Surf, Sleep, Repeat: How I turned a tiny Fiat Panda into my dream van

For over two decades, Eva Baumgartl has balanced the call of far-off places with the quiet pull of home. From London to Barcelona, California to Chiemgau, each place left its mark. A core Roamer for sure, Eva caught our attention in an issue of Waves & Woods magazine where she detailed her slow travels in a Fiat Panda van… her uniquely homemade home on wheels.

Here we talk shop about the infamous Pandavan and the places it's taken Eva as she follows the call of the surf.

After weeks of searching for a mid-sized van and finding nothing but frustration, I roll out my yoga mat in the living room. While stretching, I catch myself thinking: how on earth will I ever find a nice old-school van to go surfing with? It would probably be better if I build it myself. But even then, I’d still need to find a van in good condition.

Then another thought hits me: what if I do exactly that, with the car I already have? Turn my little Fiat Panda into the tiniest van out there? I laugh quietly - but then: Wait - this might actually work! The very next day, I get started. Five weeks later, I am on the road to Portugal in my 'PandaVan'.

In a cold February, after lots of measuring, tinkering, and helping hands, probably the smallest van in the world comes to life - in just under five weeks.

To turn my little Panda into a camper, I take almost everything out, including the back seat and the passenger seat. That gives me space - just enough to stretch out at night. I sketch first ideas, build rough prototypes from cardboard, and test the setup with an old mattress. While traveling, most people don’t believe me that I sleep inside - but with 80 x 200 cm, it’s surprisingly comfy.

The most time-consuming part is planning and customizing every centimeter. Lucky me, I even find a rare Panda extension - and it’s still in decent condition. I sand it, paint it, mount it - and suddenly I have a bit more room. In the end, after all the organisation, four days remain to build the actual wooden interior. It’s very minimalist, clever, and built with love: a wooden interior that uses every bit of space for storage, a cozy mattress, a small kitchen with running water and a fridge (!), and a second battery for charging my gear. Everything else goes on the roof: wetsuits, surf gear, clothes for all seasons - and of course two boards.

With some helping hands, I finish the build just in time to leave for Portugal.

The journey starts in the cold. I cross Switzerland, Italy, France, and Spain, and after one week, I arrive in sunny Portugal at the end of March.

In Sagres, I dive into the surf scene: cafés, restaurants, friendly faces, and fun waves. My van becomes a true attraction. At just 1.60m height - even with boards - I pass under nearly every parking barrier and handle narrow streets with ease.

Besides Sagres, I also explore the west coast up north. After a couple of weeks, I take a little break from vanlife and join a longboard surf camp in Alentejo, with a third rental board on the roof. So another 10cm of height... 

After a total of six weeks, I slowly make my way north to Peniche. I enjoy the last bit of that Portuguese surf vibe there before heading safely back home to Bavaria.

The second trip leads me to Brittany - to surf and celebrate my 40th birthday on the waves. But Finistère, the so-called “end of the world,” greets me with storms, strong winds, and a surf forecast that’s anything but friendly.

After three days of driving, including a short stop in Fontainebleau for some lovely boulders, I arrive at the coast, and it rains. And it rains... So I check into a cozy guesthouse - because this tiny van gives me what I love most: flexibility. I stay until the weather clears, enjoy hot showers, a real bed, the company of other travelers - and of course, lovely French breakfasts.

The landscape here feels raw and ancient: grassy hills, dramatic cliffs, old stone houses. The weather changes within seconds, from wild to sunny. Autumn in Brittany is rough, but beautiful. The reward? Empty line-ups, waves shared with just a few other surfers - pure gold.

Even though I travel from spot to spot alone and it’s already off-season, I meet other like-minded surfers in parking lots. Even on my birthday, I start the day in nice company, with croissants and perfect waves - a celebration I won’t forget. Another thing I remember is the local food gems: my absolute favorite - galettes! These hearty crêpes filled with ham, cheese, eggs, or fresh greens are super delicious, especially after surfing.

Brittany was for sure not the sunniest trip, but it’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you like French cuisine & uncrowded waves.

1. Prioritize the bed
As you eat, sleep, read, cook, and work on the bed in a tiny van, plan enough space for the mattress, and also in terms of its height (I even chose a thinner mattress so I can sit upright comfortably, and it worked out really well!).

2. Keep It simple
Space is limited, so make use of every centimeter. While travelling, I even started noting things I’m missing or need to be optimized/changed/moved. I upgraded them once back at home, so everything is ready for the next trip. That’s how, for example, I came up with a sliding kitchen extension for some outdoor cooking.

3. Stay flexible
A tiny van works best in good weather. A rainy day? Fine. A rainy week? Maybe look for a guesthouse. A small van saves money compared to bigger vans, but if it gets too cold or rainy, I always stay open to other options.

This tiny van conversion and trips showed me once again that vanlife doesn’t need much money or space. A car, a bit of curiosity, and the willingness to adjust plans create adventures to remember. The simplicity of vanlife opens up my senses to nature and people around me, and the small luxuries in life - the sound of the waves while sleeping, a shared coffee in the morning, or a hot shower after surfing in the cold water.

I love traveling – as much as I love coming home. These opposites have been a part of me for 20 years. London, Barcelona, California – I’ve lived, studied, and worked there, yet I’ve always enjoyed returning to Munich. Ten years ago, I moved to the Chiemgau region, 70 km away, out of love for the mountains. My fascination with the sea and life abroad remained, and led to many van and surf trips. I often combine travel with my work as a freelancer – even in the PandaVan. Because in a van, I feel at home and can live both the joy of traveling and the sense of being at home.

eva-baumgartl.de 

@eva.anna_photography