Summer time in Spain is pretty great and the perfect time to venture out of the city for an adventure! Camper vanning is a great option when you’re on a budget and want to see more of your location! Here’s the how to of camper vanning around the north of Spain.
I researched quite a bit about the best camper van available in Spain and I was very pleased to see there were tons of options! I decided to rent from Indie Campers , a camper van rental company that had great reviews, van model options, and operates throughout Europe.
Out of the many van options, I chose the Sporty model because it provided some compactness while providing all of the necessary equipment. It was the perfect size for two people to spend a week traveling together on a budget, however if you can afford it and are traveling for more than 1 week, I definitely recommend going up a van size to the Marco Polo, Active, or Nomad model.
We picked up our sporty model in Madrid just outside of the international airport. From there it’s about a 4 1/2 hour drive to the north depending on how many stops you need to make.
What Cities/Regions to See
Basque Country
Basque country is a straight out of a postcard kind of region. The mountains are amazing, the sea is chilly and crisp, and in the summer, the weather is perfection. This region is very popular for tourists from all over the world so be prepared for some crowds if you’re traveling in the summer.
The two big cities in the Basque country are San Sebastian and Bilbao and both have something great to offer. Check out the beaches and Basque food scene in San Sebastian and soak up the architecture and museums in Bilbao. Whichever scene floats your boat more, I recommend to spend more time in that city.
I personally fell in love with San Sebastian and didn’t find Bilbao as exciting, I wished we stayed 1 more day in San Sebastian (for a total of 5 days) than 2 full days in Bilbao.
The highlight of traveling to Bilbao was visiting San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, better know as the famous Dragonstone castle in Game of Thrones. I love this show and this was the main reason I actually wanted to visit Bilbao.
Even if you’re not a GoT fan, this location is stunning and absolutely worth climbing these stairs for an epic sunset. You can also ring the bell in the monastery.
Tips on Visiting and Parking
In the Basque country they speak Basque and Spanish. San Sebastian is called Donostia in the Basque language so upon your arrival you will see many signs on the highway that say Donostia-San Sebastian. You will also find many restaurant workers who speak English if you’re in need of some help.
There are so many tourists here in the summer you will hear French, Portuguese, Italian, etc. As for parking, make sure you do some research before heading out! I simply googled “camper van parking” in all of the locations we wanted to visit and several options came up. Always have a backup parking location if for some reason the first one is full or is closed.
I found a great location in San Sebastian that was only a 25 minute walk away from the center and near a gas station. You can see that location here.
Also you should absolutely visit the Basque restaurant in San Sebastian called La Viña. Amazing tapas, wine, and the best cheesecake I’ve ever eaten in my entire life!!! I had to order another glass of wine and a second serving of cheesecake even though I was stuffed. It’s located very central so go explore the nightlife after eating here.
Driving Tips
If you’re american, like myself, you might find trouble when renting a camper van in europe because well… they’re manual. this trip was actually how i learned to drive a manual vehicle (risky i know, rented car and all)
but i learned along the way (stressed out the entire time), but was successful with no incidents thankfully.
Driving on some highways You will also need to pay a few tolls. i remember paying 2 or 3 tolls throughout this journey and each was about €8-€15. just like in the states drive up to the lane that accepts cash or card.
Cantabria
Just west of Basque country is the beautiful region of Cantabria. It has amazing beach side towns perfect for a surfing and paddle boarding adventure.
This viewpoint is just behind the Hostal Berria in Santoña. Just behind the hostal, you’ll see a hiking trail that leads up a huge hill and you’ll reach this view (on your right) and to your left you’ll see Noja beach. You can also hike down to Noja beach, just follow the path. Noja is just a beautiful and definitely worth the short hike!
Another must visit in Cantabria is Faro del Caballo, a 19th century lighthouse on the edge of a cliff. This hike is much more challenging and at the end be prepared to walk down 750+ steep steps to the lighthouse where there’s also a swing down another staircase that you can swing off of and jump into the water! It’s exhilarating!
And the view is incredible. Remember, you’ll have to walk back up the 750+ steep steps so bring lots of water, a towel, and comfortable shoes.
Read more about the hiking trails here
Asturias
Another great region for all things hiking and water sports. This is the region I’ve traveled to the most and it never disappoints. It has hundreds of beaches to choose from and some great food.
A favorite adventure of mine is taking a kayaking trip down the river Sella in Arriondas with Cangas Aventura. The amazing nature and active tourism is why this region ranks highest for me.
Galicia
Known for the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route and for its seafood, this region is truly unique. The port city of A Coruña is very well known and offers amazing views and the UNESCO listed Hercules’ Lighthouse.
This trip took 7 days and is one of my fondest memories (so far) of living in Spain. I can’t recommend renting a van and setting out to explore Spain enough.
Hasta pronto!
For more on Spain check out How to Spend 1 Week in Madrid
