Spain Road Trip: 10 of the Best Routes, Regions, and Island Drives

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Ultimate Spain road trip itinerary planner

Spain is our home base when we are not on the road elsewhere, and it is a country that consistently delivers when you travel there by car. The appeal is not just the quality of the roads; it is how quickly everything changes. Atlantic cliffs give way to dry interior plains, Basque pintxos turn into Andalucía tapas, and major cities sit a short drive from villages that feel largely untouched by modern tourism.

A road trip in Spain offers a level of flexibility that trains simply cannot match, especially once you move beyond the main routes. You can follow the weather, sidestep crowds, stop for a market lunch without a timetable, and link regions that are awkward to combine by public transport.

This guide, part of our wider Europe road trip series, brings together ten of the best Spain road trip routes, grouped by region and travel style. Each route is presented as an overview rather than a full itinerary, with clear distances, ideal timing, and a sense of what it is best for, making it easy to choose a direction and then dive into the detailed planning when you are ready.

Spain Road Trip Map

Find Your Perfect Spain Road Trip

If you want the fastest way to choose a route, start here. These Spain road trips are grouped by travel style, so you can quickly find the one that fits how you like to travel, whether that’s coastlines, food and wine, dramatic landscapes, or off-the-beaten-path adventures. Pick the option that sounds most like you, then scroll on for full itineraries.

Castile-Leon: Empty high plains, medieval cities, and Spain at its most understated

Route: Madrid – Segovia – Salamanca – Zamora – León – Valladolid – Penaranda del Duero – Madrid
Distance: 915 km
Duration: 7-10 days
Best time to go: Spring and autumn
Best for: Long open-road drives, uncrowded historic cities, and travellers who value space, substance, and a slower pace

This fantastic seven-to ten-day Spain road trip itinerary through the land of frontier castillos and roads that stretch into the distance for miles will take you across the high plateaus and rugged mountains of central Spain. This is a road trip for those who want the real Spain.

We drove to Spain from the UK, but if you’re coming from elsewhere or prefer not to drive, it’s easy to pick up your hire car at Madrid airport. Spend a day in Madrid, the largest city in Spain, seeing the most important attractions. We found a day was just about long enough to visit Plaza de España, the Prado Museum, Plaza Mayor, and the nearby Baroque Royal Palace.

Our next stop was the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Segovia, a walled city with grand squares and mansions from its days as a royal holiday resort, and one of the most distinctive medieval castles in Europe. We spent a day here before heading to Salamanca, and a highlight was cochinillos, a truly delicious local speciality of suckling pig.

There are a LOT of restaurants in Segovia claiming to serve the best cochinillos, but we picked Meson de Jose Maria who serve suckling pigs from their own farm. We can’t say it’s the best as we didn’t try them all, but it was pretty darn good! We liked Segovia and enjoyed not having to walk too much because everything we wanted to see was close together.

Next up was Salamanca, known as the Golden City because of the prolific use of honey-colored sandstone in the civic and religious buildings of the city. Salamanca is beautifully graceful, with learning at its heart, and the most elegant Plaza Mayor in Spain. Steeped in Spanish culture, the city offers rich traditions and timeless charm. I had my first ever thick and gloopy Spanish hot chocolate with churros at Chocolate Valor on Plaza del Mercado – a moment to be remembered!

Zamora is the next destination. With its Romanesque churches and charming streets and squares of the old town, this makes a great stop for an overnight stay or make for León, a sociable city with a fabulous casco antiguo, packed with great architecture and atmosphere, and a notable Gothic cathedral. We spent an afternoon and evening in León working our way around the tapas bars – order a small beer and get a complimentary tapa. Visit several bars, and you won’t need to buy dinner!

Valladolid, the next stop, is high on the central plateau (mesta) and has been inhabited by many of Spain’s famous historical figures. Despite that, it is a more modern town than its neighbours. There are restored plazas and churches along with some excellent museums to visit.

To the east, the small town of Penaranda del Duero is deep in the lush rolling vineyards of La Rioja, where some of the best wines in Spain are produced. This gorgeous town, on the Ribera del Duero Wine Route, sits beneath an impressive castle and is a popular weekend getaway for Madrilenos.

Spain is famous for its history, and if you have an extra day at the start or end of your road trip, visit Toledo, an hour’s drive south of Madrid. Known as the Imperial City, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has one of the most well-preserved old towns in Spain and more historical sites per square metre than Rome! 

Castile-Leon Trip Notes

Castile-Leon: Mid-Range Hotel Highlights

Madrid: Only You Hotel Atocha is known for its hip vibe, contemporary luxe decor, and fantastic public spaces.

León: Hotel Real Colegiata San Isidoro offers a superb location, complete uniqueness, and fabulous history.

Valladolid: Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine is the real splurge option with sheer luxury, fabulous restaurants, and an incredible spa. We stayed here for my birthday (a big one!) and it was the perfect hotel for a celebration, and one of the best neck massages I’ve ever had!

Catalonia Grand Loop: Coast, culture, mountains, and Mediterranean towns

Want the full version? Read our detailed Catalonia road trip guide before you start planning.

