Spain: 16 days Northern Spain

Northern Spain is a diverse region for an RV road trip. From Barcelona, travel via Montserrat and the Pyrenees to Navarra, the Basque Coast, Cantabria, the Picos de Europa, and Rioja Alavesa. Return to Barcelona via Zaragoza and Sitges. You can also explore the current options for RV rental in Spain.

Day 1: Barcelona – Montserrat, approx. 34 mi (55 km) – 1 hour
Barcelona is a convenient starting point for this road trip. If you have time, spend one or two days exploring the city before picking up your RV. After pickup, drive to Montserrat. Visit the Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery or take a short hike among the distinctive rock formations. The short driving distance makes this an easy first day.

Day 2: Montserrat – Espot, approx. 137 mi (220 km) – 3 hours
Drive north into the Pyrenees to Espot, one of the gateways to Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. From the village, licensed 4x4 taxis can take you toward Estany de Sant Maurici, where several hiking trails begin. Keep in mind that mountain weather can change quickly.

Day 3: Espot – Aínsa, approx. 109 mi (175 km) – 3 hours
Follow the mountain roads through the Pyrenees to Aínsa. Walk through the historic upper town with its stone houses, narrow streets, and large medieval square. Aínsa is also a convenient base for exploring the area around Ordesa y Monte Perdido.

Day 4: Aínsa – Huesca, approx. 62 mi (100 km) – 1.5 hours
Drive south toward Huesca and consider a detour to the medieval village of Alquézar. It sits on the edge of Sierra y Cañones de Guara, an area known for deep canyons and limestone formations. Huesca then makes a practical overnight stop on the way to Navarra.

Day 5: Huesca – Pamplona, approx. 103 mi (165 km) – 2 hours
Today you enter Navarra and arrive in Pamplona. Explore the Old Town, Plaza del Castillo, and the historic city walls. Pamplona also lies along the Camino de Santiago, so you will often see pilgrims passing through the city.

Day 6: Pamplona and Nacedero del Urederra
Stay in Pamplona or take a day trip to Nacedero del Urederra in Urbasa-Andía Natural Park. The trail follows striking blue-green water through forested limestone scenery. 

Day 7: Pamplona – San Sebastián, approx. 53 mi (85 km) – 1 hour
A short drive takes you to San Sebastián on the Bay of Biscay. Walk along Playa de la Concha and explore the pintxo bars in the Parte Vieja. If you plan to drive your RV toward the city center, check the current Low Emission Zone rules in advance.

Day 8: San Sebastián and the Basque Coast
Spend another day in San Sebastián or drive to Hondarribia near the French border. Here you can explore a walled historic center and a colorful traditional fishing district. Return to San Sebastián later for a walk along the bay or an evening of pintxos.

Day 9: San Sebastián – Bilbao – Santillana del Mar, approx. 137 mi (220 km) – 3 hours
Drive west and stop in Bilbao along the way, perhaps to visit the Guggenheim Museum and walk along the Nervión River. Continue to Santillana del Mar in Cantabria. Its historic center is characterized by stone houses, cobbled streets, and the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana.

Day 10: Santillana del Mar and Altamira
Close to Santillana del Mar is the famous prehistoric site of Altamira. The original cave is not open as a regular museum attraction, but visitors can see the Neocave, a detailed reconstruction, at the museum. Check the official visitor information from the Altamira Museum before your visit.

Day 11: Santillana del Mar – Picos de Europa – Potes Area
Drive from Cantabria into the Picos de Europa toward Potes and Fuente Dé. At Fuente Dé, a cable car takes you into the high mountains, where several hiking routes begin. Check the weather before leaving, as conditions in the mountains can change quickly.

Day 12: Picos de Europa – Burgos, approx. 124 mi (200 km) – 3.5 hours
Leave the mountains behind and drive to Burgos in Castilla y León. The city lies along the Camino Francés and is best known for its Gothic cathedral, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After arriving, take a walk through the historic center and along the Arlanzón River.

Day 13: Burgos – Laguardia, approx. 75 mi (120 km) – 1.5 hours
Today you travel to Rioja Alavesa and the walled town of Laguardia. Walk through the pedestrianized historic center and enjoy views across the surrounding vineyards. If you want to visit a winery, book ahead and leave the RV parked afterward.

Day 14: Laguardia – Bardenas Reales – Zaragoza, approx. 155 mi (250 km) – 3.5 hours without stops
Take a detour through Bardenas Reales on the way to Zaragoza. Its dry landscape of ravines, plateaus, and eroded rock formations looks completely different from the green northern coast. Check in advance which roads are open and suitable for your rental RV before continuing to Zaragoza.

Day 15: Zaragoza – Sitges, approx. 171 mi (275 km) – 3 hours
Consider visiting the Basílica del Pilar in the morning before driving back toward the Mediterranean. Sitges has a compact historic center, a waterfront promenade, and several beaches. It makes a pleasant final stop before returning to Barcelona the next day.

Day 16: Sitges – Barcelona, approx. 25 mi (40 km) – 45 min.
Drive back to Barcelona and return your RV at the agreed location. Allow plenty of time for traffic and the vehicle return process. Check the rental conditions in advance for requirements such as fuel, wastewater, and inventory.

Practical information for this route

• Trip length: 16 days works well, while 18 to 21 days gives you more time for hikes and rest days.

• Best time to travel: late spring, early summer, and September are good periods for this route. July and August are busier and temperatures can be higher inland.

• Distance: expect approximately 1,120 mi (1,800 km) for the main route, excluding side trips.

• Mountain roads: roads in the Pyrenees and Picos de Europa are winding, so average driving speeds are lower.

• Low Emission Zones: check current access restrictions for cities such as San Sebastián before driving your RV into the center.

• Overnight stays: use campgrounds, official RV areas, and other designated overnight locations.

• Natural areas: reservations or access restrictions may apply at places such as Urederra and parts of Bardenas Reales.

• Navigation: always check that your route is suitable for the height, width, and weight of your RV.

• Traffic regulations: current information is available from Spain's Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT).