Spain Road Trip Destinations 

1. Andalucía  

Discover some of Spain’s most irresistible cities with a road trip around the region of Andalucía, in the south of the country.

Start your journey soaking up the sun in the coastal hub of Malaga, before driving an hour and a half north-west to Granada. The star attraction here is the world-famous Alhambra Palace, which showcases the best of Spanish and Moorish architecture. You could easy spend a day wandering the opulent rooms, intricate courtyards and manicured gardens.

Continuing your journey in an anticlockwise loop, a two-hour drive will take you to Cordoba, a city that boasts four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

An hour and a half further on is Seville, which seduces visitors with its tapas bars, flamenco clubs and Mediterranean climate. Temperatures here can soar in the summer months, so spring and summer are popular times to visit.

2. Basque Country

An autonomous region of northern Spain, the Basque Country has its own unique culture, traditions and cuisine. The gastronomic scene is one of the main draws, with the city of San Sebastian widely referred to as the food capital of Spain.

Most visitors to this region start off their trip in the nearby city Bilbao. Pick up your Avis rental car from the airport or the downtown location, then take the scenic route east along the coast. A 45-minute drive will take you to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, an island fortress which you might recognise as Dragonstone from season 7 of Game of Thrones.

Another popular stop-off as you continue towards San Sebastian is the charming beach town of Zarautz, with its wide promenade and impressive surf.

When you reach San Sebastian itself, toast to the end of your trip with a drink and some pintxos – the Basque Country’s version of tapas. Local specialities include salted cod and baby squid stuffed with crab.

3. Barcelona and the Costa Dorada 

The iconic city of Barcelona is your gateway to one of Spain’s best stretches of coast, so this is the ideal route if you want to combine sightseeing with some beach time. Spend a few days checking out big-name sights like the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and La Rambla, before picking up your Avis rental car and heading south.

A 45-minute drive will bring you to the coastal town of Sitges, known for its lively nightlife, annual carnival and thriving LGBT scene. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches here, but if you’re looking for somewhere with fewer crowds, Platja de les Anquines, a half-hour walk or quick drive from the town centre, is your best bet.

Head a further 45 minutes along the coast and you’ll arrive in Tarragona, a brilliant place to visit if you’re travelling with children. It’s home to the massive PortAventura World – one of the best theme parks in Europe.

4. Central Spain

Spain’s central region might not attract as many visitors at the coast, but that’s exactly where its appeal lies. If you’re looking for traditional whitewashed villages and untouched countryside, this is the perfect place to explore. Having a car means you can get off the beaten track and discover parts of Spain that are blissfully free of tourists.

Start your trip in Madrid, before heading west along the A5 and N-502 towards the Sierra de Gredos mountain range (approximately a two-hour journey). This area of outstanding natural beauty is a haven for hikers, thanks to its abundance of glacial gorges, lakes and waterfalls. It’s also home to the native Spanish wild goat.

Another interesting place to visit in the region is the medieval city of Ávila, about an hour’s drive away. Its city walls are among the best-preserved in Europe, and there’s a 1,700-metre walkway that runs along the top of them, offering fantastic views of the surrounding countryside.

5. Mallorca

The biggest of the popular Balearic Islands, Mallorca is best explored by car. The cosmopolitan capital city, Palma, is a great place to base yourself – from here, you can take easy day or overnight trips across the island.

One of the island’s main attractions is the Caves of Drach, about an hour’s drive east of Palma. This underground network of caverns, stalagmites and stalactites extends for almost 1,200 metres and hosts one of the biggest underground lakes in the world.

If you’re in search of Mallorca’s best beaches, it’s worth heading over to the quieter west coast. As you drive along the winding coastal roads, secluded coves with piercing blue waters will beckon you to pull over. One of the prettiest is Cala Deià, about 50 minutes from Palma.

Continue north for another half an hour and you’ll come to the port town of Sóller. Pull up a chair at one of the waterfront restaurants to enjoy a well-deserved pit stop.