Motorhome and Camper van hire in Porto

Motorhome Rental Porto

Located in the north of Portugal, the Cidade Invicta (unvanquished city) was named “Best European Urban Destination” in 2020. A destination with a unique charm and an array of attractions for all types of travellers, tastes and budgets. Its historical monuments (Torre dos Clérigos, São Bento Station, Carmo Church, Bolhão Market, among others), unique gastronomy (land of the famous Francesinhas), Port wine cellars and even one of the most famous bookshops in the world (Livraria Lello), are just some outstanding activities and places a motorhome rental in Porto has to offer.

Getting to Porto

The city of Porto is located in the northern region of Portugal, near the mouth of the River Douro and about 300km from the capital, Lisbon. A car journey from Lisbon to Porto takes about three hours. The fastest way by car is via the A1 (this route includes tolls).

When getting a motorhome hire in Porto, you can travel there by plane, bus or train. The city has an international airport where planes from airlines such as Ryanair, Vueling, TAP or AirFrance land daily. Porto has good road and rail access. The train journey between Lisbon (Santa Apolónia station) and Porto (Campanhã station) takes about three hours and twenty minutes.

Parking in Porto

Before renting a campervan in Porto, be sure to check where you will be able to park there. Finding free parking in Porto city centre is not an easy task. It’s a good idea to park the motorhome on the outskirts of Porto during the day and use public transport (which works quite well) to get around the city.

During the night, between 19h and 9h, parking is free in most areas in Porto. However, keep in mind that finding available space in the city centre can be quite difficult.

Car parks are another option: Europarking - Park & Ride (2 minutes from the airport, open 24 hours a day - €2.50 per day) or Parking4you (100m from the airport, open 24 hours a day, with covered (€6 per day) and outdoor (€5 per day) car parks).

Annual Events in Porto

Porto is a city full of surprises and when it comes to events, there is something for everyone. Festivals, local festivities, events related to art, sport, and gastronomy, among others, are organized each year. Here are some suggestions for events that might interest you if you hire a motorhome in Porto.

• Fantasporto: International Film Festival between April and May, which usually takes place at the Teatro Rivoli. Regular ticket price: €5.
• Festa de São João (Feast of Saint John): The feast day of the patron saint of Porto, on 24th June. The whole city comes together in celebration. The streets are filled with soft plastic hammers and grilled sardines, and balloons float through the sky. Free admission.
• NOS Primavera Sound: Music festival in the city park, which usually takes place in June. Day ticket: €60.
• Festival MEO Marés Vivas: Music festival in Gaia in mid-July. Day ticket: €40.
• Wine Fest Porto: an event that celebrates wine in November at the Alfândega Porto Congress Centre. Entry price: €10
• Porto Blue Jazz: Jazz concerts in the gardens of Palácio de Cristal between July and August. Free admission.

Camping in Porto

Before hiring a campervan in Porto, it’s a good idea to think about where you’ll sleep at night. There are no campsites in the centre of Porto. However, outside the city centre, there are some options such as:

• Parque de Campismo Salgueiros, from €4.77 per night
• Vila Nova de Gaia Campsite near the beach
• Parque de Campismo Orbitur Madalena: from €15 per night
• Parque de Campismo Orbitur Canidelo: from €4.15 per night