Whether you’re in Spain for one week or three, a self-drive road trip puts you firmly in control of the fun. Just south of Madrid, for example, you can visit the historic city of Toledo plus the wine-producing region of La Mancha. Continue into Andalusia and there are Moorish cities and towns like Seville, Granada, and Ronda waiting for you. Or head north to the lesser-visited regions of Galicia and the Basque Country on an ultimate road trip you won’t soon forget.
Spain is a perfect road trip destination, and with seven days it's best to focus your time on just a few regions. Start in Madrid and spend a week in the north or south, or head to the Canary Islands for a week of nature-focused adventures. We've selected these five driving itineraries to show you the best spots for adventure, world-class gastronomy, and slow-paced small towns.
With 10 days and a rental car, you can explore several of Spain's regions to discover local highlights, hidden towns, beautiful nature, and local food and wine. The roads are easy to navigate and a road trip lets you explore in more depth and at your own pace.
This 8-day self-drive itinerary takes you from Málaga to Cádiz through a gorgeous section of Spain's southern coast. Along the route, you'll explore Andalusia's White Villages (including Ronda, set on a spectacular gorge) as you head towards the Atlantic coast while discovering a range of landscapes, centuries of history and tradition, local producers, and exquisite cuisine—often with the help of a local guide.
Discover the highlights of Andalucía, from the Mediterranean coast in Málaga to the Atlantic coast in Cádiz. On this eight-day self-drive tour you will drive through whitewashed villages built into cliffsides, sample some of the country's best wine and sherry, explore ancient Moor and Roman ruins, and eat delicious local cuisine. Marvel at southern Spain's stunning landscapes, passionate people, and colorful culture.
On this 11-day self-drive adventure you'll visit not only the most historic cities in Spain, bust some of the most beautiful countryside in the Andalusia region. From Madrid, you'll travel south into Andalusia and arrive at Seville, a city renowned for its Gothic cathedrals, Moorish palaces, and expansive plazas. You'll also visit other Andalusia gems like Córdoba, the famed white villages, and the mountaintop city of Ronda.
See the cultural highlights of Spain's most captivating cities on this 10-day itinerary, showcasing Barcelona, Granada, and Sevilla. You'll start in Barcelona, fly to Granada where you will pick up your car rental and drive to Ronda, before ending your stay in Sevilla. Along the way, you will drive through the Andalusian mountains, explore colorful cities, and marvel at ornate Islamic architecture.
This complete 12-day itinerary highlights some of Spain's most enchanting cities, featuring Madrid, Sevilla, and Barcelona. Begin in Madrid and explore historic Toledo, working your way into Andalucía and to Sevilla, Córdoba, Arcos de la Frontera, Ronda, and Granada. Fly to Barcelona and discover Gaudí's whimsical architecture, the 1000-year-old abbey in the Montserrat mountains, and the wines of the Penedès region.
The northern region of Spain is just as rich in culture and beauty as anywhere in Catalonia or Andalusia. You'll see this for yourself on a 12-day road trip that will take you from Madrid into the Galicia region, which is known for its delicious seafood, beautiful coast, and historic and religious pilgrimage sites. It all culminates with a gorgeous drive through Basque Country and a couple days in the star cities of Bilbao and San Sebastian.
Discover the unique beauty of Spain's Canary Islands on this 6-day tour covering both Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. With your own rental car, you'll explore the islands' charming villages, pristine white-sand beaches, and quirky terrain and rock formations that'll make you wonder if you're on another planet. Ride camels on sand dunes, hike to the tallest peak on the islands, and nosh on freshly-caught seafood like a local.
In just a week you can embark on the road-trip of a lifetime from Spain's capital to its stunning Basque Country. The adventure begins in Madrid with city tours before hopping in your rental and driving north to La Rioja, one of Spain's most beautiful wine regions. After a tasting, you'll continue on to Basque Country, where tours of San Sebastian's historic center and Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum await.
