Spain is a country of gorgeous landscapes, stunning architecture and passionate culture.<\/h3>\n
That being said, it can be hard to narrow down exactly where to go. Each region is seemingly more beautiful than the last! That\u2019s why there\u2019s no better way to see the country than by taking a road trip in Spain. Next time you\u2019re here, be sure to set aside a few weeks to drive around the country and experience life in each stop along the way\u2014like a local!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Click to expand<\/a> or embed<\/a> this image on your site<\/em><\/p>\n Renting a car is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to take a road trip in Spain. Use a price comparison site to check out various rental companies and find the best option. When it comes to driving in Spain, keep in mind that we drive on the right and most cars are manual transmission. (Automatic cars are available to rent, but tend to be pricier.) Drivers from the EU can use their European licenses in Spain, and those from elsewhere in the world should apply for an International Driving Permit<\/a> at home to stay legal on the road.<\/p>\n Don’t want to drive? No worries! The vast majority of the cities listed here are connected to one another by train. Use the Renfe train website<\/a> to help plan your journey.<\/p>\n Now that you know the basics of renting and driving cars, let\u2019s hop in and start our unforgettable road trip in Spain!<\/p>\n We\u2019ll start our road trip in Spain with four days in one of the country\u2019s most gorgeous unspoiled regions. Galicia, situated in the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula, is home to lush greenery as far as the eye can see, as well as some of the most incredible beaches in Spain.<\/p>\n Start things off in Pontevedra, home to a gorgeously preserved medieval city center. As a bonus, it’s considered one of the most walkable old towns in Spain. The ease of mobility in Pontevedra and its small, compact size make it a great place to start your road trip in Spain.<\/p>\n Spend a day discovering the city and take another day to head out to the C\u00edes Islands just off the coast. You can easily catch a ferry to the islands from nearby Vigo, a lovely city which is also worth exploring if you have time. The islands, however, are among Spain\u2019s most incredible natural treasures. The white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters are calling your name!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n After getting to know Pontevedra and the islands, continue north on your journey until you reach the crown jewel of Spain\u2019s most famous pilgrimage route: Santiago de Compostela. However, you don\u2019t need to be a pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago to appreciate this gem of a city. The emblematic cathedral enchants and amazes visitors from all over the world and offers spectacular views of the city from its rooftop. The city also has a fantastic wine scene, with dozens of wine bars lining R\u00faa do Franco. As a bonus, many also offer free bites with each drink, making it a great way to sample Galician delicacies!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommended time<\/strong>: Spend one day each in Pontevedra and the C\u00edes Islands. Santiago will take you about two days to fully appreciate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best bites<\/strong>: You can’t go wrong with Galicia’s famous pulpo a feira<\/em>! Spaniards all over the country rave about this tender octopus dish, piled atop Galician potatoes and generously doused in smoked paprika. It’s at its best in its home region!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continue discovering the emerald jewel that is northern Spain as you make your way to Asturias, Galicia\u2019s next-door neighbor. Another region that most tourists tend to overlook, Asturias more than delivers when it comes to gorgeous scenery and authentic small cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, we\u2019ll stop in Oviedo, which is about a three hour drive northeast of Santiago. The route takes you past some of the region\u2019s beautiful coastal towns, so stop and explore a few of them if you have time! Oviedo itself is a comfortably sized city that\u2019s home to some of the oldest Christian buildings in the country, as well as plenty of Celtic influences and remnants from the Spanish Civil War.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since you\u2019ll likely have a car, drive up Mount Naranco to check out the incredible old church poised on the hillside. Santa Maria del Naranco was completed in 848 AD and is a true testament to the skill of its architects. The attention to detail is breathtaking considering the early time period in which it was constructed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another city absolutely worth a visit in Asturias is Gij\u00f3n, just a short half hour drive north. This coastal city boasts a proud maritime heritage and one of Spain\u2019s most vibrant fishermen\u2019s quarters. However, it\u2019s also home to an international arts center and some of the best cider houses on Spain\u2019s northern coast. If you\u2019re looking for a different kind of beach town on your road trip in Spain, Gij\u00f3n certainly delivers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommended time<\/strong>: Both Oviedo and Gij\u00f3n are comfortably sized cities where you could easily spend a day each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best bites<\/strong>: A hearty helping of fabada <\/em>(Asturian bean stew with morcilla and chorizo sausages) always hits the spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Home to a rich and varied culture unlike any other you\u2019ll find in Spain, the Basque Country is the next stop on our trip. Basque locals are fiercely proud of their unique cultural identity and language, and love helping visitors feel at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than three hours from Gij\u00f3n, you\u2019ll come to Bilbao. Industrial-chic, artistic and home to a great food scene, it\u2019s unlike any other stop on our road trip in Spain. Even if you\u2019re not an art aficionado, the world-class Guggenheim museum is absolutely worth a visit (and not just for its spectacular architecture, though the famous exterior does make a great photo op!). The stunningly modern design of buildings such as the museum contrasts pleasantly with the old-fashioned charm of the old town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, it\u2019s on to San Sebastian<\/a> to experience some of the absolute best food in the country! From dozens of Michelin-starred restaurants to humble, down-home pintxos bars<\/a>, you can\u2019t really go wrong with anything you eat here. Spend an evening discovering the city\u2019s many gastronomic delights<\/a> and work it off the next day with a hike up Monte Iguelo or Monte Urgull. Either way, you\u2019ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the city and La Concha Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommended time<\/strong>: Spend two days each in Bilbao and San Sebastian to fully appreciate the best of each city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best bites<\/strong>: The beauty of a pintxos crawl is that every bar along the way has a different specialty. Pop into several different places throughout the night and discover the pride and joy of each!