Page last updated: 13 May 2025
Portugal’s campsite sector has been growing and is vital to the country’s tourism industry. The sector draws domestic travellers seeking affordable nature-based getaways and international visitors attracted by Portugal’s warm weather and beautiful coastline.
How many campsites are there in Portugal?
Portugal’s campsite network has steadily expanded in recent years. As of 2023 there were 258 operational campsites.
- Campsite numbers increased by 21% since 2016, growing from 214 campsites to 258 campsites in 2023.
- Campsite numbers remained steady even over the pandemic (240 sites in 2019 to 257 sites in 2022).
What is the total capacity of campsites in Portugal?
- As of 2023, 258 campsites in Portugal could accommodate around 191,600 people.
- Accommodation capacity increased by 0.5% compared to the previous year and 0.1% compared to the pre-pandemic year 2019.
How popular is camping in Portugal?
Camping is a significant component of Portugal’s tourism market with strong demand before and after the pandemic.
- Campsites accommodated 2.1 million guests in 2023 and generated 7.2 million overnight stays.
- Tourist arrivals increased by 5% from 2.0 million in 2022 to 2.1 million guests in 2023.
- Overnight stays grew 6% from 6.8 million in 2022 to 7.2 million in 2023.
- In 2023, the campsite sector accounted for 6.5% of all tourist guests and 8.5% of all overnight stays in Portugal.
Portugal Travel Resources
How much does camping cost in Portugal?
Camping costs in Portugal vary depending on location, season and accommodation type. However, camping is usually more affordable than traditional hotels.
- Adult fees range from €4 to €10 per night, with higher rates during peak summer months.
- Depending on the season, children aged 4-10 are charged between €2.50 and €5 per night.
- Basic tent pitches cost between €3.50 in low season and €38.00 in high season for premium locations.
- Caravan and motorhome pitches range from €4.00 in low season to €10.50 in high season.
Which regions have the most campsites?
- The North region hosts the highest number of campsites with 65 establishments in 2023, representing 25.2% of Portugal’s total.
- Other popular regions are the Center region (60 campsites), Alentejo (41 campsites), Oeste e Vale do Tejo (27 campsites) and Algarve (23 campsites each).
- Other regions include Península de Setúbal, RA Açores, Grande Lisboa and RA Madeira, each with fewer than 20 campsites.
- The Center region of Portugal had the highest accommodation capacity as of 2023.
- Though the North region had the highest number of campgrounds, their accommodation capacity was lower than that of the Center region, the Península de Setúbal and the Algarve.
Number of Campgrounds in Portugal
| Regions | Number of Campgrounds | Accommodation Capacity |
| North | 65 | 27 |
| Center | 60 | 45 |
| Alentajo | 41 | 22 |
| Oeste e Vale do Tejo | 27 | 21 |
| Algarve | 23 | 28 |
| Península de Setúbal | 18 | 33 |
| RA Açores | 15 | 3 |
| Grande Lisboa | 6 | 12 |
| RA Madeira | 3 | 227 |
Read more about the best camping destinations globally.
Campsite Guests in Portugal by Year
- Portuguese campsites had 2.1 million guests in 2023 and generated 7.2 million overnight stays.
- The number of guests in the campsites grew by 5% compared to the previous year.
How long do people stay in campsites?
- In 2023, the average length of stay in the campsites of Portugal was 3.43 nights.
- The stay duration decreased from 4.10 nights in 2016 to 3.33 nights in 2022, before slightly recovering in 2023.
- The Algarve region recorded the most extended average stays at 4.31 nights, followed by the Península de Setúbal (3.89 nights) and the Alentejo (3.40 nights).
- The average stay for local tourists (3.71 nights) was longer than for foreign tourists (3.06 nights).
How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact the campsites in Portugal?
- Guest numbers fell substantially in 2020 (specific figures unavailable), but started to recover with 1.36 million visitors in 2021.
- By 2022, campsite guests rebounded to 2.0 million, slightly exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
When is the peak season for campsites in Portugal?
- Portugal’s camping season runs from June through September. In 2022, 56.7% of overnight stays were in this period.
- July and August represent over half of the year’s total stays. August is particularly dominant for domestic campers.
Economic Impact of Campsites in Portugal
- Officially, campsite and caravan park businesses employed 1,845 people in 2023, accounting for 0.5% of the total employment in the accommodation and food services sector.
- Campsites generated €103 million in turnover
- The campsite sector’s gross value added (GVA) reached €63 million and contributed 3.1% to the accommodation services division and 0.6% to the broader sector.
- Investment in fixed assets within the campsite sector totalled €17 million.