Motorhoming & Campervanning in Spain - Complete Guide If youre feeling brave, go to Valencia during Las Fallas, the famous fire festival. On the other hand, if you have 10-14 days or longer, you can get a lot further south, certainly as far as Costa Blanca or Andalucia and possibly even get to enjoy motorhoming in Portugal if youre happy to drive every day. Many roads have automatic speed cameras on in Spain and theyre quite happy to send tourists a fine through the mail. You must have at least three months remaining on your passport (issued in the past ten years) at your intended date of departure from Spain. If youre looking for a longer holiday, just throw in some beach time! Some go for up to six months from October onwards, we prefer to spend Christmas at home and travel out in January. Be sure to get: Name and address of all the people involved in the accident, Vehicle registration numbers of all parties, Take photos of damage using a camera, GoPro or phone. Stop your vehicle immediately but safely- out of the flow of traffic if possible. Among its many Roman ruins are a 1st-century B.C. The motorhome route is shown in the map below. This will be my first time in the van into France,Spain and Portugal. As someone who gets seasick (hilarious considering Im ex-Navy and lived on boats for 15 years), I avoid this crossing and prefer to drive from the UK through France to Spain, but its entirely up to you. Spain has certain days where driving is restricted. Crdoba is full of Moorish treasures. There are a number of must-sees including the Plaza de Espaa, the Real Alczar, the Giralda Tower and the Cathedral. Most trucks will have taken to the motorway but the road is still quite slow through a continuous urban sprawl. With over 3,500 top campsites to choose from, we can help you find the You may be surprised at how many motorhomes from northern Europe travel to campsites in Spain for the winter. Leaving the motorway you drop down a hill. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a0d3bb0083595b6364da5d620cb66011" );document.getElementById("fe07b4a206").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you want to learn a few works, Castilian is the one to pick as it is the most widely spoken. Enjoy holidays year-round with this selection of sites that are open all year Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Devon. Shops Food prices are pretty inexpensive. Be warned- the hot water in the shower is on a timer- usually between 3-5 minutes per token. motorhome wild camping heres everything you need to know to stay safe and find free spots. Mileages where quoted are approximate, road signs in kilometres can seem very high, just remember 50km is 30 miles, 100km is 60 miles, etc. Get lost wandering the streets and alleys, soaking up the heat and atmosphere whilst stumbling upon gorgeous plazas and cool bars around every corner. Caravan & Motorhome Holidays Abroad ; Trip along Spanish Pyrenees to . There are speed cameras just as in the UK, and the Spanish (and other EU) authorities have been known to pursue Brits for non-payment of fines. Eastern route Paris - Clermont-Ferrand - Bziers - Perpignan - La Jonquera The eastern route through France is the obvious choice for travelling to eastern Spain. In Spain, yourACSICampingCard will come into its own if youre planning on touring and stopping for less than seven nights at sites. The author is giving their chosen route from the ferry port. Driving through France to Spain The UKs longest running outdoor motorhome & campervan show, four nights camping, with live entertainment and extensive exhibition area. Weve been touring Europe in our motorhome for several years. 5 Best Routes for Exploring France in a Motorhome | VickyFlipFlop Just like other tolls in Europe, youll usually get a ticket when you enter the toll route, then have to pay when you exit at either a manned or automatic toll booth. They also have dog kennels onboard but you CANNOT keep your dog in the ferry cabin with you (like you can from Portsmouth to Caen). You will be almost unaware of crossing the border at Irun, watch for the Espania sign, and turn south on the N121 a surprisingly fast road wriggling through the mountains to Pamplona. So, if you're searching for a cheap car rental in South Africa after landing at Pietermaritzburg Airport, look no further! Paying just a few euro in tolls is a good time saver. The area has hardly any mass tourism. Diamonds with a black line through mean you no longer have priority ( this is usually on roundabouts.). You will fall in love with this captivating and romantic city. Perhaps its because there are several options, or perhaps because theres a mountain range in the way, but its something which gets asked over and over again in Facebook groups and forums (feel free to join our motorhoming Facebook group here). At some campsites, you