Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Advice re campervanning in Spain please!

8 replies

Flippityflops · 05/05/2025 16:29

Hello - in 2 weeks we are going to Spain in our old campervan for a month.

long awaited and saved for.

We had planned to go to northern Spain and perhaps also go to Porto in Portugal

I have read that there is much rain in the north atm and for the forthcoming week .
We are in a v small van and we wd struggle without being mostly outside . I read that one lady , who has 2 dogs , is struggling to manage in a van with wet dogs and is thinking of leaving the area and driving to france.
A lot of people out there are there for a long period like 3 months - so they have the time to move locations and weatherchase, wheras we have 4 weeks , and we cant spend a week travelling just to get away from rain. We want to make the best of it, travel a bit , rest a bit.
We are thinking of going to the med side such as Valencia now instead to get the sun - to be comfortable.
we are people watching people- we love to sit reading in squares, hiking, countryside. We dont enjoy places like benedorm - but wd like spanish places not brit influenced places . We love cliff walks etc.

So my question s are

anyone been to northern spain - is it amazingly good
is it typically mixed weather

is the med side lovely? Enough countryside , dramatic scenery - between places .
( we love granada area)

We have been planning this trip for months and it s knocked my confidence re going to the north as me and dh may end up having a row in the rain - not sitting in the sun .
Any info on the areas around Valencia, almeria etc but not as far as seville perhaps. Happy to go inland as well as costal and have interest in national parks etc , little square s for wine, rivers, archtecture, dramatic scenery.
Thanks so much !!!! Feel so anxious!

OP posts:
ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 05/05/2025 21:45

I think in general that the north coast of Spain is prone to be fairly rainy. Certainly compared to the Mediterranean coast. But a current weather forecast won’t show you what the weather will be like if you aren’t planning to go for another two weeks. I don’t think long range forecast is ever accurate for more than a week ahead.

Aizen · 05/05/2025 22:05

Are you taking the ferry to Bilbao or Santander by any chance? What is your original planned route (roughly)?

I wouldn't give up on Northern Spain at all, it is absolutely stunning and so different to the Med region. There is rain forecast in Valencia also this week, just saying!

If the weather is absolutely dire in the forecast, but better along the Med, then you could consider going to Tarragona via Logrono and Zaragoza. You can get a train from Tarragona to Barcelona if that appeals to you. Then go back via the Pyrenees (Andorra) and Pamplona then to San Sebastian (incredible spot), and back home. If you can fit Porto in, that's great, if not, there's plenty to explore without it.

I love Northern Spain and the French Pyrenees. Basque country, the food is amazing, the people are great, and the weather is..... unpredictable!!

Funf · 06/05/2025 17:56

Have you got Facebook? If so look for the Hymer owners group, explain what you want to know I am certain they will help even of you don't own a Hymer as they are a great bunch and many spend months out of the UK travelling so some one will know.

Flippityflops · 06/05/2025 19:33

Aizen Hi - yes - ferry to santander!
thanks re the route info !

OP posts:
Flippityflops · 06/05/2025 19:40

Aizen

Its 11 degrees in San Sebastian now and rain .. shame .
do you rhink in four weeks we have enough time to do the route you kindly suggested.?
i struggle with the sheer size of spain .

Our plan had been to go west from Santander - and go to porto , then inland a bit , then back to the ferry.

OP posts:
Flippityflops · 06/05/2025 19:44

Aizen Which places and routes would you recommend in the north please.?
i am also wondering if we could go from Santandere to valencia- and further south for two weeks , then back across to santandare and up north( via shortest route!)

OP posts:
Keroppi · 06/05/2025 19:45

Benicassim is great for motorhomes, great pitches and usually pre good weather

bowchicawowwow · 07/05/2025 17:51

We did a similar trip last year in our motorhome. Ferry to Santander and then down into Porto before heading back up. Northern Spain is lovely, a bit grey some days but still warm in August. Really enjoyed Porto. Make sure you have a verde tag or buy the temporary road toll cards before you head there. We had to pay a penalty charge when we drove through one thinking our peage French tag was ok use. I had my doubts but husband just kept driving and said we would sort it out later Blush we camped outside Porto and ubered in and out from the campsite which was very cheap to do.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page