On this 15-day excursion through Spain, you'll take the road less traveled but filled with incredible scenery. After a couple days in Madrid, you'll drive north to wine country and follow the pilgrims' route into beautiful Galicia. You'll sample delicious regional cuisine and visit historic cathedrals before hitting the Cantabrian coast for an unforgettable stay in San Sebastian and day tours to rural Basque Country.
Over 10 days you'll embark on a gourmet road trip from Madrid to Spain's northern Basque Country. This unforgettable excursion is a delight for the eyes and taste buds that includes tapas tours in Madrid, wine tasting in La Rioja, and sampling the great cheese and seafood of the Basque coast. A visit to the famous Guggenheim caps the trip, adding a cultural cherry atop an epic vacation sundae.
Spain is so much more than its famous cities. Over two weeks you'll see its hidden gems as you drive from Madrid north through wine country to historic sites in the lesser-visited Galicia region. The adventure culminates on the Atlantic coast and a stay in the beautiful seaside resort city of San Sebastian.
Get lost in the wild beauty of Spain’s Canary Islands on this adventurous 7-day itinerary. Explore ancient forests, rural villages, black sand beaches, and the towering Mount Teide on Tenerife, before journeying to the smaller island of La Gomera to discover lush volcanic landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Your final day takes you back to the mainland where you'll depart from the capital of Madrid.
Nine days is enough time to immerse yourself in a couple areas of Spain, ensuring you get the most out of the experience. This itinerary begins with a road trip from Madrid to wine country for a tasting of Spain's world-renowned varietals. You'll finish the tour on the Basque coast and its most beautiful cities, San Sebastian and Bilbao.
Due to its abundance of natural beauty and historic cities, Spain's southern Andalusia region is perfect for a road trip. This nine-day self-drive adventure begins in Madrid and includes a stop in Toledo, one of the most well-preserved medieval cities in Spain. Upon arrival in Andalusia, you'll visit cities like Córdoba and the capital of Seville for tapas tours and visits to Moorish landmarks.
Escape to an unspoiled island paradise on this 8-day exploration of Spain’s remote Canary Islands. Start on Tenerife, where lush rainforests and towering mountains welcome you to a unique ecosystem. Hike through ancient woodland, climb Spain’s tallest volcano, and discover idyllic Canarian villages. End your stay on the neighboring island of La Gomera, where you’ll venture deep into its volcanic landscapes and spot whales along its northern coast.
The dramatic beauty of Spain's Canary Islands is the backdrop to this active 10-day itinerary. Starting in Madrid, you’ll have a day to explore the vibrant capital before flying southwest down the coast of Africa to reach the Canary’s largest island of Tenerife. Here you’ll explore black sand beaches, hike through ancient ecosystems, and climb volcanic mountains before catching a ferry to the small, remote island of La Gomera. Discover its pristine subtropical countryside on foot, then set sail for a whale-watching excursion around the dramatic coastline. Your final day takes you back to Madrid for a night on the town as you bid adios to island life.
In two weeks you can enjoy a road trip that takes you to some of the most historic and beautiful locales in Spain. It begins in Madrid, and from there you'll travel south through La Mancha into Andalusia and visit Moorish cities like Granada, Ronda, Córdoba, and Málaga. But that isn't all—you'll also enjoy wine and sherry tours, eat delicious tapas, and even witness a traditional equestrian show.
In less than a week you can visit some of Spain's most historic cities while touring its famed La Mancha region. It begins in Madrid followed by a trip to Toledo, once the capital of Old Spain. You'll then hit the road into La Mancha, enjoying wine tours and stops at the region's famous windmills before returning to Madrid.
In a little over a week, you can embark on the road trip of a lifetime through Spain. After enjoying a city tour in Madrid, you'll pick up your car and hit the road south to Andalusia, stopping at the ancient Roman city of Córdoba. From there you'll visit Andalusia's capital of Seville, with its famous Gothic cathedral and Islamic architecture, before the trip culminates in the coastal city of Málaga.
