Best New & Used Campervans to Buy in 2026

Buying a campervan or motorhome can be one of the most fulfilling ways to get on the road—but only if you know which models are truly built to last. With so many layouts, base vehicles, and conversions on the market, it’s not always obvious what works well in real-world travel and what looks good only on paper.

That’s where experience matters. At Siesta Campers, we're been building, renting, restoring, and selling campers across Portugal and Spain since 1996. Over nearly three decades, we’ve seen firsthand how different vans perform over time—what holds up after thousands of kilometres, what renters love, and which design choices cause issues down the road.

In this guide, we share our expert breakdown of the best new & used campervans to buy in 2026. Not every model on this list is a Siesta Campers van, but every recommendation is based on years of hands-on experience running a large, high-usage campervan fleet.

How to Choose the Right Camper

Before buying a camper, the most important decision is how you’ll use it:

• Short trips (1–2 weeks): If you want a discreet, easy-to-drive camper for weekend breaks or short holidays, compact vans like the VW California or our Siesta Atlantic are ideal.
• Extended travel or full-time living: If you’re planning longer trips and don’t want the daily hassle of converting seats into beds, larger motorhomes like our Siesta Pacific or the VW Grand California are a far better choice.

We often see customers start with smaller vans and then return to trade up after discovering how much they love van life and want to explore Europe for longer.

Two Great Options to Consider

If you’re interested in one of our vans, you can:

• Opt for campervan hire in Portugal or Spain to see if the van is a good match for your needs before you invest.
• You can also browse our current campervans and motorhomes for Sale in Portugal

Our vehicles are professionally built, carefully maintained, and regularly renewed from our rental fleet—so you know exactly how they’ve been used and looked after. Whether you’re planning long-term travel, seasonal van life, or weekend escapes, buying directly from an experienced campervan operator can give you added peace of mind.

6 Best New & Used Campervans to Buy in 2026

1. VW California – Best Pop Up Camper

You’ve probably heard the hype around the VW California—and for good reason. It’s not just a van; it’s a cultural icon that has defined campervan travel for decades.

The story began in 1951, when Volkswagen built the chassis and Westfalia handled the camper conversions, starting with the legendary Split Screen T1 “Camper Box”. That partnership lasted over 50 years, shaping generations of campervan enthusiasts. In 2005, when Chrysler acquired Westfalia, VW took camper production fully in-house, creating a fully integrated vehicle that merges Volkswagen’s engineering with smart camper functionality.

Today’s VW Californias are modern, fully integrated campervans, with all systems connected to the vehicle’s ECU. That means every feature is seamlessly managed, giving you convenience and reliability on the road:

• Sleek digital control panels for lights, heating, and appliances
• Water and battery level monitoring for stress-free planning
• Electric pop-top roof for quick setup and added headroom
• Climate control, heating, and lighting management for year-round comfort

The interior is cleverly designed for everyday usability: chairs store neatly in the rear door, a table hides in the sliding door, and the roof pops up at the push of a button. It’s no wonder these vans retain their value—they’re beautifully engineered to last.

Another key advantage? Volkswagen service is available across Europe, making maintenance and repairs straightforward wherever your travels take you.

2. VW Grand California – Best Camper for Full-Time Living

The VW Grand California takes everything people love about the iconic VW California and scales it up into a true, fully self-contained motorhome. Built on the VW Crafter platform, it offers significantly more interior space, better insulation, and far greater comfort for extended travel—without sacrificing Volkswagen’s renowned build quality and reliability.

At 6 metres long and 3.29 metres high, the Grand California provides generous headroom, proper sleeping areas, and a dedicated bathroom space, making it far better suited to long trips or full-time van life than smaller pop-top campers. The fully integrated digital camper control system allows you to manage heating, water levels, battery status, lighting, and climate settings from a central touchscreen, giving you complete control over your living environment at all times.

The interior is modern, bright, and thoughtfully designed, with durable materials, excellent insulation, and clever storage solutions throughout—everything you need for comfortable day-to-day living on the road.

Our VW Grand California includes:

• A comfortable rear transverse bed that doesn’t require daily conversion
• A pull-down bed over the cab, ideal for guests or families
• Truma gas and electric-powered heating and hot water, allowing year-round travel in a wide range of climates

With its balance of space, comfort, and driving ease, the VW Grand California is an excellent choice for travellers who want genuine motorhome comfort combined with the confidence of Volkswagen engineering and Europe-wide service support.

3. Siesta Pacific – Built on the Legendary MAN TGE

The Siesta Pacific is built on the MAN TGE, a van from a manufacturer with over 100 years of commercial vehicle heritage. MAN is renowned for:

• Exceptional reliability
• Robust engine and gearbox design
• Class-leading commercial vehicle support across Europe

In our experience, the MAN platform outperforms Fiat, Ford, and Citroën for motorhome use, offering superior durability and a smoother, more confident drive. It’s also a pleasure behind the wheel, with smart driver-assist features such as lane assist and cruise control to make long journeys safer and more comfortable.

