I'm interested in suggestions on the best route, combining scenery with driving time, and best place for stopover for a night if we have only two days. Leaning towards Zaragoza as the stopover. thoughts?
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4180 posts
I've made the drive myself, but from Barcelona to San Sebastian. I'd opt for Zaragoza, an ideal midpoint for the route you will take. Zaragoza is a pleasant city with a small town vibe, with Roman ruins, a Moorish Palace, vibrant tapas scene, and unique Mudéjar architecture.
Posted by
la rioja
590 posts
@Ramittelstaedt1010, when will you be making the trip? Certain times of the year, the weather in Zaragaza can be very unpleasant.
In the summer time I would suggest hugging the Pyrenees. Maybe stopping in Jaca. You might even think about going around the north side through France if you are leaving from San Sebastian.
Posted by
Bilbao
744 posts
If you drive towards the Rioja wine region, Laguardia makes a great stop and really worth seeing the wine country, so different to other places (and I´d try to visit a family-run winery, with its centuries-old underground cellars). Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country, is on the way to Rioja and the old quarter is great. Further down the road, I love Tarazona, as a great place to stop. Olite and is magnificent castle, Tudela, Zaragoza, Sos del Rey Católico, Pamplona...would also make nice places to stop on the way.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7159 posts
I too suggest Zaragoza. It’s a good location and has enough to see for a couple days. One could easily spend 3 weeks stopping at places between Bilbao and Girona and not see it all. When we stayed in Zaragoza earlier this year we stayed at the Ibis Zaragoza Centro on Calle de Sobrarte 2. It has a large parking garage, was easy to get to, and is in an excellent location just across the river, and providing a great view of, the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar.