The best road trips in Spain: these routes you want to drive in 2025

Imagine this: a road trip through the most beautiful spots in Spain. A shining sun, the windows down, and your favorite playlist along with that stunning landscape; who wouldn't want that? We all do, right? Well, I have good news: Spain seems made for road trips; from Andalusia to the Costa Brava, you can find unique routes all over the country. We'll take you through the most beautiful ones. So, buckle up and vamos.

The ultimate road trip route along the Costa Brava

With about 246 kilometers, you should definitely set aside at least three days for this route along the Costa Brava, but you'll see a lot in return. We start just a bit below this famous coast, in Barcelona. Always a good idea, of course, a mini city trip before you really get in the car. After this big city, the first stop on the route is Sant Feliu de Guíxols; a seaside resort known for its many viewpoints with the best views over the landscape. Those who deviate a bit from the coastline can make a stop in the city of Girona; where you definitely shouldn't miss the iconic cathedral and the Arab baths. The restaurant El Celler de Can Roca is also a real recommendation, although you need to reserve months in advance. The continuation of the route is a must-visit for art lovers: here you will find the Dalinian Triangle. In the three villages of Figueres, Portlligat, and Púbol, you can discover everything about the Spanish painter Dalí, even the houses where he used to live. To really get the most out of the trip, the route ends in Cadaqués. This small fishing village inspired many artists; so who knows what kind of creative ideas you'll take home with you.

The most beautiful road trip through Andalusia: from Malaga to Seville

When you say Spain, you say the Costa del Sol. That is also the starting point of the ideal discovery tour through Andalusia. The exact starting point: Málaga. From personal experience, I can say it's a beautiful city. Plan your trip if possible for mid-August; with a bit of luck, you can experience the Feria de Málaga, this traditional festival is truly a unique experience. Alright, back to the route. This now heads inland, where you definitely need to stop in Granada at the Alhambra, the old palace and citadel of the Nasrid dynasty. Be sure to reserve your tickets on time; from the outside, the palace is already beautiful, but it's just a bit more fun to peek inside as well. The route continues to Córdoba, leading to the capital of Andalusia: Seville. In this city, there are a thousand things to see, and in between, you can also enjoy real tapas. What more could you want?

Discover Northern Spain with a road trip

From the south of Spain, we now move all the way to the north. Compared to the rest of the country, it rains a bit more here, but that also has its advantages. The landscapes are a bit greener here, and during a shower, you can stay nice and dry in the car. A perfect starting point to explore this part of Spain is San Sebastián. This coastal city is a must for foodies among us, with the most Michelin-starred restaurants per square meter in Europe, you can definitely eat well here. My fellow series lovers will be happy with the next stop. On the northern coast lies the small island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, one of the filming locations of ‘Game of Thrones’. Among the large rocks, you can feel like you're in the series for a moment. Once back on the route, you'll encounter Playa del Sardinero, Santander, the Picos de Europa mountains, and Oviedo. Together, these stops form the perfect combination of nature, beach, and charming old towns. To truly end the road trip in a special way, you can take a piece of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela at the end. That of course has to be done on foot.

Road tripping in Castilla y León: this is the perfect route

We certainly can't skip the middle of Spain. This part is best discovered with a route from Madrid to Salamanca. Just like in Barcelona, you can start your vacation a bit earlier with a mini city trip in Madrid. After exploring the capital, it's really time to start the route. With a first stop in Segovia; a city known for its Roman aqueduct, the Gothic cathedral, and the 12th-century Alcázar castle of Segovia. The next point on the route also takes you into Spanish history. In the city of Ávila, you will find the most Gothic and Romanesque churches in the whole country. You can take the perfect vacation photos at the last stop. The university city of Salamanca is also known as the Golden City. This is because the honey-colored sandstone walls light up the city with golden hues later in the day. One big golden hour, then.

Ibiza by car: this is the most beautiful route across the island

Now that we've covered almost all of Spain, Ibiza cannot be missed. By car, you can perfectly explore the island and you'll see that there's much more than the parties at Ushuaïa. To still get a bit of the glamour, start the route from Ibiza city to the beach of Ses Salines. While enjoying a cocktail, you might even spot a celeb here. You will find more peace when you drive further to Sa Caleta. This beach is hidden between impressive red cliffs, and in the traditional fish restaurants, you can eat deliciously. Another totally different experience can be had at Cala d’Hort. From here, you can see the mystical island of Es Vedrà rising above the sea. In this place, UFOs and all sorts of other extraordinary things have reportedly been spotted; and even without that, it's a special view to end your trip with.

Source: Lonely Planet