New · October through March

Campervan rental in Porto

The Horizon spends the winter in Portugal. From October through March our off-grid campervan is based in Porto, ready to be picked up at the airport or in the city. Fly in, get in and drive off: up the Atlantic coast, into the Douro valley, or south to the Algarve in a couple of days.

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Porto airport pick-up Solar plus mains hook-up Category B licence is enough Insured across Europe From €129 per night
Why winter in Portugal

Sun, space and empty roads

In northern Europe, campervan travel between November and March is mostly a test of endurance. In Portugal it is simply pleasant. On the coast near Porto daytime temperatures usually sit around fifteen degrees, the Algarve is often warmer still, and the solar panels keep producing through the winter, a good deal more than they would back north.

On top of that, it is low season. The coastal towns are quiet, campsites have space, the mountain roads in Peneda-Gerês are yours alone and nothing needs booking weeks ahead. Exactly the kind of travel this van was built for.

Horizon campervan with its electric awning extended, table and chairs underneath
Pick-up and return

From your flight straight into the van

Porto airport

Land at Francisco Sá Carneiro and the van is waiting. You get the full handover on the spot, off-grid system, heater and kitchen included, and then you are straight onto the A28 towards the coast.

In Porto itself

Want a few days in Porto first, with the Douro, the azulejos and the port lodges in Gaia? Then pick the van up in the city afterwards. We agree the exact spot and time with you beforehand.

Elsewhere in Portugal

Picking up or dropping off somewhere else in Portugal can be arranged for a surcharge. Tell us what you have in mind and we will see what works.

Personal handover with a full walk-through of every system
Bed linen, kitchen kit, table and chairs included
Check-in from 15:00, check-out until 11:00
Wider times per half day, charged at half a day's rate
1,500 km per week included · € 0.25 per extra kilometre
From Porto

Where you can go

Douro valley

Ninety minutes inland. Terraced vineyards, narrow roads high above the river and, in winter, almost nobody there.

Peneda-Gerês

Portugal's only national park, two hours north of Porto. Mountain passes, waterfalls and wild horses.

The Atlantic coast

From Espinho down to Nazaré, with Aveiro and Figueira da Foz on the way. Surf, dunes and fishing towns, in January too.

Lisbon and Sintra

Three hours south. An easy stop on the way further down, with Sintra and Cabo da Roca just around the corner.

Alentejo and the Algarve

For anyone with two weeks or more. Cork oaks, empty back roads and, at the end of it, the cliffs of the Costa Vicentina.

Galicia and Spain

The border is an hour away. The van is insured across Europe, so Santiago de Compostela or the Rías Baixas can easily be part of the trip.

Portugal rates

What does it cost?

Horizon, from Porto

October through March

Per night€ 129
Two weeks or more8% off
Three weeks or more10% off
Mileage included1,500 km / week
Extra kilometre€ 0.25
Deposit on booking15% of the total
Security bond and excess€ 1,200

Includes bed linen, kitchen kit, table and chairs, a drinking water filter and a full gas bottle. Pick-up at Porto airport or in the city. Check-in from 15:00, check-out until 11:00. Wider times are possible per half day, charged at half a day's rate.

From April through September the Horizon is back in the Netherlands. Have a look at the Horizon page or the other two campervans.

Interior of the Horizon campervan, handbuilt with kitchen and bed
The Horizon

Self-built, and self-sufficient

A VW Crafter we converted with our own hands, with hardwood cabinetry and a layout that still makes sense after two weeks on the road. Solar lets you park up wherever it is beautiful, and a hook-up along the way tops you back up whenever you want.

Kingsize bed, 175 × 210 cm
Gas hob with electric oven and a Nespresso machine
Hot outdoor shower, water heater and 80 litre tank
600W solar panels and a 3.65 kWh battery with inverter
Electrically extending awning
Webasto diesel heater and ventilation

See every detail of the Horizon →

Frequently asked questions

Renting from Portugal

Where do I pick up the campervan in Portugal?

In Porto. Pick-up at Porto airport (Francisco Sá Carneiro) is possible, so you can drive off straight after your flight. A pick-up point in the city itself works too. We agree the place and time with you beforehand.

When is the Horizon based in Porto?

From October through March. During those months we rent the Horizon out from Portugal only. From April it is back in the Netherlands, with pick-up in Amstelveen or Hoogeveen.

What does it cost to rent the campervan in Porto?

€129 per night. Book two weeks or more and you get 8% off. From three weeks it is 10%. The van comes fully equipped: bed linen, kitchen kit, table and chairs are included.

What are the conditions?

1,500 kilometres per week are included; beyond that we charge €0.25 per kilometre. You pay a 15% deposit when booking and the remainder at the start of the hire. The security bond and excess are €1,200. Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out until 11:00, and those times can be extended per half day at half a day's rate.

Can I take the campervan outside Portugal?

Yes. The Horizon is insured across Europe, so Spain, Galicia and the route down to the Algarve are all fine. Just let us know roughly where you are heading.

Will I have enough power in winter?

The 600W solar panels keep producing through the winter, and Portugal gets considerably more sunshine hours in those months than the Netherlands. How long you last off-grid depends on what you use: the fridge, lighting and charging phones cost little, the water heater and the oven a good deal more. If you want to stay out longer without cutting back, simply plug in for a night at a campsite or motorhome area. That option is always there.

Is it not cold to sleep in a campervan in winter?

The Horizon has a Webasto diesel heater that warms the living space in a quarter of an hour and keeps it warm all night, independent of the engine or a mains hook-up. In Portugal you will barely need it in winter, except up in the mountains.

What licence do I need?

An ordinary category B driving licence is enough. The Horizon is a VW Crafter campervan and drives like a large van, with cruise control.

More questions? Have a look at the FAQ or just send us a message.

When do you want to go?

Send us your dates and Koen will check straight away. You will usually hear back within a few hours.

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