Taking to the open road is undoubtedly the best way to experience a country, and Spain is no different. You get to see it in all its glory, whether that’s the cruising along the coast or traversing through sprawling mountain ranges. The Mediterranean climate, relaxed approach to life, and well-maintained roads and highways all offer a wonderful opportunity to explore the country at your own pace. And to help you decide where to go, we’ve put together five of the best driving roads in Spain.
We’ve given estimated driving times, although we’re sure you’ll want to stay longer. Be sure to consider this when making plans. To really make the most of your trip, we encourage you to stop off at viewpoints, visit historic Spanish towns, and explore the country’s immense natural beauty.
Buckle up, sunnies on, vamonos!
Route N-340, Adra - Malaga
Distance: 90 miles Driving time: 1 hour 40 minutes
N-340 is a major highway in Spain, but we’re interested in the route from Adra to Malaga. We highly recommend factoring in more time to explore the Almería deserts of Adra. Game of Thrones fans will love driving through the landscape that once became the home of the Dothraki. When you get back on the highway, you’ll fall in love with this coastal drive. There’s no rush, just soak up the sights and enjoy the sea breeze.
It’s not a particularly long drive, but there are too many scenic places along the way to resist stopping off. Salobreña is particularly beautiful, a charming old town of whitewashed houses and sprawling greenery. It’s 95m above sea level, and we encourage you to head to the top of the hill and explore the ancient castle.
Ronda Road (A397), Costa del Sol
Distance: 30 miles Driving time: 55 minutes
Ronda Road, or the A397 highway, is a delightfully twisty drive from San Pedro de Alcantara to Ronda. It’s not a long drive, but we’re sure you’ll want to factor in time to take in the unbelievable scenery. With sweeping fast corners and wide roads, this route has some of the most magnificent views in Spain. It starts at sea level and climbs a huge 1168m, you’ll be in awe of the rolling hills around you. Avid drivers will love cruising down the smooth tarmac, just be sure to slow down around the sharp hairpin bends. Along the way, you’ll come across Venta el Madroño - a friendly cafe with lush views. You’re bound to meet other drivers, cyclists, and bikers, who might have a great recommendation or two.
When you reach Ronda, you’re in for a treat. Located on a hilltop, it’s one of the most beautiful towns in Spain and split across two sides of the deep El Tajo gorge. Just a bridge connects the two sides and the same architect who designed the bridge, also designed the Ronda Arena. Ronda is known to be the birthplace of bullfighting and the arena is one of the oldest in Spain, it’s definitely worth a visit. Being in the arena and imagining the lives of those in the 1700s is transportive. Be sure to check out the Ronda Viewpoint, too. You can imagine how a city so high up will have unbelievable views!
If you drive back the way you came, towards San Pedro de Alcantara, you’ll have a smooth downhill journey with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. On a clear day, you can even see glimpses of Morocco.
Montserrat Mountain Road (BP-1121), Catalonia
Distance: 5.5 miles Driving time: 10 minutes
Montserrat is a unique, jaunty mountain, and completely remarkable. You might not expect this from the mountain’s rugged appearance, but the BP-1121 leading up to the summit is smooth and plain sailing. But that’s not to say it isn’t twisty, winding through the curves of the mountain and taking sharp hairpin bends is a real thrill. Many car manufacturers actually use this road for international test drives. But the real kicker is the view. When you reach the summit you’ll be greeted by breathtaking views of Catalonia. Possibly the most popular thing to do when taking this route is to visit the Benedictine monastery of Santa María de Montserrat. Located on the side of the mountain, the famous monastery is truly breathtaking.
BP-1121, better known as the Montserrat Mountain Road, is just an hour away from Barcelona. Most people tend to drive up from the city and if you’re staying in the Catalonian capital, this is definitely one memorable day trip.
Route N-100, Plascenia - Barco de Avila
Distance: 42 miles Driving time: 1 hour 10 minutes
This picturesque route starts from the town of Plascencia, which is affectionally known as the ‘Pearl of the Valley’ for its medieval walls, Roman cathedral, and the lakes of Parque de Los Pines.
When it’s time to hit the road, follow the N-100 towards Barco de Avila for a beautiful drive through the Jerte Valley. Most of the drives on the list feature hairpin bends and twists and turns, but this drive is all about taking in the exceptional scenery of sloping hills and lush greenery The valley, gorge, and mountains create a unique landscape, with hundreds of photo opportunities. And if you happen to be driving this route in early spring, you’ll get to see the sweeping cherry blossoms that carpet the Jerte Valley.
Along the N-100 you can visit the sleepy villages of Navaconcejo, Jerte, and the Tornavacas. And when you pass through El Torno, be sure to stop off at El Mirador de la Memoria. These sculptures were built to commemorate the Spanish Civil War and its forgotten victims.
Autovía del Cantábrico, Northern Spain
Distance: 337 miles Driving time: 5 hours 10 minutes
This is the big one. Spain’s northern coast is often overlooked, but the combination of the Basque Country, historic Spanish towns, rocky coast, and mountainous views make it an ideal driving trip. Plus, Autovía del Cantábrico, or the A-8 highway, makes it easy for drivers to see all that Northern Spain has to offer. Starting off at Bilbo and travelling all the way to La Coruna, this could technically be done in a day, but we recommend stretching it out to really take it all in.
Bilbao, the capital of Spain’s Basque Country, is worth spending a few days in alone. Try out pintos in street bars, explore the historic centre, and stroll the medieval streets before hitting the road. The A-8 takes you past the Basque Country and into Cantabria, where you’ll be greeted by rolling hills of vineyards dotted with vintage stone farmhouses. You’ll soon come across Santander, which has grown in popularity recently thanks to its sparkling sandy beaches. Following Santander, you’ll travel through the historic town of Santillana del Mar, the Picos de Europa national park, and the coastal city of Gijon. The perfect combination of beaches, hiking amazing gorges, and quaint towns.