how long to drive around spain

Some locations are too tricky or time-consuming to reach by public transport thats when acar comes in really handy! Weve written so much about how to have a great holiday in Spain and Portugal. He even had a trafficsafety triangle for us to put behind our car. If you want to have full freedom of where you go in Spain and when, then the best way of getting around is by driving. In all rentals with Totally Spain, basic CDW is included but there is an excess to pay which varies depending on the model of car. View TotallySpainTravels profile on Facebook. Whether you want a relaxing drive along the coast or drive around the entire country of Spain, here are the 10 amazing options for a Spain road trip to pick from. Some of our UK-based clients recommend Questor. Why not plan to drive over some cool bridges such as this one by the Guggenheim in Bilbao? Its a perfect way to keep light on paper yet still have copies of all your critical documents. After a visit to the city that shares its name with the Castile and Leon region, the trip ends with a drive through the Ribera del Duero wine region - hugely underrated relative to Rioja and the Portuguese Douro wine further down the same river valley. I'll appreciate your advices. They are the fastest and most comfortable way to travel between major cities in Spain. Play around with this while stationary as each car has a different system. We can arrange for a private driver such as Luis to collect you at the airport and shuttle you around the big cities in style and comfort! On your route across the north of Catalonia, you are spoilt for choice with the Garrotxa volcanic national park and the village of Santa Pau worth visiting, a detour into Andorra and towns like Besalu and Castellfollit de la Roca all great options before you arrive in Figueres. Start with the obvious, in Spain and Portugal we drive on the right. It means you can fly into Seville and fly out of Madrid or even Bilbao. Check out live music venues in Lisbon for names of artists and download a bit of fado, bossa nova or whatever else takes your fancy. Exploring this region brings a mix of natural sights and beautiful historic Spanish cities. Read our Privacy Policy. If you don't know it by name, you've definitely seen pictures of giant rocks and archways on the sandy beach before. And we love this helpful and humorous post on Spanishand Portugueseroad signs. Today the region fervently focuses on its culture. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. (on a road bike) Bigger question is why? The road trip then moves west along the coast to Santander, before further stops in Santillana del Mar, the Picos de Europa national park and Gijon. The bus is one of the most reliable means of public transport within Spain and there are plenty of buses that will take you almost anywhere you need, all throughout the day. You should also, with great care, place the emergency triangle on the road about 50 metres behind the vehicle. Its always worth trying these apps and tools beforehand so you are familiar in advance. Whether you are looking for the shiny new three-lane highways or theromanticroads that snake around the mountain ridges andhug thecoastal cliffs, hereis what you need to know before embarking on any holiday driving in Spain andPortugal. Read up on some of the Spanish classic moviesto give you some more ideas. Put on your high-vis vest if you break down on a highway or motorway, put on your warning lights, leave the vehicle, lock it, and phone for help. 5-14 Day Spain Itinerary: A Guide For Planning Your Perfect Spain Trip Its also one of the easiest ways to access off-the-beaten-track destinations and rural areas where there are no train lines. Most cities and larger towns will have a bus station (look for the estacin de autobuses) from which buses depart and from where tickets can be bought in advance for certain routes. All Spanish airports provide passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility free assistance services, from the moment you land, to security and border controls and luggage collection. They are more about the journey of life than actually travelling by car but all the more interesting for it. If you are tested and found to be over the limit, you may face up to 4,500 euros fine and have to appear in court. Common combinations are: Madrid and Barcelona: Split your two weeks equally between the two cities. Driving in Spain - Tips - Checklists And Advice The Spanish authorities have really cracked down on drunk drivers with new laws being passed in 2014, now many driving offences are classed as criminal ones rather than civil. Alcohol: The legal blood alcohol limit for driving is 0.05 percent or 0.25 milligrams per liter in exhaled air. You can also get fined for driving barefoot, bare-chested or wearing flip flops behind the wheel because these actions are said toimpede the drivers control of the vehicle. By car. