These five caravan routes through northern Spain will become your perfect getaway. Keep reading because we are going to give you ideas so you can be surprised by corners within Spain that you might not have known about. Now is the time to enjoy the beauty of our towns. You just have to prepare everything you need, like our reusable bottles, and choose which route tempts you.
Basque Country
Euskadi is beautiful, but it's best to opt for a route with not too many stops to enjoy it to the fullest. If you have few days, it's better to cover less and savor each corner. The first stop will take us to Elciego, Álava. This town is characterized by its grapes; there are many wineries to visit, the most famous and oldest being Marqués de Riscal.
50 kilometers from Elciego is Vitoria, the capital of Álava. One of the most emblematic places is the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca. We also have the Plaza del Machete and Cuchillería street where we can visit the Gothic-style Casa Cordón.
An hour from Vitoria is Vizcaya, with its well-known medieval streets next to Bilbao Cathedral, and the Arriaga Theatre. In Bilbao, a must-visit is the Guggenheim Museum of modern art. The Puppy made of flowers awaits you. And let's not forget its pintxos.
If what we fancy is to finish with a visit to coastal areas, in Bilbao we have, on the one hand, La Arena beach, located at the foot of a beautiful village with the same name. There we find taverns and bars where we can eat. Górliz beach is another option, and at its entrance there is a large car park where we can stay overnight for free. In addition, we recommend these portable coolers.
Asturias, between sea and mountains
A caravan route through Asturias is synonymous with natural attractions in the form of mountains and a coast that is a paradise for all sea lovers. We start with Taramundi, a town located in the westernmost part of Asturias, among mountains and valleys.
Taramundi is described by those who visit it as "a place straight out of a magical story." The bell tower of its church dedicated to San Martín stands out. The rural hotel "La Rectoral" is emblematic because it pioneered this type of tourism.
Near Taramundi you can visit:
- Mazonovo Museum: the largest mill museum in Spain.
- As Veigas: a small village full of charm.
- Bres: a handicraft village worth exploring.
- La Salgueira: a large fifty-meter waterfall in a wooded landscape.
25.9 km from Taramundi is Castropol. This town is located on the banks of the Eo Estuary, a Natural Reserve, which is why Castropol is the perfect place to enjoy boat trips, and thus discover flora and fauna while trying its excellent seafood cuisine.
About 50 minutes from Castropol awaits Cudillero, another of Asturias' beautiful villages. Nestled on a cliff, it has a route of viewpoints with spectacular views. The houses are colorful and are arranged in steps up the hillside. Cudillero invites you to wander its streets, but don't forget to visit the Cudillero Lighthouse.
Southward, if we drive for an hour along the AS-16 and AS-227, we reach the Somiedo Natural Park, a protected natural area covering over 29,100 hectares, belonging to the municipality of Somiedo. There are several pre-designed routes. The most famous is the route through the Saliencia Lakes, comprising Lake de la Cueva, Calabazosa, Cerveriz, and the Almagrera or La Mina Lagoon.
Just an hour and a quarter from Somiedo is Gijón, a city known for its tourism and for surfers who want to enjoy the waves of San Lorenzo beach. In the Cerro de Santa Catalina Park, you'll find the Elogio del Horizonte, a sculpture by Eduardo Chillida that has become a symbol of Gijón.
Staying overnight in Gijón is easy because there are various rest areas, such as the El Arbeyal Area, which has 18 pitches and is free.
Cantabria
Cantabria not only boasts endless beaches, enchanted forests, wooden balconies overflowing with flowers, cave paintings, meadows where cows graze freely; it also offers the humidity of the forest and the sea. It's one of the areas in northern Spain worth visiting and discovering on your caravan trip.
Let's start with Castro Urdiales. This garden city is surrounded by buildings like Salvarrey, on Avenida de la Constitución, and boasts a beautiful view of the monumental complex of Puebla Vieja. The Paseo Marítimo (promenade) is also a must-visit.
The Port of Castro Urdiales still retains the essence of fishing villages. Boats arrive there supplying fish and seafood to the region's restaurants. Nearby is the Town Hall Square, surrounded by terraces, and the Casa de los Chelines, declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1991.
