The best routes to take for an amazing road trip in Spain
Spain is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Europe, and it’s expected to be even more popular this year. In fact, it is projected that Spain’s tourism gross domestic product is going to be worth 135 billion euros in 2022. This popularity is due to the country’s rich culture and many spectacular sceneries.
One of the best ways to explore Spain is by going on road trips. Thanks to their usually cheaper fuel (except at time of press), low-cost parking, and excellent road network, a road trip in Spain is guaranteed to be fun, but it won’t break the bank. Once you have prepared all the things you need for a Spanish road trip, there are several beautiful routes you can choose from. Here are the three best ones to take.
Barcelona to Costa Brava
Barcelona, the capital and largest city of Catalonia, welcomed more than one million international tourists this year, according to a report by FTN News. Barcelona is an incredible travel spot, but what makes it even more special is its close proximity to Costa Brava. After experiencing the main highlights of the city, you can then easily take a road trip to Costa Brava to see beaches, culture-rich towns, and breathtaking landscapes. It only takes an hour and a half of travel time, and you can take a bus or a train. However, to thoroughly enjoy the route and have total control of your time, it’s important to drive a vehicle that can easily pass through the narrow roads of Costa Brava’s charming villages, so something compact such as a small SUV would be ideal. Some of the best things to do during your road trip are visiting the Game of Thrones filming location, going bungee jumping in Lloret de Mar, and visiting the Dali Museum.
Northern Spain Road Trip
The northern region of Spain has a different set of delights to offer tourists, and going on a road trip from San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela is one way to experience them. Also known as the Camino del Norte, this route is very popular among tourists, seeing over 300,000 pilgrims a year. Touring this route by car will be more relaxing and afford you the most freedom. It will give you the opportunity to explore the Spanish coast and many restaurants that feature the Basque grill and Asturian cuisine. You will also be able to explore architectural marvels, like the Guggenheim Museum and El Capricho de Gaudi. It has less than 700 km to cover, so you can easily finish this route in under 8 hours, but you would definitely want to extend your trip.
Madrid to Toledo
Many tourists choose to visit Madrid since it is the capital city of Spain. If you choose to holiday there, you can enjoy short road trips to nearby towns to truly enrich your experience. Just one hour away from Madrid, Toledo is particularly an exciting destination because it is a diverse Spanish city that’s known for its Jewish, Christian, and Muslim cultural influences. Nicknamed the City of Three Cultures, you can see the influences of these varying cultures reflected in its architecture, food, shops, and even events.
Going on a road trip in Spain is a great way to make the most out of your holiday. Consider these road trip routes to experience the best that the country has to offer.
Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.
