I’ve been living in Catalonia for almost ten years, and during that time I’ve had many opportunities to explore Northern Spain by car. I love road trips because they’re such a great way to really get to know a region, and Northern Spain is ideal for them. The landscapes change constantly, the distances are manageable, the road network is excellent, and there is always something new to discover.
In this article, I’m sharing six of the most beautiful road trips in Northern Spain. Expect dramatic coastlines, stunning mountain ranges, traditional villages, and on top of all that, you can enjoy the best local cuisine along the way.
[This page may contain affiliate links to trusted partners.]
What to Expect When You Are Driving in Northern Spain
A road trip gives you complete freedom and flexibility. You can stop whenever you want, take scenic detours, and easily adjust your itinerary if you discover a place you want to explore a bit longer. If you’re not traveling to Spain with your own vehicle, renting a car or campervan locally is very straightforward. Rental options are widely available at airports and major cities throughout Spain.
Driving in Spain is generally safe and comfortable. Most roads are well-maintained, and the infrastructure is modern and extensive. Highways are ideal for covering longer distances quickly, but the minor regional roads are often more fun and definitely worth exploring (who wants to just drive on a freeway). These are the kind of routes that will lead you through beautiful landscapes and charming villages, where you can pop in for a quick coffee or lunch and experience the local atmosphere.
Another advantage of avoiding highways is that you often skip toll roads, which can become quite expensive.
The 6 Most Beautiful Northern Spain Road Trips
- The Pyrenees road trip
- Catalonia road trip
- The Basque Country road trip
- Cantabria and Asturias road trip
- Camino de Santiago road trip
- Galicia road trip
Tip: You can easily combine two or more of these routes to create your own itinerary through Northern Spain.
The Pyrenees Road Trip
If you love nature and mountains, a road trip through the Spanish Pyrenees is a great choice. The Spanish Pyrenees are home to several stunning national parks, where you’ll find impressive mountain peaks, waterfalls, alpine lakes, and endless hiking opportunities. Also, there are loads of picturesque mountain villages worth visiting. During a road trip through this region, you’ll have plenty of chances to explore all of the above.
A good place to begin your journey is the town of Jaca, located just before heading into the higher mountain areas. From here, continue to Torla to visit Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. This park is famous for its dramatic valleys and hiking trails, including challenging routes leading toward Monte Perdido (3.352 m) itself.
After exploring Ordesa National Park, drive on to the Benasque area. You can find lots of small mountain villages here that are nice to visit, give you a really local authenticity, and it’s another excellent base for hiking and outdoor activities.
Next on your itinerary should definitely be Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. This breathtaking park really impressed me. With its lakes, waterfalls, and mountain views, it’s one of the most beautiful natural parks in Spain. A good base for visiting this national park is the tiny village of Espot.
Once you leave the mountains behind, you can head toward Barcelona, Zaragoza, or Bilbao. Any of these cities makes a great final stop for your trip. Along the way, there are plenty of other scenic viewpoints and villages worth stopping at.
Note: Due to winter snowfall, this road trip is best in the warmer months.
Optional extensions: If you have extra time, adding a stay in Barcelona is highly recommended. If not, you can always save the city for a future trip. The Spanish Pyrenees also combine well with Bilbao or coastal destinations such as the Costa Brava.
And if you enjoy adventure and are flying home from Barcelona, consider a short detour to Congost de Mont-Rebei. This spectacular gorge, with its turquoise-colored water, is unforgettable.
Catalonia Road Trip
Catalonia is one of the most popular regions in Northern Spain, and for good reason. The region offers an impressive mix of coastline, countryside, nature, and vibrant cities. I have been living in Catalonia for many years now and have been able to explore a lot of this region.
The Catalonia road trip starts in Barcelona, a city that completely captured my heart and will likely do the same for you. After spending a few days exploring the city, it’s time to head out and discover the rest of Catalonia.
Your next stop is Tarragona, although you may want to relax at one of the beaches of the Costa Dorada along the way first. Tarragona’s historic center is well worth a visit, so don’t skip it. From there, drive inland toward the Muntanyes de Prades, where you can discover some charming nature and cute little towns.
After this, drive to the Monastery of Montserrat. The mountain scenery and the views from there are truly unique. You can take a short or longer hike here to take it all in. Further north, you must visit the medieval city of Girona and then head to the Costa Brava for some relaxation before heading back home. An extensive road trip through Catalonia really is one of the best things you can do here.
Optional extensions: A large part of the Spanish Pyrenees is located within Catalonia. If you enjoy mountain scenery and have enough time, it’s easy to combine this road trip with a visit to the Pyrenees. In winter, you can also go there for skiing.
The Basque Country Road Trip
The Basque Country is known for its distinct culture and outstanding gastronomy. It’s an excellent road trip destination in Northern Spain for travelers who love both the sea and vibrant cities.
Start your road trip in Bilbao, where you can visit the famous Guggenheim Museum and explore the historic old town. After spending a few days in the city, start your road trip eastward along the coast of the Basque Country. This area of the Northern Spanish coastline is filled with charming towns and villages. While it’s impossible to visit them all on one road trip, places like Bermeo, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Mutriku, and the medieval town of Zumaia are particularly worth stopping for. I’m sure you’ll love all of these places.
