Campsites Open All Year in Spain: A Guide to Winter Campervan Travel

When the days get shorter in northern Europe and the thermometer plunges, thousands of motorhomes and campervans head south. For decades Spain has been the great winter refuge of European caravanning, and it is no coincidence: sunshine, mild temperatures on the Mediterranean coast and campsites that do not shut their gates in October.

Travelling in winter has huge advantages: fewer people, lower prices and landscapes without queues. But it also means choosing the right region, knowing what to ask before you book and preparing your van for nights that, even in the south, can drop close to freezing.

In this guide we explain where to go, how to make the most of low-season discounts and how to stop damp or a frozen pipe from ruining your trip.

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1. The Best Regions in Spain for Winter Travel

Costa Blanca (Alicante)

One of the areas with the most campsites open all year. A dry climate, plenty of sunny days and infrastructure designed with long stays in mind. It is the epicentre of northern European snowbirds, so it pays to book ahead.

Costa Cálida (Murcia)

Mild winters, the Mar Menor lagoon and prices often a little lower than in Alicante. A good base for combining the beach with inland routes.

Almería

Probably the driest and sunniest part of mainland Spain. Ideal if you are after desert landscapes, quiet coves and clear skies. Nights can be chilly inland.

Costa del Sol (Málaga)

Very pleasant daytime temperatures and easy access to cities like Málaga or the famous white villages. More built-up and somewhat more expensive.

Canary Islands

Spain’s mildest winter climate. The catch: you need to take a ferry from the mainland, a long crossing with a considerable cost for a motorhome. Only worth it if you are planning a stay of several weeks.

Snow: the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada

If skiing or snowshoeing is your thing, there are campsites near ski resorts in the Aragonese and Catalan Pyrenees and around Sierra Nevada. Here winterising your van is not optional: sub-zero nights are the norm.

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2. Winter Regions Compared

Region	Approx. daytime high	Approx. night low	Pros	Cons
Costa Blanca	16–19 °C	6–9 °C	Many campsites open, snowbird community	High demand, best to book
Murcia (coast)	16–19 °C	6–9 °C	Moderate prices, Mar Menor	Fewer things to do
Almería	17–19 °C	7–10 °C	Very dry and sunny	Cold nights inland
Costa del Sol	17–19 °C	8–10 °C	Mild climate, cities nearby	Pricier and more built-up
Canary Islands	20–23 °C	14–17 °C	The mildest winter	Long and expensive ferry
Pyrenees / Sierra Nevada	0–8 °C	−10 to −2 °C	Snow and skiing	Van needs full winterising

Approximate values for December to February; they vary by year, altitude and distance from the sea.

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3. How the ACSI Low-Season Discount Works

ACSI is a Dutch organisation known for its campsite guide and for the CampingCard ACSI, a discount scheme designed precisely for the low season.

The general idea is simple:

1. You buy the guide or the digital subscription (at a moderate yearly cost) and receive the card.
2. Participating campsites offer a fixed reduced rate during their low-season periods, which each campsite sets and which usually cover much of the winter.
3. The rate covers a basic package: normally a pitch, two adults, the vehicle and electricity (with limited amperage or consumption). Extras such as pets or additional people are paid separately.
4. You show the card at reception when you arrive and pay the campsite directly.

Some campsites also offer long-stay discounts within the same scheme. The exact conditions, rates and dates change every year, so check the up-to-date information for each campsite before you count on the discount. Some campsites restrict advance bookings with the ACSI card, so ask.

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4. What to Check Before Booking a Campsite in Winter

Not every campsite that is “open all year” offers the same in January as in August. Before booking, ask about:

• Heated toilets and showers: They make a huge difference at 8 in the morning with 4 °C outside.
• Electric hook-up amperage: A 6 A supply gives you about 1,300 W. If you want to run a 2,000 W electric heater, you will need 10 A or more. Also ask whether electricity is charged by consumption.
• Booking winter pitches: On the Mediterranean coast many snowbirds reserve pitches for several months. Book well in advance, especially between December and March.
• Facilities that close in the low season: The pool, restaurant or shop may be shut.
• Long-stay rates: Many campsites offer very attractive monthly prices compared with the nightly rate.

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5. Getting Your Van Ready for the Cold

Condensation: the silent enemy

Two people breathing in a closed van produce a lot of moisture. To avoid dripping walls and mould:

• Air the van every day, even for just a few minutes, and leave a roof vent slightly open at night.
• Use moisture absorbers or a small dehumidifier if you have hook-up.
• Do not cook with everything closed: open the roof vent while you boil water.

Heating

• Diesel or gas night heater: The most effective option for cold nights. Make sure it vents exhaust gases outside.
• Electric heater: Only on campsite hook-up and with enough amperage.
• Never use combustion stoves without a flue inside the vehicle: the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is real. Fit a CO detector.

Gas in winter

Butane stops vaporising properly at around 0 °C, so in cold areas it is better to use propane, which works at much lower temperatures.

Freezing water

• Drain tanks and pipes if you are leaving the van parked during frosts.
• In the snow, leave the grey water valve open over a bucket or use insulated or heated tanks.
• Carry spare water containers inside the living area, where they will not freeze.

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6. The Snowbird Culture

At many campsites in Alicante, Murcia or Almería, a real community of long-stay travellers gathers every winter, many of them retirees from northern Europe who spend weeks or months in the sun. They organise activities, swap mechanical tips and create a very particular atmosphere.

If you join them, keep in mind:

• The best pitches are booked months in advance.
• The atmosphere is calm: early routines and strict quiet hours at night.
• Travellers from outside the EU need to watch the Schengen stay limit (90 days in any 180-day period).

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7. Quick Checklist for Your Winter Trip

• Campsite confirmed open on your dates, with a pitch booked.
• Hook-up amperage checked.
• Full propane bottle (not butane if you are heading somewhere cold).
• CO detector fitted and tested.
• Moisture absorbers and winter bedding.
• Snow chains or winter tyres if you are going to the mountains.
• ACSI card or other low-season discounts to hand.

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8. Frequently Asked Questions

Are there many campsites open all year in Spain?

Yes, especially on the Mediterranean coast and in Andalusia. Inland and in the north there are fewer winter options, so check opening dates before you set off.

Can I use motorhome service areas in winter?

Many stay open, although some cut off the water when there is a risk of frost. Find out how they work in our guide to motorhome service areas in Spain.

Is the CampingCard ACSI valid in August?

No. It is designed for the low season that each campsite defines. In the high season the normal rate applies.

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Climate data and rates are approximate. Each campsite’s opening dates, prices and conditions change every year: confirm them before you travel.