3 Amazing Road Trips in Spain

A road trip through Spain is the most excellent way to experience the country's diverse natural and cultural landscapes and delectable cuisine. From medieval castles and ancient cities to seaside towns and mountains that tower over miles of coastlines — you'll be amazed as you travel.

While bus and train routes are well-connected, a road trip in Spain lets you explore at your own pace and set your own schedule. It’s a great opportunity for British citizens travelling to Spain to explore Spain from a different perspective.

Hence, we've gathered a list of three of the best driving routes in Spain to get you started.

Castilla y León road trip

Central Spain's Castilla and León region has some of the country's most impressive historic towns, including walled medieval cities, fortified castles, Romanesque architecture, Gothic cathedrals, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you're coming from Madrid, the first stop is Segovia, where you can see the impressive 12th century Alcázar of Segovia castle, Roman aqueducts, and Gothic cathedrals. The medieval-era walled town of Avila, known as "the town of Stones and Saints," is the next stop, with the most Gothic and Roman churches in Spain. El Salvador Cathedral, San Vicente Basilica, and the Convent/Museum of Saint Teresa, the town's most famous saint, are all worth visiting. End your road trip in Salamanca, a lovely university town, recognised as "La Ciudad de Oro'' ("The Golden City") since its honey-coloured sandstone walls glow with infinite golden hues in the late afternoon light.

Start: Madrid

End: Salamanca

Distance: 265km

Northern Spain road trip

Due to the heavy rainfall compared to the rest of Spain, Northern Spain boasts lusher vegetation. Beautiful views of rolling green hills, snow-capped mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean await you here. Starting in the Basque Country, you'll travel through Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia before returning to the Basque Country. San Sebastián, a gastronomic coastal city with the highest proportion of Michelin-starred restaurants per square meter in Europe, is a good starting point. A few days in the city's Parte Vieja (Old Quarter) would be ideal for exploring the city's pintxos (appetizers) at every turn.

Just a short distance away is the Basque island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, where the Game of Thrones TV series Dragonstone was filmed. A long, winding stone staircase connects this breathtaking rocky cliff to the mainland in the Bay of Biscay. For centuries, visitors to the island made wishes by ringing a bell three times on the chapel's facade, according to local tradition. Playa del Sardinero, a spectacular golden sand beach in the port town and Cantabrian capital of Santander, is a great place to relax. It was built in the early 1900s as a summer residence for the king and queen of Spain.

As you continue through the region of Asturias, you'll get stunning views of the Picos de Europa mountain range. Visit the charming old town of Oviedo and sample the local delicacy, fabada Asturiana, a traditional bean stew. Finally, you can visit the Basilica of Santiago de Compostela, the reputed final resting place of St. James the Apostle, along with thousands of other pilgrims who have made the thousand-year-old pilgrimage known as the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James).

Start: San Sebastian

End: Santiago de Compostela

Distance: 450km

Andalucía Road Trip

Andalucía in southern Spain is the only European region with both Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, connected by the Strait of Gibraltar. The Costa del Sol can be seen as you drive through this fascinating region. Begin in Malaga, Spain's sunny coastal city, and gaze out over the Sierra Nevada mountains. Granada and Cordoba, the medieval Muslim dynasties that ruled Spain until the 15th century, are two must-see destinations.

An ancient fortress and citadel of the Nasrid Dynasty, Granada's Alhambra palace displays both Christian and Moorish architectural styles. The nearby Palacio de Generalife, a summer palace for the ancient Nasrid sultans, is also accessible with the same entrance ticket.

This captivating city is home to the city's crowning achievement, the Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba (the Córdoba Mosque), along with the Alhambra, the most evocative examples of Islamic architecture in the world. In 786, Abderramán, the Emir of Córdoba of the ruling Umayyad dynasty, built it over the remains of a Visigothic cathedral that had stood since the 6th century.

Take some time to explore Seville's distinctive landscape, which includes horse-drawn carriages and citrus trees, as well as an enormous Gothic cathedral and Mudéjar (Moorish) architecture. Flamenco tablaos (flamenco performances) are also a must-see for visitors.

Start –Malaga

End: Seville

Distance: 472km