Here’s a quick review in pictures of Camping Las Cañadas in Baños de Montemayor, Cáceres, in the town known for hot springs and Roman-built baths, and the first camping days of our second family camping road trip one cool summer. If you need more info, text follows at the end of the pictures below. Enjoy! But this is still a work in progress (we got kids, you know? ; )
NOTE: In case you’re wondering. . . NO, we have not received any form of compensation or freebies or anything at all for reviewing or mentioning this or any others on our blog. We do it for the fun of it and it is helpful to you and others.
What we like about this campground?
SOLITUDE–in a word that was what we liked about Camping Las Cañadas, in the province of Cáceres in Extremadura region of Spain. Lots of lush trees and greenery surround the camping site and in between pitches that likely absorb the noise level. And there’s empty fields with farm animals around the camping ground. It’s like camping in near-silence even though it was almost full at the time of our visit.
What we don’t like about this camping site?
What about what we did not like about Camping El Astral? If there is one thing that we need to put into this category, it’s the dirt pitch. Why, because it was dusty. And when it rains, that dust and dirt turns into something else. BUT (and a bug BUTt at that) we understand that it is common to have dirt or ground pitches in Spain, and that it’s difficult to maintain grassy pitches in dry lands.
PRICE
A bit higher priced at €40.10 euros (including tax) for a family of 4 (2 kids–1 under 5), 3-person tent with electricity at the beginning of the high summer season (first week of July).
Breakdown: €25.00 per night for a pitch that is big enough for a 3-person tent, 2 people, a car, a table and cooking ware, and then some more! €5.30 for each additional child between 3 and 12 years old.
PLAY area
Playgrounds are always a nice family friendly addition that our children appreciates . . . what child wouldn’t?!? But we didn’t see one during our visit. There’s a rock-climbing and a ziupline structure for older kids nearby.
Two clean and sufficiently big pools (one, small for children) with manicured lawns for sunbathers. Made even bigger when there’s hardly any other campers/visitors.
There’s also plenty of space to run around or be isolated.
PITCH
How’s the pitch? You know you’re in Spain when the pitches are straight up dirt/ground; grassy pitches are a luxury here in Spain. We had a bit tougher time sinking our tent pegs here, but we did not break the pegs.
Plenty of pitches available at this camping site when we arrived in the first week of July, even without prior reservation.
The campground also offers cabins and there is ample space for caravans too.
SHADE
Plenty of shade here from matured trees and lush bushes, all over the camping site and in between pitches. This is especially helpful when camping in the summer. You’re in Spain after all!
Privacy hedges
Yup, from all three sides and lots of it from full, well-maintained bushes that contributes also to reducing noise levels.
ACCESSibility
You would be able to easily see the entrance to this camping site from the main road. There were flags on poles that make it easier to spot.
Once you pull into the entrance, there are several unmarked parking spaces with easy maneuverability. The reception would be right in front of you. There’s a gate to access the actual camping grounds.
SANITARY FACILITIES
Old bathroom/WC facilities but sufficiently clean. It’s a little bit tight in this enclosed space. We did NOT see a FAMILY WC/bathroom–which is a unique feature at some camping sites.
Plenty of hot showers and NO problem with water drainage.
Covered outdoor dishes and clothes washing area are clean and with plenty of light and hot water. A little tight in between washing spaces.
DINE or DRINKS
There’s a reception and bar/restaurant with outdoor seating area. Not a lot of greenery surrounding the bar area but plenty of shade from umbrellas or awnings! You might NOT like shade, but it could be a life-saver in the summer. YOU’RE in SPAIN after all!
WI-FI
Not sure.
others
Laundry and dryer machines are some additional amenities, for additional pay of course.
We did not see any fridge, freezer or microwave or a kitchen. It is not all that usual for camping sites to have these extra benefits. Maybe we just missed it because the place was big. If it did have it, it was NOT obvious, and we did NOT ask.
TIPs for Camping Las Cañadas
To be able to use the swimming pools, make sure to bring swimming caps/headgear (you know, those little things you put over your head to make sure your hair does NOT get into the pool, and if you have it on too tight, your eyes start to squint like a drunken runaway monkey. . .) Yup, you need it here.
In fact, it would do you good to bring them with you when camping in Spain (maybe even France too) to save you money, just in case the camping site that you ended up in has a pool. They can be a stickler about. But, hey, it’s the law, apparently.
what to do near CAMPING El Astral
So, what to see or do nearby?
- Baños de Montemayor–a small town known for hot springs and Roman-built baths with a great shaded playground. It’s about 4.5 km (5 minutes) drive away. There’s also a small “embalse” or reservoir next to it. [to be added: pictures of town and playground and food].
- Ski Sierra Bejar Covatilla–a snowplay area about 38 kilometrs (36-minute drive) away.
- Hiking and outdoorsy stuff
Next Stop
Onwards, northwards. . . to Los Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe) in the mountains of Cantabria, north of Spain. They say, these were the first sign of Europe that people travelling in ships from America would see.
Last Stop
On the road again… Second Family Camping Road Trip, Monastery of Tentudia, Extremadura, Spain (Day 1)
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