will need to pay extra for shower or electric usage. Home Motorhome Advice Travel to Europe Motorhoming & Campervanning in Spain Complete Guide. READ MORE: Discover the best & warmest places to enjoy winter in Spain. Copyright 2023 Warners Group Publications Plc. First, you'll take one of the ferries from Dover to Calais. Day 1 -Vron to Gron. You may carry a load, such as bikes on a rack, extending by up to 10% of the length of the vehicle to the rear. With one of the best winter climates in Europe and friendly locals, Spain is a perfect country for a motorhome road trip. Read the article below for other things to check as well before you agree to hire. On the way, stop atSant Carles de la Rapita,a charming Spanish town with lots of great seafood restaurants. The Pyrenees form the natural border between France and Spain and are richly blessed with natural beauty. If the weather is reasonable we can recommend a few nights stop for some cycling or beachcombing. Contains eBook, checklists and more. READ MORE: Learn how we find and use aires and approved free overnight motorhome stopovers across Europe. (If you do need an IDP, heres anin-depth guide on how to get an International Driving Permitand which one(s) you needfrom a UK post office. and washdown areas. Ratings and Reviews Powered by TripAdvisor. What food can I take in my motorhome to Spain? The most famous of these is the Mezquita; the grandest and most beautiful mosque ever built by the Moors which is now a stunning Cathedral. A reader review of Plassey Holiday Park An editorial review of Exe Valley Caravan Site Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Ireland. Most of the aires included in this route have paved parking suitable for poor weather and are close to village or town centres for shopping and restaurants. In practice, this could mean towing your car while its fixed to a trailer, although there is ambiguity around this and differing advice can be found on the internet. Here is a list of things we highly recommend when motorhoming in Spain, but which are NOT essential: Ok, lets deal with the basic rules and some tips for motorhoming and road tripping in Spain: The Spanish road network is pretty good and has a mixture of paid and free roads. Complete Europe Motorhome Travel Toolkit, CHECKLIST: Dont forget to grab your FREE Europe motorhome travel checklist HERE. Variable landscapes, impressive mountains and picturesque villages. You can find out more information here. The other popular option for groups of 4 or larger, or for those seeking a few more luxuries within their campervan, is the motorhome style of camper. Continue to the arid and wild Cabo de Gata national park, 71,500 acres of protected land since 1987. Day 3 - Chteauroux to Roullet Saint-Estephe. Or take a campervan route through the popular region of Normandy and Brittany! Everyone should do this at least one Mont St Michel - one of the most historical places in France. When visitingCrdobain a motorhome, this is the only designated parking allowing overnight stays; we found it to be great value for money, with security being important. The roads within the site are deteriorating badly and the showers and sanitary facilities are poorly designed (although clean and with plentiful hot water) but this is all surmountable if you want to see Madrid! Can I take a pet to Spain in my motorhome? Pump colours are green for petrol and black for diesel. When it comes to the cheapest Switzerland car rentals online, Auto Europe . If youd like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media. All that walking demands you sample the tapas scene, arguably the best in Spain, with regular live music and tapasthat are a bit more inventive than the normal tourist offering. Seville is hot, steamy and so very Spanish! Bullfightingis seen as heroic, atest of wills involving courage, intelligence, and elegance; matadors are national heroes. With the colourful traditions, good food and wine and fabulous architecture, you have all the ingredients for an amazing tour. Use the three-step search above to select your ideal vehicle, or contact our 24/7 customer service team at +1-888-223-5555 for expert assistance. Our ready-made Spanish road trips are here to help, guide to motorhoming in Europe after Brexit, Tips for Campervan Rental and Motorhome Hire in Spain (and the rest of Europe!). Destination. These warning triangles are now being phased out and from 1st July 2021 a new law requires that a. Reflective jacket (for the driver and all passengers). Yep. This is a fascinating and ecologically diverse part of Spain withover 80species of birds livingand breeding here. Motorhomes and Campervans weighing over 3.5 tonnes: Motorhomes with trailers or caravans (over 750kg). Traditionally it was followed by a nap, the famous. Many businesses close between 12.30 or 1pm until 5pm and then open