Bicho do Mato

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Wild pitches in forest 20 minutes’ drive from Algarve beaches
Praia da Luz 15 minutes’ drive; Lagos and Burgau both 20 minutes
Direct access to the Rota Algarviana trail; shop five minutes’ drive

When you want a wild camping adventure but also close proximity to Algarve coastal towns and beaches, try heading to Bicho do Mato. It’s five minutes’ drive from the rural hamlet of Barão de São João, and yet only 15 minutes by car from the Mediterranean resort of Praia da Luz or 20 minutes from historic Lagos. To stay here, you’ll need to be self-sufficient in your campervan, as all site owners Ana and Tycho provide is a parking spot within native forest; the rest is up to you. There are no facilities at Bicho do Mato – that means no electricity, no drinking water and no showers, so come prepared with all you need for a true wild camping adventure. What you will get, however, is solitude, the whisper of leaves in the wind and the sound of birdsong. It’s also a clever base for keen walkers, as the land sits on the Rota Algarviana hiking trail on its way between Alcoutim and Cabo de São Vicente. Please be aware that the site is accessed on dirt roads. If you want to stock up on provisions on the way there, stop at the basics store at Barão de São João or the small supermarket in Bensafrim (10 minutes).

Site type

Open all year

Please note

This site has no on-site toilet and shower facilities.

Admission

Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

Occupancy

No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.

Safety

No charcoal barbecues allowed.
No electric barbecues allowed.
No gas barbecues allowed.

Vehicles

Units longer than 7 metres are not allowed.

Languages spoken

Dutch

English

Portuguese

Pitch types & availability

5

Non-electric forest floor campervan pitch

4 people maximum

Ground type: Forest floor

Pitch size: Max 2.5m width × 7m depth (17.5m²)

Arrival days

From €10 (€10) 1 night, 2 adults

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Reviews

Location		9
Value for money		9
Accommodation	No rating
Facilities / Activities		4
Customer service		10
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness		10
Wifi		1

100% would stay here again

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Reviews page 1 of 1

Arrival date (latest first)

Pasé dos noches en este lugar…

Overall 10 out of 10
Location		7
Value for money		10
Facilities / Activities		3
Customer service		9
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness		10
Wifi		1

Aug 2026 Jose Manuel R. 1 review

Non-electric forest floor campervan pitch

Liked Pasé dos noches en este lugar y es perfecto si quieres estar tranquilo y sin ruido, muy limpio, sitio recomendable para furgonetas Camper.

Recommend to friends Visit again

We enjoyed the shade and the…

Overall 10 out of 10
Location		10
Value for money		7
Facilities / Activities		5
Customer service		10
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness		10
Wifi		1

Aug 2026 Anonymous

Non-electric forest floor campervan pitch

Liked We enjoyed the shade and the silence.

Disliked Would be amazing if there were a little toilet it will be perfect, but otherwise it is amazing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Dogs allowed

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Forest Peaceful Walkers' paradise

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market

Type

Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Mountain biking nearby Surf school nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Bicho do Mato

Lagoa da Rosa

Barão de São João

Lagos

Portugal

8600-016

Directions

Timezone

Europe/Lisbon WEST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

37.14324°N
8.75465°W

Route directions

The site is only accessible on dirt roads. The easiest is the road passing Zen Dojo Taikuan.

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Happy to explore locally? Follow sections of the long-distance Rota Algarviana as it passes the wild site, or discover the maquis-covered countryside on horseback from QPA Horse Riding Centre. You can also get off-road on a mountain bike from the Centro de BTT de Lagos (both 10 minutes’ drive). If you fancy spending time on Algarve beaches, it’s 15 minutes by car to Praia da Luz, which has a golden-sand beach backed by red-hued cliffs. It’s also a lively hub for watersports and dining, with fish restaurants overlooking the sea. Combine a day at the beach with a history lesson in Lagos (20 minutes), where you can kick back on Praia de São Roque beach before exploring the 16th-century old town. Further west along the coast is Burgau (also 20 minutes), an unspoiled fishing village where you can feast on freshly caught seafood and admire whitewashed cottages with blue shutters. To watch wild Atlantic waves rolling in from soaring clifftops, make a beeline for the headland at Pontal da Carrapateira (35 minutes).

