Six epic road trips in Spain to add to your bucket list
San Sebastián to Finesterre
Explore the coast of Green Spain by driving from the Basque city of San Sebastián all the way to the Costa de Morte and the so-called end of the earth at Finisterre – which is also the final end of the Camino de Santiago for those who go beyond the Santiago Cathedral. All in all it covers around 800km and takes just over seven hours if done all in one go. The best option of course would be to break it up over several days, taking in the highlights along the way. The first stop is Bilbao passing along the coast and beautiful fishing villages of Getaria, Mutriku and Lekeitio known for their excellent seafood and surfing. Next it's on to Santander and into Cantabria, stopping at picturesque villages such as Castro Urdiales, Laredo and Santoña en route.
From here continue along the coast to Asturias or take a detour for some hiking in the Picos de Europa. Asturais is home to such coastal beauties as Llanes, Gijón, Ribadesella and Cudillero. The final region on your journey is Galicia. You could stop at the spectacular Playa de las Catedrales with its gigantic rock formations on the way to A Coruña before heading down to the Costa da Morte or Coast of Death and Cape Finisterre, for so long considered to be the westernmost point of the Earth.
This epic route is known as the Vía de Plata or Silver route covers almost the entire length of Spain, all the way from the capital of Andalusia to the coastal Asturian city of Gijón. It follows the old Roman road that once connected the north and the south. This too covers around 800km and takes a similar amount of time as the first route, with lots of fascinating stops on the way.
It takes you through Extremadura, one of the least-visited regions of the country and past some of its most historic cities like Mérida with its amazing Roman ruins and Cáceres surrounded by mighty 12th century city walls. Continue your drive north between various natural parks to the historic city of Salamanca, home to the oldest university in Spain and then on to Zamora with its mix of architectural styles. You'll then past the Lagunas de Villafáfila on the way up to León with its grand 13th century cathedral and Barrio Húmedo tapas district. The route then ascends through mountains and natural parks before descending once again to the coast and the port city of Gijón in Asturias. You could also take a short detour to the Asturian capital of Oviedo to explore its historic streets and frequent its cider bars.
Barcelona to Alicante
This drive covers almost the entire length of the Spanish Mediterranean coast from Barcelona down to Alicante or the other way around. This is one of the most well-trodden roads in Spain and takes in some of its best beaches and most popular resorts. It's a total of 530km and would take around five and half hours if done in one go. Again it's best to split up and enjoy the sights and cities along the way. From the Catalan capital of Barcelona, you'll drive southwest along the coast towards Tarragona and its mesmerising Roman Amphitheatre overlooking the sea.
Then it's on to the Costa Daurada or Golden Coast, known for its stretches of golden sand beaches. Pass the Delta del Ebro, home to a vast variety of bird life, including flamingos, before entering the region of Valencia and the Costa del Azahar or Orange Blossom Coast. Peñíscola is a dramatic beach town en route with its own castle-topped citadel. Continue further to Valencia, home of the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, historic market and wide beaches. South of the city lies the Albufera Lagoon, where paella was invented and home to miles of rice fields. From here continue following the coast around to some of the area's most popular and beautiful beach towns – Gandia, Dénia, Calpe and Altea before arriving in Benidorm. From here it's just over an hour to Alicante, City of 1,001 Rice Dishes and Spanish Capital of Gastronomy 2025.
A tour of the Basque Country
This drive takes you on a circular route, beginning and ending in Bilbao (or one of the other cities en route). From Bilbao it takes you down to Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the region, famed for its gastronomy like Bilbao and San Sebastián as well as its spectacular art museum – Artim Museoa, the museum of contemporary art of the Basque Country. Back in the car, head to Pamplona, capital of Navarre mostly known as the home of the Running of the Bulls festival. There's plenty to see outside festival time too such as Gothic churches and medieval city walls.
From here, continue north along the N-135 to pass through the dramatic setting of the Pyrenees and into France. Make a short stop in Biarritz, loved for its grand architecture and surfing before heading back into Spain and San Sebastián. Many consider San Sebastián is Spain's foodie capital with the greatest number of Michelin Stars and filled with pintxos bars. It also has a stunning old town and lovely La Concha Beach. Then from San Sebastián back to Bilbao you past along the Basque coastline with numerous colourful fishing villages and Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
Grand Tour of Catalonia
The Grand Tour of Catalonia covers over 1,490 km of roads and does a loop of the region beginning and ending in Barcelona. Stage one takes you from Barcelona inland into the wine region of the Penedès, where Spain's cava is made and then back out to the Roman city of Tarragona. Stage two then continues down to the banks of the mouth of the River Ebro and then into another wine region of Priorat followed by the Cistercian Route of abbeys all the way to Lleida. Next you'll travel north along the edge of Aragón up to the Pyrenees, between glaciers, waterfalls and mountain towns.
Highlights include the Congost de Mont Rebei gorge, the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park and the Romanesque architecture in the Valle de Boi. From La Seu d'Urgell travel along the Pyrenees and border with France back towards the coast. Stop to see La Garrotxa, the ancient volcanic natural park and the medievel town of Besalú before reaching home of Salvador Dalí' in Figueres. Here you'll find his birth home and famous Theatre Museum. The last stage takes you along the Costa Brava coastline to see more Dalí sights and then inland to the historic city of Girona before heading back to Barcelona.
Granada to Almería circuit
Begin in Granada and drive south for around one hour past the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the villages of the Alpujarras – quaint whitewashed mountain villages, known for their crafts, bohemian vibe, hiking and unique cuisine. The first you'll reach is Lanjarón and three of the most charming are Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira. From here continue through the Alpujarras and down towards Almería or take the coastal route via Calahonda. There are lovely beaches to the east of Almería at the Parque Natural del Cabo de Gata-Níjar if you want to take a detour further. The main circuit though will take you north of the city and through Europe's only desert - the Tabernas on the way back to Granada. Take a stop in Guadix to see it's unique ancient cave homes where many locals still live.
This route takes you through Europe's only true desert. Photo: Fabesh / Pexels
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