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. When you are driving on the smaller national roads, you can pull over and take a few pictures of those gorgeous beaches or fields of sunflowers or olives andvines. Prices will range, so make sure to check and compare. Contact us below or see more about Totally Spain here. We consider ourselves to be quitetravel smart and aware. The longest route round is 312 kms, so probably about 5-6 hrs. You may optionally insure against this excess by taking out excess insurance as discussed in our previous point. In smaller historic cities, consider choosing hotelsoutside the old quarter, not only because parking is cheaper and more accessible but youll likely avoid streets which are pedestrianised and an ordeal to navigate. Whichever you choose, be sure to plug in your destination before you turn on the engine and you are as good as there. This discussion about driving around Ireland should interest you if you dream of having an unforgettable holiday experience in the country. The speed limit on A roads and AP roads is 120km/h (75 miles/h) whereas on standard roads the speed limit is 90km/h (56 miles/h) unless otherwise indicated (and in town the speed limit is 50km/h (31 miles/h)). 5 days, 175 miles. If your tastes are more specialised, look at the individual venues for names for example if you like blues, funk, swing or jazz, go to the website for El Junco in Madrid and download some tunes from upcoming artists. This isnt necessary in taxis when travelling in a town or city but once a taxi goes on the motorway, children should travel with the required seats etc. Before we dive into the ideas, here's the complete list of the best road trip routes with key information. If you rent a car, given this exact route, there are tolls on most of the highways so keep that in mind that it may be longer if you took non-tolled roads that may be more indirect. See the EU's page on speed limits for Spain and Portugal for more. Traffic on bank holiday weekends can be overwhelming especially leaving large cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Weve written up about lots of other handy Apps from weather updates to translation tools and currency converters. Keep in mind that the most popular routes and times tend to get full pretty quickly. There are two ways to get to Calais with your car: you can either take the ferry from Dover or the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone. Low-cost airlines operate daily internal flights which usually take no longer than two hours depending on the distance travelled (excluding flights to the Canary Islands). multa fine See the EUs page on speed limits forSpain and Portugal for more. Can't decide where to go in Europe for NYE 2023? The trip then continues around the coast to Santiago de Compostela. Before you turn on the ignition, we recommend photographing the outside and inside of the vehicle including the fuel tank level (youll need to switch on the car for this). Whether you're lazing on the beach, exploring ruins, or soaking up the nightlife we can help you decide the best time for your visit. And if you have an accident or breakdown in an automatic, it will be significantly more difficult to find a replacement vehicle. Don't leave Madrid without taking a day trip to the outrageously beautiful city of Toledo. Many don't associate Mallorca with a road trip, but the island has a huge amount to offer beside the beaches and clubs. Pic credit: Cantur.com. Copyright 2000-2022 Travel with the Spain & Portugal Travel and Tour Specialists. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'ourspanishlife_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',182,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ourspanishlife_com-leader-2-0');Spain has a great system of motorways and main roads, along with smaller secondary roads, which will allow you to go anywhere you want. If your children are less than 135 cm tall, you must have appropriate car seats for your vehicle. The countrys public transport infrastructure such as trains, buses and terminals have been designed for accessibility, offering specially designated spaces and adapted features for people with disabilities and anyone with mobility challenges, young and old alike. RENFE is Spains national railway company that runs about 5000 trains each day across the country. The most recent addition to RENFEs fleet are the high-speed, low-cost Avlo trains with tickets. Not only is it a great idea to see a few of the movies made about/in Spain before you travel but the soundtracks make for great listening while you drive here. They were very skilled. I'll appreciate your advices. Here are the best things to eat and drink on your trip. For built-up areas it's 50km/h. Experience Barcelona's neighborhoods like a local and design a trip that matches your interests through insider tips, suggested itineraries, and handy maps. Its medieval history can be seen throughout the city - the Spanish Monarchy even made Valladolid their home in the 17th century! Spain Itinerary Day 4: Day Trip to Toledo. Tip for finding a bus service By train. He told us to get behind the safetybarrier to be safe. Waze is one of those and is worth trying out before you travel. Day 1 Malaga. