Where you park your motorhome for the night is all part of life on the road, essentially there are three choices
- A campsite where you will have toilet and shower facilities and electric power available, plus the all-important fresh water and waste disposal. Approx cost per night so far. €24
- An Aire these are provided by some towns and offer a place to park usually free and also will offer waste disposal and fresh water. They also limit the amount of time you can stay, normally 48 hours. Cost per night Free
- Also there are some Aires that charge, we call them P-Aire’s but these are much cheaper than campsites and usually offer electricity, toilets, showers and Wi-Fi and you can stay longer. We have to say we have found these to be great and usually well located. Approx. cost per night on average so far. €11
- Freedom camp, here you park your motorhome where you feel safe and go to sleep, there are no facilities of any kind available so you must bring what you need with you, and what you create away. Free
We are on a trip of a life time one year exploring Spain so for the most part we want to have our comforts. In our first month, while we were at school we needed a base close to the school so we booked a campsite for the whole month and used it as a base and at weekends and the last week we explored the area and got used to the van.
So once the trip started with a vengeance in Feb the mix changed, so we have used a mix of stopping points depending on what we wanted to do.
One of the most valuable books we used in planning our trip was ‘Go Motorhoming and Campervanning’ by Chris Doree and Meli George, they feel that staying on a campsite makes you a ‘Camper’ while using Aires gives you freedom unhitch from life and be a ‘Motorhomer’. We as you might guess feel differently, it is what suits your journey that is the right way.
So what have we done for the past four weeks once school was out. There has been a fairly even split between campsites and Aires and P-Aires.
Campsites are more than double the price of a P-Aire but you get more space for your van. And usually have better facilities, but not always. On balance we are fond of as we call them P-Aires, great value. We have used Campsites a lot but we have not gone fully freedom camping so far as we like the security of Campsites and P-Aires. We have found some Aires to be wonderful Cabra in particular we loved. And Freedom camping in San Jose Cabo de Gata was lovely safe and close to town.
So it is a mix safety first, then where you like the feel of. So take to the road and let it take you to your new favourite spot.
To find where to stay we use a number of resources,
- For Aires We use All the Aires of Spain and Portugal Vol 4 from Vicarious books. Plus, we use two smartphone apps, Park4night and Camper Contact produced by the Dutch Camper Club.
- For campsites we use the ACSI app for our smartphone.
Make sure to check the reviews of sites on the apps use Google translate to translate foreign reviews. Be sensible one bad review out of 6 probably is rogue. Leave your own reviews to help others. Note the ASCI information is virtually the same for every site so no that good. Also we would appreciate someone telling us the difference between the different categories of campsites.
Picking your site
Three words her
- Security If you don’t feel secure don’t stay. Best to have a number of other motorhomes around.
- Location Think of what you want to see in the area and make sure you can get there, bringing a motorhome into big cities is really not a plan. So make sure you can cycle or near transport links.
- Facilities What facilities do you require? Waste disposal and water are probably the minimum.
There you have it our view of where to stay, we welcome yours!
Here is the sequence of all the places we have stayed since we arrived in Spain. We forgot to take any at Salamanca, Palma Del Rio (Thanks to Camper Contact for them) and Estepona from their website.
Camping Cáceres, Cáceres Spain. Municipal Campsite accepts ACSI cards individual toilet and showers on each pitch. Nice. GPS 39°29'21.4"N 6°24'41.7"W
Free Aire in Moraleja, Spain, good location but the water and waste machine broken when we were there. GPS 40°02'53.8"N 6°40'23.3"W
Free Aire in Torre de Don Miguel, Spain. Amazing location overlooking the valley, free water and waste disposal and free to stay. Be very careful coming up the road as it is very easy to ground the vehicle as we did. GPS 40°13'19.1"N 6°34'16.6"W
Camping Monfragüe, Plasencia, Spain is the campsite for the park and is homely, but the facilities are excellent and the staff amazing. could do with a little smoothing of the edges but that said great value with ACSI cards accepted. GPS 39°56'41.2"N 6°05'01.0"W
Camping Yuste, Aldeanueva de la Vera, Spain, Idyllic location, very narrow services could have been a little more up to date. Owners were very lovely, taps very good! GPS 40°07'32.8"N 5°41'37.5"W
Camping Jaranda, Jarandilla de la Vera, Spain, Lovely location beside river wit rapids, All very pleasant indeed the services were very good. Narrow to get motorhome in. GPS GPS 40°08'14.8"N 5°40'01.4"W
Free Aire at Monesterio, Spain. This was a more than adequate site close to the town, not in the aires book but camper contact had it. with free water and waste disposal. GPS 38°05'34.9"N 6°16'36.2"W
Free Aire at Monsaraz, Portugal, If you have never stayed at an Aire this one might just convert you. The location is stunning on the one of the ramparts of the village, overlooking the largest man made lake in Europe. A truly stunning spot. Waste and water are not available but 2kms down the road these facilities are available. They were free when were there. Amazing. GPS 38°26'33.1N 7°22'47.4W
Lorry Park at Jerez Los Caballeros, Spain, We were visiting the 27th Jamon fair here and there is nowhere to stay and it was pouring with rain. We were able to stay at the lorry park €12 a night. OK except there noise form the fair went on late like all things in Spain! The town is lovel and the Iberico was worth it! GPS 38°19'44.5"N 6°45'43.5"W
Free Aire at Zafra, Spain, again a safe place to stop for the night with free water and waste disposal. on a main road so some noise. The the town is lovely worth a night or two. GPS 38°25'31.2"N 6°24'39.6"W
Free Aire at Fregenal de la Sierra, Spain, at a bus station and now they allow lorries to park so a lot of toing and froing sleep not good. But again free water and waste, and the town is lovely worth a night. GPS 38°10'11.0"N 6°38'58.5"W
Camping Merida, Merida,The ACSI reviews for this site are appalling and we understand why. There is no one around they seem to turn up when they feel like. the site is expensive at €18 and there are no seats on the loos. But it is clean and there is a restaurant on site open all day. Merida is a must see place and they have closed the aire so there you are, one night to see the most fantastic Roman ruins in Spain GPS 38°56'06.0"N 6°18'16.1"W
Camping Alentejo, Evormonte, Portugal, After Merida we decided to treat ourselves to what was said to us in Albarracin something special, a big thank you the unknown caravaner and this site is special we crossed the border to Portugal and for €12 we have a site that is possibly the best we have been on so far on the journey. Pool, spotless, large pitches, slight downside is a little road noise. If you are going through this area stop for a couple of nights run by a Dutch family, it is stupendous.
