3 beautiful road trips in Spain

Fancy a road trip through Spain in a colourful campervan? When cruising around Spain you can expect to see diverse landscapes, be welcomed by a warm culture and delicious cuisine. You will experience ‘joie de vivre’ as you visit different locations with your home on wheels!

On your adventure, you might find yourself journeying to the bustling cities and vineyards in the north or to the popular beach bars and the birthplace of Flamenco down south. What’s great is, you can visit Spain all year round as they have rather enjoyable mild winters. Here are some roadsurfer recommended routes and insider tips for your road trip in Spain.

Author: Annika Ziehen

Photo: comewithus2

Hire a Camper in Spain   Find a camping spot in Spain

Day 1 – Torla-Ordesa

• Hiking in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is a reason to perhaps spend an extra night or two in Torla-Ordesa. Europe’s highest limestone mountain range meets breath taking gorges and cliffs. 

• The bus takes you to the high valley of Valle de Ordesa. From here you can hike to the Circo de Soaso, providing a spectacular view of the Río Arazas gorge. 
• If you’re lucky, you’ll see local brown bears and vultures along the way. 

→Find a camping spot in Torla-Ordesa

Day 2 – Ansó

• Have a stroll through the beautiful village and admire the plaza and town hall, incredibly, it is not yet overrun with tourists. 
• Hike in the Los Valles Occidentales Nature Park. If you fancy a winter holiday in Spain with your campervan this is a great place to go cross-country skiing. 
• The mountain lake Ibón de Acherito is a worthwhile excursion and can be reached in just over 3 hours from campsite Selva de Oza. 

→Discover unique spots in Ansó

Day 3 – Pamplona

• On the way to Pamplona, make a pit stop at the Yesa reservoir, well-known as the Pyrenean Sea. There is also a beautiful 17th century monastery to visit. 
• Fancy a coffee or a cuppa? Check out Café Iruña in Pamplona. Hemingway not only frequented this café but mentions it in many novels, snap a selfie with a bronze statue commemorating the famous author.  

• Art lovers mussn’t miss out on the Museum of the University of Navarre, here you can admire greats such as Picasso and Kandinsky. 

→Wonderful campsites and pitches in Pamplona

Day 4 – Bilbao

• No visit to Bilbao is complete without a visit to the Guggenheim Museum! Even from the outside, the building designed by Frank Gehry is a brilliant work of art.
• If you want to feast properly, Bilbao is the place to be. It is known to be the area with the most Michelin stars in the world.
• Additionally, you can fill up your cool box at the Mercado de la Ribera, the largest covered market hall in all of Europe.

→Find a camping spot in Bilbao

Day 5 – Santander

• Feast on traditional dishes such as rabas, naganos and, of course, fresh fish in the fishermen’s quarter. 
• Don’t forget to lather on the sunscreen and then head straight to the gorgeous beaches surrounding Santander.  
• The Cantabrian Maritime Museum and the Maritime Museum of the Cantabrian Sea provide a unique visit. 

→Charming spots in Santander

Day 6 – Gijón

• Up high on the hill of Santa Catalina you’ll have a proper view of the city and the coast. You can also visit the huge work of art called Elogio del Horizonte. 

• At the Parador Hotel you can admire a 100-year-old mill and try the famous Fabada bean stew. 
• If hiking is on the agenda, then head to the Picos de Europa National Park, it boasts mountain lakes, forests and pretty villages. 

→The best camping spots in Gijón

Day 7 – A Coruña

• The first thing you should do is visit the city’s landmark the Hercules Tower. It was built under Emperor Trajan and is still a working lighthouse! 
• The Domus Museum is an interactive and fascinating tribute to man and ‘knowing thyself’. 
• Follow in the footsteps of Picasso on the eponymous path through the city. Along the way you will visit his house and many other important places of his time in A Coruña. 

→Discover cool spots in A Coruña

Day 8 – Santiago de Compostela

• Your campervan journey to northern Spain ends in Santiago de Compostela, best known as the final destination of the Camino de Santiago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
• Continue your trip by visiting the famous cathedral, where the alleged remains of the Apostle James lie. 

• In the ‘Mercado de Abastos’market you can buy traditional food and fill your belly with delicious tapas. 

→Our favourite spots in Santiago de Compostela

Day 1 – Seville

• Climb the bell tower El Giraldillo. From the top you have a lovely view of the city and can admire Seville as a whole for the first time.
• For more wonderful views, visit the so-called Seville mushrooms, a wooden structure designed by the German architect Mayer. There is a restaurant at the top- perfect for a romantic sunset.
• Follow in the footsteps of ancient Romans in Itálica. This archaeological site is home to one of the largest amphitheatres from the Roman Empire.

→Find a camping spot in Seville

Day 2 – Cádiz

• Don’t leave your camera behind when visiting Doñana National Park, it is beautiful and home to many colourful flamingos. 
• Go swimming in the middle of the old town at Playa de la Caleta – the best place is the Balneario de la Palma y del Real bathhouse. 
• For an afternoon drink, take a detour to Jerez de la Frontera, where the famous sherry comes from. 

