These Epic Road Trips in Spain are Worth It

Road trips are one of the best ways to get familiar with Spain. Doing this allows you to see more of the country at your own pace and discover gems off the beaten path. 

I recently took an unforgettable road trip around Spain and visited many of the country’s vibrant cities, small towns, and secluded spots. I visited museums in Madrid, relaxed on the beaches of Costa del Sol, and did countless adventure activities.

Using my first-hand experience, this article is all about clueing you into the very best road trip routes Spain has to offer. Let’s get into it!

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10 Best Road Trips in Spain

Andalusia

An easy-to-manage route from Seville to Almeria through the mountains and coastlines of Spain’s southern region. 

📍 Google Maps Route | 🛣️ End-to-End Length: 348 miles (6 hours and 50 minutes driving) | 🗺️ Highlights: Seville, Ronda, Frigliana, Nerja, Granada, Almeria

The Andalusia road trip through southern Spain provides the perfect introduction to the Andalusian region and its white villages. It starts in Seville and ends in Almeria about seven hours away. Activity-packed beaches and archaeological sites are key features of this route. 

Starting in Seville, make sure to get photos under the towering Setas of Seville wooden sculpture and in front of Plaza de Espana. I do recommend staying a bit longer to experience all of Seville’s amazing attractions.

From here, head south to reach the white village of Ronda for expansive views of the cliffside landscape. Stop in Nerja to get a peek inside the earth at the Caves of Nerja and participate in some water sports at Playa Burriana. 

Go fifteen minutes into the mountains to Frigiliana before visiting the historic city of Granada and its UNESCO-ranked Alhambra. End the road trip in Almería to visit the Alcazaba of Almería and go hiking in the coastal Cabo de Gata-Níjar National Park.  

Costa Brava

A straightforward route starting from Barcelona that hits all the top beach towns along Costa Brava. 

📍 Google Maps Route | 🛣️ End-to-End Length: 144 miles (4 hours driving) | 🗺️ Highlights: Barcelona, Blanes, Lloret De Mar, Tossa De Mar, Palafrugell, Begur, Figueres, Cadaqués

The Costa Brava route is one of the best road trips for beach lovers with limited time. It can be driven in as little as a day with the whole trip from Barcelona to Cadaqués only taking about four hours each way. Of course, spending more time in each location is ideal. 

To start, check out the best things to do in Barcelona and then head up the coast to the picturesque town of Blanes. Here, hike along the coast at Cami de Ronda and visit Jardín Botánico Marimurtra. 

Stop by Lloret de Mar for dancing at Disco Tropics and then drive over to the towns of Tossa De Mar and Palafrugell for blue water beaches. Take in views of Begur at Begur’s Castle and conclude your road trip in the fishing village of Cadaqués by the French border. 

📚 Related Reading: The Costa Brava road trip begins in Barcelona, so chances are you’ll need somewhere to sleep before you get going. Check out my full guide to picking where to stay in Barcelona to help you choose a location.

Northern Spain

A one-way journey across Spain’s north coast with stops at a Medieval castle, top museums, and a Bay of Biscay beach. 

📍 Google Maps Route | 🛣️ End-to-End Length: 611 miles (11 hours driving) | 🗺️ Highlights: Zaragoza, Donostia-San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Gijon, Lugo, Santiago de Compostela  

The Northern Spain road trip is a long route that covers 600 miles through seven cities. Along the trip, you’ll cross paths with a mix of museums, beautiful beaches, and historic sites. 

Begin in Zaragoza, one of the oldest cities in Spain. Get a peek at the astounding architecture of Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar and the Medieval Aljafería Palace. 

Then, set off toward Donostia-San Sebastian on the Bay of Biscay. The city is home to La Concha Beach, one of the nicest beaches in Spain. 

In Bilbao, spend time perusing the Guggenheim and the Basque Museum before heading to Santander. There, experience peaceful nature at Parque de Mataleñas and Jardines de Piquío. 

Eat seafood at El Restallu in Gijon and dive into Roman history in Lugo. End in Santiago de Compostela, the capital of the Galicia region to have a picnic in Parque da Alameda and light a candle at the city’s cathedral. 