Route: Barcelona – Sitges – Tarragona – La Seu d’Urgell – Figueres – Calella de Palafrugell – Tossa de Mar – Barcelona
Distance: 642 km
Duration: 7-10 days
Best time to go: Year-round
Best for: Mixing beaches and historic cities with mountain scenery, short daily drives, great food, and a varied first-time Spain road trip

This seven-day Costa Brava road trip from Barcelona takes you through one of Spain’s most distinctive regions. Catalunya is fiercely independent with a unique identity, and like nowhere else in the country. With its own language, Catalan, the region has long been an intersection of cultures and influences.

We started our trip on the Costa Brava in the second-largest city in Spain, Barcelona. This is Gaudí’s city and home to the sublime but unfinished La Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Casa Batlló is one of Antoni Gaudí’s most outstanding works, in which Gaudí experimented with all kinds of architectural techniques and gave free rein to his imagination.

Casa Batlló, along with the renovated 2021 visit, has been recognised as the best immersive visit of 2022. More than 1000 m2 will be reopened to the public. Once you’re done admiring Gaudí’s architecture, head for the Gothic Quarter, a great spot to while away an evening bar hopping and eating pinxos in this most lively of cities.

If you have enough time, try hiking in Montserrat, just a short drive from the city. Famous for the cliff-hugging monastery and distinctive serrated rocks, you don’t even have to hike; you can get a cable car to the top! 

Head south along the coast to beautiful Tarragona, stopping at Sitges if partying is your thing …but be prepared to party hard, the town is famous for its nightlife. Needless to say, we gave Sitges a miss!

Tarragona is situated on a rocky hill above the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. With a fine historic centre and a scattering of Roman ruins, we enjoyed our day visiting the must-see 2nd-century Amfiteatre Romà, Necropolis, and Forum before wandering along the Passeig Arqueològic for sweeping views of the city. Or you could just relax on one of the many beaches.

From here, we headed inland and north to the Pyrenean medieval town of La Seu d’Urgell, overlooked by the Sierra de Cadí mountains. Replete with the Romanesque style architecture of Catalonia in the 11th and 12th centuries, this is a town perfect for meandering.

From La Seu d’Urgell, it’s a hop and skip to Andorra, the sovereign landlocked country that crowns the Pyrenees. We’re on the fence about this tiny microstate, which we thought was a little… odd. But if you want to tick another European country off your list, now is the time!

From here, a spectacular drive through the foothills of the Pyrenees took us to Figueres via La Garrotxa Natural Park, known for its many extinct volcanoes and Castellfollit de la Roca, the town built on a basalt cliff. Figueres, the birthplace of artist Salvador Dalí, houses the Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dalí, which is worth a visit if you like Surrealism.

We’re heading south now, bypassing Girona (which is worthy of a visit all of its own if you have time) in favour of the Costa Dorada beach resorts of Calella de Palafrugell and Tossa de Mar.

Calella de Palafrugell is one of the most beautiful coastal villages in Spain, with cute white houses, colourful wooden boats on the beach, and rocky inlets and hidden coves, and makes a perfect spot to stop and relax for a couple of days.

Tossa de Mar has a beautifully preserved old town, complete with cobblestone streets and fortifications and a fine beach, at total odds with its near neighbour, Lloret de Mar, which was one of the first places in Spain to offer package holidays in the post-Franco tourist boom in the 1970s and has the highest concentration of hotels in the Mediterranean.

Catalonia Grand Loop Trip Notes

Catalonia Grand Loop: Mid-Range Hotel Highlights

Barcelona: B Hotel is in a handy location between the airport and the city and has a glitzy rooftop terrace with pool and welcoming staff.

Tarragona: Plaça De La Font enjoys an excellent old town location, lively vibe, and superb breakfast.

Tossa de Mar: Hotel Delfín for its beachside location, supremely stylish decor, and pool with a view.

Tenerife Island Loop: Volcanic landscapes, cloud forests, and Atlantic coastlines

Route: Los Gigantes – Masca – Garachico – Icod de los Vinos – Anaga Rural Park – La Laguna – El Médano
Distance: 520 km
Duration: 5–8 days
Best time to go: March-June and September-November
Best for: Dramatic mountain driving, ever-changing scenery, volcanic landscapes, hiking, and travellers who want maximum variety with short daily distances

This Tenerife road trip loops around Spain’s most dramatic island, climbing from subtropical beaches to lunar volcanic plateaus, through misty laurel forests and down to raw Atlantic coastlines. Despite its compact size, Tenerife feels vast once you start driving, with constant shifts in climate, terrain, and atmosphere that make it ideal for a road trip rather than a resort-based stay.

We picked up our car near Tenerife South Airport and headed west, immediately trading airport sprawl for open coastal roads. Driving in Tenerife is straightforward, but deeply rewarding, with well-maintained highways giving way to narrow mountain routes that deliver some of the most memorable scenery in Spain.

The west coast around Los Gigantes is a strong first stop. The towering basalt cliffs rise dramatically from the ocean, and the slower pace here makes it a good place to ease into island life. Boat trips run regularly to spot dolphins and whales offshore, but even without leaving land, the coastal viewpoints and quiet beaches are worth lingering for.