again until 8pm. Spanish people live a more relaxed life than perhaps any other country in Europe and this is reflected in the organisation of the day. This is a long drive so to break it up we suggest stopping off at Eighty Mile Beach to stretch your legs. Brit Stops collects the best alternatives for parking and overnight stay in an easy-to-use catalogue, ideal for those who want to design their own route and depart into an adventure as soon as possible. It looks horrible, smells disgusting and its a real bummer when you tread in it. If youd like to get FREE motorhome and road trip checklists, you can find them here. a motorhome route through France to Spain - Out and About Live This also includes a motorhome sat-nav- program it before you leave and dont touch it unless youre parked up safely. Continue on the N12, for another three miles and take the second exit. Visit to Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Motorhome Route France, Spain and Andorra - Straight through the Ile de Re and La Rochelle Go straight on and in just 500 yards take the slip road towards motorways and Evreux. You can park a motorhome during the day anywhere parking is allowed (as long as there are no signs banning motorhome parking) and as long as you arent overhanging a space or blocking the road. Hundreds of passengers stranded in Colombia, Peru as Viva Air grounded Temperatures are still warm enough to enjoy the beaches and swimming in the sea, but there are much fewer tourists and you will be able to find motorhome parking without booking in advance. Camping Los Escullosis a great site, which is situated in the national park, close to Los Escullos beach ( a good spot for wild camping on the beach in Spain) and a couple of really good hikes. If you are travelling at or below the speed limit, the red traffic light will change in your favour. Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here. Road surfaces are generally pretty good and, unlike France, they try to avoid 10,0000000 road works on a bank holiday weekend. In Spain you can visit the Spanish National Park Aigestortes. Barcelona is a real foodie city, with a great central market and lots of fantastic tapas bars and seafood restaurants, check out thebest restaurants in Barcelonafor an authentic gastronomic experience when you visit the city. Dont forget, if you are driving through France to get to Spain, you need all the kit required by France as well as the kit for that country. The pace of life is simple and unhurried. Andalucia is our favourite place for motorhome holidays in Spain, full of life and dramatic contrasts between sparkling turquoise seas, verdant green mountains and arid desert landscapes. Bear in mind that you are more likely to find Spanish camping aires inland than on the coast. The Spanish government caps the price of gas, and you should expect to pay around 15-18 for a replacement bottle. If you intend staying on the city campsite then watch for airport signs to go anticlockwise north, otherwise continue clockwise to the free A63 motorway. Campsite review: South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park. Rent a unique motorhome from a local owner - Goboony However, with a little common sense and staying within the restrictions, its often possible to stay off-grid with your motorhome or campervan. Motorhome services are generally widely available, especially along the coast. We will tell you more about nine selected places on this route. a) Ferry to the north coast of Spain and drive south to your chosen Costa. When you click on an affiliate link in a page or post, at no cost to you, we earn fees by advertising and linking to our affiliate partners. Campervanning in Spain- motorhome overnight parking, Motorhome wild camping guides for the UK & Europe. Regardless of who accompanies you on your next trip or destination, the vehicle you need is on Yescapa. The medieval centre of Santiago de Compostela is almost entirely pedestrianised, in keeping with its UNESCO World Heritage status. Follow the N11 towards Girona and Barcelona. If you're on an extended motorhome tour and time is no object, of course pottering south along the west coast of France and crossing the Pyrenees is a wonderful introduction to Spain. See Motorhome Fall Into River Amid Catastrophic California Storms Man City want 100m Liverpool target at all costs with current star ready to 'pack up and leave' for Spain 'You can't trust . You will be crossing the notorious Bay of Biscay- and it can get ROUGH. Another beautiful city to fall in love with! Lidl and Carrefour have great parking facilities for motorhomes, the others less so as they are often more centrally situated in towns. Search my posts about motorhoming, wild parking, taking a van to Europe, tips for new owners and much more. Planning to tour Spain with a motorhome or campervan? English