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Spain’s Mediterranean Coast - A Coastal Road Trip background image

Spain’s Mediterranean Coast - A Coastal Road Trip

With glorious beaches, a fantastic sunshine record, historic towns and sleepy little villages, Spain has all the ingredients for a great holiday. But for a truly epic trip, taking in the best of Spain’s sun-kissed Mediterranean coast, why not drive the route south from the Spanish border with France down through the Costas almost to Gibraltar.

It’s a spectacular route, taking in dozens of Spain’s big-name destinations, and with great campsites along the way. The route begins on the Costa Brava which runs 200 km down from the French border and kicks off one of Europe’s great road trips.

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Jump on board for the Alan Rogers guide to the trip, with suggested campsites along the way and some points of interest you might want to build into your own itinerary.

Catalonia

Catalonia - Spain’s Mediterranean Coast
Catalonia - Spain’s Mediterranean Coast

Catalonia occupies a unique place within Europe. A region of contrasts, it is defined by its strong-willed independence, yet it remains resolutely Spanish and the variety of its landscape is breathtaking: snowy peaks of the Pyrenees, shimmering lakes, rocky coves and sandy beaches.

The Costa Brava is steeped in the old and the new and offers more than seaside, including Girona’s gastronomy and Dali’s surrealism. The Costa Dorada south of Barcelona welcomes sun and sea worshippers: the warm waters of the Mediterranean lap along endless miles of golden sand so make time to pause and relax beside the beach of this Golden Coast.

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Camping l’Amfora

This spacious, friendly site is run by Michelle, Josep and their daughter and is always a popular destination. It is spotlessly clean and well-maintained, and...

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Teatre-Museu Dalí
Teatre-Museu Dalí

Teatre-Museu Dalí

Try to tear yourself away from the Golf de Roses and head 14 km inland to Figueres.

Here is the birthplace of Salvador Dalí and his Teatre-Museu Dalí. Created by the man himself, it’s a legacy of his surrealist take on life and is suitably flamboyant and eccentric.

Fun Fact: His parents believed Salvador was the reincarnation of his older brother who had died just before his 2nd birthday.

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Camping Las Dunas

Las Dunas is an extremely large, impressive and well-organised resort-style site with many on-site activities and an ongoing programme of improvements. The site has direct...

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Girona
Girona

Girona

Away from the bustle of the coast, Girona lies on the River Onyar. Don't miss the Instagram shot from the Gustav Eiffel built bridge, the Pont de les Peixateries Velles.

For a taste of Girona, wind your way through the streets of the Jewish Quarter, take a walk along the medieval city walls or visit the 12th-century Romanesque Arab Baths.

Fun Fact:Dating from 982 to 1492, the Jewish Quarter is one of the best preserved in the world.

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Camping Treumal

Included in our guides:

2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

This beautiful terraced site has been developed on a hillside around the beautiful gardens of a large, spectacular estate house which is close to the...

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Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar was once a magnet for writers and artists, its little bay overlooked by the dominant castle. The sandy beach is still a hit and the turquoise waters dotted with fishing boats make a picture postcard scene.

Fun Fact: The walled town of "Vila Vella enceinte" is the only medieval fortified town on the Catalonian coast.

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Camping Solmar

Included in our guides:

2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

The Ribas family has run Camping Solmar for over 40 years, and a warm welcome awaits you. The well-equipped site is located 150 metres from...

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Barcelona
Barcelona

Barcelona

Be sure to stop a while in Barcelona, soaking up its unique charm, culture and vibrancy. Its history goes back millennia, yet it is relentlessly forward-looking and modern, perhaps one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

Barcelona and its historic Ramblas, the works of Picasso and Miró, Gaudí’s cathedral and the irresistible nightlife all combine to create unforgettable holiday memories.

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Vilanova Park

Sitting on the terrace in front of the restaurant – a beautifully converted Catalan farmhouse dating from 1908 – it is difficult to believe that...

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Tarragona
Tarragona

Tarragona

Tarragona has been a popular resort since the time of the Romans. The amphitheatre, circus, forum and city walls can still be seen. The Tarraco Viva festival in May, honouring the rich heritage of the city, is a riot of exuberant celebration.

