This guide covers five routes in Spain and Portugal: a 350 km Algarve loop (3 to 7 days), a 750 km Andalusia circuit (7 to 10 days), the Basque and Cantabrian coast (a week), the Douro Valley (2 to 4 days) and the Camino Francés by car (5 to 7 days). Spring and autumn are the best times; inland Andalusia is very hot in July and August.
1. The Algarve Loop: Portugal's Southern Coast
The Algarve's sandstone cliffs, coves and warm weather have drawn visitors for decades. It gets much quieter once you leave the resort strips and head west or inland.
Route Overview
Start in Faro, pick up your hire car at the airport, and head west. The full loop covers roughly 350 km and can be driven in three days, though five to seven days allows time for beach stops, boat trips, and vineyard visits.
- Faro to Lagos (100 km): Coastal N125 or the faster A22 motorway. Stop at Albufeira's old town and the clifftop walks at Carvoeiro. The A22 is electronic-toll only, so sort out a transponder or registration before you use it.
- Lagos to Sagres (35 km): The western Algarve turns wilder. Nearby Cabo de São Vicente is the south-western tip of mainland Europe, and Sagres has a fortress on the cliffs above the Atlantic.
- Sagres to Aljezur via the Vicentine Coast (45 km): This stretch along the N268 is the highlight. Unspoiled beaches, surfing villages, and wildflower-covered cliffs.
- Inland return via Monchique (90 km): Head into the forested hills for cork oak woodlands, the spa town of Caldas de Monchique, and sweeping views back to the coast.
Visit between late September and early November. The summer crowds thin out, the sea is still warm enough for most people to swim, and hotel prices drop noticeably.
What to Eat
Cataplana (a copper-pot seafood stew), grilled octopus, and pasteis de nata from any local bakery. In Monchique, try the local medronho, a potent fruit brandy made from arbutus berries.
2. The Andalusia Circuit: Moorish Splendour and White Villages
Southern Spain's Andalusia region delivers what many travellers picture when they think of Spain: flamenco, tapas, whitewashed villages tumbling down hillsides, and some of Europe's finest Islamic architecture.
Route Overview
Begin in Seville and trace a circuit through Córdoba, Granada, the Alpujarras, and the white villages of the Sierra de Grazalema before returning to Seville. Total distance is around 750 km, ideally spread over 7 to 10 days.
- Seville to Córdoba (140 km): The Mezquita alone justifies the detour. Wander the Jewish Quarter and eat salmorejo (chilled tomato soup) at a courtyard restaurant.
- Córdoba to Granada (200 km): Drive through olive groves that stretch to the horizon. Jaén province produces more olive oil than any other region on earth.
- Granada to the Alpujarras (65 km): After the Alhambra, head south into the Alpujarras, a network of mountain villages clinging to the Sierra Nevada's southern slopes.
- Alpujarras to Ronda (250 km): The last stretch up the A-397 from the coast is a fine mountain road. Ronda's gorge bridge is one of Spain's most photographed sights. The surrounding Grazalema Natural Park is superb walking country.
- Ronda to Seville (130 km): Return through the white villages of Zahara de la Sierra and Olvera.
Book Alhambra tickets online as far ahead as you can, especially from spring to autumn, when they often sell out weeks in advance. Tickets are issued in your name, so buy from the official site only.
Plan this trip using our route planner to map out your Andalusia circuit with recommended stops.
3. The Basque Country and Cantabrian Coast
Northern Spain could be a different country entirely. Green mountains plunge into the Bay of Biscay, the food is among the best in Europe, and the culture blends Spanish, French, and uniquely Basque traditions.
Route Overview
Drive from Bilbao westward along the Cantabrian coast to Santander and beyond, or eastward into French Basque Country. A week gives you enough time for both directions.
- Bilbao: The Guggenheim Museum is the headline, but the Casco Viejo (old town) is where you will spend your evenings hopping between pintxo bars.
- Bilbao to San Sebastián (100 km): Take the coast roads rather than the AP-8 motorway (see our Bilbao to San Sebastián drive for the direct route). Stops at Bermeo, Mundaka (a famous surf break), and Getaria (grilled turbot on the harbour).
- San Sebastián to Hondarribia (20 km): One of Spain's prettiest small towns, right on the French border.
- Westward: Bilbao to Santander (100 km): The coastal road passes through Laredo and Santoña. From Santander, continue to the Picos de Europa for serious mountain scenery.
Food Highlights
San Sebastián has one of the highest numbers of Michelin stars per head in the world, but the pintxo bars are the everyday draw: Ganbara for mushrooms, La Cuchara de San Telmo for slow-cooked cheeks, and Bar Nestor for its tomato salad and tortilla (served at set times, arrive early).
Driving in Bilbao and San Sebastián city centres is stressful and parking is expensive. Park at the edge and use local transport. Save driving for the coast road and countryside.