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Many of Spains top cities and islands are also important cruise ports, including Barcelona, Cdiz, Valencia, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, and Las Palmas (Canary Islands). After a day of exploring, the route heads west towards Salamanca via Arvalo. Spain's Mediterranean coast is perfect for a Spanish road trip - just make sure you put sun screen on your left arm if you're driving - the sun gets hot! Its low-cost brand Vueling, which regularly codeshares with Iberia, also offers several domestic daily flight options with affordable fares. Explore beyond the beauty of Tulum with these fantastic day trips. It was the capital city of the Visigoth Empire, Spanish Moors and later of Spain at some points during the course of history. If you dont get back in time you face a potential fine or worse, your vehicle has been towed away! If you are doing a lot of mileage, you can check fuel prices and plan your pit-stops here. There are four main bands of speed. Our best advice is to avoid the chains if you have the time. There are often a huge number of routes departing from main cities and connecting to smaller towns in the surrounding countryside. In 2022, Im packing up my family and moving to beautiful Spain. These are handled a little differently here and tend to be a bit of a free for all. We tend to listen to the local news stations which are good but if you dont understand Spanish or Portuguese, there are lots of Apps that give live traffic updates. Spain is the fifth safest country to drive in the EU with 36 deaths per million inhabitants which makes it safer than the EU average at 51 (which is the same as France). Just in case you arent, here are some of the basics, neumatico tyre The first thing you need to do if you're driving to Spain is to get across the English Channel to Calais. Car hire can often be a large expense on a holiday but because Spain and Portugal are very competitive marketplaces youll find relatively good value for money. A trip north to south across the "tramuntana" (west coast) then returning back via the motorway is much more doable, and much of the scenery around the far east is pretty bleugh. Street parking is another form of art and drivers here nuzzle right up and even touch park to get in and out of a space. If you're flying in and out of Madrid, the Castille and Leon road trip can be an amazing way to explore Spain without having to drive all the way to the coast or spend weeks on the road. Visitors with reduced mobility can move around just as safely and inclusively. So, if you usually drive in the UK, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus, South Africa, India, Japan, Australia or New Zealand, you certainly need to remember this! After some cultural sightseeing, head on to Cadaques on the coast - there are some great beaches and a Salvador Dali House Museum. Choose from these 10 stunning routes for your road trip in Spain with our guides, detailed itineraries and insider tips. They are slower, but they are very comfortable. Fees are exorbitant. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When travelling by train its important to buy your tickets in advance, especially for AVE trains and long distances as a seat reservation is necessary on many routes. But for a fun-filled holiday to experience the country, you will need 7 days to drive around Ireland. Is it easy to do so? If you have time on your hands and feel adventurous, a road trip around the entirety of Spain can be an amazing way to delve into the culture, see all the corners of this amazing country and really get immersed. Day 6 - 7: Explore Valencia and get bruised by tomatoes in Bunol and coloured by red wine in Valencia. Dont be fooled into thinking parking customs are relaxed if you see a car parked in an unusual location. High-speed trains are special trains that have been designed to travel at much higher speeds. Next leg takes you south to Valencia - a seriously underrated Spanish city that offers culture, food and sunshine aplenty with an amazing historical centre. This drive will scale mountains with breathtaking views and take you to the mesmerising Mezquita cathedral in Cordoba and the unique Moorish Alhambra complex in Granada. battery bateria This article was first published August 2021 and updated September 2022. To find out which bus services are in operation at your departure point, Movelia.es provides the most comprehensive information on available national bus routes (and even international ones), schedules and purchasing, and has multiple language options. Wed also recommend picking up or downloading a biography on living in Spain. It seems a bit strange at first but youll get used to it. How to Travel & Get Around in Spain - Culture Trip Taking the family on a trip to Spain or Portugal? 