Here’s a quick review in pictures of Camping Pico Verde near Leon in the north of Spain during 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?
Dedicated CLOTHES LINE for hanging laundry–that’s what we liked about Camping Pico Verde near Leon, in northern Spain.
It seems like a trivial thing but this unique feature of this camping site makes it more convenient to wash and hang clothes. We do have a clothes line/wire to use, just in case we need it.
There’s also paved road throughout the campground which means it’s cleaner and less dust to go around.
It was also quite QUIET. We woke up to birds singing.
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. . . gnats–you know, those pesky little insects that don’t necessarily bite but are annoying!?! They were everywhere. . . in the pool, at the playground. . . everywhere, when the heat rises. Better overnight when temp is cool and without insects.
PRICE
How much per night? €35.81 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 per night: €4.91 for tent, €4.91 for car, €4.91 for each adult, €4.68 for each child between 3 and 12 years old. €3.55 for electricity.
PLAY area & Swimming Pool
Playgrounds are always a nice family friendly addition that our children appreciates . . . what child wouldn’t?!? There’s a small one here for young children up to 6 years old. It has one climbing sturcture with a slide, 2 swings and what looks like an old-skool waterpark, but it was closed when we were there.
One decent-sized pool (none separate for smaller children) with wire-fence enclosure and with manicured lawns outside the wire fence for sunbathers.
Pool was deep not for young children. Need to wear swim with a hair/head cover a “gorro”. You can buy it from the reception/bar for 1.80 euros and it was not advertised on the web. Helper argued that it is Spanish law and did not back down when we said we live in Spain and this was the first time we encountered it.
PITCH
How’s the pitch? This place is huge. There’s 750 places in this camping ground; many have grassy pitches which are a luxury here in Spain. No problem sinking tent pegs here.
Well manicured lawns and privacy bushes. Half without bushes.
SHADE
Sufficient shade 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 well-maintained bushes about 1 meter high.
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 and a sign with the name of the camping ground.
Once you pull into the entrance, there are several unmarked parking spaces with easy maneuverability. The reception would be right in front of you and a bar/restaurant on the left.
SANITARY FACILITIES
Somewhat clean but old toilet/bathroom/WC facilities.
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.
NO problem with hot showers and water drainage.
Covered outdoor dishes and clothes washing area in the back (with a few spaces) are clean and with plenty of light and hot water.
There’s a dedicated space for hanging clothes–this is a unique feature of this camping site.
DINE or DRINKS
The bar/restaurant with outdoor seating area next to the playground and parking area.
There’s TV and a table football. There’s also a separate indoor dining area.
Not a lot of greenery surrounding the bar area but plenty of shade from the metal awning! You might NOT like shade, but it could be a life-saver in the summer. YOU’RE in SPAIN after all!
Estrella Galicia beer costs 1.50 estrella. Food prices at about 1 euro below average.
WI-FI
Not sure. It didn’t really work for us.
others
Laundry and dryer machines are some additional amenities, for additional pay of course.
We did not see 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?
- Valencia de Don Juan–the camping site is just across the river from this small town with an impressive medieval castle (Castillo de Coyanza Valencia de Don Juan) with a play area and walking paths.
- Leon–is about less than 30 minutes (40 kilometers) away..
NOTES: Tues, 7.2. camping Pico Verde; arrived 36,122; trip A 487; 1130-1430: in town 1430- 1730 drive via Salamanca
Next Stop
Onwards, northwards. . . to Los Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe) in the mountains of Cantabria, north of Spain. They say, these mountain peaks were the first sign of Europe that people travelling on ships from America would see.
Last Stop
Review in pictures of Camping Las Cañadas in Cáceres, in the town known for hot springs and Roman-built baths–Baños de Montemayor.
On the road again… Second Family Camping Road Trip, Monastery of Tentudia, Extremadura, Spain (Day 1)
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