From Los Gigantes, the drive to Masca is short but intense. This is one of Tenerife’s most famous mountain roads, with tight bends and steep drops carving through a rugged ravine. Masca itself is small and heavily visited, so arriving early is key. The village clings improbably to the hillside and gives a real sense of how isolated parts of Tenerife once were.

Heading north, Garachico offers a completely different feel. Once destroyed by a volcanic eruption, it has rebuilt itself as one of the island’s most characterful towns. The natural lava pools along the seafront are ideal for a swim on calm days, and the historic centre is compact and easy to explore on foot.

Nearby, Icod de los Vinos is home to the famous ancient dragon tree, but the town itself is worth a stop for its traditional architecture and relaxed local vibe. This part of northern Tenerife feels greener and quieter, with fewer resorts and a more lived-in rhythm.

From here, the road climbs inland towards the Anaga Rural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and one of the most unexpected landscapes on the island. The sharp volcanic terrain gives way to dense laurel forest, often wrapped in low cloud. Driving here feels worlds away from the beaches, with narrow roads winding through remote hamlets and forest viewpoints that reward slow travel.

San Cristóbal de La Laguna makes a natural overnight stop on the northeast side of the island. As Tenerife’s former capital, it has a lively student atmosphere, colourful colonial streets, and a strong food scene. It also makes a practical base for exploring both Anaga and the nearby coast.

The final leg heads south again, passing through drier landscapes before reaching El Médano. Known for its wind and wide beaches, this laid-back town is a good contrast to the resort-heavy south. It is also a pleasant place to end the trip, with cafés, beach walks, and views back towards the Montaña Roja volcanic cone.

From El Médano, it is a short drive back to Tenerife South Airport, completing a loop that shows just how much variety this island packs into a single road trip.

Tenerife Island Loop Trip Notes

Tenerife Island Loop: Mid-Range Hotel Highlights

Los Gigantes: Royal Sun Resort is a highly rated hotel with easy access to Los Gigantes’ main sights.

Garachico: Hotel San Roque for its historic setting, stylish rooms, and calm atmosphere in the old town.

La Laguna: La Laguna Gran Hotel for its central location, elegant design, and good access to both Anaga and the airport.

Basque Country and Pyrenees Traverse: Atlantic cities and dramatic national parks

Route: San Sebastián – Bilbao – Pamplona – Torla Ordesa – Ainsa – Zaragoza – Barcelona or Madrid
Distance: 962 km
Duration: 7-10 days
Best time to go: May-October
Best for: Pintxos-led city stops, lush northern landscapes, Pyrenean hiking bases, and travellers who want culture and high mountains in one route

This northern Spain itinerary takes in the cities and coasts of the Spanish Basque Country (Euskadi) and the magnificent Pyrenees Mountains that extend for more than 400 kilometres between Navarre, Aragon and Catalonia, creating a natural barrier between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of continental Europe.

We did this trip on a touring motorbike and loved the big sweeping (mostly empty) roads as we made our way west. We started in Donostia-San Sebastian, the jewel in the crown of the Basque resorts. This is a picturesque city with fabulous beaches, but is best known as a foodie town, with some of the finest restaurants in Spain gracing the leafy boulevards and squares of the city centre.

Although there are ten restaurants with a whopping 18 Michelin stars between them, you don’t need to be rich to enjoy the food in San Sebastian. We used online recommendations to find places to eat that delivered on taste and service, and did a fair bit of nibbling (ok, chomping) on street food as we wandered the city.

Bilbao made a natural next stop and now rivals Donosti, as it’s known locally, as one of the top coastal cities in Spain. The beautifully curved and sweeping architecture of Museo Guggenheim, the fine Basque cuisine and freshly caught seafood served in its lively restaurants and bars made Bilbao a great stop, although we were a bit seafooded out to be honest.

In the northern Spanish foothills of the Pyrenees, Pamplona is a town with a compact and enticing casco antiguo and a hulk of a citadel to visit. From its powerful fortress city history to the modern-day Fiestas de San Fermin (Running of the Bulls festival), this city is as swashbuckling and red-blooded as they come.

Visit in early July for the festival and nine days of riotous partying and entertainment, but book early as thousands of visitors descend and everything gets booked up at least nine months in advance. We missed the festival but spent a memorable weekend bar-hopping in Pamplona, getting a taste of local hospitality and plenty of party vibes.

From Pamplona, the mountains are enticingly close. Torla-Ordesa is the nearest village to the breathtaking Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, where you can explore lush meadows, gushing waterfalls, and incredible gorges formed by glaciers millions of years ago.

The best way to see all this natural beauty is to hike the Circo do Soaso, a Pyrenean cirque that surrounds the vast Ordesa Valley. With sheer walls stretching up to the 3,355m peak of Monte Perdido (meaning ‘hidden mountain’ as it can’t be seen from the French side of the border), and over twenty cascades along the tumbling Rio Arazes accompanying us, this was a highlight of our trip.

We stayed in Ainsa, a fantastic example of medieval city design with the best views back to Monte Perdido from the preserved citadel. It was from here that we first spotted Monte Perdido and decided we had to go and explore.

