Almeria Motorhome Rental, Spain

RV Hire and Campervan Rental in Almeria

Almeria, also the name of its host province, is the easternmost city of Andalusia, on the southeast coast of Spain. The name was derived from Arabic ‘al-mariyya’ (the watchtower). This referred to the grand Alcazaba, the only Islamic structure left in town. Almeria is bordered by Murcia to the northeast, Granada to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the east and south; making Almeria an ideal starting point to explore its coast and the nearby Costa Calida by Almeria motorhome rental, campervan hire or RV rentals.

Looking to rent a campervan or motorhome in Almeria without any fuss or bother? You’re in the right place, right now, so let us guide you through everything you need to know about choosing the perfect campervan, or motorhome, for you, your partner, family, friends or a combination of the above.

Almeria in Spain is a perfect region to explore by campervan or motorhome, its combination of must-see destinations and venues is bolstered by a rich variety of jaw-dropping scenic drives that may even be the best part of your self-drive holiday. At the end of the page, we’ll suggest some places to visit -there will be something for everyone on the list, whatever your age or experience- and we’ll even throw in a few scenic drives in for good measure.

But first, we’ll sort out the most important part of your road trip, the perfect campervan or motorhome. And no, it’s not as complicated as you might think, in fact, if you follow our simple -yet comprehensive- guide, it’s a piece of Roscón de Reyes!

Following on from that, the best places to visit in Almeria (as promised) before finishing off with the section that confuses those new to self-drive vacations as much as it delights the old guard who have been hiring rental vehicles for years. We’ll explain more later…

So, without any further ado, how do your hire the perfect campervan or motorhome?

Top Almeria RV Rental Companies

The short answer is to read on. We know from experience that this is the part that puts most potential self-drive holidaymakers off. You know, all that stuff about insurance (at this stage, you might want to check your current car/household/bank insurance documents as you may already be covered) not to mention all that the technical gubbins that comes along for the ride.

Don’t worry, we’ve handpicked three top-notch campervan/motorhome companies who have been in the business for years, precisely because they have a reputation of being straightforward, reliable and informative.

These rental companies will be on hand to advise you about black/grey water, hook-ups and so on, but before that, you need to understand the difference between a campervan and a motorhome. This will help you to make an informed decision as to what is right for you, taking into account your budget and fellow passengers. We’ll cover that too, but first, the top RV Rental Companies in Almeria.

McRent Spain

McRent are one of the largest vehicle rental agencies in Europe, they have a vast array of campervans and motorhomes on their books and are perfectly positioned to offer the self-drive holidaymaker the exact rental vehicle for their requirements. McRent only uses two exceptional rental brands, Dethleffs, one of the oldest motorhome brands in Europe and Sunlight, already Germany’s top motorhome brand – even though they’re barely ten years old. This makes McRent one of the best places to begin searching for your ideal vacation vehicle, plus the fact McRent offer airport and/or city hotel transfers to their depot in Almeria.

McRent Almeria RV Rental Depot: Par. Ind. El Real, C. el Garcel, F14, 04628 Antas, Almería, Spain

Location: About 51 miles/82 km from Almeria Airport (LEI), or 60 miles/97 km from downtown Almeria

Included with Standard Rate:

• Unlimited kms
• Kitchen/cutlery
• 0-2 years old

Rent Almeria office hours:

• Monday to Friday:
  • Pick Up: 3pm to 5pm
  • Drop off: 9am to 11am
• Saturday:
  • Pick Up: 9am to 2pm
  • Drop Off: 9:30am to 12 noon
• Closed Sunday and Public Holidays

McRent Almeria Rental Vehicles include:

Poptop (Urban Luxury)

McRent’s Urban Luxury Poptop is evidence, if needed, that Poptops have come on a long way in the last sixty-odd years. This modern incarnation comes with a WC and Shower, the kitchen is fully equipped and, in addition to looking really cool, there’s two litres of grunt on tap.

Campervan with Shower/Toilet (Urban Plus)

If power is your thing, McRent’s Urban Plus campervan has 2.3 litres waiting for you, and it’s styled accordingly. Inside there’s a WC, shower and kitchen for all your culinary requirements and it will sleep 2 of you. However, it seats 4, so a couple can kip under stars if necessary.

Motorhome Rental

You can add little extras -such as outdoor tables and chairs- for a small fee in all of McRent’s motorhome options, but there are a host of facilities that automatically come as standard.

An awning, bike rack, gas bottles, reversing camera and that air con in the cab could be lifesaving while negotiating a hot, Spanish scenic drive. McRent has four motorhomes to choose from, catering for as many as 6 of you or as little as 2, carried over two different styles: semi-integrated aka ‘low-profile’ or Overcab aka Cabover or Alcove. We’ll go into more details on both of these soon.

