Sue mentioned putting up a thread about camping in Spain...and since it�s something that my husband and I enjoy doing, I thought I�d start the thread.
Camping here in Spain is definitely a popular summer activity. In fact, from what I have observed, many many Spaniards enjoy the beautiful natural surroudings of their country... by way of camping, hiking (organized and solo), biking, skiing, etc.
One memorable camping trip was when our fate to get married was sealed. I can hardly call it a proposal since it was such a non traditional way of "deciding" to get married. :l:
The Pyrenees have beautiful places to camp including Panticosa and Ordessa. We go tent camping (a small two person tent), but there plenty of folks who set up their summer home in much larger tents and/or trailer homes.
Obviously, camping is not for everyone, but if you love nature, it�s a great way to know a whole different Spain from the 4 cities, two weeks, 10 museums and 20 cathedrals tour!!
Here are my two cents worth! I didn't like camping until two years ago I went to a Camping in Llanes. It is not as bad as I thought, in fact, is good. The camping have another interesting thing and it is that you can take your dog with you almost without troubles, whereas in summer it is impossible to find a hotel where you can take your dog.
Just one thing more, I think that in summer you can go on camping to the north of spain and to the Pirinees but if you try to go to the east coast (Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante) or to the south (M�laga, Sevilla, Granada), the hot is going to be so large that you won't be able to sleep at night and you won't be able to take a nap in the afternoon.
Posts: 191 | Location: madrid | Registered: 10 December 2001
Hey, thanks for starting this thread! My husband and I have always been tent campers, too, but the last time we went, the ground was just so hard! It's time for the sturdy inflatable mattress or cots or something. A question: here in the US, some KOA's(Kampgrounds of America?)have Kamping Kabins(boy, do I hate this cutesy spelling ) Do any Spanish campgrounds have little chalet thingies? I can't see dragging huge quantities of equipment over there.
Pack light, sleep cheap, eat well.
Posts: 479 | Location: ROCKFORD,MI, USA | Registered: 23 May 2001
You guys are right! Camping is great in Spain. I camped by the beach in Punta Umbria which is located by the city Huelva just south of Portugal. I have many spanish friends that lived in a couple of small beach towns during the summer. I camped in a pup tent for 2 months. It was so great! I met so many interesting people that passed thru the camp site during those 2 months. I payed about $4 per night. The camp site was between the 2 main towns my friends were in. I could walk to either town in 30 minutes. Yhe only time we had to get in a car was to go to neighboring villages for thier summer fairs.
There were many people that came for the whole summer that set up a minature house practicaly. I will definetly do that again. It was the best summer ever!!! I look forward to reading other great experiences. Mattdp
Posts: 1 | Location: Atlanta, USA | Registered: 18 June 2002
Yes, the majority of the campgrounds have bathing facilities...some even have pools and "clubhouses" where the everpresent bar is located.
I recall one 6 week visit to Spain back in 1992 when some Spanish friends and I toured all of northern Spain from Santiago Compostela to San Sebastian, Santander, Bilbao and Barcelona. We did it in a tent... eh-em camped that is :b: ... When we got to San Sebastian, there was a jazz festival in full swing (no pun intended) and every campground was completely booked. We drove about 12 km outside the city and found a huge swatch of land where everyone was pitching tents. So, not ones to miss the party in town, we pitched our tent and then headed back for the festivities. It was late (or should I say early in the AM) when we got back to the tent and pitch black out. We crashed out and then were rudely awaken by a herd of cattle. Hmmmm seems that we had pitched our tent in a cow pasture! It was quite funny to wake to a cow grazing by our heads!!
Sue, in response to your question about camping cabins...in some listings for campgrounds here in Spain, I have noticed under facilities, they include "bungaloos" or "bungalows". I am assuming that they are some sort of cabin that you can rent.
Info Camping seems to be a quite a comprehensive listing of campgrounds here in Spain. It includes the facilities of the campgrounds, directions on how to get there, costs as well as nicely organized by province.
Where I just camped, "butt" naked would find you 1)pretty darn cold and 2)eaten alive by black flies and mosquitos. Yes, I cooked over a fire(and a coleman stove) Yes, my 57 year old bones were in close contact with the ground(my husband did NOT come through on the air mattress yet)and yes, camping is no vacation for a woman unless she likes that stuff. Irony time: the place? Tahquamenon Falls State Park, in PARADISE, Michigan. Really, folks, it is beautiful up there in the U.P., but not for the faint of heart. I laugh heartily when I see these "campers" pulling rigs that cost more than my house into place---even saw one with a satellite dish this time!
So, if I go camping in Spain in the future, I may well be on the lookout for a bungalow!!
Pack light, sleep cheap, eat well.
Posts: 479 | Location: ROCKFORD,MI, USA | Registered: 23 May 2001
I know this is an old thread, but I used a solar shower while camping around Europe about 15 years ago. It looks like the one in the link below. I cut down the length of the hose so it would fit neatly into the PVC pipe handle, and I rolled it up. The solar shower didn't weigh much, and it came in handy when I really needed a shower!
The "showers/no showers" decision depends on the situation:
Situation 1: Just the guys out for several days of camping. - showers optional. Smoky campfires, mountain bike riding on hot summer days, ankle-deep mud, who cares? :z: You can get cleaned up when you return.
Situation 2: Camping with La Novia. - To hell with the rule, wash up and keep her happy. Would you rather she refuse to let you get within 10 feet of her?...didn't think so! :l:
I had the solar shower to mitigate the second situation. (he he he he)
"An honest man is always a child" - Socrates ...no wonder I'm so immature!
Ok, I tried posting before, but for some reason it didn't go thru!
I've been camping to several different spots and can say Fun fun fun!
Jer, I can't believe that you mentioned a good 'ol campfire in spain! THey are illegal because the tiniest spark can cause a whole forest to go up in flames. Its not usually THAT easy for a cigarette butt to start a fire, but that's not so in Spain. For those of you wondering, Spain is very dry and many parts of the country suffer from drought. I was in a bus one time traveling from Galicia to Madrid after a short vacation there and we drove through a blazing forest fire! Even though its really green there, don't let it fool you!
There is a wonderful camping guide you can purchase just about anywhere- we used to pick it up at VIPS... and it gives pointers on every camping ground in Spain, amenities etc.
I went camping at a camping ground meant more cars and caravans than tents...and NOT a pleasant experience! The ground was covered in gravel... not too comfy, and there was little to no shade-VERY HOT!!!!!!!!!!) So make sure to check ahead of time what the camping ground is geared for.)
Bungalows... I ended up staying in one of these as it was a bit of the wet season, in Valle del Jerte in Cacares. The bungalows slept 6, 2 bunk beads, and a sofa bed. a curtain that separated the bunks fromthe rest, so you could have a 'living room' a kit, and SUPER clean bathrooms (in the bungalow!-they even had toilet paper! ) It was loads of fun, great places for hiking, and cute towns fairly near by that we went to visit. On the way home we stopped off to visit the Monasterio de Juste- very cool!
Happy Camping!
Siguiendo mi propio Camino de Santiago
Posts: 387 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 19 October 2002
) Do any Spanish campgrounds have little chalet thingies? I can't see dragging huge quantities of equipment over there.
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
![[Embarassed]](redface.gif)
THey are illegal because the tiniest spark can cause a whole forest to go up in flames. Its not usually THAT easy for a cigarette butt to start a fire, but that's not so in Spain. For those of you wondering, Spain is very dry and many parts of the country suffer from drought. I was in a bus one time traveling from Galicia to Madrid after a short vacation there and we drove through a blazing forest fire! 