Next, we headed south to Zaragoza, famous for the Baroque Nuestra Señora del Pilar basilica, a pilgrimage site with a shrine to the Virgin Mary and the Mudéjar-style Aljafería Palace, an 11th-century Moorish palace. Together with La Seo Cathedral, the Mudéjar architecture of Aragon forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

And now you have a choice! From Zaragoza, it’s almost equidistant to Madrid or Barcelona, give or take 10km. So, Spain is now your oyster, and you can go southwest for the museums and classical architecture of Madrid, or east for the laid-back vibes and beaches of Barcelona.

Basque Country and Pyrenees Traverse Trip Notes

Basque Country and Pyrenees Traverse: Mid-Range Hotel Highlights

San Sebastián: Zenit Convento San Martín for its central location, stylish decor, and rooftop pool.

Pamplona: Pamplona Catedral Hotel for its beautiful design, friendly customer service, and very comfy beds.

Zaragoza: Hotel Sauce has cosy rooms, an excellent location, and exceptional homemade breakfast in their bakery.

Andalucía Coast and Cities Loop: Moorish heritage, white towns, and southern Spain at full intensity

Want the full version? Read our detailed Andalucia road trip guide before you start planning.

Route: Málaga – Marbella – Ronda – Cádiz – Jerez de la Frontera – Sevilla – Antequera – Córdoba – Granada – Málaga
Distance: 1041 km
Duration: 10-14 days
Best time to go: April-June and September-October
Best for: Iconic Andalusian cities, dramatic drives, historic towns, sherry country, and a classic first-time southern Spain road trip

Andalucia in the south of Spain, is the quintessential Spanish region and home to some of the most colourful and vibrant cities in the whole of the country. Heavy with Moorish influence, evident in the fantastic food and historic architecture, the cities of Andalucia are a feast for the senses.

Our southern Spain road trip starts on the Costa del Sol, in the lively coastal city of Malaga, which comes to life on the seafront. A favourite place for Malaguenos to go for a stroll post siesta, a fiercely protected custom in the south of Spain, the seafront comes alive after 5 pm. You’ll find whole families out, enjoying the sunshine and stopping for a beer and tapa along the paseo.

We like Pedregalejo because it’s popular with locals and non-touristy – a beer and a plate of grilled sardines from the chirinquitos (beach restaurants) that line the seafront will be much better value here.

From Malaga, the seaside resort of Marbella beckoned, and we spent a day soaking up the sun on one of the three immaculately kept sandy beaches. We love the touristy but colourful Plaza de los Naranjos in the charming old town for coffee, and there is great people watching there. If you’ve ever seen TOWIE, you’ll know what I mean.

For lunch, find Taberna Casa Curro Marbella, where you’ll enjoy great tapas and fruity Spanish win. Don’t expect to order from a menu – the waiting staff will tell you what is best that day.

Up next is beautiful Ronda, surrounded by the dramatic mountains of Sierra de Grazalema and Sierra de las Nieves. The drive from Marbella to Ronda is simply stunning, with white villages on every hillside and spectacular views as the road dips and swoops between lakes, valleys, and peaks.

Ronda is known for its arched Puente Nuevo bridge, which spans the 120m deep river gorge of El Tajo. The bridge is best seen from the beautiful La Casa del Rey Moro, where you’ll find lush and fragrant gardens and a spectacular view. There’s also a perfectly round bullring here, and whatever your views about the divisive sport of bullfighting, you should visit Plaza de Toros for its glorious architecture and the bullfighting museum, which sheds a different light on one of Spain’s most controversial sports.

Just north of Ronda are the Pueblo Blancos of Zahara de la Sierra and Setenil de las Bodegas. Both are worth visiting, and the latter is known for its whitewashed houses built into the surrounding cliffs and that image, the one with the rock covering half the narrow street and its houses. For a spectacular drive over Puerto de Las Palomas, take the CA-9104 ‘back road’ through the Sierra de Grazalema from Zahara de la Sierra to Cadiz.

The faded splendour of the sea city of Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in Europe, will beguile you. Just across the water in the famed sherry triangle is Jerez de la Frontera, the home of sherry since the 14th century. The nearby towns of Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María are the other points of the triangle.

Make sure to stop for a tour of a sherry bodega for a taste of Spain’s most famous alcoholic drink. Whatever you think you know about sherry, think again! From the dry as a desert fino to the thick syrupy Pedro Ximénez (my favourite) there is a spectrum of flavours for every palate. As well as sherry, Jerez is also famous for its flamenco tradition and is one of the best places to watch the steamy and seductive dance whose name literally means ‘hell-raising’!

Next is hot and steamy Seville, which boasts the Gothic Seville Cathedral, the imposing Giralda Tower, and the stunning Alcazar, all conveniently clustered together in the historic centre. Right next door to all this splendour are the narrow streets of the Barrio Santa Cruz, the heart of Seville’s lively tapas culture offering some of the best plates in Andalucia.  

Past the ancient dolmens and Lover’s Rock of Antequera is Cordoba, known for the UNESCO Mezquita mosque-cathedral, which will take your breath away when you step inside for the first time. Meander through the nearby Jewish Quarter, where you’ll find narrow lanes and pretty squares. Many of the whitewashed houses are covered in blooms from window boxes, providing the perfect images of this gorgeous city. 