• Low Profile Motorhome: Two to choose from here, both come fully fitted with WC, Shower and a kitchen. The Compact Plus seats 4 and sleeps 2, which suggests it’s great for families with small kids -or adults happy to share alfresco sleeping. The Family Standard, however, seats as many as it sleeps.
• Coachbuilt/Cab Over Motorhome: The Family Plus and Family Luxury, both easily sleep 6, with the latter doing so in a little more style to warrant its moniker. These motorhomes are instantly recognisable, they’re the ones that feature the big bump over the driver’s cab to provide sleeping accommodation for 2, freeing up space below.

Euromotorhome Rental

With a wide range of RV rentals from poptop campers, campervans and motorhomes, Euromotorhome Rental will deliver your vehicle to Almeria airport or your city hotel. All you need to do when renting a self-drive motorhome from them, is to choose the size and model that is perfect for you.

This will appeal to self-drive holidaymakers who want a bespoke rental for their road trip, but only use two respected brands: Rimor and McLouis, both form part of the large Trigano Group from Italy, who oversee almost 25 manufacturers, renowned for their high-quality campervans and motorhomes. There’s a broad selection to choose from here, so decide who is coming with you and work carefully backwards.

Euromotorhome Almeria RV Rental Depot: Serviced non-depot location. Hand over is by arrangement at Almeria Airport or your Almeria accommodation or other location.

Euromotorhome Almeria drop off times:

• April to October
  • Monday to Friday: 10am to 1pm and 4pm to 6:30pm
  • Saturday: 10:30am to 1pm
  • Closed Sunday & Public Holidays
• November to March
  • Monday to Friday: 10am to 1pm and 4pm to 6:30pm
  • Closed Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays

Included with Standard Rate:

• Unlimited kms/mileage
• 24 hour assistance
• 0-9 years old

Euromotorhome Almeria Rental Vehicles include:

Poptop (Group A)

If you’re looking to hit Almeria on a budget, Euromotorhome’s Poptop could be the last thing you read before making a booking. This is all of the fun of campervanning but without the expense. You get a van, a bed and basic cooking facilities, the rest is down to you.

Campervan with Shower/Toilet (Group B)

On the opposite side of the proverbial fence is Euromotorhome’s Campervan.

This is all the fun of campervanning, plus plenty of considered bells and whistles leaving you wanting for nothing. In addition to accommodation, the kitchen is well-equipped and, probably the dealbreaker, it comes with a WC and a Shower.

Motorhome Rental

This section will intrigue vacation fans who know a thing or two about hiring motorhomes/keep an eye on the self-drive zeitgeist.

For those that don’t, Euromotorhome Rental, have flipped the ratio of the new-wave, low-profile motorhome and the old-school cabover options on its head. But why is this significant?

• Low Profile Motorhome (Group P): Euromotorhome only have one low-profile/semi-integrated option. Just to be clear, virtually all the other companies have plenty of these and fewer cabovers. In this respect, it might be worth paying close attention to their choice, because it must have been considered, right down to the last nut and bolt.
• Coachbuilt/Cab Over Motorhome (Group C to I): Euromotorhome Rentals have opted for six cabover-style motorhomes over just one low-profile/semi-integrated option, so there must be a good reason why. And its simplicity itself, more room up top, more space below. The only downside is that that the humble cabover might not look as pretty as its streamlined cousin.

Autocaravan Express

It may not just be a coincidence that Autocaravan Express use only one brand, a name synonymous with motorhomes: Hymer.

AG Hymer is the parent company of Carado, the chosen manufacturer for all of Autocaravan’s fleet. Carado are quite young at fifteen years old, but they’re already one of the most successful motorhome brands in Europe.

Incidentally, Carado are very similar in design to Sunlight, the brand favoured by McRent, so we’re in good hands, plus a reputation that proceeds them. While we’re here, we’ll look at definitions of ‘campervan’ and ‘motorhome’, beginning with a little surprise…

Autocaravan Express Almeria RV Rental Depot: Serviced non-depot location. Pick up and drop off is normally at Almeria Airport. Subject to confirmation we will bring your RV rental to your downtown accommodation, or other city location.

Almeria office hours:

• Monday to Friday: 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 7:30pm
• Saturday: 10:30am to 2pm
• Closed Sunday & Public Holidays all year

Included with Standard Rate:

• Unlimited kms
• 24 hour assistance
• Tourist info/maps
• 3-4 years old

Van (Carado V Series)

Let’s use Autocaravan Express’ Carado Van as an example of what constitutes ‘a campervan’: take an ordinary delivery van, remove the boxes etc., and replace it with, at least, a bed and a cooker. Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed that, ironically, this ‘van’ is actually a low-profile motorhome!