About twenty minutes from Castro Urdiales is Laredo, the capital of the Eastern Coast region. It is a famous summer resort in Cantabria because it offers interesting leisure activities. Laredo stands out for its status as a royal port.
Santoña is twenty minutes from Laredo. A fishing village that boasts many routes such as the Faro del Caballo (Best Corner of Spain according to the Repsol Guide in 2014). You can also explore Santoña's beaches, such as Berria Beach, or take a walk along El Pasaje.
Forty minutes from Santoña is Santander, in the heart of Cantabria. This city stands out for the Magdalena Palace, beautiful by day and magical if you visit at night, the Old Town, or the Pereda Gardens.
The Magdalena Peninsula is a park that we can explore on the tourist train known as the "Magdaleno". We will discover Los Bikinis Beach, the Royal Pier, or the Faro de la Cerda. Back in Santander, there is the Río de la Pila funicular located in the old part of the city.
To stay overnight in Santander, you can go to the marina parking in the sports port for six euros, or the Las Llamas motorhome area, with 25 spaces and free of charge.
Galicia
The caravan route through Galicia will begin with Ribadeo, a town that separates the principality of Asturias from Galicia. We can visit the Praia das Catedrais from Rinlo, which is about 11 kilometers away, and begin the "Beach Route" which concludes with the Praia das Catedrais.
For overnight stays, about 10 minutes from the Praia das Catedrais is the Benquerencia Playa campsite located in San Pedro de Benquerencia, which has 80 pitches, laundry facilities, and hot showers.
From San Pedro de Benquerencia, and about 104 kilometers away, we reach Cabo de Ortegal. 19 kilometers from this cape is Santo André de Texeido, a village that has the sanctuary of the same name, a very popular pilgrimage site.
Let's go to Ferrol, about 34 kilometers away. Ferrol grew from the Curuxeiras Dock to become a commercial town. The English Way to Santiago begins at this dock. We will visit the Magdalena neighborhood where the Herrera Gardens are located.
Our route ends in A Coruña. Here you'll find the Tower of Hercules, the city's emblem. Below the Tower of Hercules is the Rosa dos Ventos, a mosaic representing nautical compass points. Once again, a must-visit is Praia dos Cristais or Crystal Beach. It seems covered in gems of different colors. For overnight stays, in Laxe there is the Santa Rosa motorhome area.
Navarre
The route through Navarra, if you like the mountains, should start in the Roncal Valley, located in the heart of the Navarrese Pyrenees. It features rugged routes, wild nature, and admirable landscapes. Here you will find the Western Valleys Natural Park, the Irati Forest, and Roncesvalles. There are several interesting museums in the area, the most popular being the Cheese Museum, as delicious cheeses are produced in the region.
An hour from Pamplona we find the Irati Forest, a corner where three natural reserves are located: Mendilatz, Truistibartea, and the integral reserve of Lizardoiaque. The Irati Forest has routes for walking, cycling, and horseback riding. The Hiriberri Viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the Irati Forest.
The town of Roncesvalles is 60 kilometers from the Irati Forest. There we can visit the Museum-Treasury of the Royal Collegiate Church of Roncesvalles, the Royal Collegiate Church of Roncesvalles, and the Monumental Complex of Alto Ibañeta.
30 km from Roncesavalles is the small town of Eugi. The municipality is in a natural enclave, on the banks of the Eugi reservoir. Various hiking routes lead to the summit of Monte Arrabal or Collado Gurutxaga.
From Eugi, 27.6 kilometers away, is the capital of Navarre, Pamplona. An accessible city for caravanning, it has an area in the center about a 15-minute walk from Pamplona's Old Town. We all know the city for the Sanfermines, but there is much to see and visit. The Yamaguchi Park, in Japanese style, is an example, where we will find the Pamplona Planetarium.
Must-visit places include the Old Town, Estafeta street, the Monument to the Running of the Bulls, the niche of San Fermín, Pamplona Cathedral, the Nuevo Casino Principal, and Plaza del Castillo. As everything is very close, we can enjoy the walk and make a stop at its bars or restaurants.
Which route will you choose for your next caravan getaway? It's hard to pick just one. But we can always start with one and complete the other four. Northern Spain is beautiful and it's almost a must to discover and enjoy it.
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