Our next stop is one of Spain’s most underrated cities. Well off the beaten path, Jaén is known for its olive oil production and its medieval fortresses, including Santa Catalina Castle. The Renaissance Jaén Cathedral houses the Holy Veil, which is said to have been used to wash Christ’s face.

From Jaén, it’s a beautiful drive south to Granada, in the Sierra Nevada mountains and very possibly Spain’s most romantic city. The Alhambra, the spectacular Moorish palace, sits high on a hill overlooking Albaicin, the old town of Granada, and is the jewel in Andalucia’s crown.

Andalucía Coast and Cities Loop Trip Notes

Andalucía Coast and Cities Loop: Mid-Range Hotel Highlights

Malaga: Hotel Molina Lario for its perfect location, buzzy rooftop bar, and incredible cathedral views.

Seville: Case del Poeta for its perfect Santa Cruz location, live Spanish guitar gigs, and stunning roof terrace views.

Granada: Hotel Santa Isabel la Real for cosy rooms, spectacular Alhambra views, and an exceptional cooked breakfast.

Mallorca Tramuntana and Coast Loop: Mountain roads, stone villages, and hidden coves

Want the full version? Read our detailed Mallorca road trip guide before you start planning.

Route: Palma – Valldemossa – Deià – Sóller – Port de Sóller – Sa Calobra – Pollença – Cap de Formentor – Cala Sant Vicenç – Cala d’Or – Palma
Distance: 430 km
Duration: 5–8 days
Best time to go: April-June and September-October
Best for: Scenic mountain driving, short daily distances, stone villages, swimming coves, and travellers who want variety without long drives

This Mallorca road trip shows why the island rewards slow, car-based travel far more than a single resort stay. While Mallorca is compact, the driving experience is surprisingly diverse, moving from elegant cities and historic villages to dramatic mountain roads and quiet calas, often within the space of an hour.

We started in Palma, picking up the car near the airport and heading straight into the Serra de Tramuntana. The transition is immediate. Motorways give way to climbing roads, olive groves, and stone terraces that feel far removed from Mallorca’s beach-centric reputation.

Valldemossa is a natural first stop. Compact and atmospheric, it’s an easy introduction to the Tramuntana villages, with cobbled lanes, mountain views, and cafés that reward a slower pace. Nearby Deià feels more intimate and artistic, clinging to the hillside above the sea and best enjoyed early in the day before visitors arrive.

The drive north to Sóller is one of Mallorca’s classics, threading through citrus groves before opening out into a broad valley. Sóller itself is lively and well connected, but the real reward is continuing down to Port de Sóller, where the horseshoe bay and waterfront promenade make a relaxed overnight stop.

From here, the road tightens again as you climb towards Sa Calobra. This stretch is all switchbacks and steep drops, designed to showcase the engineering as much as the scenery. The reward is a dramatic gorge opening onto the sea, one of Mallorca’s most memorable natural sights, especially early or late in the day.

The northern plains feel calmer after the mountains. Pollença is a good base, with a traditional old town, excellent food options, and easy access to the Formentor peninsula. The drive out to Cap de Formentor is short but spectacular, with lighthouse views and exposed cliffs that feel surprisingly wild for such a popular island.

Continuing east, Cala Sant Vicenç and the surrounding coves offer some of the best swimming on the route. The pace slows again here, before heading south towards Cala d’Or, where whitewashed buildings and small harbours make a softer contrast to the Tramuntana drama.

From Cala d’Or, it’s an easy final drive back to Palma, completing a loop that shows Mallorca at its most varied and rewarding.

Mallorca Tramuntana and Coast Loop Trip Notes

Mallorca Tramuntana and Coast Loop: Mid-Range Hotel Highlights

Valldemossa: Hotel Sa Vall Valldemossa for its village location, traditional character, and easy overnight stays.

Port de Sóller: Hotel Marina for its waterfront setting, simple comfort, and practical base without resort commitments.

Cala d’Or: Hotel d’Or for its small scale, marina setting, and flexibility for one-night stops.

East Coast Costas Drive: Mediterranean beaches, laid-back towns, and sun-soaked coastal roads

Route: Valencia – Denia – Xabia – Altea – Alicante – Cartagena – Almería
Distance: 553 km
Duration: 7-10 days
Best time to go: Year-round
Best for: Relaxed coastal driving, swimming and beach towns, seafood-focused stops, and an easygoing road trip with minimal mountain roads

This delightful and easy seven-day trip down Spain’s eastern Mediterranean coast bypasses the worst of the high-rise excesses and explores the best of the Spanish Costas, including some you’ve never heard of! Costa de Valencia, Costa Blanca, Costa Cálida, and Costa de Almería.

Start in Valencia, a seriously underrated city and preferred by many Spaniards over Barcelona. The city is much less touristy than Barcelona but has the cultural variety of Madrid and the charm of Seville. Alive with noise and colour, Valencia is the city that will make you fall in love with Spain!

Visit Valencia during the fabulous Las Fallas festival when the city erupts with bonfires, music, and life. Don’t forget to sample a traditional drink of horchata (made from tiger nuts) when you’re in Valencia, it’s an acquired taste but not to be missed!

