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Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds!

January 03, 2024

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! beautiful algarve beaches Portugal january warm
Can you camp in Europe in the winter time? Absolutely, if you look for Europe's warm winter sun. We're doing a Christmas Holidays sunny winter road trip right now! What are the best warm winter destinations if you are in Europe ? Camping in Spain & Portugal Algarve can be both low budget and the luxurious way to vacation in Europe. Countless Europeans do this every winter in campsites or various cheap lodging options.

Many campsites have bargain long stay bungalows and airbnb monthly stays are another possible option. We've wintered many winters in Spain & this is how to rent an apartment in Spain. You can do this! Contact me if you want a travel consult.

 LIVING LARGE ON LOW BUDGET LUXURY TRAVEL

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! spain and portugal warm winter retirement couples travel road trip

On this New Years Eve, it was in the 70's F in Portimao, Portugal and T-shirt weather. We did an all day barefoot beach hike on one of Europe's most beautiful & longest beaches - Praia Da Rocha & Tres Castelos Beach! Many people were swimming in the sea as it felt hot in the afternoon. The beach is so long and large that we mostly had it to ourselves. 

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! couples travel great food spectacular views and warm weather

Then, we  had a spectacular meal at sunset with a gorgeous beach view. We've rented a budget vintage caravan nearby in a charming village for a few weeks. Our warm winter holiday road trip started in Barcelona and included stops in Valencia, Costa Blanca, Granada, Nerja, and Seville in Spain's Coastal del Sol. More details coming soon!!

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! spectacular Portugal algarve sunset budget luxury
We keep our budget low also by cooking our own healthy food, but sometimes splurge like this for fun. 

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! luxury dinner with gorgeous beach view algarve Praia Da Roch beach Portimao Lagos

WARMEST DESTINATIONS FOR WINTER SUN IN EUROPE!


Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! relaxing in December spain sunny days couples travel

Not every day is hot and sunny, but almost every day is sunny or some sun and most are warm. I am usually wearing shorts and a T-shirt, but sometimes add a sweater or light velour hoodie. I took this picture on my daily morning walk in late December at our campsite near the beach in Barcelona and Sitges. The temperatures are even warmer as one heads south on the coast of Spain and Portugal. Nights can be cool, but rain is rare. More like warm California or Florida winters that USA camping snowbirds love. 


CAMPING CAN ALSO MEAN CHEAP BUDGET BUNGALOWS IN CAMPING RESORTS 

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! budget bungalows cheap lodging

Many camping resorts also rent bungalows and mobile homes as most campsites in Europe have them and they are often at reduced prices for winter long stays. Many have special rates for senior citizens (over 55 year old couples). They have studios, 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms and this three bedroom one is 756 euros for a month! A studio bungalow in the Algarve was 18 dollars a day for monthly winter rate. 

We have stayed in them in fall, spring and winter a few times. They are often cheaper than airbnb stays, but their prices in summer high season are super high. 

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! cheap bargain budget bungalows  apartment rentals and mobile homes for long stays

 Most of them look similar to this and have everything you might need. Like kitchen supplies, bedding and blankets. Plus many camping resorts have pools, sports & exercise areas, grocery stores, bike or car rentals. Usually also buses that stop nearby. Popular winter campsites can book up, so it is best to book ahead if you can. We pay about 18 to 26 euros a night for a bungalow in winter and about 9 euro to 14 a day for a camper van large campsite. There are places to free camp in a van, but we almost never do that as we love the luxury resorts & all they offer. 

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! european licence plates fun many campers  caravans  vans and rvs
Mostly, we see European campers with license plates from Germany, France, UK, and Netherlands. I've collected a few pictures of them on my walks. But we have seen them from all over Europe including Finland, Switzerland, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and more, to name a few. Yet, we almost never see Americans in European campsites.

 WHY AND HOW AMERICANS CAN DO BUDGET WINTER LONG STAYS AS SNOWBIRDS IN EUROPE! 

American digital nomads , retired folks  & families with kids, should follow the European lead on budget long stay luxury. Flights can be very cheap in the winter. Look at budget airlines. One way on French Bee can be as low as $194 from New York and $318 from LA! See Paris, then take a cheap flight or train south. We bought our vintage camper van in 2005 and it still gives us great pleasure all these years and we store our van cheaply when not using it. We love it as our home in Europe and also transport when we need it. 



 HUGE RV OR SMALL VAN OR CAMPER FOR EUROPE? 



Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! unusal huge rv from Germany tiny home
Some camper vans or RV's or tiny homes are huge and a bit strange like these from Germany doing long stays in a Barcelona campsite.The top one was gigantic and long, plus it even had a very long trailer behind it to carry a car! I sure would hate to drive that!! Roads are great in Europe with fast high ways, but also many tiny, ancient roads in small towns, so we think small is best. Even cities like Malaga & Seville have some super tiny roads in old town areas that can be challenging even in a tiny car!

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! wild camper vans and RV's germans

Most RV's in Europe are more like our vintage camper or smaller vans and caravans are very popular with Europeans. This youtube short video was taken in late December at our campsite in Barcelona area at sunrise. 

 


 EUROPE'S MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL


Most of Europe's most beautiful beaches are in this part of warm Spain and Portugal's southern coasts. We love them at this time of the year where you can swim on some days. But also walk on them doing barefoot grounding  and have them mostly all to yourself.



Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! gorgeous beach east of Malaga in Nerja   Spain best in Europe

 We wintered for many years near this spectacular beach in Nerja, east of Malaga about an hour and west of Granada about an hour.  It was so fun to visit it again on this Christmas eve morning. 