Eight days is enough time to have the trip of a lifetime—particularly when it's a road-trip through northern Spain. On this itinerary, you'll drive from Madrid north through the stunning La Rioja wine country, of course stopping for a tasting or two. The experience culminates on the coast of Basque Country with city tours of Bilbao and San Sebastian, both home to rich culture and incredible food.
In a single week, you can enjoy the road trip of a lifetime. The destination is Spain, and beginning in Madrid you'll drive south to Seville, the capital of the culturally rich Andalusia region. You'll tour many Moorish landmarks and even take a trip to Granada to see the mother of them all, the 9th-century Alhambra palace.
A perfect combination of nature and city culture, this 2-week tour starts in the bustling capital of Madrid where you can explore its dazzling palaces, parks, and restaurants while sampling tapas and local cuisine. Fly to the Canary Islands, stopping in Tenerife to explore its stunning natural beauty, historical vineyards, and culinary significance before taking a ferry to nearby La Gomera. Enjoy a little adventure by hiking in Anaga Park, summiting Spain's highest peak, star gazing, finding whales and dolphins while cruising on a yacht, and exploring the rich forests of the islands.
On this 16-day road trip, you'll see some beautiful regions of Spain, many of which are off the tourist trail. The adventure begins in Madrid, from where you'll hop in a rental car and proceed to the Ribera del Duero wine country and into the river canyons of the Ribeira Sacra. You'll continue to Galicia, a region famous for delicious food and natural beauty, before ending up on the stunning coast of the Spanish Basque Country.
This brisk six-day road trip includes stops at some of Spain's most historic locales. It's a celebration of rich Spanish culture as you drive from Madrid to Seville and partake in a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional Spanish cuisine. As if that's not all, you'll drive to Granada and tour one of the most magnificent Moorish palaces in Europe, the Alhambra.
This eight-day road trip includes the best parts of Spain's rich culture, historic cities, and unforgettable landscapes. In Madrid alone you'll tour famous city sights plus dine at authentic tapas bars and take in a live flamenco performance. Then it's time to hit the road as you travel to Salamanca, León, and finally to Santiago de Compostela, the final destination on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
Just south of Madrid is a wildly beautiful region little-visited by tourists in Spain. This is La Mancha, an arid plateau famous as the home of Cervantes' legendary protagonist, Don Quixote. Fables aside, La Mancha is real, and on a road trip you'll discover its fertile vineyards and unspoiled national parks plus the well-preserved medieval cities of Spain's western Extremadura region.
This 2-week tour starts in the buzzy capital city of Madrid, where you can explore its monuments, parks, and local tapas culture before flying to the incredible Canary Islands, to Tenerife and La Gomera. Discover the natural beauty of the islands, plus the cultural significance with their historical vineyards, culinary extravagance, and idyllic villages. Before returning to Madrid, get a little adventurous with hikes in Anaga Park, star gazing atop Spain's highest peak, traversing dense forests, and whale-watching aboard a yacht.
Prepare yourself for the road-trip of a lifetime. Over 11 packed days, you'll travel from Spain's capital of Madrid to the Galicia region followed by a coastal drive through incomparable Basque Country, all while leaving time for an excursion to the Cíes Islands. Little known may they be, these Galician gems are no doubt home to what might be the most beautiful beach in Europe: Praia de Roda.
Enjoy a road trip through Spain that takes you from Madrid to Málaga through Toledo and the three jewels of Andalusia: Córdoba, Seville, and Granada. Beyond the cities, you'll enjoy cultural excursions like sherry wine tours and horse competitions. And at each destination, you'll meet a private guide who will reveal the hidden treasures of these historic and beautiful locales.
Get ready for an unforgettable road trip through southern Spain that takes in many of the nation's highlights. The adventure begins with city tours of Madrid before hitting the road south, stopping in La Mancha and Córdoba before reaching Seville, capital of the Andalusia region. You'll visit historic Moorish and medieval landmarks, tour authentic tapas bars, and even hike along the side of a gorge near Ronda.