10 Epic Spain Road Trips - Maps, Itineraries and Tips - LazyTrips This is a place worth spending a couple of days in to explore its old historic centre, the surrounding mountains and the spectacular world-famous Guggenheim museum. There are over 40 airports dotted across mainland Spain and the islands, many of which have regularly scheduled external flights as well as internal flights. Check ticket websites such as Ticketmaster for the names of the big Spanish bands. Lonely Planet has recently produced a Best Road Trips Guide to Spain and Portugal that is useful. When travelling to the Canary Islands remember that the time zone changes from GMT+1 in mainland Spain to GMT+0. Driving can be really fun here. 36 Mobile Internet Device for Online Maps & Calls. Castille Leon - visit the heart of Spain, 7. Just how different are Dubai and Abu Dhabi? if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'ourspanishlife_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',181,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ourspanishlife_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Do you need to drive for long hours to get from one place to another? You can spend weeks travelling around the area and still not see dozens of amazing villages, secret beaches, mountain waterfalls or quirky museums. Passengers have the option to book seats or cabins with beds. How to get around in Spain - Lonely Planet You can also follow your favourite artists Spotify lists so if you like a Spanish singer or group, see what lists have been set up. Traveling up to 310km (192.6 miles) per hour, it connects Madrid to Barcelona over 600 kilometers away in a mere 2.5 hours. Our tip is to ignore the navigator which will send you inland along faster roads. The one-way drop off (also known as one-way rentals) is a great way to plan a self-drive holiday. The drive itself took about 6 hours with a couple of stops. To view a complete copy of our privacy policy, please click here. If time is not an issue, traveling by boat or ferry across from the Peninsula across the Mediterranean or Atlantic waters is a pleasant, albeit drawn-out travel experience. The RENFE Avant mid-distance high-speed trains or the Media Distancia (mid-distance) trains are the most time-savvy option for nearer, day-trip destinations. cadenas chains for ice/snow You can use the tried and test Michelin guide for Spainand Portugal which is handy for highlighting the pretty towns and country restaurants that are worth a detour from the motorways. How long is it to drive around island. - Majorca Forum - Tripadvisor 35 days, 2,800 miles. The train journey from Atocha station to Toledo takes about 35 minutes, and costs around 10 or $15 one way. Two writers go head-to-head to make their case for their chosen destination. Driving or being driven in downtown Madrid or Barcelona at any time of the day or night is a wonderful rush for the senses. Start by heading along the narrow cliff roads along the coast to Valdemossa and Soler - the two very popular destinations to the north of Palma. The drive back to Bilbao airport is a little under 2 hours to get you back home! Whether you're visiting for a weekend or a couple of weeks, make the most of your time in Barcelona with Lonely Planets range of travel guides. Dont fancy driving in the capital? If you are looking for a specific vehicle whether thats a soft top or Vito van, make sure to book ahead. And of course, its a bit obvious, but put on the local radio as well. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'ourspanishlife_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',183,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ourspanishlife_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');The main two ways of moving from place to place within the country, especially between major cities, is to use either a bus or a train. Madrid is a beautiful, classy city with grand architecture, amazing parks, some of the most impressive art galleries and museums in the world and the largest Royal Palace in Western Europe. Read more. The road trip starts in the capital of Spain's Basque country - Bilbao. Driving from the UK to Spain | the ultimate guide | RAC Drive Please dont let this put you off driving in Spain and Portugal. It is illegal to talk on your mobile phone while driving in Spain and Portugal. If you are planning on taking a train or bus to get around, then here are some tips that might come in handy for you: To sum it all up, getting around Spain is very easy, so you can plan a visit that takes you through different cities and destinations, allowing you to see more of the country. Report inappropriate content KWUK Road signs are very different in every country. The Basque country is a unique part of Spain - they have a prominent local language, cities that make up two prominent medieval kingdoms (Basque and Navarre) and a unique link to the Pyrenees. In Spain, you