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! beautiful winter beaches like Marbella beach on xmas eve no crowds
Later we visited this beach in Marbella near the Rodeo Drive style yacht harbor & stores. We've often stayed at a Marbella campground near here that is within short walking distance to the beach. Also we have stayed in a Marbella time share apartment with family with pools and beach. 

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! gorgeous empty winter beaches Lagos & Portimao Algarve Portugal
This is a view of Praia Da Rocha & Tres Castelos Beach near Portimao and Lagos, Portugal in the Algarve. This was on New Years Eve and we walked barefoot for hours astounded by the beauty. Few were on the beach, but some were swimming. It has the dramatic beauty similar to some of our favorite beaches like Big Sur, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, Baja, Mexico, and Bondi Beach in Australia. 

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! Enjoying cities like Seville on Christmas day without crowds

Also cites are special at this time of year like this photo of us visiting the stunningly beautiful  Plaza de Espana  on a very sunny day after Christmas!  

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! granda alhambra gypsy singers Spanish guitar gitano flamenco

Or visiting the Alhambra and listening to Flamenco guitars and singing in Granada on a warm sunny day over the xmas holidays. Warm enough for T-shirts here during the day, but snow peak views and snow skiing Granada is also near by. 

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! granada spain snow peaks mountains ski

Where can you ski in the morning, swim in the sea that very afternoon and maybe visit a gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Site in between? There is only one place in the world and it is the Sierra Nevada Ski Resort in Granada Province in Andalusia, Spain. Not too many get to ski both Sierra Nevada Mountain ranges ( California and Spain) but we &  our daughter Heavenly Reyna are some of the lucky ones to have those bragging rights! :) 

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! charming picturesque white villages at xmas in Andalucia sunny days

Don't miss visiting endless charming white villages and churches all through southern Spain decorated for the holidays or cute kids like this one in Granada!




Plus there are more white villages and churches in the Algarve, like the little village we are staying in that adds charm to the sunshine and warm weather.

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! christmas scene at small white villlage church in Algarve Portugal

Of course, there are places where you can camp and snow ski in Europe and many colder area campsites are open all year round like Paris or London, but most folks who want to spend the winter camping Europe, head south to Spain on the Costa del Sol or Portugal Algarve as these are the warmest areas of Europe in the winter.

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! budget resort bungalow christmas decorations and celebrations
You don't have to worry about missing Christmas decorations and there are endless amazing Christmas markets in southern Spain and Portugal. This is a camping bungalow in Barcelona decorated this winter! Another photo taken on my morning walk. 

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! Portugal christmas decorations restaurants beaches xmas markets traditions
Meeting interesting people while traveling always seems so easy. This young woman is French, but has lived in the Algarve for ten years, has a British accent from schooling in the UK and now is a student at Columbia University in New York city! Spain and Portugal know how to celebrate and these are warm welcoming cultures to match the climate. 


Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! best beaches in spain and portugal christmas holiday


FAVORITE CAMPSITES IN SPAIN

BARCELONA

GORGEOUS GALICIA

MARBELLA

BILBAO

EL PUERTO DE SANTA MARIA

SAN SEBASTIAN

SEVILLE CAMPING

COSTA BLANCA CAMPING AND SPA

SANTILLANA DEL MAR

Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! best tips bargain budget prices views wine couples travel


MORE TIPS ON CAMPING EUROPE


Camping Europe in a Motorhome

Camping Europe - Best Books

Why Camp in Europe with Kids

Camping in Europe = Free Kids Clubs

Traveling Europe in Campervan


Tent Camping in Europe

What Camping in Europe  looks like

Road Trip Europe

RV in Europe: Camping European Style


Winter Sun! Camping Europe Snowbirds! gorgeous spectacular beach photo birds flying Algarve Praia Da Rocha & Tres Castelos Beach
Are you ready for a beautiful warm winter vacation and luxury holiday on a low budget in Europe as a Schengen  Shuffle snowbird? Leave me any comments or questions you might have!

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

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Sharyn

Camping in Europe in winter is very doable. I've spent many a winter in the warmer parts of Europe doing this. It looks like you really enjoyed camping in Europe too!

Jeanne dee

Thanks Sharyn! It really is such a great way to spend winter in Europe, but sadly most Americans have not figured it out yet.
We do run into many from the UK and Australia, but almost no Americans. I am hoping my articles will inspire more to try it out. :)

Sara

I hadn't thought of camping around Europe. Winter is a great time to visit southern Europe!

Jaqueline

Southern Europe's mild winters can be so great for exploring popular places without all the crowds! Thanks for sharing your tips

jeanne dee

Thanks Sara! We love all forms of slow travel, budget travel and living luxuriously on little. :) I love the Algarve and southern coastal Spain in the winter & have spent many winters here, but it has been some years now so it is wonderful to see it again and discover new places here. I do not like the summer crowds or heat, but it is divine now!

jeanne dee

So true Jaqueline! For us, it is really the only time to visit. That said, we are off to Africa beaches soon for 3 months for even warmer weather as I love warm beaches in winter and lots of sun!!

Jolayne

My husband and I would love to travel in Europe for an extended stay. With mild winter options, this seems like the perfect time to go

jeanne dee

Smart thinking Jolayne! We love slow travel and long stays as it saves money and also gives much more a sense of a place. No rushing to see it all and off season is also great to avoid any crowds. We actually live much cheaper slow traveling than living in USA, so saving money while having fun! :)

Karen

This post is chock full of great ideas about budget Luxury travel. What a comprehensive overview of camping in Europe too. A great resource.

jeanne Dee

Wow, thanks Karen for your kind, enthusiastic words!! We'd love to see more Americans taking advantage of these resources as they have certainly added much to our lives over the years and makes Europe easy, cheap, luxurious and fun!!

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