Road trips in Spain

Explore the region of Galicia in Spain

Spain has a long, rich history and a road trip is the perfect way to explore its culture, landscapes, cuisine, wines, and every other aspect of that history. It might be hard to settle on an exact destination for your trip to Spain because of the incredible geographical and cultural diversity. The towns throughout the region of Galicia and the city of Barcelona are at opposite ends of the country, and it shows through the language, the food, the terrain, and more. This allows for a ride in Spain that will satisfy any level of experience and thirst for adventure. One can take a motorcycle to carve hairpin turns in the mountains, explore the lands around Ronda with a scooter, or choose a more diverse Spain travel option by taking a camper van or car from city to city.

Trying to decide what to see and do might be the hardest part because of the wealth of options! There are incredible art museums in Barcelona and Madrid; hiking on the Christian pilgrimage route of El Camino de Santiago; festivals throughout the year, like the running of the bulls, the giant tomato fight of La Tomatina, and various religious parades and festivities; outdoor actives from skiing to whitewater rafting; and much more beyond that. Spain is incredibly passionate about its food. Make sure to try whatever the local specialty is and experience the tradition of tapas (or pintxos when in the Basque region). Whether it’s paella along the Mediterranean coast, olives straight from the grove, jamon, or something else, there is no shortage of fantastic food to try.

Arriving in Spain isn’t much of a challenge as Spain is a member of both the European Union and the Schengen agreement. This means many visitors only need a valid ID. If you’re traveling from somewhere else, such as the U.S. or Canada, make sure you’re passport is valid for the duration of your stay, and you’re good to go! Up to ninety days, at least. Train, bus, and even ferry are all great ways to get into Spain from the rest of Europe. International flights are also readily available, and major airports can be found in Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, and several other cities.

The weather in Spain is no less diverse than any other aspect of the country. It includes a multitude of variation on the typical Mediterranean climate, several semi-arid areas, and even some oceanic climates where the weather is heavily influenced by the ocean. This makes it hard to recommend a single best time to visit, but generally, late spring through early fall offer the best weather for a trip to Spain.

Lastly, make sure to stay safe. You don’t have much to worry about, especially when common sense is used. The region of Catalonia has recently experienced rioting and civil unrest related to the referendum for independence. Otherwise, the typical pickpocketing and tourist scams exist in major cities, but nothing serious.

What Planet Ride offers for road trip adventures in Spain

You will find a wide variety of vehicle options for your trip to Spain. Planet Ride currently features tours where you can travel by camping car, motorbike, car, and even a tour by scooter. We feature top-notch makes and models for all of our vehicles, and sometimes you even have the option to travel with your own vehicle. Imagine cruising the countryside of Andalusia in a Volkswagen California camper van, stopping to explore or spend the night wherever you would like, or grinding down dirt tracks on a tough and capable Yamaha 660 Ténéré. Your ride in Spain can be completed with or without a guide. Our professional guides are experts on the local culture and roads, as well as the vehicles you’ll be riding. You can count on them to assist with any difficulties you might have along the way. A few of our current Spain travel options are included below.

Our camper van trip through Andalusia takes you to all the major cities and sights. Your journey begins and ends in Malaga, with stops along the way in Granada, Seville, and a few other cities, villages, and towns. There is also plenty of time spent in the countryside, with visits to the shores of Cabo de Gata, the largest Spanish national park of Sierra de Cazorla, El Torcal, and others. Imagine camping wherever you like, whether it’s on the beach, adjacent to a sprawling field of wildflowers, or deep in the mountains. Your Volkswagen California van gives you tons of flexibility and freedom, so explore to your heart’s content.

There are also motorbike tours for every type of rider. Whether you want an on-road or off-road ride in Spain, carving turns or tearing down dirt trails, we have a journey that will supply your adrenaline needs! Our current tours generally last seven to ten days and span Catalonia, the hot, rugged west of Spain, and even the Canary Islands. Imagine spending seven days visiting medieval villages, meandering along gorgeous seashore, and navigating hairpin mountain turns. You’ll stop in Cadaques, Girona, and finally, Barcelona. Alternatively, you could take it off-road through Basque country, vineyards, plateaus, canyons, and the Pyrenees foothills. Striking views and vistas abound. The riding is rough and rugged, and not for the faint of heart !

Another, more relaxed option is a scooter trip through Andalusia. You will be based in Ronda, with its towering bridge that spans the canyon which splits the town in two. From there, you will make day trips to several nearby villages, each with its own unique culture and sights. You are free to explore without a guide, cruising country roads on your Yamaha Cygnus 125 scooter. Try the local cuisine, visit nearby national parks, sample some wine, do whatever you would like !