Camping Mirador de Cabaneros, Horcajo de los Montes,Yet another 'Camping Red' site, which have to date all be marvelous, Could otbe happier GPS 39°19'23.5"N 4°38'57.0"W It is right beside the Cabañeros National Park with beautiful scenery, walks and wildlife. The 'Spanish Serengeti' it is called in the guide books.
Free Aire, Puerto Lapice this is a lovely free Aire well situated and free water and waste. GPS 39°19'35.3"N 3°29'00.3"W. The village has all the Don Quixote and Cervantes you need. Good food too.
Free Aire, Luciana This was a strange one but met our requirements to be near one of the best Manchego cheese producers in Spain 'Villadiego' that David wished to visit. Cheese was great mind you! GPS 38°58'57.7"N 4°17'32.0"W
Camping Bonterra Park, Benicàssim, a slightly industrial Campsite with excellent facilities but too big for us. GPS 40°03'31.4"N 0°04'19.9"E
Free Aire, Morella, Excellent facilities fresh water and waste, with a view of the most lovely towns in Spain before you. The town is lit up at night at the weekends. another MUST see GPS 40°37'26.8"N 0°05'28.0"W
037 Free Aire, Jalance A pleasant stop when in transit, town lovely but we could not find a restaurant open but such is life. Water and waste disposal available free. GPS 39°11'15.0"N 1°04'34.0"W A side not Spain's largest nuclear site is 3 k's away. An an amazing sight at 1000m altitude. It has it's own dam for cooling water.
Camping Didota, Oropesa del Mar a simple campsite great facilities narrow access to pitches. GPS 40°07'16.1"N 0°09'30.9"E Has a great value restaurant and is right beside the beach.
Camping Ciudad de Albarracin, Albarracin, a lovely location with great walks nearby, Good site GPS 40°24'42.2"N 1°25'37.1"W. But the town is stunning a MUST see.
Camping Ribamar, Alcossebre, This is a stunning campsite 5* luxury in an amazing location 40°16'12.7"N 0°18'23.0"E We really recommend this site and the location. Alcossebre is what you would hope that Spain could be low rise well presented and geat beaches.
Area Camping Car La Marina, El Saler A paid Aire €11 no electric and not worth the money. GPS 39°23'12.1"N 0°19'58.0"W
Freedom Camp, Puerto Deportivo, Denia. The rain Poured and we parked on the harbour road with spectacular sea views. GPS 38°50'15.8"N 0°07'16.9"E38°50'15.8"N 0°07'16.9"E
Camping Altomira, Navajas. A Stunning Campsite great value with our ASCI discount card. On the longest Via Verde in Spain. Really recommend this site. GPS 39°52'25.2"N 0°30'35.4"W
Valencia Camper Park, Valencia 39°34'46.8"N 0°26'43.7"W Another paid Aire very near a Metro station for access to Valencia. Very clean. €15 per night including electricity.
Camping La Serradora, Peralejos de las Truchas 40°35'37.7"N 1°55'42.1"W, Another great find not in any books, €20 a night including electricity. Fantastic cycling, walking, hiking. Right by a river. Lovely owners very helpful. will be heading back.
Playa Municipal - Cuneca Freedom Camp 40°05'11.6"N 2°07'46.0"W Parked beside a river, no services other than a dustbin. Close to town and cycle routes. Free
Camping El Greco - Toledo 39°51'54.0"N 4°02'48.0"W expensive at €30 per night including electricity. But located really close to the city with lovely views.
