Alicante inundated with more campervans than ever this Easter
The entire Valencian Community expects to welcome more than 4,500 motorhomes this weekend
This Easter, the roads of the Valencian Community are buzzing with the hum of campervans as more holidaymakers than ever hit the road and make for festive spots like Alicante. According to the Valencian Caravanning Association, the region is expecting a record-breaking influx of more than 4,500 motorhomes before the week is out, marking a 12% increase from last year’s figures.
Fuelled by a growing appetite for flexible, outdoor-focused travel, both rentals and new motorhome registrations are soaring. Enrique Rita, president of the association and head of AC-LLAR, says the Community is fast becoming a top destination for on-the-move tourism, with beachside towns and inland escapes alike drawing in vanlifers from across Europe and beyond.
In fact, about 10% of all motorhome travel across Spain during Holy Week is set to happen right here in the Valencian Community.
While the majority of Easter road trippers are domestic tourists, there’s a noticeable rise in European travellers as well, especially holidaymakers from France, Germany and the Netherlands, who are incorporating the Valencian coast into their spring road trip routes.
Mr Rita notes that bookings started surging as early as February, with families and young couples leading the charge.
The average daily spend per vehicle is pegged at €90 to €130, covering everything from campsite fees and meals to local experiences. That’s an estimated €2 million boost for the regional economy during the Easter week alone.
Of the three provinces, Alicante is set to host around half of all campervans, followed by Valencia with 35% and Castellón at 15%.
But while this mobile tourism boom brings undeniable benefits, it also highlights ongoing challenges. Orihuela Costa, one of the coastal hotspots, has become a symbol of the growing pains caused by a lack of infrastructure.
Last year, campervan drivers were again in the spotlight for turning the car park opposite Zenia Boulevard into an unofficial campsite, and leaving behind piles of rubbish in their wake.
The issue has sparked frustration among locals. With no designated facilities, no access to water, electricity, toilets or even proper waste disposal, the free car park has become a makeshift base for up to 30 vans during peak seasons.
Incredibly, the car park has even earned a mention on Google Maps as a free parking zone for these vehicles.
But the reality on the ground is far from ideal, and it’s created something of a messy situation.
Over time, household waste, broken appliances and other debris have built up along the embankment between the Boulevard and the AP-7 motorway, creating an eyesore and sparking renewed calls for dedicated campervan facilities in the area.
Image: Valencian Caravanning Association
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