Food and drink

Cangalho Restaurant 0.7 mi
Caramba Restaurant 1.2 mi
Gloria's Tavern Restaurant 1.2 mi
Rota Algarviana Restaurant 1.2 mi
O Koala Restaurant 1.4 mi
Gecko Restaurant 1.4 mi
Gloria Pub 1.4 mi
Florestal Restaurant 1.7 mi
Tasca os Arquinhos Restaurant 3.1 mi
O Poco Pub 3.4 mi

Groceries

Amanhecer - Supermercado Fresquinho III Supermarket 1.4 mi
Baptista Supermarket 4.1 mi
Almeida Off-licence 4.1 mi
Continente Modelo Supermarket 4.3 mi
Aldi Supermarket 4.5 mi
Lidl Supermarket 4.7 mi
Pingo Doce Supermarket 4.8 mi
Garcias Wines & Spirits Off-licence 4.8 mi
Pingo Doce Supermarket 4.8 mi
Continente Modelo Supermarket 4.9 mi

Parks and play

Lagos Zoological Park 0.6 mi
Santa Maria 5 mi
Praceta Ilha da Madeira 5.1 mi
Parque Dr Judice Cabral 5.3 mi

Family days out

Fortaleza de Nossa senhora da Luz Castle 4.2 mi
Rocha Negra Visitor attraction 4.5 mi
Wake Salinas Visitor attraction 4.6 mi
Rota do Infante Salão de Jogos Amusement arcade 5 mi
1 Marina - Comboio Turistico Visitor attraction 5.1 mi
Algarve Watersport Visitor attraction 5.1 mi
Réplica da Caravela Boa Esperança Visitor attraction 5.2 mi
5 Avenida dos Descobrimentos - Comboio Turistico Visitor attraction 5.3 mi
2 Avenida dos Descobrimentos - Comboio Turistico Visitor attraction 5.4 mi
Pelourinho de Lagos Visitor attraction 5.5 mi

Public transport

Lagoa da Rosa 0.4 mi
Monte Figueiras 0.4 mi
Azóia 0.4 mi
Pédragosa 0.6 mi
Medronhal / Zoo 0.6 mi
Fonte do Maranhão 2 0.7 mi
Carrasqueira 0.8 mi
Maranhão 1 0.8 mi
Charneca da Corte 0.9 mi
Várzea Grande-Cruzamento 1 mi

Beaches

Praia da Luz 4.2 mi
Prainha 4.2 mi
Praia do Burgau 5.1 mi
Praia dos Rebolos 5.4 mi
Praia de Porto de Mós 5.4 mi
Praia da Batata 5.7 mi
Praia dos Estudantes 5.8 mi
Praia de Almádena 5.8 mi
Praia de Cabanas Velhas (Naturista) 5.8 mi
Praia da Caldeira 5.8 mi

What’s nearby

Espiche Golf Golf course 1.5 mi
Marina de Lagos 4.9 mi
A Serra General shop 5.2 mi
Avia-te General shop 5.3 mi

Local services

Farmácia Bensafrim Pharmacy 1.3 mi
LGS-00002 Charging station 2.8 mi
Galp Fuel station 2.8 mi
Galp Fuel station 2.9 mi
LGS-00003 Charging station 2.9 mi
Camping Turiscampo Charging station 3.1 mi
Porsche Destination Charging Charging station 3.5 mi
Villa Monte D'Oiro Tesla Destination Charger Charging station 3.5 mi
LGS-00039 Charging station 3.8 mi
LGS-00034/35/36 Charging station 3.8 mi