This 15-day road-trip adventure allows you to experience regions of Spain most tourists never see. It begins in Madrid and you'll quickly hit the road south, to La Mancha, the land of Don Quixote, windmills, arid plains, and stunning national parks. From there you'll head west to the Extremadura region, home to some of the most well-preserved medieval towns in the country.
Part of the fun of traveling through Spain is seeing how the culture changes from one region to another. You'll experience this phenomenon over 12 days as you travel from the nation's capital of Madrid to Galicia. This is a unique part of the country that has it all, including historic religious sites, unspoiled coastline, exotic islands, and some of the best seafood anywhere in the world.
Get lost in La Mancha on a 10-day road trip in this historic region in central Spain. It begins in Madrid and from there you'll travel south to the arid plateaus famous for being the homeland of the fictional character Don Quixote. Between wine tours and visits to national parks, you'll head to the Extremadura region and tour medieval cities like Cáceres, birthplace of the conquistador Francisco Pizarro.
It's almost impossible to design a more comprehensive Spanish holiday than this 15-day road trip. Beginning in Madrid, you'll drive south to historic locales like Toledo and La Mancha on your way to Andalusia, where Moorish history and amazing food await. Besides enjoying wine and tapas tours, you'll visit incredible cities like Seville, Granada, Ronda, and Córdoba.
Over 10 days you'll leave the tourist traps and discover the real Spain, the ancient Spain—Don Quixote's Spain. From Madrid, you'll embark on a road trip into the plateau region of La Mancha, famous for its medieval towns, national parks, and vineyards. By the time the adventure ends, you'll have experienced a region that has captivated the world ever since Spain's golden age of literature.
The best way to see the most historic sights in Spain is on a road trip. This 11-day self-drive adventure begins with city tours in Madrid, and then you'll hop in your car and head south to Toledo, once the capital of the nation in the Middle Ages. You'll continue to Andalusia and marvel at the region's Moorish alcázars and royal palaces while also stopping in historic cities like Córdoba.
The best thing about a road trip in Spain is that you're not only guaranteed to see beautiful landscapes but you'll visit incredible cities as well. This 10-day tour offers the best of both worlds as you drive from the capital of Madrid to León and then to Santiago and the heart of Galicia. Along the way, you'll stop for wine tours, river cruises, and even an island hop.
Blessed with fertile volcanic soils and delicate microclimates, the Canary Islands are a paradise for nature lovers. This exciting 12-day itinerary starts on Spain's mainland, where you’ll sample the culture and cuisine of Madrid before flying to the Canary’s largest island of Tenerife. Hike through ancient forests, horseback ride through almond groves, and scale the towering Mount Teide before catching a ferry to the magical island of La Gomera. Here you’ll explore lush mountainous landscapes, get lost in subtropical rainforests, and spot whales and dolphins along its rugged northern coast.
Spain's Galicia region is famous for its beautiful coastline, countryside, and religious pilgrimage sites. You'll experience this first-hand on your own four-wheeled pilgrimage that will take you from the busy streets of Madrid to the green mountains of Galician wine country and finally to the historic city of Santiago. Throw in a tour of offshore islands and you have the ingredients for the perfect Spanish adventure.
Explore the rugged beauty of the Canary Islands on this adventurous 11-day itinerary. Starting in Madrid, you’ll fly southwest over Spain and the Atlantic to reach the largest island of Tenerife. Hike through ancient ecosystems, climb volcanic mountains, and roam pine forests on horseback before catching a ferry to the small, remote La Gomera. Discover its pristine subtropical landscape on foot, then set sail for a whale-watching excursion around the dramatic coastline. Your final day takes you back to Madrid for a night on the town as you bid "adios" to island life.
