In a cafe in Costa Nova we were deciding where to go next. The seaside resort of Figueira da Foz was highlighted on our map but when we were searching on the Internet for a campsite one that caught our eye was Campismo O Tamanco. It's was a bit inland and about 30km south of Figueira da Foz, in a small town called Casas Brancas, but the description said that the owners had travelled from Holland to Portugal in their VW camper, settled there and built a campsite, and it sounded like it was our kind of place.
When we arrived at the site and drove through the gates we were greeted by beautiful and bright plants and flowers and even some white doves. We checked in at A Cantina – the onsite bar/restaurant – with Irene, one half of the couple who run the site, and she told us a bit about their story. Her and her husband, Hans, travelled to Portugal 17 years ago with the idea of setting up a bar but ended up starting a campsite instead. She also told us about all the different types of outdoor living options they have at the site, most of which they designed themselves. After we were shown to our spot we went for a walk around the site. Not far from our pitch was a mini-farm with chickens, pigs, turkeys, guinea pigs and ducks all living amongst each other. There is a clearing in the woods that leads to a private area that a family can hire, which has modern yurts and really cool little sleeping huts for the kids. One that looks like a hobbit house and another a converted mini-wagon. This private area also has an outdoor kitchen, shower and toilet hut. Then we walked past the farmers market which is a little self service stall set on an old army trailer which sells local produce from the farm.
The newest and most interesting sleeping option is the converted concrete tubes that you can hire. They are on two floors with big glass windows and balconies. We had a peak inside one and they looked really comfy. Next to the tubes is a communal kitchen and lounge. There's also a small caravan that's been converted into a library, a play area for kids, a swimming pool and lots of wooden tables and benches dotted around where people were playing cards and board games. We read a sign that said “the wifi might not be great, but why not enjoy the simpler things instead”. We had a few drinks in A Cantina – Angie was happy cos they had cider – before we went back and had tea at the van.
Because we liked the site so much we decided to stay a 2nd night so we could enjoy a full relaxing day at the site and make the most of it. We started that by having a swim in the pool, which we had to ourselves until after lunch when it got busier.
The atmosphere around the site was really chilled and everyone seemed relaxed and happy to be there. At times we got the feeling that we were at a mini-festival. In the late afternoon we went to A Cantina for a few drinks and to play some games of cards. It's a really nice place to hang out, with a shop inside selling local products and customised clothes. It's decorated with guitars and instruments laying around, a record player and a good vinyl collection to browse through. Out on the terrace while we were enjoying our drinks we watched Hans and Chris (the chefs) start up the huge steel-wheel type barbecue for the night which convinced us to stay there for dinner. We both enjoyed amazing steaks with nice local red wine and chatted with the waiter and bar staff who were a lovely couple from Finland and South Africa.
The next day before we left we had another chat with Irene, as she came to have a look at Charlie, and she told us more about her vans. Chris, one of the chefs, also took an interest in Charlie and he took us to see his van (on the left) which he's living in and is in the process of converting. He also gave us lots of tips of places to visit as we set off on the road again.
We really loved our short stay at this campsite and vowed to return. We'd recommend it to anyone who wants to escape the busyness of everyday life.
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Charlie's Travels 