Head south and make for La Albufera, a huge lagoon separated from the sea by a sandbank and surrounded by rice paddy fields, still irrigated by systems installed by the Moors.

An important wetland and the stopping-off point for thousands of migratory birds, the area is also where paella originated, due to the perfect growing conditions for rice. You can take a guided tour through the lagoon on a boat trip, and check out the ‘paella’ villages, including Perel-Lonet, the best place to get a taste of the real thing, not with seafood but with chicken, rabbit, and snails. 

Next up is the old port town of Denia, less touristy and ex-pat than many other places along the coast. There’s more to Denia than the port, though. Home to a modern marina surrounded by cool bars and an old town lined with fish restaurants and Spanish fusion food, this is a wonderful place for an overnight stop. Check out our favourite, Els Magazinos, for Spanish-style street food and tapas.

Javea, or Xabia in the local dialect of Valenciano, is a pretty seaside resort close to Cabo de la Nao, a beautiful rocky promontory where you’ll find hidden coves and beaches. Lively in the evenings in summer, you’ll also find a beautiful sandy beach and a pretty old town.

For the best beach in the area, head south by around 5km to Playa la Barraca, a shingle beach with perfect turquoise water and a fantastic seafood restaurant. 

Altea is your next stop, a small resort that sits below a historic hilltop village, which has incredible views. The old village is gorgeous, with bougainvillaea and jasmine in bloom, alongside alleys lined with alfresco dining and interesting boutiques and gift shops.  

Bypass built-up Benidorm, but if you have a few hours to spare, take the CV-70 to Guadalest, a medieval fortress town surrounded by cliffs and mountains with breathtaking views of the turquoise Guadalest Reservoir.

After, head for the very Spanish city of Alicante, with its wide and spacious esplanades and seafront paseo. The renovated old town is a perfect place to stroll and people-watch, especially in the early evenings. You’ll also find good tapas restaurants and bars in this area.  

Head south, ignoring the outskirts of Cartagena, and make for the medieval, narrow and twisting streets of the old town. The city will surprise you with its eclectic architecture, historic sites, and modern feel. 

It’s quite a long drive down this part of the coast, but the unspoiled and undeveloped resorts of Aguilas and El Puerto de Mazarron make good stopping points before arriving in the wild and beautiful region of Almeria, one of the driest places in Europe and home to some weird and wonderful landscapes and coastal rock formations, both on dry land and in the surrounding sea.

Cabo de Gata-Níjar is a natural park and Andalucia’s largest coastal protected area. The hills are a hiker’s paradise, and the pristine waters off the peninsula are a kayaking and scuba-diving hotspot. We saw whales off the coast here as they were migrating towards the Strait of Gibraltar.

East Coast Coastas Drive Trip Notes

East Coast Costas: Mid-Range Hotel Highlights

Valencia: One Shot Mercat 09 for its historic location, rooftop pool, and hip vibe.

Alicante: Melia Alicante for its stunning views, casual style, and excellent service.

Cartagena: NH Cartagena for its central location, contemporary style, and welcoming feel.

More Spanish Travel Inspiration

Central Spain Interior Route: Big skies, historic cities, and Spain beyond the coast

Route: Madrid – Toledo – Cáceres – Ciudad Real – Consuegra – El Toboso – Cuenca – Madrid
Distance: 1085 km
Duration: 10 days
Best time to go: March-May and late September-November
Best for: Long inland drives, lesser-visited cities, wide-open landscapes, and travellers who want a quieter, more traditional Spain road trip

This road trip from Madrid explores the wild and windswept plateau of Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura, parts of Spain’s interior that really are on the road less travelled. Amongst the hidden gems and architectural surprises, expect abandoned villages and huge swathes of, well, nothingness.

Toledo is up first, and what a start to your road trip! An ancient city set on a hill above the plains, Toledo is known for the medieval Arab, Jewish, and Christian monuments in its walled old city, giving rise to its name ‘City of the Three Cultures’. There’s also a connection with Hannibal, who used extra-hard Toledo steel for his swords in the Punic Wars.

It’s a gorgeous drive through forests and rolling plains to medieval Cáceres, a UNESCO jumble of narrow alleys, castles, palaces, and squares, where it’s easy to while away a few days eating tapas and admiring the olive trees growing in serried ranks across the rolling lands which surround the town.

Ciudad Real is a quick stop to admire the 14th-century Puerta de Toledo, one of the city’s original Mudéjar-era gates, and visit the Quixote Museum, dedicated to Miguel de Cervantes’ classic Spanish novel, Don Quixote.

Next up, riding the Cerro Calderico mountain and with the 12th-century Castle of La Muela as a backdrop, are the Consuegra Windmills (Molinos de Viento de Consuegra). This line of twelve perfectly restored tower mills, described in the story of Don Quixote, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Spain. 

Initially built to grind grain, the mills were modelled on the Dutch windmills of the 16th and 17th centuries. These tower mills were passed down through the generations until being retired in the 1980s, when twelve of the original thirteen mills were restored and opened as a tourist attraction. 

