13 Days in Spain - 4 Unique Road Trip Itineraries

Itinerary #1: North of Spain Ultimate Roadtrip

Immerse yourself in Northern Spain's natural beauty, medieval history, and world-class gastronomy on this 13-day road trip. Traverse the dramatic Basque coast, sail to the beaches of the Cíes Isles, and explore the foodie hotspot of San Sebastián. Along the way, you'll discover the world's first winery under the Cantabrian Sea, visit the best of Bilbao's pintxos bars, and admire the masterpieces of the legendary Guggenheim Museum.

This scenic road trip starts in Santiago de Compostela, a city known as the culmination of the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Enjoy a free day visiting the cathedral, pilgrimage museum, and/or Old Town. Next, take a train to the coastal city of Vigo, spending a day exploring the Cíes Islands and the tropical-like Rodas Beach. To start your road trip, drive to Oviedo via Playa de Las Catedrales. At low tide, you can visit the sculpted rock arches of this famous beach.

Next, drive to the charming coastal town of Llanes for lunch and perhaps a sidra (natural cider), and continue to the Picos de Europa National Park for a day of hiking to the Hermida Gorge, Monastery of Santo Toribio, and the medieval town of Potes. Continue to Bilbao via the famous Covadonga Sanctuary, and then explore the city with pintxos (northern Spain's tapas) and the Guggenheim Museum. Your final city is San Sebastián. Enjoy walking the Old Town, visiting an underwater winery, and driving the scenic coast. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Spain Off-the-Beaten-Path Road Trip: Madrid, La Mancha & Extremadura

Get a little off the beaten path and discover the historic Spain of conquistadores and Cervantes. This road-trip adventure begins amid the windmills of La Mancha, the home region of "Don Quixote." After wine excursions and visits to national parks, you'll explore medieval cities of the Extremadura region, including Cáceres, the birthplace of Francisco Pizarro.

Start in the country's buzzy capital, Madrid, and learn about Spain's history, visit the Royal Palace, and relax in Retiro Park. Then, start your road trip en route to Toledo and discover why it's known as the "City of Three Cultures." Next, head into La Mancha, a beautiful arid plateau home to the protagonist in "Don Quixote." Stop in the charming town of Almagro and visit the wetlands of Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park along the way, then enjoy a wine excursion in one of Spain's most important wine regions. 

Now it's time to visit Extremadura, another lesser-known region of Spain. Stop in a few medieval towns to discover the area's history and beauty, including Mérida with its ancient, preserved Roman Theatre; Cáceres and its Roman, Moorish, Northern Gothic, and Italian Renaissance architecture; and Trujillo for its ninth-century hilltop castle. Spend your final night back in Madrid for a free day to explore. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Ultimate Northern Spain Road Trip: Madrid, Galicia & Basque Country

Focusing on the northern coast of Spain, this ultimate self-drive adventure leads you from Madrid, after two days, for the pastoral tranquility of the Ribera del Duero wine country. You'll then continue to Galicia's natural beauty, fantastic food, and historical sites before winding up on the rocky Cantabrian coast and the beautiful beachfront city of San Sebastián.

After a couple of nights in lively Madrid with tapas and city walks through the Old Town, you'll start your road trip by driving into Ribera del Duero. The area is known for its wine and as Spain's Castle District, with Peñafiel Castle as one of the most beautiful. Next, drive to León, an ancient city with historic Roman defense walls, then continue into Galicia, Spain's northwest region known for its natural beauty. First, drive to Ribeira Sacra, a mountainous river gorge you'll explore by boat.

Next, make your way to coastal Vigo and explore the Cíes Islands, known for Rodas Beach, a tropical-like stretch of white sand and turquoise water. Stop in Santiago de Compostela, where you'll enjoy a city walk and a cooking class, then visit Oviedo (home to sidra, a natural cider made in the Asturias region) and Luga (known for its ancient walls). End your road trip in Bilbao and San Sebastián, where you'll visit the Guggenheim Museum, enjoy a coastal adventure, and walk through the Old Towns. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Ultimate Southern Spain Road Trip: Madrid to Andalusia

This memorable road trip through southern Spain is one of the best ways to see many of the nation's classic highlights. From Madrid, you'll hit the road south, stopping in La Mancha and Córdoba before reaching Seville, the capital of Andalusia. You'll visit historic Moorish and medieval landmarks, taste authentic tapas, and even hike along the side of a gorge near Ronda.

Discover Spain's history and Royal Palace in Madrid, then start your road trip by driving south to Andalusia. Your first stop is Toledo, old Spain's capital city, with Jewish, Muslim, and Christian monuments standing side-by-side. Then continue to Córdoba, a relaxed city known for its beautiful Jewish Quarter, first-century Roman Bridge, and Mezquita, a cathedral and mosque in one. Then drive your way to Seville for traditional tapas, visits to the Seville Cathedral and Royal Alcázar, and a day trip to Jerez de la Frontera, known for its sherry.

Swap the city for the countryside and drive to Ronda, a beautiful Pueblo Blanco (White Village) set atop a dramatic gorge. Visit Arcos de la Frontera, another whitewashed village, and hike the infamous Caminito del Rey trek along the dramatic Guadalhorce River Gorge. In Granada, you can't miss visiting the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens, then enjoy a cooking class and excursion into the countryside, visiting the Lecrin Valley and an olive and orange farm. End in coastal Málaga, the birthplace of Picasso, for a final night in Spain. Learn more

More Great Spain Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Spain? Check out these other Spain road trip itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of excursions to hit the highlights.