Campsites guide of North Region

Rating out of ten: overall 5, welcome 7, cleanliness 5, security 7, activities 5, services 0, accommodation 5, nature 10.

Strengths: Lovely site set amongst a pine forest which gives good shade.
Close to nice walks and river activities.
Onsite restaurant and shop useful.
Weaknesses: Terrible showers and toilet block. Clean but totally inadequate. No real facilities for camper vans, chemical disposal and drinking water share same tap !

Rating out of ten: overall 9, welcome 8, cleanliness 10, security 10, activities 8, services 9, accommodation 10, nature 10.

Strengths: Quinta rural is a stunning campsite with a great vibe. It doesnt have the overly made up campsite feel yet it has everything you need! The place is amazing with incredible views, secluded and in the midst of real nature. You can hear the cows being herded in the morning. The plunge pool is incredible with views you could never imagine, the luxe tents have everything you need and arent ovely tarted up, the eco toilet and the outdoor shower(indoor also provided) make you real feel within the nature a REAL ESCAPE if thats what you want. The owner is super friendly, easy going and helpful. It was a exactly what i wanted from a camp site, it has a comunal bar/area for people to chill out drink and see the goats and dogs which hang around the camp-a take what you want and pay for it at the end policy made you feel at home. The owner cooked some great food also! The north of Portugal is stunning. A short drive from the campsite there are some beautiful waterfalls and natural parks. Wish i had stayed longer!
Weaknesses: Its very difficult to find without sat nav-plus ours didnt work in the mountains! We spent a long time looking but worth the search in the end when the owner came to collect us from a nearby town! To be a bit clearer about food provided? It says meals provided for you...included? to be paid for? everyday?

Rating out of ten: overall 10, welcome 10, cleanliness 10, security 10, activities 7, services 10, accommodation 10, nature 10.

Strengths: I loved the river, the nature sounds and the lovely smells from the trees. The chickens running was nice.
Lovely campsite to stay and relax.
From here we went to Oporto, Guimaraes and Braga.
Weaknesses: Nothing.

Rating out of ten: overall 10, welcome 10, cleanliness 10, security 10, activities 10, services 10, accommodation 10, nature 10.

Strengths: I loved the beauty of the campsite. It is so natural on all aspects. I could hear the birds in the morning, breathe the fresh air...
Weaknesses: Nothing to comment.

Rating out of ten: overall 7, welcome 9, cleanliness 5, security 9, activities 3, services 5, accommodation 4, nature 9.

Strengths: The small river that fills a semi natural basin on the lower part of the campsite with clear cool water from the mountains...!
Where one can swim and if standing still can see little fishes swimming around, so clean is the water.
The landscape and beautiful mountains around, breathtaking !
The hospitality of the local people is legendary, just try and dare to speak a few words of Portuguese to people and they will get off their way to help you.
Locations as the top of the mountain where you can see for kilometers far and in a clear day a bit of the sea (I've been told, I was late there that day...).
The village of Ermelo with houses dating 1600 and 1700, built of and on rock.
Try the local small restaurants in town. At the campsite bar, ask for some of the homemade Bagaco or aguardente, just be careful with the amount.
The many waterfalls in the area. A unique area that should be seen !
Weaknesses: The campsite in itself has no special facilities, no bungalows and (do not take a caravan there) the entrance to the campsite is very steep (the campsite is on the side of the mountain). A camper with a good engine is advisable or better, take a car and tents.
The toilets need to be renewed to the 21st century standard but reasonably clean (often cleaned).
The bar/snack/shop of the campsite could have a wider supply of camping articles.
The campsite staff speaks easily Portuguese (of course), Spanish, French and English. Prepare to use the Portuguese language often. In the villages around, the people of more than 30 years old normally speak Portuguese only, so a good word book is recommended.