El Toboso is your next stop. Famous for being the hometown of the fictitious Dulcinea, lover of Don Quixote, El Toboso has a great many pretty corners and traditional buildings of masonry and whitewashed walls. Don’t miss the House of Dulcinea, a traditional La Mancha structure from the 16th century, which has been beautifully renovated.

Your final stop before returning to Madrid is Cuenca. Founded by the Moors, Cuenca is perched on a limestone spur above the Júcar and Huécar rivers and has a historic walled town with steep cobbled streets and medieval castle ruins. Cueunce is most famous for its well-preserved casas colgadas, or hanging houses, which are dramatically cantilevered over the Huécar gorge as they cling to the cliffside.

Central Spain Interior Route Trip Notes

Central Spain Interior Route: Mid-Range Hotel Highlights

Toledo: Casa Palacio Rincón de la Catedral for its perfect location, beautiful restored medieval building and exceptional breakfast.

Cáceres: NH Collection Cáceres Palacio de Oquendo for its spacious and comfortable rooms, accessible location and historic setting.

Cuenca: Posada San José for its 17th-century monastery setting, excellent location and hanging house views.

Green Spain Atlantic Route: Cliff-backed beaches, elegant cities, and Spain’s lush northern coast

Want the full version? Read our detailed Northern Spain road trip guide before you start planning.

Route: San Sebastián – Bilbao – Comillas – Oviedo – A Coruña – Santiago de Compostela
Distance: 838 km
Duration: 7-10 days
Best time to go: May-September
Best for: Dramatic coastal scenery, seafood-led stops, cool-weather driving, historic cities, and travellers who prefer green landscapes over Mediterranean heat

This north of Spain road trip will take you through the beautiful and lush, aptly named Green Spain, hugging the north coast along the Atlantic Ocean.

From San Sebastian through Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia, you’ll see some of the most picturesque landscapes in Spain, enjoy amazing food, and crisscross the famous Camino de Santiago.

Start in gorgeous Donostia-San Sebastian, the most well-known of the Basque resorts. A picturesque seaside resort with fabulous sandy beaches, San Sebastian is known as a foodie town, and deservedly so. There is a great collection of fine restaurants and authentic pintxo bars here, serving world-class food produced from local ingredients.

Next is Bilbao, home of the incredible Museo Guggenheim and backed by beautiful green mountains. The museum itself is a work of art, with beautifully curved and sweeping architecture.

Bilbao now rivals San Sebastian as one of the top coastal cities in Spain, with its vibrant restaurant and bar scene, and offers fine Basque cuisine and freshly caught seafood in its atmospheric restaurants and bars.

Head west to the stunning Santillana del Mar, known as the town of the three lies. Not holy (santi), not flat (llana), nor by the sea (del mar). This medieval town is well-preserved and worth a meander before you make your way to Comillas, further along the coast.

Traditionally low-rise, you’ll find a lovely beach, a tiny fishing port, and a charming cobbled casco antiguo here. If you have a few extra days, head into the Picos de Europa National Park for excellent hiking in the beautiful peaks of this small but perfectly formed mountain range.

Oviedo is the next stop and the starting point of the lesser-known Camino Primitivo (the oldest Camino). This compact and elegant city is another foodie delight, with a vibrant gastronomic scene.

Home to Spanish cider, you’ll find traditional sidrerías along Calle Gascona, known as Cider Boulevard. Visit in September for Fiestas de San Mateo, a live theatre and music spectacular. If you go in October, you’ll be in the middle of the apple harvest in Asturias, a region in which you could easily spend several weeks.

A Coruña is up next, passing by the spectacular Playa de Las Catedrales en route. The ‘beach of the cathedrals’ is one of Spain’s top natural landmarks and is best visited at low tide, when it’s possible to walk on the beach and get up close to the fabulous rock formations.

A Coruna is a dynamic city that is home to a busy port, a relaxed beachfront resort, and an atmospheric old town. The seafood here is some of the freshest and most delicious in Spain, with seafood tapas being a speciality. Take a walk out to the Tower of Hercules, a lighthouse that looks nothing like a lighthouse!

Finally, you’ll reach Santiago de Compostela, the end point of the famous Camino de Santiago, and your last stop. As you enter the city, you’ll see pilgrims covering the final few miles and proudly displaying their Vieira, the scallop shell badge that you’ll have seen along your route. 

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Santiago de Compostela is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, full of labyrinthine alleys, dramatic squares, and historic religious buildings. Explore the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela and make the climb to Las Cubiertas, the cathedral roof, for incredible views of the city and the landscape beyond.

There are too many must-sees to list, but consider a walking tour with a local guide if you don’t have much time; you’ll get to see the most important things and learn about the history of the city, too. 

Green Spain Atlantic Route Trip Notes

Green Spain Atlantic Route: Mid-Range Hotel Highlights

Bilbao: Hotel Tayko for its minimalist style, hip location, and excellent restaurant.

Oviedo: Barcelo Oviedo Cervantes for its laid-back vibe, modern decor, and smooth service.

Santiago de Compostela: Parador De Santiago de Compostela for its history, traditional decor, and HUGE breakfast buffet.