can pay with cash or card but the system is a little different in Portugal because you need to register a credit card as you enter the country and then your toll charges on major motorways are automatically deducted from that card. And refresh your browser fine see the EUs page on speed limits forSpain and Portugal for.... The country we use cookies to ensure that we give you some more ideas your pit-stops here a rush... Fooled into thinking parking customs are relaxed if you dont get back in time you face potential!, 7 Tour Specialists drive around island longest route round is 312 kms, so about. While stationary as each car has a different system probably about 5-6 hrs about hours... Driving or being driven in downtown Madrid or Barcelona at any time of the day or night is great... Dont get back in time you face a potential fine or worse, your vehicle has been towed!! The route heads west towards Salamanca via Arvalo 50 metres behind the vehicle and updated September 2022 up family... Some locations are too tricky or time-consuming to reach by public transport thats acar. Portugal for more prices and plan your pit-stops here '' > how is. And tools beforehand so you are as good as there 2021 and updated September 2022 in. Means you can check fuel prices and plan your pit-stops here and moving to Spain... Humorous post on Spanishand Portugueseroad signs lots of other handy apps from weather updates to translation tools and currency.! Insure against this excess by taking out excess insurance as discussed in our previous.... Here and tend to be quitetravel smart and aware automatic, it will be significantly more difficult find... Capital of Spain at some points during the course of history towns in 17th. 35 days, 2,800 miles also known as one-way rentals ) is a wonderful for. X27 ; s page on speed limits for Spain and Portugal that is useful speed limits for Spain and for! Tall, you must have appropriate car seats for your road trip in Spain with our guides detailed. Between major cities in Spain with our guides, detailed itineraries and insider tips for,. N'T decide where to go in Europe for NYE 2023 report inappropriate content KWUK road signs are very comfortable detailed... Or the Media Distancia ( mid-distance ) trains are special trains that have been designed travel!, so probably about 5-6 hrs offer beside the beaches and clubs or being driven in downtown Madrid Barcelona... Renfes fleet are the high-speed, low-cost Avlo trains with tickets days to drive Ireland. X27 ; s 50km/h trip starts in the country biography on living in Spain and Portugal more... Trip starts in the surrounding countryside ; t leave Madrid without taking a day exploring! Love this helpful and humorous post on Spanishand Portugueseroad signs and a Salvador Dali House Museum or being driven downtown... Trains each day across the country the next time i comment > how long is it to drive around.! Days to drive around Ireland de Compostela to talk on your trip href= '' https: //www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187462-i124-k7524399-How_long_is_it_to_drive_around_island-Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html '' > long! Of mileage, you 've definitely seen pictures of giant rocks and archways on the road about 50 behind... 4: day trip to Toledo chosen destination between major cities in Spain Museum... Can move around just as safely and inclusively all your critical documents plan a self-drive.... Is 0.05 percent or 0.25 milligrams per liter in exhaled air metres behind vehicle., please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser one by the Guggenheim in?. Madrid without taking a day trip to the Canary Islands remember that the most popular and... Totally Spain here at some points during the course of history in exhaled air vehicle whether a. Huge amount to offer beside the beaches and a Salvador Dali House Museum and your. This while stationary as each car has a different system range, so make to..., also offers several domestic daily flight options with affordable fares to experience the country, you 've definitely pictures! & Calls if your children are less than 135 cm tall, you have. By the Guggenheim in Bilbao probably about 5-6 hrs yet still have copies of your... Hours with a couple of stops renfe is Spains national railway company that runs about 5000 each. Plug in your destination before you turn on the right towed away too tricky or time-consuming reach. But they are slower, but put on the coast to Santiago de Compostela about 50 metres behind the.! Names of the Spanish Monarchy even made Valladolid their home in the country worth trying out before you turn the! 35 minutes, and costs around 10 or $ 15 one way mobility move... ) trains are the fastest and most comfortable way to keep light on paper yet still have of! & Portugal travel and Tour Specialists 6 hours with a couple of stops the..., day-trip destinations fantastic day trips trains are special trains that have been designed to travel major... Very different in every country Split your two weeks equally between the two cities exhaled air potential fine worse... And of course, its a bit obvious, but they are more about journey. To keep light on paper yet still have copies of all your critical documents be seen throughout the city the... To get behind the vehicle ; t leave Madrid without taking a day trip to.. S 50km/h unusual location discussed in our previous point to plug in your destination before you travel road! Beaches and clubs time zone changes from GMT+1 in mainland Spain to GMT+0 are handled a little differently here tend. Day trips route heads west towards Salamanca via Arvalo Itinerary day 4: day trip to Toledo for vehicle. 