Fun Fact: Tarragona hosts an annual Dixieland jazz festival featuring over 100 concerts. The festival runs the week before Holy Week.

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Valencia

Valencia - Spain’s Mediterranean Coast
Valencia - Spain’s Mediterranean Coast

Famous of course for paella, the region of Valencia has a long coastline with fertile farmlands, hilltop castles, exuberant festivals (La Tomatina is essentially a food fight for tomato fans), rolling vineyards, and yes, some busy resorts like Benidorm. Discover the charms of this region, and its rich history, on your way south.

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Camping El Cid

Camping El Cid is a welcoming family campsite located just North of Peniscola on the Costa del Azahar. A recent change of owners has brought...

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Valencia
Valencia

Valencia

One of Spain’s more understated gems, Valencia is a large city that remains relaxed and happy to let its unique charms speak for themselves. Rolling farmlands and orange groves surround the elegant city where centuries of different cultural legacies have left their mark. Be sure not to miss the City of Arts & Science, an architecturally breathtaking complex full of bold and exciting experiences.

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Camping Villasol

Benidorm is increasingly popular for winter stays and Villasol is a genuinely good, purpose built modern site. Many of the 448 well separated pitches are...

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Alicante
Alicante

Alicante

Alicante may not be an obvious choice for a short detour off the trail but scratch the modern surface and you’ll have plenty of interest. Its history stretches back to Roman times and despite the challenges of modern tourism, it has retained its own unique identity.

Explore the castle and savour the dramatic seascapes before settling in for some people-watching at one of the waterfront restaurants.

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Murcia

Murcia - Spain’s Mediterranean Coast
Murcia - Spain’s Mediterranean Coast

The roots of this region go back to Roman times – you’ll find medieval towns and ancient Cartagena is a fascinating place with Roman ruins and a legacy of the Carthaginians. The Costa Blanca, starting in Valencia, gives way to the Costa Calida which is peppered with enticing little coves where you can spend a lazy day off the road.

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Caravaning La Manga

Included in our guides:

2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

This is a very large, well equipped, holiday-style site with its own beach and both indoor and outdoor pools. With a good number of typical...

Andalucia

Andalucia
Andalucia

This is an intoxicating region. Think fragrant orange blossom and whitewashed villages that seem to stand still in time. All the clichés are here: the flamenco dancers, the soulful guitarists, the strutting bullfighters, as well as sherry like you’ve never tasted before, incredible tapas and history stemming from interwoven Christian and Islamic influences.

The region has over 1,000 km of coastline with the beaches along the Costa Almeria being the most varied and least busy. The Costa Tropical is the newest of the Costas, essentially the Granada coastline, while the Costa del Sol is well developed but offers huge swathes of fine sand and warm Mediterranean waters.

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Camping Los Escullos

This efficient, well maintained medium-sized site has 185 pitches (60-80 sq.m). They are divided by hedges and trees, 100 have 10A electricity and some have...

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Nerja
Nerja

Nerja

Lying 50 km east of Malaga, Nerja is worth dropping into. Unlike other parts of this sunshine coast it has managed to retain its village feel, despite the attentions of tourists.

The highlight is the Balcon de Europa, a dramatic viewing deck that juts out over the rocks and crashing surf below. Originally an old fort, it offers sweeping seascapes and views up and down the coast.

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Camping Iznate

Camping Iznate is situated amid beautiful scenery near the picturesque village of Iznate. It is surrounded by avocado and olive trees and is on a...

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Museo Picasso Malaga
Museo Picasso Malaga

Museo Picasso Malaga

Though long in the making, this museum is a fascinating insight the life of the great artist.

More than 200 works are housed in the delightful 16th century Buenavista Palace and are a constantly changing exhibition with works from when Picasso was just 13.

Fun Fact: Arguably one of his most famous works, Picasso painted Guernica in the middle of the Spanish Civil War.

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Camping la Bella Vista

Camping La Bella Vista is a modern campsite enjoying a beachfront location in San Luis de Sabanillas, a suburb of Manilva with Roman heritage. The...