usually spoken in campsites and in tourist areas, but not often elsewhere, Cards most major credit and debit cards are accepted. If youre towing with your motorhome or campervan in Spain and the overall train length is 12m or more you must have at least one yellow reflector on the rear, sized 130cm x 25cm (or two sized 50cm x 25cm). From castle to castle along the Loire 6. If you're planning a UK campsite stay then visit our Campsite Finder, with over 5,000 campsites to search you'll be sure to find the perfect place to pitchup to in your Motorhome. To find out where to stay during stage 1 - click here. Sometimes we take three, but in the winter there is not much point stopping, we prefer to get to home quicker. Over the years we've fine tuned our route so that, as far as possible, we avoid toll motorways, heavy trucking routes and roads passing through endless villages with low speed limits, speed bumps and traffic lights. Often vegetarian means made from vegetables, not vegetarian in the true sense of the word. You can also hire a motorhome in the UK and drive it across to Spain. The Spanish Pyrenees are absolutely stunning. Planning to take your motorhome to Europe? The quickest motorway routes from France are the E70 to northern Spain (the route continues to A Corua in the northwest) and the E15 to south-east Spain. Before motorhome overnight parking, do your usual checks and add an extra one look forPine Processionary Caterpillars in Spain, which make their nests in those lovely shady pine trees we all like to park under. Motorhome Ferry Routes to Europe - Motorhome Insider Free delivery for many products! The tolls on this route will cost you an estimated 180; it could be more if you're driving a big motorhome of upwards of 3,500 kgs. Motorhome Aires in Spain All You Need to Know, whether you should take your motorhome to Spain for winter, SIM Cards in Morocco: How & Where to Buy + Best Deals, Driving from Lisbon to Porto: Itinerary, Route & Tips, Route Napoleon: A Historic French Road Trip, Austria Road Trip: The Best Itinerary, Map & Tips, Switzerland Road Trip: The Best Itinerary + Map & Tips. Anything with a screen (television, video, DVD etc.) See Through France without tolls. You can find out all the detail you need in our guide to motorhoming in Europe after Brexit. Its always worth investing in a book of aires, as well as an online app- just in case you find yourself without internet in your motorhome (or without a wifi signal). Country information - all the info for your trip, Developed by: NKC - travel guides (the NKC is the Dutch parent company of Campercontact), Total length of the route: 910 kilometres. In a short while, the Seine appears to the right and you are clear of the city. 2023 Wandering Bird Adventures. This road trip itinerary will take you to the major cities and best places to visit in Andalucia Spain, bringing the country alive. Book this hike well in advance and go with a guide, for an extra few euros you will learn so much. Youll probably also want some form of air conditioning or at least a fan in your camper- temperatures can get up to 40+c. The landscape changes from the rugged north, with mountains and scenic views to rival anywhere else in Europe, to the desert and arid areas, to the sparkling azure blue of the Mediterranean. We'd love to cross some mountains but just need to be advised by people who have already done it. Immerse yourself in nature and explore places that are difficult to reach with a motorhome, such as narrow gravel paths to the mountain peak or off-road bike routes through the pine trees. Speak to a Canada & Alaska Tours Expert. Occasionally, some sections of road have a fixed fee, so you pay when you enter. Spend a few days wandering the old townand Barrio Santa Cruz; admire the architecture and enjoy the typical Spanish ambience. Grab your FREE France travel checklist so you remember it all! ), Driving in Spain- what to do in the event of a road traffic accident, Other essential tips for campervanning in Spain, More useful things to know when motorhoming in Spain, FREE Europe motorhome travel checklist HERE, best & warmest places to enjoy winter in Spain, heres what we recommend and where to find it. Make sure your wild camping spot is not on private property and that you have parked respectfully of residents and other wild campers nearby. Motorhome Tour to Europe - the route France to Spain #motorhomelife The map below shows the main towns and cities of Spain, and the main road network. *We work hard to make this the best motorhome blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. Valencia is a green and vibrant city, with great nightlife. A motor home route through France to Spain." I read this on another site, " OutAndAboutlive. September and October offer warm sunshine, with the earth and sea still warm from the heat of August. Trip