The beauty of the self-drive Spain holiday is that you can craft it to your own whims. Whenever and wherever the spirit moves you, it’s easy to stay awhile longer or take a surprise detour. Choose from delightful accommodations along the way, including paradores (converted historic buildings, even castles!) to boutique, family-owned inns. From Barcelona to Costa Brava to Andalusia, here’s what your self-drive holiday could look like in seductive Spain.


Where Should You Go


Photo by Susan Tuckey, Penguins2PolarBears - Gaudí Park Güell Mosaic and modified with PhotoShop

Perhaps the question is, where shouldn’t you go? With its cosmopolitan cities, charming mountain villages and gorgeous natural scenery, Spain begs your discovery. Here are a few places to consider including in your curated self-drive itinerary: 

  • Alicante: For sun, sea and the incredible, 9th-century Santa Barbara Castle sitting atop Mount Benacantil and looking down over the surf. 
  • Barcelona: For its Gaudi landmarks, buzzy city vibe, Mount Tibidabo and much more. 
  • Granada: For its fairytale appeal, including the ancient Alhambra, the Moorish palace that overlooks the city and boasts some of the world’s best-preserved Islamic art and architecture. 
  • San Sebastien: For its Basque Country ambience and delicious pintxo - essentially tapas on crusty bread - and incredible beaches. 
  • Seville: For flamenco, the Real Alcazar and the Metropol Parasol. 
  • Valencia: For paella in its birthplace, as well as a delightful old town. 
  • Madrid: For its golden triangle of art galleries, ancient churches, tapas bars and great shopping. 
  • La Rioja: For incomparable wines - the rioja, of course, but other vintages as well. 

Curated Routes 

It’s easy to craft your self-drive vacation to appeal to your travel style and interests. Tour (and taste) Madrid’s markets with a local guide. Watch a flamenco performance in a mountain cave near Granada. Wind your way through olive groves in Andalusia and visit a wine cellar to taste locally produced sherries in Jerez. Spend the night in a former 19th-century palace. Spend hours at the Dali Theatre-Museum in Figueres and marvel at the Sagrada Familia. Visit a mountaintop monastery in Montserrat and sleepy fishing villages along the Costa Brava. 

Why Have Someone Else Arrange Your Self-Drive Tour

Working with a travel advisor to arrange your self-drive vacation allows someone else to take care of the details. You’ll gain freedom and flexibility, as well as greater privacy, throughout your trip. 

Typically, a self-drive holiday will include notes on destinations, full directions, distances and other relevant information to your route. Your advisor can arrange flights, accommodations and car rental (giving you a choice of size and transmission, plus other luxury options) and help navigate whether or not an international driving permit is required. Your trip may also include a support hotline, a mobile app for anything you might need from your trip operator while you’re on the road, tour discounts or credits and more. 

Extra Option for Self-Drive in Spain

In Spain, the train network is excellent. Most major cities are connected by the high-speed, comfortable AVE train, while regional service connects smaller towns. You might enjoy taking the train between your big destinations and setting out on personalized self-drives in each area, with accommodations included. 


Ready to hit the open road in Spain? Let’s chat.