3 week Campervan holiday in Spain

You didn't mention where you are picking up the van.

Hi Karen,

Please be aware that contrary to other countries, where "campervaning"or "caravaning" is more spread -so to speak-, over here is not as popular. It's estimated there are only 50000 caravans in the whole of Spain and, therefore, the facilities and rules might be slightly different and may be not as accommodating as in say France, where caravaning is extremely popular. For example, many cities won't allow campervans to be used as an accommodation inside the city, that is, you can't park anywhere in the city for the length of your stay and sleep there. Do that inside the urban area of, for example, Barcelona and you'll be fined if spotted. Note there's a private parking for campervans in Barcelona, located in the hill of Montjuïc. Also, due to the high temperatures in summer and the risk of forest fires in most of the Iberian Peninsula, a similar restriction is in place in a number of rural areas.

So, make sure you always park in areas where "campervaning" is permitted. These can be either private such as campings, parking lots and similar, or the free "areas de servicio", normally next to major roads and resting place for many truckers -these however are not monitored. There aren't as many as one could expect though: 99 in Galicia, 76 in Andalucía, 65 in Castilla y León, 33 in Asturias, 31 in Catalonia, 23 in Euskadi, etc. To top it up, note that Spain is not "a country" in the traditional sense... nor it's uniform in their ways and people neither does it have one language nor one culture but several, and several governments too (much like say the states in the US)... thus rules on campervans do not necessarily need to be the same everywhere.

This is of course not to put you off or worry you... just explaining what it is. Yet, although not that popular, don't fret, campervaning does exist here and there are die-hards of this activity that travel the whole Iberian Peninsula on their campervans :))

If besides Barcelona you were to decide to visit the rest of Catalonia -and you should consider it!... we have really wonderful places and very different landscapes across the region- this is a great site might help you to locate the facilities for campervans in Catalonia: http://www.camper-map.com/ and for organising your own route in Catalonia, have a look at these:

• Welcome to Catalonia
• Catalonia Experience
• Map of Catalonia
• Routes in Catalonia
• What is Catalonia
• ... and this for visual clues of some of our wonderful landscapes and activities.

Btw... the key term for you is "autocaravanas" (=campervans)
Enjoy!

PS: And if you decide to get to know different regions, then a plus for you will be that not only you'll see different monuments and landscapes but also get to know very different cultures. In fact, in reality travelling across the Iberian Peninsula is not like visiting "two" countries but a few more as you'll find quite a number of significant differences among its people and several cultures.

Thanks for your replies. A couple of things I should have mentioned. My husband & I are in our late 50's (Celebrating his 60th birthday coming up). We are kiwis living in Australia & we have never been to Spain before. We are picking up campervan from Sallent (Barcelona) & have to return it to there as well. After our campervan trip and we have returned the van we will have 4 extra days in Barcelona where we have hired an apartment thru Airbnb. Really appreciate everyones comments & assistant.
Thanks

I think a van in Spain would be a huge hindrance because of parking difficulties and lack of overnight facilities. Do your research thoroughly to decide on your stops. For a lengthy journey over 3 weeks I would try for something around this route.

From Barcelona ...
To Zaragoza (2)
Via Pamplona to San Sebastián (4)
To Santander (2)
To Picos de Europa (3)
To Oviedo (2)
To Santiago de Compostela (3)
To Leon (2)
Via Burgos to Rioja (3)
To Barcelona