SW France to the Algarve

South West France to the Algarve

A route we have taken from the French border at Hendaye to the Algarve with halts in the Extremadura region of Spain and the Alenjento region of Portugal.

Distance 1200+ km to Portuguese coast dependent on final location.

Tolls: €31

Time: We took 31/2 Days but others do it with 2 night halts using more toll roads.

Day 1. Leave France and join the Spanish motorways follow signs for Burgos via Vitoria Gasteiz. Tolls to Burgos then the roads become free.

The climb of 850m from sea level onto the central plateau is well engineered and has good scenery on a fine day. The non toll route is heavily used by HGV's and we feel the €23 worthwhile.

From Burgos follow the A62 direction Valladolid/Tordesillas/Salamanca

NH: There are night halts along this route listed under those towns but for a short day we used Camping Cabia just south of Burgos

Day 2. To Camping Parque Natural Monfrague , Plasencia.

From our Night halt 370km on the newly upgraded A62, good scenery and light traffic.

Parque Natural Monfrague an ideal stopover for anyone wanting to take a look at the abundant wildlife in the park. An alternative site often used on this route is the Camping Caceres

Day 3: To Camping Alentejo , Evoramonte

From our Night halt 280km. via Caceres and Badajoz to the Portuguese border then A6 toll to Estremos Toll €3.15. Leave at J7, site is on the N18 dir Evoramonte.

Using this Night halt splits the final journey to the coast equally but can be done in a day quite easily using toll roads although the distance is greater.

Camping Alentejo a convenient, cheap and well equipped site for any length of stay.

Day 4: About 280km dependent on destination and expect early afternoon arrival .

Travel via Evora and Beja joining the toll motorway IP1 at J12 near Castro Verde. IP1 to the A22 toll €5.7.

Note the A22 has a number plate recognition system for collection of tolls that no one seems to understand.