When the summer heat sets in, northern Spain becomes the star destination for motorhomers, and with good reason: "green Spain" combines wild coastline, mountains, charming villages and some of the country's finest food, all under a cool climate while the rest of the country bakes. A coast-to-coast route through the north is one of those trips people fall in love with. We suggest a west-to-east journey.
Galicia: estuaries, lighthouses and seafood
We start with the Rías Baixas and the Costa da Morte, with their vast beaches, lighthouses perched on cliffs and fishing villages. Finisterre, the "end of the world", is a must-stop. Galicia means seafood, cool water and a special light. There are plenty of sites, and the natural surroundings are hard to beat.
Asturias: between the sea and the Picos
Asturias packs it all into a small area: spectacular beaches (many with motorhome access), villages such as Cudillero or Lastres, and, further inland, the imposing Picos de Europa, with the Lagos de Covadonga and the Cares Gorge. Coast and mountains in just a few kilometres. Watch out for narrow mountain roads if you have a large vehicle.
Cantabria: from Santander to the valleys
Cantabria offers elegant Santander, the medieval town of Santillana del Mar, beautiful beaches and green valleys as you head inland. It's a very comfortable region to travel by camper, with good services and short distances.
Basque Country: surf, hills and pintxos
We finish in the Basque Country: Zarautz and its surf beach, San Sebastián and its Bahia de la Concha, Bilbao and the Guggenheim, and a pintxos food scene that is a journey all on its own. A grand finale to the route.
Tips for the northern route
- Pack warm and waterproof clothing even in July: the north is green because it rains.
- Short stages: there's so much to see that rushing is a mistake.
- Watch your height and width in villages and on mountain roads.
- Book ahead in August: it's the most in-demand area of the summer.
To help choose where to swim, see the best beaches for motorhoming.
In short
The route through northern Spain links Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country in a journey of coast, mountains and food that's perfect for the camper summer. The step to take today: pick just one or two of these regions for your first trip north rather than trying to cover them all; you'll enjoy it far more without spending the whole trip driving. Pair it with the routes through Spain.
