Planning The Perfect Road Trip In Spain

Spain remains a popular holiday destination for many travelers. This year, the country has welcomed 19.7 million visitors, which is a 17.2% increase over the first nine months of 2020. Moreover, experts predict that even more tourists will flock to the country in 2022. While spending a few days at any of the impressive cities and seaside destinations can be the perfect way to spend a holiday in Spain, a road trip can be even better as it allows you to experience the best of what the country has to offer. Here’s all you need to know for planning the perfect road trip in Spain.

Choose the Right Vehicle

A road trip requires a suitable vehicle to get you around, and hiring a car in Spain will save you a lot of money. You need to consider different elements when choosing a car. Whether you are driving a pickup truck – which is the perfect choice for rough terrain – or a convertible, the vehicle needs to be in excellent condition in order to get you around safely. You should also consider the transmission type and the size of the vehicle. Manual cars are more popular among the Spanish folk, so finding an automatic car will be harder to find. Also, hiring a smaller car will make your life easier. This is because it will be easier to park on the street and will make it easier to navigate around the narrow Spanish village roads.

What to Pack

It is important to remember travel insurance since it covers medical expenses, accidents, and travel delays while you’re in Spain. Remember to bring a universal travel adaptor and phone charger so your loved ones can stay in touch with you and you can make calls in case of an emergency. You should also bring a lightweight cooler bag to keep your food and drinks chilled. When it comes to clothing, dress comfortably yet stylishly, paying attention to the weather, and pack a comfortable pair of shoes since you’ll do a lot of walking during stopovers. 

Routes to Take

As you drive around the country, you will discover a range of different scenic routes. The tunnels through Andalusia will lead you to the mountain roads of El Chorro which provide more scenic views. For a more coastal route, drive from Santander to Gijon and the mountainous roads of Catalunya. Some of the more popular routes road trippers take include Barcelona to Madrid and Madrid to Lisbon.

Barcelona to Madrid

The trip is 386 miles (621 km), taking about 5 hours and 45 minutes by car. By starting in Barcelona, you can visit the Sagrada Familia church if you are a fan of quirky architecture. Next, check out the Museum Picasso, where you will discover some of the best of Pablo Picasso’s artworks. As you leave Barcelona, you can visit the Castle of Monteargagon, located near Huesca. Once you’re in Madrid, plan on having lunch or dinner at Zaragoza, where you can enjoy local Spanish cuisine at its best. For more local delicacies, you can visit the restaurants in the Hanging House of Cuenca as well, then once you’ve eaten your fill, you can go and visit the Museum of Abstract Arts. 

Madrid to Lisbon

The trip is 388 miles (624 km) and will take you about 5 hours and 30 minutes. Some essential stops include Toledo, Evora, Merida, Caceres, San Lornexo de El Escorial, Setubal, Trukillo and Badajoz. For the fashion fans out there, you can visit the Freeport fashion outlet. If you want to step back in time, then you can pay a visit to Beja Castle. The great thing about this route is not only will you be able to enjoy different local Spanish cuisines, but as you make your way into Portugal, you can also have a taste of traditional Portuguese food such as bacalhau, caldo verde, and carne de porco, among others.

Going on a road trip in Spain is one of the best ways to spend time in the country. Keep these tips in mind if you’re planning to go on a road trip there, and have fun while you’re at it!