This expertly curated Driftly route takes you from Portugal’s Algarve, through Spain’s Costa de la Luz and Costa Brava, finishing on the French Riviera — with flexible legs, kid-friendly stops and realistic daily driving distances.

Route Overview

• Total Distance: ~2,400 km

• Recommended Duration: 14–21 days

• Best Time to Go: May–June or September

• Ideal For: Families, couples, first-time campervan travellers

Core Stops

1. Algarve, Portugal

2. Costa Vicentina

3. Costa de la Luz, Spain

4. Valencia Coast

5. Costa Brava

6. French Riviera

Daily Driving Advice (Family-Friendly)

• Max driving per day: 3–4 hours

• Ideal leg length: 200–300 km

• Rest days: Every 3–4 days near beaches

💡 Driftly tip: Always plan one beach day with zero driving — kids (and adults) need it.

Country-by-Country Camping Rules

🇵🇹 Portugal

• Wild camping: ❌ Illegal and enforced

• Overnight parking: ⚠️ Only in authorised areas

• Best option: Coastal campsites & motorhome parks

Top family campsites:

• Orbitur Sagres

• Camping Galé

🇪🇸 Spain

• Wild camping: ❌ Generally illegal

• Overnight parking: ✅ Allowed if no camping behaviour

• Regions differ — always check local signage

Best coastal areas for campervans:

• Cádiz province

• Valencia region

• Costa Brava

🇫🇷 France

• Wild camping: ⚠️ Restricted near beaches

• Aires de Camping-Car: ✅ Excellent & affordable

• Campsites: Very family-friendly

Family tip: French campsites often include pools, kids clubs and beach access.

Best Beaches for Families

• Praia da Rocha (Portugal): Calm waters & facilities

• Bolonia Beach (Spain): Shallow water, dunes for kids

• Platja de Pals (Spain): Long sandy beach, safe swimming

• Plage de l’Estagnol (France): Perfect for younger children

Where to Rent a Campervan in Portugal, Spain or France (If You Need One)

Best European Campervan Rental Options

• Indie Campers: Budget-friendly, many beach routes

💡 Driftly tip: Look for vehicles with awnings, outdoor showers and fridge/freezer combos for beach travel.

What to Pack for a Beach Campervan Trip

• Beach shade or tarp

• Refillable water containers

• Sand-friendly floor mats

• Child UV swimwear

• Portable BBQ (where allowed)

Can you sleep in a campervan near the beach in Europe?

It depends on the country. Portugal and Spain are strict, while France offers many legal overnight motorhome areas near beaches.

Is a beach campervan road trip suitable for kids?

Yes — coastal routes mean shorter drives, safe swimming spots and frequent rest days.

Why This Route Works with Driftly

Driftly lets you:

• Split this route into multi-leg journeys

• Discover family-friendly campsites nearby

• Get AI beach and weather recommendations

• Save beach photos and memories per stop

🚐 Driftly is launching January 2026 — built for European road trips like this.