Campervan (Carado CV Series)

Autocaravan Express fleet of four campervans are bonafide ‘campervans’, catering for as little as 1 or 2 of you or, in the case of the CV601, as many as 5 -the latter achieves this with a removable bunk which shores up space in the daytime. Innovative, practical and economical.

Motorhome Rental

Again, let’s use Autocaravan Express’s range of motorhomes as a yardstick for a definition of one. The easiest way of doing this is to go right back to Erwin Hymer’s original invention because the concept is exactly the same today: take a caravan, attach it onto a rolling chassis with an engine and away you go. And Autocaravan Express has over a dozen to choose from.

They all come with a kitchen, WC and shower, so you’ve your work cut out choosing the right one. We suggest you figure out who is coming with you and factoring in personal preferences.

• Low Profile Motorhome (Carado T Series): A low-profile motorhome is the same as the cabover/overcab or alcove below, but without the bump on the top. And that’s really all there is to it. Their range caters for between 2 and 6 of you and all of them come with a WC, Shower and a kitchen.
• Alcove/Cab Over Motorhome (Carado A Series): That bump on the top is extremely handy though, to the degree that cabovers should be seriously considered if there is more than 5 of you. The ‘Confort’ sleeps 6 and there is even room for one extra in the ‘Exclusive’, and they’re not much longer than the low-profile options above.

Top 10 Places to Visit near Almeria

We’ve compiled this list as a guide to the region and it’s designed to appeal to different tastes, so there will be something for everyone here.

With that in mind, choose as many that will be of interest to you and your party of self-drive holidaymakers and try to see as many as you can via a network of scenic drives. We’ve mentioned a few scenic drives below to get you started, with a view to you creating your own.

Do remember, your campervan/motorhome rental is so much more than a means to an end, it’s an experience in itself. Grab it with both hands!

Nerja Caves

The small fishing village of Nerja, east of Málaga and it is as pretty as a picture and, even if you’re not around during the summer for the Festival de las Cuevas de Nerja, the stunning Nerja Caves are well-worth your time with their imposing stalagmites, stalactites and cave paintings.

Marbella

Coastal scenic drive alert! It’s only an hour and a half from Nerja to Marbella, though you’ll wish it was longer. Once arrived, you’ll be needing somewhere to take it all in, and there’s plenty to choose from in this popular, historic town with its flawless climate and picturesque views.

Pueblos Blancos (the White Villages)

On a practical level, the houses at Pueblos Blancos are whitewashed to keep them cool, aesthetically, they’re beautiful, transforming this beautiful hilltop village into a glittering prize to all who visit.

The food and drink in this region are outstanding too, perfectly complimenting the tranquil scenery and surrounding views. To get there, follow the scenic Route of the White Villages.

Las Alpujarras

From hills to mountains, which means a panoramic scenic drive is on the cards, to the degree that getting to and from La Alpujarras may be the highlight of your self-drive holiday.

Note ‘maybe’, this gorgeous region is steeped in history, a consequence of which is its sensational local produce.

Seville

If you’re craving some city action, and no less than three UNESCO Heritage sites in one place -namely, Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias- best point your motorhome rental in the direction of Seville.

With galleries and museums on hand, even the most fastidious culture vulture will be spoilt here.

Cadiz

The oldest city in western Europe, history buffs will be beating a path, or road, to check out the numerous archival delights of Cadiz.

That in itself, especially if you’re time-poor, is no mean feat, so plan this one with care. The rest of the family enjoy the beach.

Cordoba

More historical shenanigans at Cordoba, though this one is decidedly inland. On arrival, park up the motorhome rental and get on it by foot, beginning with the La Mezquita.

This ancient monument to changing beliefs will leave you open-mouthed and it’s a great spot for couples to eat, drink and relax.

Granada

Home to the acclaimed writer, Garcia Lorca. Once you’ve visited the must-visit Alhambra, the kids might appreciate another side to this wonderful city of Granada: The Science Park is great -they won’t even know they’re learning stuff- but the Aquaola water park will blow their little socks off.

El Caminito del Rey

Speaking of kids, under-eights aren’t allowed to visit El Caminito del Rey, but for those that can, it’s well worth the scenic drive there.

This magical place blends the past and the present through its nature, wildlife and relics, with some left from prehistoric times making this a quietly profound destination.

Jerez de la Frontera

Last, and by no means least, Jerez de la Frontera is packed full of cultural/historic treats that’ll keep the curious amused for hours.

For fans of Flamenco -even ones that don’t know they are yet- this is its spiritual home. Park up the motorhome rental and get stuck in. Olé!