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Catalonia\u2019s crown jewel and one of the most essential cities in all of Spain, Barcelona<\/a> gets plenty of hype. Luckily, we\u2019re happy to report that it more than exceeds expectations! The Catalan capital is worth a stop of several days on your road trip in Spain! It\u2019ll take you about 6 hours to reach from San Sebastian, but the drive takes you through some other lovely smaller cities worth exploring, such as Pamplona and Lleida. If you have time, consider spending a day or so in one of these towns on your way to Barcelona. Not only will it break up the drive, but you\u2019ll also experience a different side of Spain not as many tourists get to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Barcelona itself is completely beyond words. From the whimsical modernist architecture<\/a> to the sleek, cosmopolitan rooftop bars<\/a>, Barcelona is a city made for relaxing and enjoying as you discover the sights. Yes, you should take the time to marvel at the Sagrada Familia<\/a> and Park Guell<\/a>, but allow room in your schedule to relax on the beach or people-watch in Parc de la Ciutadela, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommended time<\/strong>: Three days in Barcelona<\/a> is the perfect amount of time to discover the city’s main sights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best bites<\/strong>: If you like paella, you’ll love fideu\u00e0<\/em>. This tasty noodle-based dish is closely related to the iconic Valencian rice, but is a more authentic option in Barcelona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Time to head from one iconic Spanish metropolis to another. Madrid<\/a>, the lively and vibrant national capital, is one of the most important stops on our road trip in Spain. With plenty of incredible sights and local charms alike, it\u2019s easy to fall in love with this colorful and passionate city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Madrid is home to dozens of world-class museums, including the Prado<\/a>\u2014home to hundreds of artistic masterpieces\u2014and the fascinating National Museum of Natural Sciences<\/a>. If you\u2019d like to spend some time outside, you\u2019re in luck! As one of Europe\u2019s greenest capitals, there\u2019s no shortage of lovely parks where you can kick back and relax. End each day with a sunset drink at one of the city\u2019s spectacular rooftop bars before heading out on a tapas crawl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommended time<\/strong>: Like Barcelona, about three days in Madrid<\/a> will be perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best bites<\/strong>: There’s no better place than the capital to experience Spain’s classic tortilla de patatas<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n End your road trip in Spain in one of the country\u2019s most vibrant and passionate regions. Andalusia, the sun-drenched southernmost region of the country, is the birthplace of flamenco dancing, sherry wine, and some of the most iconic tapas scenes in Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start off in Granada<\/a>, where you\u2019ll visit the magnificent Alhambra in all its glory. It\u2019s no wonder this spectacular complex of grandiose palaces, tranquil gardens and imposing towers is one of the most popular sights in the country. From there, take some time to explore the winding backstreets of the ancient Albayz\u00edn quarter. Head to the city center for an evening tapas crawl. You\u2019ll enjoy the local custom of receiving a free tapa with every drink you order!<\/p>\n\n\n\n From there, it\u2019s on to sunny Malaga<\/a>. This laid-back seaside city makes for the perfect penultimate stop of an exciting trip. Take your time exploring sights such as the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle. Both offer unbeatable views of the city down below. End your time in Malaga with a well-deserved day at the beach<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s no better place to end your road trip in Spain than gorgeous Seville<\/a>! As Andalusia\u2019s exciting capital, it’s full of magnificent history and especially fascinating culture around every turn in the storied cobblestone backstreets. Let your jaw drop as you step inside the glorious cathedral. Then, make your way to the top of the building and take in the views from the top of the Giralda tower. Head to the Alc\u00e1zar nearby and wander through the lovely and peaceful gardens. As the sun sets, you can’t beat the evening views from atop Las Setas. The free drink at the rooftop bar that’s included in your entry ticket doesn’t hurt, either!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommended time<\/strong>: Two days each in Seville<\/a>, Granada and Malaga should be just about perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best bites<\/strong>: Nothing is more andaluz <\/em>than a tapa of fresh pesca\u00edto frito<\/em> and a crisp, dry sherry<\/a> such as manzanilla<\/em>. If you’re in Malaga, feel free to swap out the fried fish for espetos<\/em><\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: lifacolor<\/a>, Text Overlay: Devour Madrid Food Tours<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Spain is a country of gorgeous landscapes, stunning architecture and passionate culture. That being said, it can be hard to narrow down exactly where to go. Each region is seemingly more beautiful than the last! That\u2019s why there\u2019s no better way to see the country than by taking a road trip in Spain. Next time […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":8560,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[53,77],"tags":[217,218,18,219,30,220,221,222],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Your](\"http:\/\/madridfoodtour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/ultimate-spain-road-trip-info-graphic_V3-1-800x1200.png\" "\\"Your")
<\/a><\/figure>Driving in Spain<\/h2>\n
Galicia<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Asturias<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Pa\u00eds Vasco<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Barcelona<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Madrid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Andalusia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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