My Spain road trip in short: 11 days exploring, 1050 miles, San Sebastian, Pamplona, Burgos, Segovia, Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona. Camping sites 5 nights, free camping 4 nights, and a friend’s apartment for 2 nights. Check out the full story below.
- Things I loved: Sleeping 50 meters from the ocean for free, parking in the heart of Barcelona and Madrid and embracing the spontaneity of the open road.
- Highlight: Sleeping 50 meters from the ocean and watching naked men play-fight in the sea.
- Lowlight: The overnight stop at Las Rosaz.
- Biggest bargain: Valencia Camper Park (Betera) and the price of diesel at 1 euro per liter.
- Biggest fail: Filling up with diesel before leaving France and assuming a reunion with my friend in Barcelona would be quiet—we both love cocktails!
From France to Spain: Border-Crossing Adventures
I crossed the French-Spanish border into Spain on day 35 of my adventure. Spain was hot, really hot. With temperatures hitting 38°C daily, I was a sticky, sweaty mess, relying on Coke Zero to replace my body’s need for air conditioning. This was authentic road-tripping on a budget, and I loved it. The non-toll roads were mostly dual carriageways, making driving around Spain fast and affordable at just 1 euro per liter of fuel. I was in road trip heaven.
Biarritz
On my way across the border, I stopped in Biarritz to see what all the fuss was about at this famous French surfing hotspot. I spotted some bold beach campers, who were politely asked to pack up their tents by the local police. My beach stroll was made even more memorable by naked men play-fighting in the sea. I considered joining in but felt I was about 20 vodka shots short. Biarritz was lively, even at 7 am.
San Sebastian
San Sebastian didn’t have naked men play-fighting in the sea, but it did have photogenic, romantic stone streets and big open squares. The old bullring square was particularly cool, with seat numbers still visible at the windows. I parked in an underground lot in the city centre and, thanks to an outdated satnav, ended up driving in circles before realizing my mistake. It was a happy accident that saved me from being lost forever in the city’s beautiful pedestrianized one-way system.
Extending My Spain Road Trip
Originally, I planned to skirt along the edge of Spain—San Sebastian to Barcelona via Pamplona and Zaragoza. But the Spanish roads were so smooth and inviting that I decided to add Madrid to my itinerary. Burgos seemed like a good stop along the way, but I was still drawn to Pamplona, even though I had just missed the famous festival by two days.
Pamplona
Missing the festival meant Pamplona was like a ghost town—less exciting for partying but perfect for exploring. I drove my vehicle along the bull-running streets, which was strangely satisfying. It was a great way to tackle my FOMO and scout the area for next year’s festival.
Burgos
I arrived in Burgos after a 200-mile drive from Capbreton. Spain doesn’t seem to have many municipal campsites like France; instead, they favor upscale campsites with cabins, pools, bars, and restaurants. I was on a budget, so I stayed for two nights to catch up on laundry, food shopping, and blog writing. The first grocery shop in a new country is always a bit traumatic—nothing is where you expect it to be.
Foodie Challenges in Spanish Supermarkets
Spanish supermarkets don’t stock tzatziki (a personal tragedy), and they aren’t big on soy products, especially vanilla-flavored ones. Sometimes you weigh your own fruit, sometimes you don’t. They export their best produce to France, but their tomatoes, lettuce, and wine are delicious and affordable. I adapted by replacing couscous with Spanish baguettes and tzatziki with sachets of salad dressing. Luckily, canned tuna and Lindt mint dark chocolate were always available.
Burgos has a lovely castle on the hill with great city views and a massive cathedral. It was a decent stop to refuel everything, and the campsite staff were friendly and helpful.
The Road to Madrid
Next up was Madrid. I learned to arrive early to avoid traffic and parking hassles. Madrid was too far from Burgos for a single drive, so I stopped in Segovia, a UNESCO city with 72 historical sites. The aqueducts were the highlight, cutting right through the old city.
I spent the afternoon exploring Segovia and decided to stay overnight at Las Rosaz, about 30 minutes outside Madrid. Free camping was a necessity due to the heat and lack of facilities, but it worked. I followed the standard free camping rules: take up minimal space, stay quiet, leave no trace, and leave early.
Ola Madrid
I arrived in Madrid at 6:45 am, a wonderfully quiet time. The city was bustling by mid-morning, and I explored the palace, main squares, and the famous bear statue. Madrid doesn’t have iconic landmarks like other European cities, but its energy is infectious. I parked underground to avoid the complicated on-street parking and enjoyed the city’s lively atmosphere.
Taking a Break on the Spanish Coast
The rest of the day was spent driving to Valencia. I stayed at Valencia Camper Park, which offered outstanding value, food, facilities, and staff. For 6 euros a night, I had access to showers, free Wi-Fi, and even free sangria on arrival. The campsite was close to the train station, making it easy to explore Valencia.
I spent the day in Valencia and got caught in a thunderstorm on the way back. My vehicle stayed dry, and I was grateful I wasn’t in a tent. I could have stayed a week, but Barcelona was calling.
From Valencia to Barcelona
Between Valencia and Barcelona, I found my dream overnight spot: soft sand, calm seas, and a quiet beach. I parked close to the ocean, enjoyed the beach all day, and used my vehicle as a giant beach bag and parasol. As I approached Barcelona, the number of tourists increased, so I stayed in Les Boutiques Del Mar, a charming seaside town.
I arrived in Barcelona early and parked in a secure underground lot near the metro. My friend and I spent two days exploring the city, enjoying red pepper cocktails, savory crepes, and the lively atmosphere of Las Ramblas. Leaving Barcelona was easier than expected, and I realised that major cities are designed to make it simple for visitors to leave.
To Sum Up My Spain Road Trip
In total: 46 days exploring, 3200 miles, 29 nights in campsites, 15 nights of free camping, and 2 nights with friends. It was awesome. Spain, you were amazing! Where to next? Maybe Andorra…
