Book for January - March in Spain?

[Lizi]

We have just come back from three weeks in Spain. I had thought we would be able to tour along the coast but this was not the case. The night before we arrived in the Costa Blanca area I emailed the site I hoped to stay at but they were full. I found another site elsewhere but when we were ready to move on a few days later, each of the sites I emailed were full. We liked the site we were on and so rather than end up somewhere we were not keen on just to find a spot, we stayed on. I did wonder if coastal sites from Denia to Malaga were actually full or if we had just turned up, would we have been able to get in. We wanted electricity so did not really want to camp in aires or wild camp other than a night or two.
Do people generally book even for only 5 nights or less? Was this winter particularly busy? Another motor homer we chatted to said they thought the cold weather meant that fewer were wild camping and so sites were fuller. Just trying to sort out what we would do next year if we fancied a return trip at this time of year.
Also does anyone know if sites are generally quieter after Easter, say mid April and May? I think we may prefer the weather then and lighter evenings!

 

[jumartoo]

Fewer were wild camping . There are about 200 just near IKEA in Murcia alone.

We've seen motorhomes in all the quiet spots we go for walking from home. Never before seen anyone else around.

You're right that April onwards (after Easter) should be quieter. The weather is, generally, lovely and warm, and the flowers are beautiful. And ... more of Spain is open for touring when the weather inland improves

The problem, in the winter months, is that everyone wants the same bit of better weather.

 

[mikebeaches]

In previous years we have found sites just inland, generally have plenty of winter accommodation.

I think the trick is to find places that are still at low level and not too far from the coast, otherwise further inland and at higher altitudes, the night time temperatures really drop. Daytime temperatures often a degree or so cooler too.

 

[jumar]

If you asked the same question 3 years ago I could have given an accurate answer, however it's hard to do this right now...just inland a few years ago is becoming quite inland as the norm...it really is getting to be a major issue... fortunately for us we are prepared to travel to the way out places in search of adventure and tranquility, our summer is way too long...so some cooler trips are welcomed...for Spanish sunseekers you want what everyone wants...
As jumartoo wrote...after Easter it's fantastic, warm, longer days. cool nights, less crowded....keep this to yourself... don't publish this on Social Media...Too late..,,,,

 

[Lizi]

Does anyone have any recommendations for sites inland that are near enough to walk to a town?

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[jumartoo]

Does anyone have any recommendations for sites inland that are near enough to walk to a town?

It all depends on what you want from a town and how quiet you want it! And on what route you'll be travelling.

 

[Lizi]

Not too quiet as we would like some restaurants or even one restaurant and just a nice place to walk around. Or a bus route to a town not too far. We have a dog so can’t take him on a bus so can’t do long bus journeys. Ideally we would like to be around the Costa Blanca area but not too fussed where.

 

[Spidey]

it’s our first time touring Spain and Portugal. We found that the coast from Cabo de gato to Gibraltar area were very busy and had full signs on them. We did manage to book ahead but found it took a lot of phoning and emailing etc. but the coast the other way was fine space on campsites no problem. We found the Algarve busy but going up the coast in Portugal no problem. So I think it’s certain areas of the coast are busier. We are going March/April time next year so hopefully less busy

 

[jumartoo]

Not too quiet as we would like some restaurants or even one restaurant and just a nice place to walk around. Or a bus route to a town not too far. We have a dog so can’t take him on a bus so can’t do long bus journeys. Ideally we would like to be around the Costa Blanca area but not too fussed where.

So, Costa Blanca area, you're back to the coast(ish). Inland from there is the Jalon Valley, that's a nice place to visit. Villages and bodegas.

But then, it all depends on the time of year you're visiting.

"Shoulder" season you'll have no problems getting on anywhere. Then, summer, you'll want to be far north west, Galicia in particular.

 

[mikebeaches]

Does anyone have any recommendations for sites inland that are near enough to walk to a town?

I've posted this once or twice before, so it's probably going to be getting too busy now....

Las Palmeras, at Crevellent, near Elche and half an hour south of Alicante. Pretty handy for the autovía and an oasis right in town. Hotel and restaurant on site. We've stayed multiple times through autumn and winter and never booked in advance. Oh and it's in the ACSI discount scheme €21 in 2023.

Las Palmeras Resort – Hotel, camping y casas rurales en Alicante

laspalmerasresort.com

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[Lizi]

Las Palmeras looks lovely in the pics. I will take a look at location and website. - thanks.
Will also take a look at Jalon valley. We would also be interested in anywhere from Denia to Malaga that may have spaces, inland or coastal but just nice to be near a bit of life. I was watching the expawers vlog on YouTube last night when they were south of Barcelona and it was just so quiet that I don’t think we would enjoy more than a day or so (although beautiful). That said, if the weather was warm, perhaps it would matter less - this February weather on the Costa Blanca was between 12-15 degrees if you were lucky and of course much lower in the morning and after 5pm. We still enjoyed it because of the local restaurants and town.

 

[Emmit]

Not that it is relevant but last year, (ie winter 21/22) we found the area West of Gib
to the Portuguese border to be the quietest of all the coastal area's we went to.

 

[jumar]

Inland Murcia (Archena) last night 14 official MH bays...31 MH in total...we've done our bit here..moving on to..

 

[Spidey]

Our first stop was in vilanova il getru between Barcelona and Tarragona. We stayed at the Vilanova campsite. Lovely campsite, large with all the facilities and Acsi. Walkable to town or take a bus. There was a coach each day to Barcelona. The town was very pretty, lots of shops, restaurants, history and open. Nice walks each way along the coast. We said we would return and stay longer.