along Spanish Pyrenees to Perpignan then through France If youre coming from the south, make sure to stop at thewetlands of La Albufera and try the traditional paella which originated here. Very few, if any, shops are open on Sundays so make sure youve stocked up! Packed with great museums and atmospheric squares and quarters, Madrid is a great city in which to spend a day or so. Spanish toll roads are pay-as-you-go and are very reasonably priced. Motorhoming in Spain: Your Complete Guide for 2023 This first link is an award winning database about France. Motorhomes < 3,500 kg (also relevant for those touring Spain by car or campervan). The fastest (almost) toll-free routes to France and Spain Whether you like it or not, bullfighting is a huge part of Spanish life and culture. On our 2019 tour we drove to the eastern end of the Pyrenees, using the free A75 motorway south of Clermont . Buy the guide online and get full access to 24-hour stays. The load must be indicated by a. Undiscovered Spain & Portugal - GB Motorhome Tours France is a vast country and unless you have months, it's impossible to see all the best bits in one trip. If youre new to our website (welcome! Motorhoming in Italy: Your Complete Guide for 2023, Planning Your Morocco Motorhome Adventure, Campervanning in Portugal: Complete 2023 Guide, Campervanning in Norway Tips, Routes & Destinations for 2023, Motorhome Germany: 2023 Complete Touring Guide. The LongRoadSouth | Motorhomer Rent the perfect van, campervan or motorhome for a family trip, with your four-legged or two-legged friend. I have selected the famous N10 route from Calais to Irun which is used by many motorhomes when travelling to Spain. Weve tried all sorts of kit- some useful, some not so much. Ferrovial's planned Dutch move angers Spanish PM Whichever is your bag (and there is a lot of choice), if youre heading south in your camper in Spain for several months of the winter and a long site stay, make sure you book in advance! It's almost Toll free (more on that a little later . We highly recommend paying extra attention to your motorhome security when travelling in Italy. Motorhome wild camping in Valencia is no longer permitted. For us, we find it too hot during high summer, especially as we travel with a dog and keeping a dog cool on a road trip is never easy (especially when theyre a cocker spaniel who doesnt understand the meaning of the word chill! UK citizens can only stay in the Schengen Area (a zone in Europe where countries have no internal borders and allow the free and unrestricted movement of people) for90 days in every 180 daysin the Schengen Area. Free motorhome parking in Spain is easy and safe as long as you follow a few basic guidelines. Spain uses the Euroconnector adapter. Due to the huge swathes of nothingness in the interior, tolls are definitely worth taking if you are trekking from one side of Spain to the other in your motorhome. An editorial review of South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park Sandy Lane, Weybourne, Holt, Norfolk, East of England, NR25 7HW. In January 2020 and September 2021, many motorhome tolls were removed. Bigger supermarkets may be open, but will close at lunchtime. Heres everything you need to know about campervanning or motorhoming in Spain. Motorhoming in Spain: Sensational Spanish Road Trip Our route only involves one major junction so, outside rush hour, traffic should be reasonably light. We are Phil and Izzy. If you're planning a trip to Ireland, make sure to check out these great campsites to stay at Our selection of the best campsites for exploring wonderful Wales With two coasts, Devon is the perfect county for a beach lover Editor's Pick - The best campsites for families. We found some ofthebest hiking in Spain here and were able to kite-surf, cycle and run, all in the balmy winter temperatures that southern Spain is known for. Legally, youre only allowed to stay on approved overnight motorhome spaces or campsites. GEAR If you need any motorhome gear for touring Europe, heres what we recommend. I dont like the Bay of Biscay in winter, nor paying to use expensive motorways. Through Spain without tolls We love helping motorhome & campervan owners make the most of their time on the road, whether youre a complete motorhome newbie or planning a long tour of Europe. Out of season, you can get over 60% discount on ACSI sites. If youre not sure, read, Spare bulbs for all lights in the vehicle, be yellow in the centre with a red outline, Vehicle V5 logbook (which must show your correct address), Green card (get from your vehicle insurer), a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, Solar panel- perfect if you want to wild camp in Spain with your motorhome, Driving in flip-flops or open-backed shoes is illegal, Speeds are in km/h, not mph (you might want to change the setting on your sat-nav).