Which route do you choose
Many people hop into their camper and simply drive south. When fatigue sets in, they look for a nice campsite for the night. But why not (roughly) plan your route in advance and even select a few campsites? This way, you can make a conscious choice: will you take the fastest route, or will you take your time and travel via beautiful detours? Another consideration is whether you want to take toll roads or avoid them!
We have driven this route multiple times, the first time with a car and caravan during our journey. We followed a rough route but deviated from it quite a bit. The route we always take is: from Utrecht via Antwerp, Ghent, Paris, Bordeaux, San Sebastián, Burgos, and Salamanca, before crossing the border at Vilar Formoso.
Route and Attractions
Netherlands → Ghent (Belgium):
Ghent → Paris (France): Plenty of campsites around Paris for a quick overnight stay, or dive into the city!
Paris → Bordeaux: From Bordeaux, you can take a detour to the Dune de Pilat, where you’ll have a stunning view over the pine forests of Les Landes and the Atlantic Ocean.
Bordeaux → San Sebastián (Spain): Time for pintxos!
San Sebastián → Burgos → Salamanca: A beautiful city worth visiting.
Salamanca → Portugal: You’ll end your journey in Portugal with a mix of nature and culture—of course, at our campsite!
Fast or scenic?
Taking Your Time for More Culture
If you prefer to take your time and soak up the culture along the way, this route offers a mix of medieval cities, coastal charm, and breathtaking landscapes.
Route and Highlights
Netherlands → Bruges (Belgium): A romantic city with charming canals and medieval architecture.
Bruges → Rouen (France): A beautiful medieval city in Normandy with a stunning cathedral and Joan of Arc history.
Rouen → Tours: Explore the famous Châteaux of the Loire Valley, rich in Renaissance history.
Tours → La Rochelle: A picturesque Atlantic port city with historic maritime charm.
La Rochelle → Biarritz: A luxurious seaside town known for its beaches, surf culture, and elegant villas.
Biarritz → Picos de Europa (Spain): A breathtaking mountain range perfect for hiking and exploring nature.
Picos de Europa → Santiago de Compostela: The final stop of the famous Camino de Santiago, rich in pilgrimage history.
Santiago → Porto (Portugal): End the journey with Port wine, historic charm, and lively culture in this beautiful riverside city.
Camping tips
France
France offers a wide range of campsites, from simple nature campsites to luxury ones with all the amenities. Be mindful of environmental zones in cities and consider toll roads or free alternative routes.
Camping Château de l'Oseraie - North of France
Camping Château de l'Oseraie is ideal for a relaxing overnight stop during your journey. It’s easily accessible with your camper or caravan, but due to its popularity, making a reservation is recommended. Occasionally, there is a food stall available.
Camping Sorel - North of France
Camping Sorel, located north of Paris, is a peaceful and green campsite, perfect for a relaxing overnight stay during your journey. With spacious pitches, modern facilities, and easy access from the highway, it offers a comfortable stopover.
Camping future - Centre of France
Camping Future is a modern campsite with quick access to the highway and well-maintained facilities. With spacious pitches, clean sanitary facilities, and a restaurant for a quick meal, it offers a comfortable and efficient stopover during your journey.
Camping Juantcho - near to the Spanish border
Camping Juantcho, located on the Basque coast near Zumaia, is a simple yet charming campsite with stunning sea views. Due to its convenient location close to the highway, it serves as an ideal and affordable overnight stop for travelers passing through northern Spain.
Stay updated on how things are going at our campsite?
Fast or scenic?
Avoiding toll roads from Northern Europe to Portugal.
Would you prefer to avoid toll roads? Take the N2 towards Paris and continue your route via various smaller roads, such as the D607, D40, D31, D948, and D79. Afterward, you can drive for free on the A20 for a while and head towards Bordeaux via the N145, E603, and E606. From Bordeaux, the A63 is partly toll-free, and you can reach the Spanish border without paying on the D810.
In northern Spain, there are fewer toll roads, and the costs remain limited, so sometimes it’s worth taking the highways there. In both cases, you’ll drive via the A-1 and, from Burgos, continue on the A-62, with the last few kilometers on the A-11 into northern Portugal.
Camping tips
Spain
Spain has something to offer every traveler. There are plenty of campsites and dedicated motorhome areas, both along the coast and in the interior. Toll roads are limited and often easy to avoid, while the climate in many regions is perfect for a road trip all year round.
Gran Camping Zarautz - North of Spain
The road to get there is a bit uphill, but once you're at the top, you'll have a stunning view of the coast! For the more adventurous, you can descend to the beach via a long staircase.
Camping Don Quijote - Salamanca
A larger campsite with simple pitches. They offer marked pitches or a field for hikers. If you arrive early, it’s highly recommended to visit the city.
Camping El Astral - near Salamanca
Camping El Astral, located in Tordesillas, Spain, is a spacious and well-maintained campsite. Surrounded by greenery, it offers large pitches and excellent facilities, such as a swimming pool and a restaurant serving local specialties, making it an ideal stopover.
Fast or scenic?
A bit longer on the road with more nature?
This route takes you through mountains, forests, and rugged coastlines, covering approximately 3,800 km.
🌿 Netherlands → Belgium → Luxembourg → France → Spain → Portugal 🌿
Route and Highlights
Netherlands → Luxembourg (Luxembourg City or Müllerthal): Known as the ‘Little Switzerland’ of Luxembourg, with forests and rock formations.
Luxembourg → Vosges (France, Gérardmer or Col de la Schlucht): Beautiful lakes and mountains, ideal for hiking.
Vosges → Auvergne (France, Puy de Dôme & Volcano Region): Dormant volcanoes and pristine nature.
Auvergne → Pyrenees (France, Cirque de Gavarnie or Col du Tourmalet): One of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Europe, with great motorhome spots.
Pyrenees → Ordesa National Park (Spain): Rugged gorges and mountain landscapes, perfect for nature lovers.
Ordesa → Picos de Europa (Spain): Spectacular mountains, green valleys, and wildlife like vultures.
Picos de Europa → Douro Valley (Portugal): Green hills, vineyards, and the famous Douro River.
Douro → Gerês National Park (Portugal): Portugal’s only national park, featuring waterfalls and granite mountains.
Gerês → Tomar: You’ll end in Portugal with a mix of nature and culture, of course, at our campsite!
Do you have a good tip for an overnight stop on the way to Portugal?
Send us an email, and we'll add the campsite to the list!
Route in Portugal: the N2
The N2 (Estrada Nacional 2) in Portugal is 739 kilometers long. It is the longest national road in the country, running from Chaves in the north to Faro in the south. This historic route crosses Portugal from north to south and is known as the "Portuguese Route 66" due to the beautiful and varied landscapes you encounter along the way. We have explored the N2 in several stages, both during our long trips and last year in one continuous journey south. This route is truly breathtaking, with a diversity of landscapes and a tranquility that is rarely found on other roads. Our Quinta is located near Vila de Rei, the geographical center of Portugal. If you decide to drive the N2, you are warmly welcome to stay with us for a relaxing overnight stop and to rest from your journey!
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