Continue along the coast to San Sebastián, a city renowned for its culinary scene, and I can totally recommend you take the time to try the fantastic food here. Pintxos, the small snacks often served on bread, originated in the Basque Country. You’ll find them throughout the region, but San Sebastián is especially famous for its pintxos bars. It’s really fun to join a pintxos tour in San Sebastián, as it lets you truly experience Basque food culture. The old town and the beaches around the city are worth visiting as well.
From San Sebastián, drive inland to visit Vitoria-Gasteiz and the wine region around the charming city of Laguardia. Eventually, return to Bilbao to complete the loop.
Cantabria and Asturias Road Trip
A road trip through Cantabria and Asturias lets you explore some of Northern Spain’s most beautiful mountainous areas as well as its incredible coastline.
Your road trip starts in Santander, a lively coastal city where you can enjoy fantastic seafood. From here, head inland toward the Saja-Besaya Natural Park for some great hiking. Not far from here, you’ll find Embalse del Ebro. The area around this lake offers beautiful viewpoints, and I found it very peaceful to take a walk here and get to experience rural Cantabria.
Continue your trip toward Picos de Europa National Park. This mountain range is definitely a highlight if you’re a nature lover. The Cares Gorge is especially scenic, and so are the Lakes of Covadonga. The park is also home to many traditional villages that are well worth visiting.
After you’ve discovered the National Park, head towards Oviedo, which is the capital of the Asturias region. Here in this charming city is a great place to spend a few days for some slow traveling and recovery from the road. From here, you can drive up to the coast to discover the incredible coastline views of Asturias. Peel off and stop at Playa del Silencio, another of the region’s most famous beaches, known for its impressive cliffs. From here, continue along the coast back to Santander, stopping at traditional villages such as Cudillero, Santillana del Mar, and Comillas before ending your journey in Santander.
Camino de Santiago Road Trip
You’ve probably heard of the famous Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrimage route leading to Santiago de Compostela. If you’re not up for the long hours of hiking, but you’d like to follow part of this historic route, traveling by car is a great alternative.
There are several Camino routes, each with its own character. Two of the most well-known are the Camino Francés and the Camino del Norte. If you have enough time, I recommend combining these two routes because you will get a road trip with incredible variety, mixing inland culture with coastal scenery.
Both routes start in Bilbao. The Camino Francés mainly runs through inland Spain and passes cities such as Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, and León before reaching Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, you’ll pass through scenic landscapes and small villages where the pilgrim atmosphere is still very much alive. The Camino del Norte follows the northern coastline, starting in Bilbao and continuing along beaches, cliffs, and coastal towns (such as those mentioned in the Cantabria and Asturias road trip) before arriving in Santiago.
Galicia Road Trip
This last road trip will show you the beautiful parts of Galicia. This destination is located in the northwest of Spain, just above the Portuguese border. The region is famously known for its impressive coastline, green landscapes, and, of course, the excellent seafood Spain is known for.
Galicia has become more popular over the last several years. However, compared to other parts of Spain, it still sees fewer tourists staying for extended periods, giving you a more authentic, relaxed vibe. It definitely feels different from all the other regions in the country. It’s because this region has its own language, and the climate is so much cooler and wetter than anywhere else in Spain. This is something that you should consider before selecting this road trip.
This Galicia road trip starts in Santiago de Compostela, where you can see the pilgrims arrive at Plaza del Obradoiro. It’s a remarkable sight to see them reaching their final destination after all the steps they have taken. Also, definitely take a few days to check out the impressive cathedral and explore the historic city center.
After your pleasant time in Santiago, get back on the road and drive onward to Faro de Fisterra for some panoramic Atlantic Ocean views. If you continue heading towards the south, you will be able to see more picturesque coastal towns, the stunning waterfall Fervenza do Ézaro, and the charming city of Pontevedra. Finished in Pontevedra, head inland to visit Ourense and Lugo. The Cañón del Sil is perfect for nature lovers and should be included in your Spain itinerary. While you are there, explore the hiking trails or go kayaking to experience the river landscapes.
Traveling north, you will reach Praia das Catedrais next on the list. I have to say that this is one of Spain’s most impressive beaches. They have some truly spectacular rock formations. Keep following the coastline further towards A Coruña. You will often want to stop, as there are many other beautiful spots along the way with stunning ocean views. Make sure to visit A Coruña too before returning to Santiago, where the road trip ends in Galicia.
Optional extensions: If you have enough time, the CÃes Islands are worth visiting. You will find yourself on white sandy beaches and diving into crystal-clear waters. It gives off an almost tropical feel, even with the cool Atlantic temperatures. With even more time, you could also combine this Galicia road trip with an excursion into Northern Portugal, visiting the National Park Peneda-Gerês and the beautiful cities of Braga, Guimarães, and Porto.
Final Thoughts
Northern Spain offers an incredible variety of landscapes, cultures, and traditions, and the routes described above highlight only a small part of what makes this region so amazing. Whether you choose one path or combine several, a road trip through Northern Spain is guaranteed to be a memorable experience. Even after having seen a lot of this part of Spain over the years, I still discover new places every time I go on a road trip, which only makes me want to explore it even more.