North to South

A history-filled route through the center of Spain going from the Basque Country to a British territory on the tip of the Iberian Peninsula. 

📍 Google Maps Route | 🛣️ End-to-End Length: 731 miles (12 hours 35 minutes driving) | 🗺️ Highlights: Bilbao, Valladolid, Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Gibraltar

This North-to-South road trip cuts through the center of Spain from Basque Country to the tip of the Iberian Peninsula. The route passes several cultural and UNESCO World Heritage sites, making it perfect for history lovers. 

Head south from Bilbao to the Renaissance-style city of Valladolid to shop at the 137-year-old Pasaje Gutiérrez. 

Two hours away you’ll find the capital city of Madrid in Central Spain. Take advantage of all the amazing things to do in Madrid, like renting a boat at El Retiro Park and eating tapas from Mercado de San Miguel. 

Then, hit the cities of Toledo and Cordoba, two of Spain’s top UNESCO World Heritage sites for their preserved historic centers. 

For the last leg, cross over into the British territory of Gibraltar to see the Saint Michael’s Cave inside the massive Gibraltar Nature Reserve. Make sure you have your passport on hand because this portion goes over country lines. 

Ibiza

A quick loop around a UNESCO-ranked island with jaw-dropping beaches and a party scene. 

📍 Google Maps Route | 🛣️ End-to-End Length: 83 miles (2 hours and 45 minutes driving) | 🗺️ Highlights: Ibiza Town, Cala de Sant Vicent, Port de Sant Miquel, Cala Bassa, Cala d’Hort, Platja des Cavallet,

Ibiza is a beach and party destination that gets around 3 million visitors each year. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its range of cultural attractions. A loop around the whole island takes less than 3 hours, making it ideal for a quick road trip. 

Begin from Ibiza Town to watch the boats come into Eivissa Harbour and visit the beautiful Dalt Vila neighborhood that dates back to the Renaissance. Then, head to Cala de Sant Vicent for some relaxing beach time. 

Arrive at the resort town of Port de Sant Miquel to visit Cova de Can Marçà, a cave once used for smuggling coffee and tobacco. 

Then, join this Sunset Beach Hopping Cruise, Cala Comte, and Cala Bassa Experience before hitting Cala d’Hort and the nudist beach of Platja des Cavallet. Finish the trip at the famous Pacha nightclub. 

Costa Del Sol

A fast-paced road trip along the southern coast of Spain with lots of beaches, hidden gem restaurants, and well-known art museums. 

📍 Google Maps Route | 🛣️ End-to-End Length: 93 miles (2 hours and 11 minutes driving) | 🗺️ Highlights: Estepona, Marbella, Malaga, Nerja 

The Costa Del Sol road trip is one of the shortest road trips in Spain at less than 100 miles long. Yet, it provides access to many dreamy beaches, stellar nightlife spots, and traditional restaurants. 

In Estepona, take a morning walk along Playa de la Rada and eat lunch at traditional Andalusian restaurants like Restaurante Las Gitanillas. Stop by Marbella to dance the night away at Olivia Valere, the oldest nightclub in the area. 

Then make your way to Malaga, one of the oldest cities in the world where the painter Pablo Picasso was born. One of the best things to do in Malaga is to get a taste of the local art scene at the Picasso Museum and the Carmen Thyssen Museum. 

Finally arrive at Nerja’s Burriana Beach to rent a boat, paddleboard, or join this Kayak Route Cliffs of Nerja and Maro Tour as I did. 

Castile and León

A manageable loop around the mountainous region of northwestern Spain with stops at historic cathedrals, wine destinations, and hot springs.  

📍 Google Maps Route | 🛣️ End-to-End Length: 570 miles (8 hours and 22 minutes driving) | 🗺️ Highlights: Leon, Burgos, Valladolid, Segovia, Avila, Ourense

The Castile and Leon road trip route takes you through the sweeping landscapes of northwestern Spain starting from Leon all the way to Ourense 8.5 hours away. You’ll come across viewpoints, wineries, and natural attractions along the way. 

Wander Leon’s architectural masterpieces like Catedral De Leon and the Convento de San Marco. In the Gothic wonderland of Burgos, visit Mirador Del Castillo for exceptional views over the city and Burgos Cathedral.

