Playa Valdevaqueros, Andalucia
About 10km out of Tarifa town, between Punta Paloma and the Spin Out kitesurfing school, there’s a small beachside plot where camper vans can park up gratis. Most folk come here for the wind-sports (it’s one of the windiest locations in Europe), but it’s also perfect for beach lovers who want to fling open the van doors to pillows of sands and don’t mind a stiff afternoon breeze.
Explore more of Andalucia >
Praia do Rostro, Galicia
Seeking shelter from northerly winds and crowds on pilgrimage to nearby Cape Finisterre, we stumbled across the perfect camper van park-up beside the Caribbean-white sands of Rostro. Windsurfers and surfers flock here when conditions are right, walkers pad along the sand to Punta das Padras, and when the crystal-clear ocean is cold, you can wade to deserted coves and clamber over boulders to a waterfall.
Playa Traba, Galicia
On the north coast of Galicia – where boulder-strewn peaks and dense forests tumble to the edge of sandy bays and rugged coves – free camping locations abound. At Playa Traba you can experience crowd-free (even in the middle of summer), wave-lashed beach beauty, with the blessing of excellent facilities too: level, grassy park-ups; loos and showers; a water tap and picnic benches.
Photo credit: Hayley Spurway
Esteiro, Galicia
Where the baker delivers fresh bread to your park-up beneath the pine trees, and you can pad from the camper van into the surf, you’ve struck free camping gold. With a rustic beach bar and restaurant, showers and loos, picnic benches and a park for the kids, it’s little wonder that Esteiro gets busy. But the crowds depart with the heat of the sun, leaving plenty of space to spill out into secluded pitches under the stars.
Explore more of Galicia >
Frexulfre, Asturias
Despite the abundance of mosquitos in Frexulfre’s eucalyptus forests, you can’t argue that the location – peering through the treetops down to the surf – is a cracking one. Forest tracks zigzag beneath the canopies to meet the waves, and as the tide ebbs the rockpools come to life. At the eastern end of the beach there’s also a beach-shack bar, showers and loos.
Photo credit: Hayley Spurway
Praia Odeceixe, Portugal
Across the river from the whitewashed town of Odeceixe, there’s a row of waterside park-ups where the river meets the sea. Not only can you skim pebbles or float downstream on a lilo from the crescent of beach beside the camper vans, it’s only a short wade (or swim, at high tide) across the river to the town’s picture postcard beach that’s popular with surfers and families.
Costa de Almograve, Portugal
Follow the road through Almograve (stopping for some of Portugal’s best churros en route) to reach a wave-lashed stretch of coast traced by pockets of sand between dramatic cliffs. Beyond the first beach the crowds peter out and there’s a few cliff-top parking bays as well as a smaller, camper van-friendly car park beside a fish restaurant, water fountain, and a gym-and-jog circuit.
Photo credit: Hayley Spurway
Praia Amado, Portugal
Surfers, families and beach bums flock to Praia Amado for waves, wow-factor sunsets and a beach-top vantage point. Surrounded by the same rugged scenery as more secret spots nearby, here the surf-side cafés mean you can take a break from campfire cooking and rest assured there’s always a loo nearby.
Praia Melides, Portugal
A peaceful camping spot before hitting the busier coastline around Lisbon, Praia Melides proffers mile upon mile of deserted, sugary sands backed by pine forests. Push on past the beach cafés, and – depending how far you’re willing to venture along the sandy track – there are secluded, sheltered camping spots galore hidden amongst the canopies.
Explore more of Spain with the Rough Guide to Spain, and use the Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget to make the most of your money.
Book hostels for your trip, and don't forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.
