Bicho do Mato
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/-8.754647709756144,37.1432448652049,12,0,0/376x277@2x)
- 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
4Open all year
This park has no on-site toilet and shower facilities.
Units longer than 7 metres are not allowed.- Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
- No electric barbecues allowed.
- No gas barbecues allowed.
- No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
- No charcoal barbecues allowed.
Languages spoken
Dutch
English
Portuguese
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Features
Dogs allowed
Leisure on park
Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis WatersportsAmenities on park
Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area WifiGroups welcome
Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcomeRules
Barbecue grills allowed Barbecue provided Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all yearThemes
Forest Hikers’ paradise PeacefulUtilities
Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energyNearby amenities
Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' marketType
Tiny (1-10 sites)Nearby leisure
Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horseback riding nearby Mountain biking nearby Surf school nearby Watersports nearbyLocation
Bicho do Mato
Lagoa da Rosa
Barão de São João
Lagos
Portugal
8600-016
Directions Timezone
Europe/Lisbon +0100 (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).
Water quality at nearby bathing waters
| Name | Distance | Type | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luz | 6.8 km | Sea | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Burgau | 8.2 km | Sea | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Porto De Mós | 8.7 km | Sea | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Meia Praia | 9.2 km | Sea | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Batata | 9.2 km | Sea | N/A | Good | Good | Excellent |
Data source: European Environment Agency
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Frequently asked questions
- Does Bicho do Mato have a swimming pool? No View all features
- Is Bicho do Mato dog friendly? Yes View all features
- What attractions are near Bicho do Mato? 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 … Read more
- When can I check in and check out of Bicho do Mato?
Read moreRV, travel trailer and tent sites Arrive: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Depart by: noon - How much does it cost to stay at Bicho do Mato? From $14.78 (for 1 night, 4 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.