Valladolid is a dream destination for wine lovers, located in the Ribera del Duero region where the beloved red is produced. The towns of Segovia and Avila are two of the best day trips from Madrid for their pristine locations and their intriguing attractions, like the Alcazar of Segovia. 

The road trip has a relaxing end in the city of Ourense to soak in the Caldas de Outariz hot springs with a picturesque view over River Miño. 

The Major Cities Loop

A comprehensive journey hitting every top Spanish destination from the capital city to Seville in the Andalusian region.

📍 Google Maps Route | 🛣️ End-to-End Length: 1,400 miles (23 hours driving) | 🗺️ Highlights: Madrid, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Valencia, Murcia, Seville

The major city loop is the ultimate Spain road trip – spanning all the major cities, 1,400 miles, and 23 hours of drive time. It takes at least a week to drive this route comfortably, but you can see most of the country this way.

Start in Madrid to explore the Prado National Museum and people watch at Plaza Mayor. Then, drive across Puente de Piedra into Zaragoza to grab local meats and cheese from Mercado Central de Zaragoza. 

There are many entertaining things to do in Barcelona, but don’t miss Gaudi’s famous pieces like La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and Park Güell.  

Valencia is the birthplace of paella and the home of family-friendly attractions like the UNESCO World Heritage Site of La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia and the City of Arts and Sciences museum.

In Murcia try the local specialty dessert of leche frita at Mesón Guinea before finishing with a Flamenco show in the Andalusian city of Seville.

Costa Blanca

A route along Spain’s southwestern coast through the region’s capital, the Spanish Manhattan, and a secret seafood spot. 

📍 Google Maps Route | 🛣️ End-to-End Length: 139 miles (3 hours driving) | 🗺️ Highlights: Cartagena, Alicante, Benidorm, Calp, Denia

The Costa Blanca road trip is a very short adventure along the southeastern coast of Spain at only 139 miles long. The route features a great deal of seaside beauty and delicious seafood. 

Visit the castle-style military structures of Batería de Castillitos, the ruins of Teatro Romano de Cartagena, and relax on Cala Cortina beach in Cartagena. 

Alicante is the capital city of Costa Blanca and one of the oldest wine regions in Europe. After sipping the sweet local Fondillon wine, go up Costa Blanca to Benidorm. 

This city’s skyscraper-filled skyline has earned it the nickname of the Spanish Manhattan. Unlike the Big Apple, Benidorm has beautiful, swimmable beaches, like Platja de Ponent.

Go hiking at Calp’s Parque Natural del Peñón de Ifach. As the evening approaches, hop aboard this Sunset Sailing Catamaran Cruise. End in the port town of Denia to indulge in the freshest seafood money can buy at the Michelin-star-rated Restaurant Peix & Brases. 

Gran Canaria

A thorough loop around the island to explore turquoise beaches, gardens, dunes, and viewpoints. 

📍 Google Maps Route | 🛣️ End-to-End Length: 146 miles (3 hours and 40 minutes driving) | 🗺️ Highlights: Las Palmas, Dunas de Maspalomas, Playa Anfi del Mar, Playa de Amadores, Mirador del Balcón, Puerto de Sardina, La Isleta

The Gran Canaria road trip is a terrific road trip destination for outdoor adventurers. It only takes around 5 hours to do a loop around the island from Las Palmas and back. 

In the island’s capital of Las Palmas, snorkel above the colorful reefs of Playa de las Canteras at low tide. Then drive just 40 minutes away to find a very different type of natural wonder – the Dunas de Maspalomas. These sand dunes get very hot, so wear sneakers for the excursion. 

Cool off in the bright blue waters of Playa Anfi del Mar and Playa de Amadores. Then, keep driving to Mirador del Balcón on the island’s west side to watch the sunset.  

Stop in the cute town of Puerto de Sardina to see Punta Sardina Lighthouse before finishing off the loop in La Isleta. This port neighborhood in Las Palmas offers great bars to celebrate the road trip, like Ginger and F29 Bar. 

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Thanks for reading! Which Spanish road trip are you going to embark on? Before you choose, remember that the weather varies throughout the year so read my guide to the best time to visit Spain.