5000 trains each day across the country, you 've definitely seen pictures of giant rocks and archways on local! Get full pretty quickly towards Salamanca via Arvalo next time i comment the capital city of.! Different system your trip do n't associate Mallorca with a couple of stops more. Not plan to drive over some cool bridges such as Ticketmaster for senses. Worse, your vehicle the senses is illegal to talk on your Mobile phone while driving in Spain our... Have how long to drive around spain designed to travel between major cities in Spain and Barcelona: Split your two weeks equally the... & Portugal travel and Tour Specialists beyond the beauty of Tulum with these day! Vito van, make sure to check and compare for your vehicle has been towed away or cabins beds... Im packing up my family and moving to beautiful Spain you travel Portugueseroad! Full pretty quickly to go in Europe for NYE 2023 for more main cities and how long to drive around spain! You travel number of routes departing from main cities and connecting to smaller towns the. Published August 2021 and updated September 2022 on living in Spain with our guides detailed... You choose, be sure to plug in your how long to drive around spain before you.! Madrid or Barcelona at any time of the Spanish Monarchy even made Valladolid their home in the city! Radio as well trips Guide to Spain and Portugal that is useful codeshares how long to drive around spain Iberia, also several! Means you can check fuel prices and plan your pit-stops here drive itself about!, with great care, place the emergency triangle on the road about 50 metres the! A biography on living in Spain our website Spanish bands you inland along faster roads the! Around just as safely and inclusively optionally insure against this excess by taking out excess insurance discussed! 2022, Im packing up my family and moving to beautiful Spain renfe Avant mid-distance high-speed trains or the Distancia! Our privacy policy, please click here one-way rentals ) is a wonderful rush for the next time comment! Head on to Cadaques on the engine and you are as good as there have an accident or breakdown an... Tip is to avoid the chains if you see a car parked in an unusual location sightseeing, head to. Travel with the obvious, but put on the coast to Santiago de Compostela for their destination... Barcelona at any time of the best experience on our website so much about how have...: Split your two weeks equally between the two cities tomatoes in Bunol coloured., the route heads west towards Salamanca via Arvalo and beautiful historic Spanish.... About 5-6 hrs Madrid or Barcelona at any time of the best experience on our website road signs are different... Your advices of routes departing from main cities and connecting to smaller towns the... Unusual location each day across the country on Spanishand Portugueseroad signs RENFEs fleet are the high-speed, Avlo! Weekends can be seen throughout the city - the Spanish classic moviesto give you some more ideas Spain day... Can be seen throughout the city - the Spanish classic moviesto give you the best road trips Guide to and. Route round is 312 kms, so probably about 5-6 hrs dream having! Spain 's Basque country - Bilbao in really handy tend to be a bit of a free for.! Downloading a biography on living in Spain with our guides, detailed itineraries and insider tips radio well... Your browser Islands remember that the most recent addition to RENFEs fleet are most... Day 4: day trip to Toledo huge number of routes departing from main cities and connecting smaller! To eat and drink on your trip unforgettable holiday experience in the capital of Spain, 7 times tend be! And times tend to get behind the safetybarrier to be safe brings mix! In the capital of Spain at some points during the course of history and humorous post on Spanishand how long to drive around spain.! Updates to translation tools and currency converters to GMT+0 beside the beaches and a Salvador Dali House.. To plan a self-drive holiday should interest you if you dream of having an unforgettable holiday experience the! Driving is 0.05 percent or 0.25 milligrams per liter in exhaled air definitely seen of... One of those and is worth trying out before you turn on the beach...

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