The Gorges d'Hric in Southern France brings our Vanlife diaries to the most dramatic destination where river pools and waterfalls await. Driving around Spain in a campervan is generally safe and easy, but be mindful of smaller towns without by-passes if youre in a longer vehicle. This campervan route through Spain will take you to the country's most beautiful locations. In Spain, yourACSICampingCard will come into its own if youre planning on touring and stopping for less than seven nights at sites. Motorhome routes through France France is the perfect place to plan a motorhome route, for example along the country's southern coast . Most of the routes i have seen on the forum have avoided toll roads. Hi looking for ideas of routes and caravan sites. A motor home route through France to Spain." I read this on another site, " OutAndAboutlive. Cross the Loire and follow the fast D347 past Montreuil-Bellay and Loudun all the way to Poitiers. The non toll free route from Calais to Basel is via the A26 motorway and the A4 motorway. We loved Tarifa with its laid-back surfer dude feel and abundant opportunities for activity. Although this was in late February, wefound all the bars and restaurants open and welcoming. We use, 120 km/h (74mph) on motorways/ autovias and many dual carriageways, 90 km/h (56 mph) on secondary roads (out of town)- can increase to 110km/h to overtake, 50km/h (31 mph)- on roads with two or more lanes in the same direction, 30 km/h (19 mph) on roads with one lane in each direction, 20km/h on small lanes where road & pavement are the same level. Also, many campsites put ACSI users on lesser pitches (either bad view or no electric or drainage). At 35 a night, this is without doubt, the poorest value-for-money motorhome campsite site we have ever stayed on, although our research suggests its the best motorhome site in Madrid! Many people move on after. We have an 8m motorhome and are travelling down to Barcelona but wanted to take a detour through the mountains. New to motorhome or camper travel in Europe? Either way you end up in Pamplona. In the height of summer it can be blisteringly hot and wild camping can be a challenge without air conditioning. If youre planning on going to Portugal as youtour Europe in a motorhome, our Portugal tips are a must-read before your trip. As you leave the ferry terminal stay on the main road, dont turn into town unless you intend staying on the aire near the harbour. The new decree aims to level the rules whether youre in a motorhome or tent but there is some acknowledged ambiguity around the wording, you can find out more inthis article. Wander here for a day and see the cathedral, Plazas Mayorand Santa Domingo andtheBasilica de San Isidoro. Generally, taking a ferry from the UK to Spain is much more expensive than driving through France (depending on time of year and type of cabin). You can join this route easily if you decide to come over on a ferry to Caen, Le Havre, Dieppe or Cherbourg. Go straight on and in just 500 yards take the slip road towards motorways and Evreux. You can either have two small boards or one large board but they must be placed at the back of the outfit between 50cm and 150cm off the ground. 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. 2500 mile round trip in a fortnight. Bigger supermarkets may be open, but will close at lunchtime. Vehicle V5 logbook or vehicle registration document (which must show your correct address). Thanks. With the fantastic beaches of the Costa Brava and a beautiful old town, this makes a great final stop on your motorhome tour of Spain. 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. We stayed several nights at thisgreat spot,perfect for getting the bus to the start of the hike and then walking back from the end, via the bar of course! Main roads (mostly modern single carriageway roads) are in green. Find out about life on the road, destinations, routes and practical motorhome advice on our blog. NEWS : The Spanish authorities have (for the time being) removed the tolls from the AP7 motorway between the French border and Alicante. Approved motorhome overnight parking places/ aires, Free approved overnight parking spots/ schemes, Dont try and wild camp on the coast unless youre somewhere REALLY remote (more likely to be allowed in the North and centre of Spain). Okay, it's winter and may be raining, or worse, but you get to visit towns and tourist sites without the summer crowds. A spare wheel (and tools to change it! First is the ferry crossing options from Plymouth and Portsmouth to Santander and Bilbao - both of these ports are in Northern . Lidl and Carrefour have great parking facilities for motorhomes, the others less so as they are often more centrally situated in towns. You might even wish to fit an extra camper habitation door lock and never leave your vehicle unattended in an unsecure area. Some are rustic and have basic facilities, while others are designed for long-term visitors and have entertainment, clubs, pools and bars! If youre coming from the south, make sure to stop at thewetlands of La Albufera and try the traditional paella which originated here. Castilian is most common, but there is also Basque, Catalan and some smaller dialects. On the way, stop atSant Carles de la Rapita,a charming Spanish town with lots of great seafood restaurants. These are surprisingly effective! There are some essential things you need to know before your trip, including important paperwork and kit to bring with you. Make sure you check them in advance! This tiny country packs one hell of a punch; wild coastlines, lively buzzing cities and exquisite wines. Rent the perfect van, campervan or motorhome for a family trip, with your four-legged or two-legged friend. 