Camping Los Batanes, Lagunas de Ruidera 38°56'14.7"N 2°50'51.9"W Stunning campsite in natural park €21 including electricity
Los Alcázares Narejos Paid Aire 37°45'47.4"N 0°49'52.3"W Back again! Very pleasant spot, how paid Aires should be done. €11 per night €3 for electricity
Mula Village Free Aire 38°02'22.6"N 1°28'53.7"W free, water and waste disposal. The smell of orange Blossom was amazing.
Los Alcázares Narejos Paid Aire 37°45'47.4"N 0°49'52.3"W, Very pleasant spot, how paid Aires should be done. €11 per night €3 for electricity
Puntas de Calnegre Paid Aire 37°30'44.4"N 1°24'43.2"W A lovely spot €6.50 no electricity
San Jose Cabo de Gata Freedom Camp, a carpark but safe and secure near the beach lovely.
Guejar Sierra Camping Los Lomas, high in the Sierra Nevada
Motril Camping Playa de Poniente a surreal town did not rally like.
Malaga Paid Aire (Rincon La Vctoria), this was a lovely site the owner could not be more helpful. recommend.
Antequera Aire, a lovely town, the aire is beside the football ground. Fine for a night. The town is beautiful and the aire is close.
Cabra Aire, our favorite aire, a most beautiful town lots to do, only two spaces, but lots to do here. There is a Via Verde right beside the aire a 68km cycle track on a disused railway track. You can cycle for miles without killing yourself!
Montilla our first Freedom Camp, Literally out side a Bodega as the aire promised in the town by Espana Discovery could not be found!
La Guijarrosa, Camping La Campina, this was a lovely campsite south of Cordoba recommend.
Palma Del Rio Aire, OK a car park where we could get rid of waste and sleep, seemed safe but busy.
El Rocio Camping La Aldea, very good quality campsite.
Seville Aire Puerto Gelves, a wonderful paid aire, 10 km outside Seville bus to town outside, easy to cycle.
Estepona Camping Parque Tropical, less said the better.
Tarifa Camping Rio Jara a lovely campsite on the beach.
Cadiz Parking Santa Catalina, very expensive just to park.
Vejer Camping Vejer our first campsite,well laid out and clean. lovely owners recommend.
Caceres Aire, very good aire.
We hope this helps you on your tour, any questions ask us.
David and Karen
Thank you for the reviews of your stays hopefully useful for us next year.
Sorry to hear about your bike.
Look forward to seeing your blogs.
Thanks Geoff as we are here until next year we hope they do too. If you have questions please ask. It is fun for us and we want to help. We have had a lot of helpful advice and the community is a great one.
Forgot to ask about your Internet access,how do you obtain the service ?
Will cover that soon if you are leaving soon I will email directly. Have to keep something for the readers! 🙂
Brilliant thank you. We have just bought our Motorhome and plan to drive down to our apartment in Southern Spain mid May, would love to hook up with you sometime. Love your blogs, so sorry to hear about the bike.
Thank you for all the information as novice Motorhomers all your advice is welcome
Maggie 🙂
We’re not long home from a couple of months touring in southern Spain and see that we stayed at a few places where you’ve been too. We didn’t think quite as badly about the Estepona campsite as you did (but then our only requirements for that night were to get some mains electricity, do some washing and for it to be as cheap as possible), but its location (particularly for walking anywhere) and showers did leave a little to be desired*…
(*When I say ‘little to be desired’ in respect of the showers, I mean they were some of the worst designed showers I’ve ever come across on a campsite! Where did they think you were going to put your clothes?!)
Well the walking only was mildly life threatening. We are now in San Javier. We are visiting my aunt and uncle who kindly acted as a postal service. For the replacement bank cards etc. But there is a New paid Aire here that sets the standard. €10 a night really lovely.
Hi, it would be useful if you could give GPS co-ordinates for the places you’ve stayed.
Tim
I will do that going forward unless they are only available on All the Aires as these co-ordinates are copyright
Hi David,
They are only copyright if you copy them from the book. If you take a reading from your satnav or phone then that’s fine. I just like to make a note of stops people recommend for my own future journeys.
All the best
Tim
Thanks for that Tim will do
Tim if you look at the where we have stayed page you will see that we are now adding them. I will work back in due course and update all of them.
Great review and glad to see you making use of the aires network as they are often much better placed than the campsites. Just realised we’ve been out nearly two months and not been on a campsite yet. Keep up the great posts and loving the food updates too – cooked chorizo and rice the other night after your post!
Ju x
Hi David absolutely love reading about your journey through Spain. We are attempting to reach the costa Brava, entering Spain just below Biarritz. We where hoping to spend a few nights at campsite Ezcaba near Pamplona.but have been told it’s expensive and just ok. Perhaps you could suggest an alternative. We leave for Our adventure on Saturday 21/1/2017 so sorry for the rush.
ELEANOR
We used an Aire outside Pamplona stop 99 This is a perfectly adequate stop point in Pamplona Grey and Black waste is free, but if you require water you need to head down 300 metres to the municipal pool and get a token. As we did not need water we did not. At GPS is the bus stop where the 17 bust will take you to town. There is a number of bars and shops nearby as well. Not perfect but OK. GPS 42°50’25.1″N 1°39’54.4″W