When thinking of Spain, the first thing that springs to mind probably isn’t a road trip. That thought is more often than not reserved for somewhere like the USA or Australia, covering vast areas of land on endless roads. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t hire a car in Spain and enjoy a grand road trip. Here’s an overview of our favourite routes to enjoy while stopping off for plenty of paella and tapas!
The Silver Route
Route: Seville – Mérida – Cáceres – Salamanca – Gijon
Distance: Around 800km
The Silver Route in Spain connects Seville in the south, with Gijon in the north. A-66 (yes, route 66!) as it’s known, has massive history. Back in Roman times it was the main communications route between northern and southern Spain, although its origins can be tracked back to the bronze age. At 800km it’s quite a road trip! You’ll want to set a few days aside for tackling it in its entirety.
Starting in Seville and working your way north, you’ll find plenty of reminders that this was a Roman communications route. Roman walls, milestones and other ruins dot the way as you meander through the beautiful Spanish countryside. Make sure you stop off at the World Heritage sites in the towns Mérida, Cáceres and Salamanca.
If you’re a nature lover, before heading North from Seville, take a detour to the Doñana National Park for one of the most biodiverse areas in Europe. Just north of Cáceres you’ll also find the Monfragüe National Park. Here you’ll be able to see a variety of raptors among the dramatic rock faces and cliff edges.
This road trip is a must for foodies. On your journey you have to try the Castile roast meats and the ‘Fabada Asturiana’ a white bean stew. Oh, and don’t forget the fantastic gazpacho and Iberian cured hams.
You finish in Gijon, which is unlike many other fishing ports in Northern Spain. This place knows how to live. It’s not some quaint seaside town. Risen from an industrial past, Gijon has a lively atmosphere with bars, clubs and great restaurants. A great place to end your Silver Route road trip and you can get started by simply renting a car at Seville Airport.
Barcelona to Costa Brava
Route: Barcelona – Lloret de Mar – Tossa de Mar – Girona – Cadaqués
Distance: Around 200km
Tourists in their millions flock to the Costa Brava every year. But what if you want to visit the region in a slightly different way? Start by hiring a car at Barcelona airport, then take this trip to the ‘Wild Coast’ of Spain to enjoy the rugged coastlines, sandy beaches and the beautiful fishing villages that dot the rugged landscape. This trip from Barcelona to Cadaqués, near the French border, is a shorter road trip of around only 200km (we chose the slow route) so it’s worth spending a few days stopping off along the way.
As you make your way up the coast from Barcelona, you’ll pass Lloret de Mar. Stop here to see the medieval Castle of Sant Joan on the hilltop. Spend a day, night or even a couple of nights. There’s plenty to see and do. A little further up the coast ‘Blue Paradise’ awaits you. Tossa de Mar is a small seaside town with a beautiful, blue, boat-speckled bay with clifftops surrounding it. Being this beautiful naturally brings many tourists. To avoid a packed beach, it’s worth steering clear of July & August.
Heading further North on this trip brings you into Girona, the largest city in northern Catalonia. If cobbled streets and medieval walls are your thing, you’ll love Girona. Park the car and walk around it’s narrow, history-filled streets. There are so many quirky restaurants serving traditional cuisine. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you’ll recognise some of it, the sixth season was shot here!
From Girona, the final stop on this beautiful road trip is Cadaqués. ‘The Beautiful White Village’ is around 30km from the French border and is must for those wanting to avoid the crowds. Sure, in the height of summer there is a touristy buzz, but it’s certainly less busy than its neighbouring Costa Brava hotspots. And arguably more beautiful. Think traditional sleepy Mediterranean town; steep, narrow streets, laid-back waterfront, you get the idea. It’s certainly worth the windy, and slightly scary, cliff-top drive to get here…
Basque Country & La Rioja
Route: Bilbao – San Sebastian – Pomplona – Logroño
Distance: Around 270km
Collect your hire car in Bilbao to begin this road trip. Bilbao is a city in Northern Spain tucked away amongst lush green hills a short walk from the coast. Basque culture thrives in Bilbao. From the museums to the music stages that dot the streets and the fantastic food on offer, you’re always going to have a great time. Visit the Guggenheim Museum while here for a striking exterior and an art-filled interior.
San Sebastian sits 100km along the coast to the east and brings a welcome downsizing from Bilbao. It also has a beautiful azure bay and doesn’t have the ‘big city’ vibe of Bilbao. It’s elegant, its buildings will remind you of Paris on a smaller scale, plus the sea! For a great view of the city, try the cable car up to Monte Igueldo.
Around an hour’s drive south, you’ll find Pamplona. Best known for its famous Bull Run. It’s also a major part of the 790km medieval pilgrimage route Camino de Santiago. The old town is full of medieval architecture with fortress walls, the old citadel and the grand cathedral, La Catedral de Santa María la Real de Pamplona. Like many Spanish towns and cities, the nightlife is vibrant with plenty of great places to drink wine and eat!
Capital of the La Rioja region, Logroño is often overlooked as tourists flock to the local vineyards and miss the city all together. For something slightly different, go tapas bar hopping! Most tapas bars in the city serve only one dish, so it’s worth trying a few! While you’re here, visit the old town to see the 15th Century cathedral and its twin Baroque towers. We almost forgot, no visit to La Rioja would be without wine. Make sure you’re not driving but try out the many local wines on offer at Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta and their tasting rooms on the edge of the city.
Now, we know these aren’t total road trip guides with where exactly you should go. We like freedom, so we want to give you the freedom to create your own road trip, that’s the fun part isn’t it? If you’d like to see more road trip inspiration, let us know in the comments and we’ll get cracking!
Useful links for your Spanish road trip