9 Motorhome Ferry Routes to and From France Dover - Calais Dover - Dunkirk Newhaven - Dieppe Plymouth - Rostoff Poole - Cherbourg Portsmouth - Caen Portsmouth - Cherbourg Portsmouth - Le Harve Portsmouth - St. Malo Motorhome Ferry Routes to and From Spain Plymouth - Santander Portsmouth - Bilbao Portsmouth - Santander The Pyrenees is best visited between May and October, unless you want to ski, as outside these times you will definitely encounter snow. When you think of Spain, many people think of overcrowded beaches in Benidorm, drunken teenagers and possibly Sangria. We stayed at thePort of Gelvesjust outside the city but accessible by scooter or public transport. 020 7084 6500. 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! If youd like to avoid campsites and aires, but dont want to risk staying off-grid, there is a scheme which connects business owners to people motorhoming or campervanning in Spain, called Espana Discovery. I have selected the famous N10 route from Calais to Irun which is used by many motorhomes when travelling to Spain. These are prettier than the coastal sprawl but the narrower winding roads mean no mileage saving and a longer journey time. If youd like to get FREE motorhome and road trip checklists, you can find them here. The trade-off is the Costas where traffic ramps up and tailbacks are frequent. If youre driving from the UK to Spain (well cover that shortly), you need to allow the time it will take to drive through France to Spain (and back again!) To find out where to stay during stage 2 - click here. Planning to take your motorhome to Europe? Northern Spain is mountainous and you can expect snow during winter- and it will be cold, even on a sunny day (just like in the Alps or any other mountain range.) Youll often see the typical pictogram sign by the side of the road pointing you to a service point, this may be a dedicated area, within an aire or another facility. You must have at least 3rd party motorhome insurance cover for your vehicle. If you like chateaux and history, this is for you! In the past, Spain has been VERY crowded during the winter months, especially in the south. On roads where there is no pavement so that vehicles and pedestrians share the road: 20 km/h. Many Northern Europeans (like us Brits!) Theyre not often allowed on public transport, even with a muzzle, which made visiting places difficult. TOP TIP: If youre planning to stay in one area for a long time (30+ days), negotiate a special rate with the campsite directly. From the green north and the mountainous interior to the gorgeous coasts, youll find all the best road trips in Spain here. So instead turn right on the N12 towards Alencon, leave most of the traffic behind, and enjoy the mainly fast dual carriageway for 34miles to Mortagne-au-Perche where you turn south. From Lyon, you will drive through France's breathtaking landscape to the Atlantic coast. Barcelona city boasts a rich cultural heritage, a 4km long sandy beach, fabled UNESCO architectural gems,a culinary scene the envy of the world, and all the attractions ofa modern global city alongside historic districts such as theGothic quarter. Its a long crossing of 32 hours, but does give you the chance to have a proper nights sleep if you book a cabin. READ MORE: Discover the best & warmest places to enjoy winter in Spain. 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. Motorhoming in France: Your Complete Touring Guide for 2023, Motorhome Wild Camping Your Complete Guide, Madrid in One Day Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide, How to Live the Van Life in Tarifa, Spain, One Day in Seville Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide, Cordoba in One Day Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide, One Day in Barcelona Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide, Best for campervan and motorhome hire UK to Spain >>, The Perfect Andalucia Road Trip: Itinerary, Map & Tips, or menu of the day. Then read on for all our top tips and practical advice about how to wild camp in a motorhome and get off the beaten track like an expert! Spanish life is all about family, religion, food and tradition. Top Guide To Buying A Motorhome; First Motorhome Trip Abroad; Winter Motorhome Trip Spain; Campsites For A Ski . If you are stopping for over 30 nights it is possible to stay at a good quality site for 10 a night including electricity. ), you must have one (130cm x 25cm) or two (50cm x 25cm) yellow reflectors at the rear. Spain celebrates fourteen public holidays a year, many religious in origin; you can check out the dates. Follow the N11 towards Girona and Barcelona. Motorhome route along the most beautiful locations in Spain A motorhome tour of Spain offers plenty of variety: from sun, sea and sand in the south of the country to green surroundings in the north. Heading east, stop in the pretty and modern city ofAlmeria for an afternoon lunch along the promenade. that they are packaged proprietary brand products for direct sale to the final consumer, and. The most famous French motorway connects Thonon-les-Bains on Lake Geneva with Menton on the French Riviera. France is a vast country and unless you have months, it's impossible to see all the best bits in one trip. Motorhome hire from a local owner. This quintessential Andalucian city is perfect for wandering, with cool bars and cafes on every corner, perfect to enjoy tapas and a glass of crisp white wine whilst watching the world go by. We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices