Town aims to become hotspot for motorhomers seeking “authentic Algarve” experience
São Brás de Alportel wants to become a new hotspot in the Algarve for motorhomers. It now boasts a new motorhome park near the EN2 – Portugal’s longest road which links Faro in the south to Chaves in the north.
The park is located on Rua Jaime Passos Pinto, just a short walk from the town centre, and has spaces for 25 motorhomes – three of them larger-sized. It is pet-friendly and boasts free Wi-Fi, a wastewater disposal point and a water supply area, toilets, laundry room, rubbish bins, lounge areas, picnic park with barbecue, and petanque field. Guests also have access to information about tourism activities in the area and soon to open is a shop with local products.
Another feature to be added soon is the ‘Love Caravan’ – for those who do not have a motorhome but would like to enjoy the experience with a romantic ‘touch’.
“This is a very important investment that will have a great impact on the local economy and will once again establish the municipality as a territory with an excellent location and a huge natural potential which must be valued,” said local mayor Vítor Guerreiro.
The mayor also thanked the “commitment of several partnering entities and businesses,” such as In Loco association, the regional development and coordination commission (CCDR Algarve) and the Algarve tourism board (RTA).
Attending the inauguration was CCDR president José Apolinário, who said the motorhome park is part of a “regional strategy of the greatest importance to value the potential of the region,” as well as RTA president João Fernandes, who believes it will play a major role in the development of tourism in the Algarve.
The construction works were carried out by local company Sérgio Caidado Raminhos Lda. and cost €140,000.
“We want São Brás de Alportel to become a highlight in the area of motorhoming in the Algarve, with spaces that stand out for their quality and authenticity,” deputy mayor responsible for tourism Marlene Guerreiro said.
The local council believes that by investing in this touristic niche it will attract tourists eager to learn more about the borough’s natural, gastronomic, cultural, architectural and historical heritage, and consequently “dynamize” the local economy.
Intermunicipal goals
The council adds that the motorhome park is part of an intermunicipal project to create a network of support for motorhoming in the Algarve along with Silves and Tavira and In Loco. The project represents a €590,000 investment – 70% of which is covered by the European Regional Development Fund.
Artur Gregório from In Loco says the project will now enter its second phase which will focus on “promoting events and activities and providing a platform where tourists can play their holiday and understand beforehand where they want to go, what they want to try, what they want to eat and where they want to visit.”
“Strengthening the Algarve’s position as a region of excellent in the area of ecological motorhoming” is the goal that the project aims to achieve, Gregório added.
This new motorhome park has become the second São Brás de Alportel has to offer. The existing ‘Motorhome Ecopark São Brás de Alportel’ is described by the local council as a private project and a standout unit in the sector which is considered “one of the best motorhome service areas in the Algarve” and the first to receive an approval certificate from the Portugal Federation of Camping and Mountain Climbing.