→Our favourite spots in Cádiz

Day 3 – Los Alcornocales Nature Park

On the way to Marbella, you can make a detour for an overnight stay in Los Alcornocales Nature Park. The cork oak forest has a unique vegetation and is also a paradise for many animals such as deer, wild cats and griffon vultures. 
→Beautiful campsites and pitches in the Los Alcornocales Nature Park

Day 4 – Marbella

• Fancy 18 holes on your holiday? Marbella is one of Spain’s hotspots for golf lovers. Pack your bag and play your way around the beautiful courses by the sea. 

• The Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park is one of the most beautiful in Andalusia and has notably deep caves and impressive karst formations. 
• In the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Art in Hospital Bazán, you can admire works by Dalí, Picasso and Miró. 

→Camping spots in Marbella

Day 5 – Malaga

• Malaga even has its own Picasso Museum, including the house where the great artist was born.
• In the Centre Pompidou Málaga you can admire other works by the great artists. Among them are pictures by Magritte, Frida Khalo and Spek. The building itself, called El Cubo, is worth seeing alone!
• In El Soho the focus shifts to art and culture in public spaces, most visitors are attracted to the graffiti on the walls and hand crafts in the shops.

→Discover your dream camping spot in Malaga

Day 6 – Granada

• Visit the world-famous Alhambra, a replica of paradise on earth and is considered the centre of the Islamic West. 

• Numerous suspension bridges and great hikes await you in Sierra Nevada National Park. Don’t forget your swimsuit, so you can cool off in the river between hikes. 
• In Granada swap the sangria for Tinto de Verano – red wine with soda and lemon, perfect for a sunset in the roadsurfer! 

→Wonderful campsites and pitches in Granada

Day 7 – Córdoba

• Learn all about the famous Andalusian horses at a dressage show in the Royal Stables. 
• Marvel at the beautiful Medina Azahara, the caliphal city of Caliph Abd ar-Rahman III. 
• End your trip properly with tapas in the old town. Cold tomato or almond cream soup, Ibérico ham and “Flamenquín” are favourites on the menu in Córdoba. 

→Our favourite camping spots in Córdoba

Day 8 – Seville

Back in Seville, you should definitely visit a flamenco bar called a Tablao, this is what the city is particularly famous for. If you come in September, there is even a famous Flamenco festival! Afterwards, set off on your Spanish road trip!

Day 1 – Barcelona

• No visit to Barcelona would be complete without visiting Gaudí’s unfinished yet remarkable Sagrada Familia. 
• Park Güell is also a must, blending art and landscape architecture in a truly unique way. 

• What’s Barcelona without food? Whether innovative tapas, traditional dishes or international haute cuisine, Barcelona is a city of culinary delights. 

→Beautiful spots in Barcelona

Day 2 – Castellón de la Plana

If the distance from Barcelona to Valencia is too far, make a stopover in Castellón de la Plana. Orange trees, a promenade right by the sea and a beautiful old town make it well worth a visit. 
→Find a camping spot in Castellón de la Plana

Day 3 – Valencia

• The Mercado Central market has been wining and dining cutomers for over 100 years – the best place in Valencia to fill up your cool box.
• If you don’t want to cook for yourself, you should definitely enjoy a paella on the beach in Valencia!
• One could take several days to visit the City of Arts and Sciences. It is considered the largest scientific and cultural complex in Europe. Visiting the gardens, museums, operas and urban landscapes in winter guarantees smaller crowds.

→Discover your dream overnight stay in Valencia

Day 4 – Jávea

• With 20 kilometres of sandy beaches on the Costa Blanca, there’s a seaside spot for everyone! You can enjoy water sports or sunbathe in secluded coves. 
• Stroll through the pretty old town of Jávea, originally built as a defence against pirate raids. 

• Hike in the Montgó Nature Park and get to know the local wildlife. This is a lovely place for birdwatchers in particular, as there are eagle owls, hawks and various species of seagulls. 

→Cool spots in Jávea

Day 5 – Alicante

• A visit to the MARQ – Museo Arqueológico Provincial is worthwhile for anyone interested in archaeology and learning more about the area’s turbulent history. 
• Eating rice is an activity in its own right in Alicante, as the city is famous for its various rice dishes. They come in all colours and flavours and invite you right in. 
• Count the more than 200,000 palm trees in the palm grove in Elche, it is so special that it has been declared a World Heritage Site. 

→Camping spots in Alicante

Day 6 – Murcia

• Water sports are very popular in Murcia and you can even go wreck diving off the coast. 
• At the Archaeological Museum you can learn about the Iberian traditions and art of the region. There’s plenty to see from the Stone Age. 
• Architecture fans should not miss Murcia Cathedral, which has beautiful Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic elements and was built on a Moorish mosque. 

→Beautiful spots in Murcia

Day 7 – Cartagena

• The old Roman theatre is considered one of the most important in the country, visit and you’ll discover remains and old antique artefacts.
• The National Museum of Underwater Archaeology is particularly exciting! It offers a collection of tusks and all kinds of maritime artefacts are on display.
• Take a trip to Manga del Mar Menor to roll around in the mud. The area is famous for its therapeutic sea mud!

→Discover unique campsites and pitches in Cartagena