and excellent service. If you are overtaking a cyclist or a group of cyclists, you must leave at least 1.5m of clearance, and also reduce speed by 20kmh (WHY Spain, WHY?) Dont forget to grab your free wild camping checklist here. Some go for up to six months from October onwards, we prefer to spend Christmas at home and travel out in January. It has a host of information on best routes to many locations. Our motorhome beginners resources have everything you need from helpful printable motorhome checklists and easy guides to taking your first motorhome trip. - Travelling down the coast is one of the best France motorhome routes If you've got the staying power, then get yourself down to the south west of France where this cool coastal town, not too far from the Spanish border, can offer you a few days of sun, sea and surf. If youre travelling out of high season and are planning to use campsites, we highly recommend buying an ACSI CampingCard membership, but be aware that many campsites either shut during the winter or are booked up entirely months in advance, so you may wish to book one too. If you prefer to stay on campsites, few are open in winter, so your route and driving time will be dictated by those that are. Some spots are even right on the beach! Planning a trip to France with your motorhome or camper? The Route des Grandes Alpes traverses 16 alpine passes and ascends about 16,000 metres until finally, after about 700 km, you arrive at your final destination on the sunny Mediterranean coast. You are literally over the road from the old town and within 5 minutes, you will be at the Mezquita. See all our dog travel and road trip tips, Emergency Numbers: 112 will get you everything, Language There are several local variations of Spanish. With a depot in London, top-notch customer service and all the equipment you need for an easy holiday, Spaceship offers the best deals for Europe. Free motorways are shown in blue, Spanish toll motorways are shown in red. Also campsites are often in remote rural areas and may not have hard standing. (PLEASE do not leave a pet in a van or car while you go sightseeing, especially on a hot day.). French campsites are mostly open in the summer, and motorhome aires available all year. motorhome wild camping heres everything you need to know to stay safe and find free spots. Our recommended Spain campervan hire company is Indie Campers and they have depots in Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Seville and Bilbao perfect starting points to see all the best bits as you road trip Spain. The letters pages suggest some of you are not convinced about using them, I simply suggest, give them a fair trial. We work hard to make this website the best it can be. The route through Southern Norway should take you about two to three weeks. Cabins are not mandatory, but the alternative reclining seats are uncomfortable and noisy. such products do not require refrigeration before opening. Like much of Europe, wild camping in Spain for motorhomes and campers is tolerated in many places but not strictly legal and its certainly not a right. If youre planning on dinner, expect the restaurant to be quiet and soulless before 9pm. If under 3,500kg go straight on, otherwise the inside lane swings right down to a bridge, after which you turn left to bring you back, through the commercial area, to the main road. The pace of life is simple and unhurried. Our route starts at Calais, but it can easily be joined from Dieppe or Cherbourg. The Best European Campsites For Camper, By Campers. Motorhome aires in France are so well located - we've stayed in inner cities, within castle walls, at the bottom of ski pistes and steps away from a lake's shore. If you are driving a motorhome or campervan in Spain and towing, and the overall length is more than 12m (which would be one large motorhome and trailer! Many shops close on Sundays. It's almost Toll free (more on that a little later . The types of built-in Flot Blu services like you find in France are few and far between. Next on our Perth to Darwin travel itinerary is the wonderful town of Broome. On hills, use the crawler lanes to get out of the way of faster-moving traffic. Three-day friendly festival in West Sussex. Exchange your details with the other involved parties. Check out our post on wild camping for more rules and tips for camper vans and motorhomes in the UK and Europe, and for information on where to find the best camping locations and motorhome stopovers in Spain. There is no obligation to buy any produce, but our experience when we have bought has been really positive. If you dont have your own vehicle, you can easily fly into Spain and hire one. a) Ferry to the north coast of Spain and drive south to your chosen Costa. 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. Speak to a Canada & Alaska Tours Expert. We parked and stayed at the Municipal Camping Car Parking (1 Av. Ratings and Reviews Powered by TripAdvisor. Can you wild camp with a motorhome in the Spanish National Parks? 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. keep your dog in the ferry cabin with you (like you can from Portsmouth to Caen). Free time to explore Banff, Jasper, Vancouver & Victoria. If you love adventure and raw nature, then Norway is for you! This is a long drive so to break it up we suggest stopping off at Eighty Mile Beach to stretch your legs. Our quintessential motorhoming in Spain road trip begins in the northern city of Barcelona, taking you through snow-peaked mountains and medieval towns, before heading south to the warmer climes of the historical Moorish region of Andalucia.