The top 3 road trips in Spain

Get away from the tourist hotspots and hire a car to embark on an epic road trip, where you can tour historic cities, diverse landscapes and traditional towns. 

There’s no better way to see Spain than by car. You can travel at your own pace and Spain’s road network makes it easy to plan a trip. 

Here are three of the top road trips that Spain has to offer.

North of Spain Road Trip – Bilbao to Santiago De Compostela

This road trip is about exploring the rugged landscape of the north of Spain. Lots of greenery and a cool climate give this area the name of “Green Spain”. 

Hugging the Atlantic coastline, this route will take you from Bilbao, through Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. You can sample typical dishes such as tortilla de patatas or pulpo a la Gallego.

Before you leave Bilbao you should visit the Museo Guggenheim with its awesome architecture that’s backed by greenery. The city is also packed with vibrant bars and restaurants to enjoy freshly caught seafood that’s a speciality of this area.

Then head west to the medieval town of Santillana del Mar. This town is great for exploring the culture and history of the region.

Next is Comillas, which is full of low-rise buildings and offers a quaint little fishing port and a lovely beach. If you have the luxury of spending a couple of days here we recommend going hiking in the nearby Picos de Europa National Park mountain range.

Then you can visit the city of Oviedo that’s full of gastronomical delights. If you enjoy cider you should wander along “cider boulevard” (Calle Gascona) where you’ll find many authentic sidrerías. 

Heading further west takes you to Coruña, and the Playa de Las Catedrales on the route is definitely worth a stop. Coruña is a vibrant city where you’ll find a busy port, a relaxed beachfront and an atmospheric old town where they serve exquisite fresh seafood tapas. 

Your last stop is Santiago de Compostela, at the end of the famous Camino de Santiago. As you enter the city you’ll see pilgrims covering the last leg of their journey – a magical moment after they’ve travelled 500 miles on foot. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and is full of religious buildings and cobblestone streets. 

Roadtrip along the Costa Blanca

Known as the sunshine road trip, this journey takes you from the busy city of Valencia south to Cartagena, stopping at some wonderful Mediterranean beaches on the way.

Valencia is the home of paella, and boasts an amazing science park with the world-famous Oceanographic centre and a beautiful cathedral highlighting the gothic-style architecture.

Next, you can travel to the port of Denia which is less touristy than nearby Javea. It has a traditional Spanish feel to it whilst also having a modern Marina with bars. From here you can take the car ferry to the Balearic Islands if you have a few extra days to spare. 

For scenic beaches in this area, we recommend heading to Cabo de la Nabo and Cumbre del Sol.

Altea is your next stop – a small hilltop town just off the motorway. The old town boasts great views and transforms into a bustling, alfresco dining experience every evening.

Give Benidorm a miss as it’s full of tourists and head on to Alicante, a very Spanish city with wide walkways along the seafront – perfect for a paseo. On your way to Cartagena be sure to stop off at the pink lake in Torrevieja – a true historical sight.

When you reach the medieval town of Cartagena its eclectic and historic architecture will fascinate you.

Andalucia – a southern trip

The last of our road trips takes you south to Andalucía. Starting and finishing in Malaga this road trip is a loop where you’ll experience the best of vibrant and colourful southern Spain. We recommend following this route outside of the summer months as the heat can be unbearable.

Start in sunny Malaga, a busy city with bars, restaurants and cafes. Here you can enjoy the old town which reflects a historic city famous for its warm welcome. 

Then drive to Marbella for a day of soaking up the sun on the beach. We recommend stopping at the Plaza de Los Naranjos for a coffee or a glass of wine.

The drive from Marbella to Ronda has breathtaking views. Ronda is situated between a range of dramatic mountains and many buildings cling to the famous gorge. Here you can explore the history of the matador where bull running has been a tradition for years. Ronda is perfect for taking day trips to the surrounding quaint little Andalucian villages.

Next, you cross the Sierra de Grazalema National Park towards Cadiz. This coastal city is affected by the salt air that has bleached and crumbled many of the buildings. 

Before you reach Seville stop off in Jerez de la Frontera and try some of Spain’s famous cherries and take a tour of a bodega and sample the sherry. Once in Seville enjoy this passionate, flamboyant city – visit the gothic architecture and get lost in the narrow streets. 

Then head towards Carmona, one of the oldest towns in Europe and nestled in the hills. Whilst here visit the Roman ruins of a 1st century amphitheatre and Roman burial ground – the Necropolis Romana. 

Cordoba is the next city on the list. Known for its rich history and Moorish architecture, an essential visit is to the mosque-cathedral “the Mezquita” built over 1,000 years ago. 

Before reaching Granada you pass through Antequera and can see over fifty monuments and archaeological sites of importance. High in the Sierra Nevada mountains, you’ll find Granada. The Alhambra Palace is the most important building here, known for its typical Moorish symmetry, and sits high on a hill overlooking the city. 

Before returning to Malaga stop at Nerja to get some final sunshine on the beach and relax.

Spain is a large country with lots of connections to the UK, with major airports in Barcelona, Alicante and Madrid. You can collect a hire car when you arrive and begin your scenic Spanish road trip.