Seeking to plan a tailored street journey by way of Spain that can get you away from the vacationer hotspots and experiencing true and splendidly different España? These itineraries will encourage you to hit the street quickly.
San Sebastián to Finesterre
Discover the coast of Inexperienced Spain by driving from the Basque metropolis of San Sebastián all the best way to the Costa de Morte and the so-called finish of the earth at Finisterre – which can also be the ultimate finish of the Camino de Santiago for individuals who transcend the Santiago Cathedral. All in all it covers round 800km and takes simply over seven hours if executed multi function go. The best choice after all could be to interrupt it up over a number of days, taking within the highlights alongside the best way. The primary cease is Bilbao passing alongside the coast and exquisite fishing villages of Getaria, Mutriku and Lekeitio recognized for his or her wonderful seafood and browsing. Subsequent it’s on to Santander and into Cantabria, stopping at picturesque villages comparable to Castro Urdiales, Laredo and Santoña en route.
From right here proceed alongside the coast to Asturias or take a detour for some mountain climbing within the Picos de Europa. Asturais is house to such coastal beauties as Llanes, Gijón, Ribadesella and Cudillero. The ultimate area in your journey is Galicia. You would cease on the spectacular Playa de las Catedrales with its gigantic rock formations on the best way to A Coruña earlier than heading right down to the Costa da Morte or Coast of Loss of life and Cape Finisterre, for therefore lengthy thought of to be the westernmost level of the Earth.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe alongside the Basque coast. Photograph: JoEllen Moths / Pexels
Seville to Gijón
This epic route is named the Vía de Plata or Silver route covers nearly your entire size of Spain, all the best way from the capital of Andalusia to the coastal Asturian metropolis of Gijón. It follows the previous Roman street that after linked the north and the south. This too covers round 800km and takes the same period of time as the primary route, with numerous fascinating stops on the best way.
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It takes you thru Extremadura, one of many least-visited areas of the nation and previous a few of its most historic cities like Mérida with its wonderful Roman ruins and Cáceres surrounded by mighty twelfth century metropolis partitions. Proceed your drive north between numerous pure parks to the historic metropolis of Salamanca, house to the oldest college in Spain after which on to Zamora with its mixture of architectural kinds. You’ll then previous the Lagunas de Villafáfila on the best way as much as León with its grand thirteenth century cathedral and Barrio Húmedo tapas district. The route then ascends by way of mountains and pure parks earlier than descending as soon as once more to the coast and the port metropolis of Gijón in Asturias. You would additionally take a brief detour to the Asturian capital of Oviedo to discover its historic streets and frequent its cider bars.
On this route you may move by way of the traditional Roman metropolis of Mérida. Photograph: Joao Aldeia / Pexels
Barcelona to Alicante
This drive covers nearly your entire size of the Spanish Mediterranean coast from Barcelona right down to Alicante or the opposite means round. This is without doubt one of the most well-trodden roads in Spain and takes in a few of its greatest seashores and hottest resorts. It’s a complete of 530km and would take round 5 and half hours if executed in a single go. Once more it’s greatest to separate up and benefit from the sights and cities alongside the best way. From the Catalan capital of Barcelona, you’ll drive southwest alongside the coast in direction of Tarragona and its mesmerising Roman Amphitheatre overlooking the ocean.
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Then it’s on to the Costa Daurada or Golden Coast, recognized for its stretches of golden sand seashores. Go the Delta del Ebro, house to an enormous number of chook life, together with flamingos, earlier than coming into the area of Valencia and the Costa del Azahar or Orange Blossom Coast. Peñíscola is a dramatic seaside city en route with its personal castle-topped citadel. Proceed additional to Valencia, house of the futuristic Metropolis of Arts and Sciences, historic market and vast seashores. South of the town lies the Albufera Lagoon, the place paella was invented and residential to miles of rice fields. From right here proceed following the coast round to a number of the space’s hottest and exquisite seaside cities – Gandia, Dénia, Calpe and Altea earlier than arriving in Benidorm. From right here it’s simply over an hour to Alicante, Metropolis of 1,001 Rice Dishes and Spanish Capital of Gastronomy 2025.
Drive alongside the shores of the Mediterranean. Photograph: Joan Costa / Pexels
A tour of the Basque Nation
This drive takes you on a round route, starting and ending in Bilbao (or one of many different cities en route). From Bilbao it takes you right down to Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the area, famed for its gastronomy like Bilbao and San Sebastián in addition to its spectacular artwork museum – Artim Museoa, the museum of up to date artwork of the Basque Nation. Again within the automotive, head to Pamplona, capital of Navarre largely referred to as the house of the Operating of the Bulls competition. There’s loads to see outdoors competition time too comparable to Gothic church buildings and medieval metropolis partitions.
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From right here, proceed north alongside the N-135 to move by way of the dramatic setting of the Pyrenees and into France. Make a brief cease in Biarritz, cherished for its grand structure and browsing earlier than heading again into Spain and San Sebastián. Many take into account San Sebastián is Spain’s foodie capital with the best variety of Michelin Stars and full of pintxos bars. It additionally has a surprising previous city and wonderful La Concha Seaside. Then from San Sebastián again to Bilbao you previous alongside the Basque shoreline with quite a few vibrant fishing villages and Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
Expertise the inexperienced vistas and the distinctive tradition of the Basque Nation. Photograph: SlimMars13 / Pexels
Grand Tour of Catalonia
The Grand Tour of Catalonia covers over 1,490 km of roads and does a loop of the area starting and ending in Barcelona. Stage one takes you from Barcelona inland into the wine area of the Penedès, the place Spain’s cava is made after which again out to the Roman metropolis of Tarragona. Stage two then continues right down to the banks of the mouth of the River Ebro after which into one other wine area of Priorat adopted by the Cistercian Route of abbeys all the best way to Lleida. Subsequent you may journey north alongside the sting of Aragón as much as the Pyrenees, between glaciers, waterfalls and mountain cities.
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Highlights embrace the Congost de Mont Rebei gorge, the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici Nationwide Park and the Romanesque structure within the Valle de Boi. From La Seu d’Urgell journey alongside the Pyrenees and border with France again in direction of the coast. Cease to see La Garrotxa, the traditional volcanic pure park and the medievel city of Besalú earlier than reaching house of Salvador Dalí’ in Figueres. Right here you may discover his delivery house and well-known Theatre Museum. The final stage takes you alongside the Costa Brava shoreline to see extra Dalí sights after which inland to the historic metropolis of Girona earlier than heading again to Barcelona.
Drive by way of the Catalan Pyrenees. Photograph: Manu Version / Pexels
Granada to Almería circuit
Start in Granada and drive south for round one hour previous the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the villages of the Alpujarras – quaint whitewashed mountain villages, recognized for his or her crafts, bohemian vibe, mountain climbing and distinctive delicacies. The primary you’ll attain is Lanjarón and three of probably the most charming are Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira. From right here proceed by way of the Alpujarras and down in direction of Almería or take the coastal route by way of Calahonda. There are pretty seashores to the east of Almería on the Parque Pure del Cabo de Gata-Níjar if you wish to take a detour additional. The primary circuit although will take you north of the town and thru Europe’s solely desert – the Tabernas on the best way again to Granada. Take a cease in Guadix to see it is distinctive historical cave properties the place many locals nonetheless stay.
This route takes you thru Europe’s solely true desert. Photograph: Fabesh / Pexels