Epic Spain Grand Circuit: A full-country loop linking cities, coasts, and classic landscapes

Route: Madrid – Salamanca – Santiago de Compostela – San Sebastián – Barcelona – Valencia – Alicante – Almería – Granada – Málaga – Córdoba – Seville – Cáceres – Toledo – Madrid
Distance: 3791 km
Duration: 2-3 weeks
Best time to go: April-October
Best for: Big-picture travellers, long-distance driving, major cultural highlights, and those with time to see how Spain’s regions truly differ

If our seven great driving tours of Spain have whetted your appetite, but you have a bit more time and want to experience all that Spain has to offer, why not try this combination of all our Spain road trips together?

Stop in the major cities on this eclectic itinerary, and take day trips as you go to see the main attractions along the route. Enjoy local gastronomy, learn about regional customs, and marvel at the diversity that Spain has in abundance.

From coast to mountains and taking in all the major cities and must-see places, this ultimate Spanish road trip will give you the drive of your life and show you the best of Spain in all its wonderful guises. 

Spain Road Trip Resources

Once you’ve chosen your route, these practical tips will help you plan your Spain road trip with confidence, from getting there to understanding the rules of the road.

Getting to Spain

Fly Drive

Whether you’re taking a Spain road trip in a car, motorcycle, campervan, or motorhome, self-driving is absolutely the best way to explore the most beautiful places in Spain. Stopping whenever you want, trying new activities, visiting places you see along the route, and having the freedom to change plans at the last minute is priceless.

If you are heading for Andalucía, southern Portugal connections, or the Mediterranean coast, flying into Málaga, Seville, Alicante, Valencia, or Barcelona usually makes the most sense. For northern Spain and Atlantic routes, Bilbao, Santander, Santiago de Compostela, and Asturias are often better starting points and are typically quieter to drive out of than the biggest hubs. Picking an airport that matches your first overnight stop saves time, fuel, and patience on day one. Book with Skyscanner for the best deals.

As one of the largest car hire aggregator companies in the world, we recommend Discovercars.com because they have massive purchasing power, which enables them to secure the best car rental prices, which benefits you when you’re planning a roadtrip in Spain.

For a real adventure, hire a motorhome or campervan in Spain. We recommend Motorhome Republic, an aggregate booking site who pull together all the best deals from a number of rental agencies, to offer you a wide choice of options alongside an excellent English speaking expert motorhome Concierge Team.

Driving to Spain from the UK

If you’re planning to drive from the UK to Spain, then you’ll find everything you need to know, including the best, fastest and cheapest routes, as well as driving tips, in our driving to Spain from the UK guide.

Best Time to Visit Spain

Spain has varied weather and different climate systems, depending on where you are in the country.

Spring

The weather in Spain in spring is just perfect for those who want to enjoy the beautiful climate. No wonder that this is also considered to be one of the peak seasons for travellers in Spain.

From March to May, the weather is pleasantly warm. You may need a long-sleeve top for the evenings, and if you’re visiting the north of Spain, it’s a good idea to pack a cosy fleece or jumper and a waterproof jacket.

A visit in spring also offers the opportunity to experience Easter or Semana Santa. Catholics in Spain celebrate Holy Week through traditions that commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and each day has its special traditions, like processions on the streets and bringing olive branches to church. It really is a spectacle, and best seen in Seville or Granada.

Summer

Summers in Spain can be punishingly hot, especially in the south, and there will be a greater influx of European tourists heading to the popular beach resorts and historic cities, although most Spaniards will stay at home during these months.

Lower temperatures in the green north make it a great option during the summer, but be aware that prices for flights, accommodation, car hire, and activities increase everywhere.

Autumn

Similar to spring, fall in Europe sees milder temperatures and fewer visitors, making it a good option for a post-summer break. Spain turns the most beautiful shades of russet and yellow during fall, and accommodation is reasonably priced at this time.

Winter

Winter temperatures are where the extremes really show. Northern Spain may see snow, and Madrid in winter can be extremely cold, just as Malaga is one of the hottest winter destinations in Europe, with the sea warm enough to swim in!

This is also a good time for budget travellers to plan Spain trips as prices tumble and there are real bargains to be had. Avoid the north and Pyrenees, though, which regularly see snow in winter.

Fiestas in Spain

Right across Spain, from the largest cities to the smallest villages, fiestas or parties are an important annual marker and a great excuse to celebrate life.

Usually held to mark a religious day, these riotous parties are one of the greatest pleasures of travelling in Spain.

The streets are adorned with decorations, street food is prepared, wine flows, and live music is played as people come together. Everyone is welcome to visit Spain and not join a fiesta is to miss the ethos and spirit of this country entirely.

You can find a fiesta calendar here to help you plan your trip and coincide your visit with the best of them.

Driving in Spain

Car travel in Spain is easy, with a good network of Autovias (A) and Autopistas (AP). The latter were toll roads until 2020, when many (but not all) became toll-free.

Fuel and car hire are some of the cheapest in Europe, making Spain a really cost-effective place to take a road trip. 

Touring Spain by car through rural and mountainous areas can take longer than you think, although the standard of non-motorway roads in rural areas is generally good. Allow time to get off the beaten track and experience the real Spain as you tour this fabulous country.

Whether you’re driving your own vehicle to Spain or you’re in a rental car, follow our driving in Spain tips;

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