Tour the Almeria Coast by Campervan Hire

The coast of Almeria is one of the least crowded areas in Mediterranean Spain; and one of the unspoilt and most beautiful, too. Pitch your Almeria motorhome rental in one of the many ‘playas’ that line its shore, starting from the popular, well-equipped resort, Roquetas de Mar. If stunning rocky headlands and sandy coves are what you are after, head east to Cabo de Gata with your RV rental in Almeria. Enjoy sublime sunsets while enjoying cocktails in nearby ‘chiringuitos’ (seaside restaurants). Then scope out the shore for pink flamingos and other waders that make the salt flats their home.

Perhaps no other stretch of coast defines Costa Almeria than the one in Mojacar; a small town to the north two hours away by Almeria campervan hire. This elevated mountain village has a coast 17 kilometers long enjoying 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.

Drive from Catalonia to Valencia

From Almeria, you can choose whether to go up the coast to Barcelona, passing through Murcia and Alicante, or go down via Granada and Malaga to reach Cadiz, the oldest inhabited city in the West, on Spain’s southernmost tip.

The northern coast offers a selection of wine and castle trails, the deserted beaches of Costa Calida, pockets of resorts in Alicante’s Costa Blanca, Valencian cuisine like ‘paella,’ and Catalan culture and arts in Barcelona. The Jumilla wine route in Murcia proves to be the most popular, along with a sampling of Murcia’s fruits and vegetables cultivated using Muslim-planned irrigation systems. If time permits, the Catalonian capital of Barcelona is eight hours up the coast by Almeria motorhome rental.

Southern Andalusia by Motorhome

A shorter coastal route would be a drive in your campervan rental in Almeria down to Cadiz via Granada’s Costa Tropical and Malaga’s Costa del Sol. This trip presents an opportunity to sneak into Granada’s majestic Alhambra Palace; with perhaps a quick jaunt to the snowcapped Sierra Nevada. Then it’s on to Malaga’s 11th century Gibralfaro Castle and Museo Picasso; followed by a bit of partying in Costa del Sol’s upscale beach resorts.

For a deeper peak into southern Spain’s history, Phoenician-founded Cadiz provides an apt introduction. The world capital of Sherry and the cradle of flamenco, Jerez de la Frontera, is a mere 30-minute drive inland. Sevilla, the capital of Andalusia and home to the largest cathedral in the world, is another hour north by campervan hire or RV rentals. Going south across the Strait of Gibraltar, which is the narrowest point between Africa and Europe, rewards the intrepid traveler with the exotic sights and smells of Morocco.

Best RV Campgrounds & Campsites in Almeria

Just because you’ve hired a campervan/motorhome with a WC, Shower, kitchen and bunch of space, don’t think that somehow makes you exempt from campgrounds and campsites.

For a start, you can’t just park up where you please and begin preparing a warming pot of Paella, and even when there is an opportunity for a spot of off-site camping, at some point you’ll need to re-charge batteries and water supplies and safely dispose of the black water.

The following are the best campground and campsites in Almeria, again, designed to appeal to a cross-section of ages and interests, so choose judiciously.

Camping La Garrofa

N-340a, Km. 435, 04002 Almería, Spain

Close to the beach with superb views, Camping La Garrofa is ideal for you and your campervan/motorhome, especially if you just want to tuck yourselves away and get on with it.

There are nearby activities on offer -yoga, scuba diving, climbing- but you’ll need to plan these separately.

Camping Roquetas

Cam. de los Parrales, 90, 04740 Roquetas de Mar, Almería, Spain

Camping Roquetas has a pool, restaurant and bar, so straight away we’re looking at a campsite that’s much more socially orientated.

It’s a broad spread too, here couples can enjoy the facilities (there is a playground for kids) and it’s a stone’s throw from the palm tree-lined beach.

Camping Almócita

Paraje los Majuelos, 04458 Almócita, Almería, Spain

Close to the town, yet far enough away from it all, Camping Almócita is more of a retreat than a place to park up the campervan or motorhome for the night.

Lying between the Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Gador, romantic couples are going to love watching the spectacular sunrise.

Camping Mar Azul Balerma

Carr. de Guardias Viejas, s/n, 04712 Balerma, Almería, Spain

One for the practical/experienced self-drive holidaymaker. Camping Mar Azul Balerma is a no-nonsense site offering drinking water, grey water drainage and 16 Amp/220V hook-ups for your motorhome rental.

There’s free WiFi, an on-site eatery, even a masseur, but that’s about it in terms of entertainment. Go-figure re. small children.

Camping Los Escullos Cabo de Gata

Paraje Los Escullos, s/n, 04118, Almería, Spain

Camping Los Escullos Cabo de Gata is as much a place to stay overnight as it is as an ideal location for physical exercise – gym, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, even a five-a-side pitch. For the less exuberant there is a pool and they’ll be grateful of the restaurant too.