We designed the Siesta Pacific from the ground up, using only premium components to create a true home-on-wheels:

• Truma gas and electric-powered hot water and heating for year-round comfort
• Full digital Simarine monitoring system for easy management of water, batteries, and energy
• Push-button automated grey water emptying for hassle-free maintenance
• Hand-crafted, lightweight German furniture combining durability and elegance
• Two leisure batteries with a 150W solar panel for off-grid power
• 300W onboard inverter and USB charging points throughout
• Soft, ambient, fully controllable lighting for a warm, cosy interior

We’ve even fitted a huge roof bed measuring 2m x 1.30m, exceptionally large for a campervan, giving you extra sleeping space without sacrificing living comfort.

The Siesta Pacific is more than a campervan—it’s a fully equipped, reliable home-on-wheels, ideal for travellers planning extended European adventures or long-term van life.

4. Bürstner Lineo – Premium German Comfort on a Ford Platform

The Bürstner Lineo, part of the renowned Erwin Hymer Group, is known for blending precise German engineering with a warm, inviting interior atmosphere. Bürstner refers to this philosophy as “Wohnfühlen”—a focus on comfort, liveability, and making the camper feel like a true home rather than just a vehicle.

Built on the heavy-duty Ford Transit chassis, the Lineo is designed to handle long journeys with ease while remaining comfortable and stable on the road. Inside, the layout is intelligently planned to maximise usable space, resulting in a bright, airy living area with excellent headroom and storage throughout.

Key strengths of the Bürstner Lineo include:

• Excellent storage solutions, thoughtfully integrated for longer trips
• High build quality with durable materials designed for everyday use
• A comfortable, open interior that feels larger than its footprint suggests
• A strong European dealer and service network, including coverage in Portugal and Spain

Despite its motorhome-level comfort, the Lineo is very approachable to drive. Modern driver-assistance and connectivity features make daily driving and city navigation simple and stress-free:

• Lane assist for improved motorway safety
• Park assist to make tight spaces and campsites easier to manage
• Apple CarPlay for navigation, calls, and entertainment

Slightly more compact than larger models like the MAN-based campers or the VW Grand California, the Bürstner Lineo strikes an excellent balance. It’s easy to manoeuvre and park in towns and cities, yet still delivers the comfort, storage, and refinement you’d expect from a much larger camper—making it an ideal choice for travellers who want versatility without compromise.

5. Siesta Atlantic – Our Best Rated Camper!

We’ve been building campervans on the VW Transporter platform since 2015, testing and refining every component.

For the Siesta Atlantic, we use:

• TÜV-certified German seats, beds and roofs
• VW and MAN approved type-certified builds
• Real wood furniture for a warmer, cosier living space
  

Compared to the VW California, the Atlantic offers:

• A more tactile, homely interior
• Larger water tanks
• Higher-quality water pumps
• A powerful outdoor shower
• 100W solar panel to support the fridge
• Practical roof rack

It’s ideal for travellers who want a compact van without compromising on quality or comfort.

6. HYMER Grand Canyon S – Best Off-Road Camper

The HYMER Grand Canyon S is widely regarded as one of the most capable and luxurious off-road campervans on the market. Designed for travellers who want to explore beyond paved roads, it combines rugged 4x4 performance with Hymer’s signature German engineering, innovation, and premium craftsmanship.

Hymer has a long-standing reputation for building motorhomes that excel in both comfort and durability. The Grand Canyon S takes this expertise to the next level, offering a vehicle that’s ready for serious adventure: high ground clearance, reinforced chassis components, and robust suspension ensure it can handle challenging terrain, from mountain passes to remote dirt tracks.

In Portugal, this campervan is exceptionally rare due to the high ISV taxes on 4x4 vehicles, with prices reaching around €145,000. That exclusivity adds to its appeal: the Grand Canyon S isn’t a casual weekend van—it’s a serious expedition vehicle and a status symbol for discerning travellers.

Inside, you’ll find a refined, functional living space designed for off-grid comfort. Every detail is engineered for reliability and convenience, whether you’re camping in remote wilderness areas or embarking on extended overland journeys, including demanding routes into Morocco or other parts of North Africa.

The HYMER Grand Canyon S is perfect for those who want freedom without compromise: a campervan capable of taking you anywhere, equipped to handle the toughest conditions, and built to deliver both adventure and luxury. It’s more than a vehicle—it’s a mobile home for explorers who demand the best.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re dreaming of weekend escapes, long-term touring, or off-road adventures, there’s a perfect camper waiting for you at Siesta Campers. We renew our fleet every two years, meaning you can buy a modern, well-maintained camper with a full service history and expert preparation. If you’re ready to find your perfect camper for 2026, Siesta Campers is ready to help you hit the road.

Explore our current campervans and motorhomes for sale in Portugal.