One week is all you need to embark on the road trip of a lifetime through Spain. You'll spend the first day in Madrid, seeing the sights and enjoying local cuisine, before hopping in your car and heading north. You'll stop in León, a well-preserved medieval city, then travel through wine country, visit the gardens of country homes, and end the trip in Santiago de Compostela, the last destination on Spain's most famous pilgrimage route.
This comprehensive 16-day road trip includes all the highlights of Spain's Andalusia region, from the capital of Seville to the Moorish palaces of Granada and even the coastal retreat of Málaga, birthplace of Pablo Picasso. As an added bonus you'll also visit La Mancha, an arid plateau region home to great wine and historic villages.
There are ways to do Spain differently, and this 13-day self-drive road trip is a perfect example. While it begins in Madrid, after two days you'll leave the glitz behind for the pastoral tranquility of the Ribera del Duero wine country. You'll then continue on to the amazing food and historic sites of Galicia before winding up on the rocky Cantabrian coast and the incomparable resort city of San Sebastian.
Get ready to travel the route of Don Quixote on a road trip through Spain. It begins with a city tour of Madrid before you hit the road, driving amid the arid plateaus and windmills of La Mancha and into the Extramadura region of western Spain. Here you'll tour historic towns like Cáceres and Trujillo while sampling delicious local cuisine and visiting unspoiled national parks.
Lose yourself in the rugged beauty of Spain's Canary Islands with this adventurous 13-day itinerary. Start in Madrid, where you'll savor the local cuisine of the capital before catching a flight to Tenerife. Here you'll hike through ancient forests, stargaze under pristine skies, and scale the towering Mount Teide. Continue to the remote island of La Gomera to explore lush volcanic landscapes and go whale and dolphin watching along its stunning northern coast.
In a mere week, you can take a road trip through one of the most beautiful yet little-visited areas of Spain: La Mancha. The adventure kicks off straight away as you'll hop in a rental car and drive from Madrid south to medieval towns like Almagro and Villanueva de los Infantes. You'll also stop for a wine tour and visit storybook national parks like Ruidera Lakes.
See a different Spain on a nine-day road trip that takes you from Madrid south to the arid plateau region of La Mancha. This land of Don Quixote is a major wine-producing region, which you'll discover on a tasting tour. You'll also visit historic medieval towns like Villanueva de los Infantes and the romantic waterfalls of Ruidera Lakes.
Spain is filled with historic regions abounding with well-preserved ancient cities, like La Mancha. This dry plateau region is located south of Madrid, and you'll discover its historic and literary legacy (it's Don Quixote's home region) on a self-drive road trip. Along the way, you'll imbibe in La Mancha's wine, visit its national parks, and travel further west, to Extremadura and medieval cities like Mérida and Cáceres.
You're in for a treat because over 13 days you'll discover historic Spain, colonial Spain—the Spain of conquistadores and Cervantes. It's a road-trip adventure that begins amid the windmills of La Mancha, home region of Don Quixote. After wine tours and visits to national parks, you'll tour medieval cities of the Extremadura region like Cáceres, the birthplace of Francisco Pizarro.
In central Spain lies the region of La Mancha, an arid plateau first brought to international attention in the classic novel Don Quixote. It's a stunning area in real life, and you'll discover its historic towns, castles, and unspoiled national parks on an eight-day self-drive road trip. On top of this, you'll also tour Valdepeñas, one of the most productive wine regions in Spain.
Spain is the perfect country for a road trip, as the landscapes and culture change from region to region. Over 11 days you'll drive from the capital of Madrid into Galicia, where you'll indulge in everything from wine tours to boat excursions to islands rimmed with white-sand beaches. You'll even visit the historic city of Santiago de Compostela, the terminus of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
An adventurous alternative to the popular beach holidays and major city tours of Spain is to embark on a road trip through La Mancha. This plateau south of Madrid is a vast and beautiful expanse filled with castles, vineyards, and medieval towns. After experiencing La Mancha's highlights, you'll continue to western Extremadura and tour historic cities like Mérida and Cáceres.