4. The Douro Valley: Portugal's Wine Country by Road
The Douro Valley in northern Portugal is a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of terraced vineyards stepping down to a winding river. While many visitors experience it on a river cruise, driving gives you access to the smaller quintas (wine estates) and villages that the boats glide past.
Route Overview
Start in Porto (three hours from Lisbon on our Lisbon to Porto route) and drive east along the N108 and N222, which hugs the Douro's southern bank. The N222 between Peso da Régua and Pinhão was named the world's best driving road in a 2015 car-hire survey, and it is a superb stretch.
- Porto to Peso da Régua (120 km): The valley begins to reveal itself as you pass Amarante. Stop at the Mateus Palace near Vila Real for its baroque gardens.
- Régua to Pinhão (25 km via N222): Bend after bend of terraced slopes above the river. Drive it slowly and use the pull-ins.
- Pinhão to Vila Nova de Foz Côa (80 km): Continue deeper into the valley. The Foz Côa Archaeological Park contains Palaeolithic rock engravings dating back 25,000 years.
- Return via the northern bank: Cross the river and return on the opposite side for completely different views of the same landscape.
September and October during the grape harvest (vindima) is the busiest and most interesting time to visit. Some quintas invite guests to participate in traditional foot-treading of the grapes.
Plan this trip starting from Lisbon or Porto with our route planner.
5. The Camino de Santiago by Car
The Camino de Santiago is traditionally a walking pilgrimage, but driving the route offers its own rewards. You can follow the Camino Francés from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela, stopping at the same historic towns and cathedrals pilgrims have visited for a thousand years, while also exploring the surrounding countryside that walkers rarely see.
Route Overview
The driving version of the Camino Francés covers roughly 780 km from Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela, easily managed in five to seven driving days with sightseeing stops.
- Roncesvalles to Pamplona (65 km): Cross the Pyrenees and descend to the city famous for its running of the bulls.
- Pamplona to Logroño (85 km): Enter La Rioja wine country. Tour a bodega and taste Tempranillo at its source.
- Logroño to Burgos (120 km): Burgos Cathedral is one of Spain's Gothic masterpieces. Try the local morcilla (blood sausage) at a meseta tavern.
- Burgos to León (180 km): The meseta is flat, open and empty. León's cathedral has some of Europe's finest stained glass.
- León to Santiago de Compostela (310 km): Cross into Galicia. The landscape turns green and Celtic. Arrive at the cathedral square with the pilgrims finishing their walk.
Stay in paradores (state-run heritage hotels) along the route. The Parador de León occupies the former San Marcos monastery, and the Parador de Santiago (Hostal dos Reis Católicos) sits directly on the cathedral square.
Practical Tips for Driving in Spain and Portugal
Motorway Tolls
Spain's autopistas (AP roads) can charge tolls, though several became free when their concessions ended between 2018 and 2021, and most routes have free autovía alternatives. Portugal uses electronic tolling on many motorways. Hire car companies usually offer a toll transponder; always take it, as some Portuguese toll roads have no cash booths at all.
Speed Limits and Fuel
- Spain: 120 km/h motorways, 90 km/h rural roads, 50 km/h urban. Speed cameras are widespread.
- Portugal: 120 km/h motorways, 90 km/h rural, 50 km/h urban. Radar traps are common on the A2 between Lisbon and the Algarve. Our Portugal driving guide covers the toll system in detail.
- Drink-driving: Both countries set a 0.5 g/l limit (lower for new drivers), stricter than England's.
- Fuel: Diesel is usually cheaper than petrol in both countries. Motorway fuel stations charge a premium; supermarket and independent stations in towns are usually cheaper.
When to Go
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are ideal for road trips. Summer brings extreme heat to inland Andalusia and the Algarve, while the northern coast remains pleasant. Winter is mild in the south but cold and wet in the north.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive a hire car from Spain into Portugal and vice versa?
Yes, most major hire car companies allow it, but many charge a cross-border fee, and you will need a way to pay Portugal's electronic tolls. Always confirm with your rental company when booking, and check that your insurance covers both countries. Smaller local rental firms sometimes restrict cross-border use.
Do I need an International Driving Permit for Spain or Portugal?
If you hold a photocard driving licence issued in the EU, EEA or UK, you do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP). See using your UK licence abroad. Drivers from the US, Canada, Australia, and most other countries should carry an IDP alongside their home licence. In practice, hire car companies rarely ask for one, but police checks and insurance claims may require it.
What is the best route for a first-time Iberian road trip?
The Andalusia circuit from Seville through Córdoba, Granada, and Ronda is the most rewarding single route for first-timers. It combines major cultural sites, mountain scenery, good food and manageable driving distances. Pair it with a few days in the Algarve for beach time, and you have a two-week trip that covers the peninsula's greatest hits. Plan this trip to get started.