Spain - motorhome virgin

[Figaro]

So I came through the Bielsa tunnel into Spain with a plan to head to Nazare in Portugal to meet family in mid September. Currently 70 minutes south of Bilbao on a campsite for two nights, laundry etc needed.
I'm not feeling the motorhome love for Spain yet.
I came over some atrocious potholed roads that seem to have the same classification as near motorway standard roads ?

I'm finding route planning difficult for some reason so I'm looking for inspiration from knowledge funsters on whether I should continue up to the coast and head west, north of the Picos, or take a southerly route around. Or indeed go through the Picos ?
For overnight I'm using autostops and odd campsite for when OH feels the need to run the air conditioning

Any suggestions for either gratefully received on either route or other recommendations along the routes.
TIA

 

[CAB96]

No idea sorry, but bumping you up the page, hopefully someone can help.

 

[Stonemags76]

Worth a visit if you haven’t already driven past - Burgos, Salamanca & Caceres!

 

[TONCAZ]

Recommend Caceres, stayed there early on in the year, great site next to footy stadium 19 euro with ACSI, bus into town out side campsite, old town stunning, from where I think you are, Burgos Salamanca then Caceres, do your bits there then across into Portugal, nice run that...

 

[Jo662]

I thought there would have been more replies with ideas than this.
Im looking for ideas in that area aswell.

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[ORPP2]

We would recommend going along the north coast and check out the Picos on the way. How far west you go before you head down into Portugal will depend on timings as it's ready 9th Sept.

We went west as far as Oviedo and then south to Leon, both were well worth a visit. In Oviedo we stayed on an aire in a residential area and took the bus into the city. In Leon, we stayed at a sport centre car park next to the city park.

Salamanca was great and we stayed at a campsite just outside of town with a bus stop right there. From there you can choose your route to Nazaré.

Around Nazaré there is plenty to see and do. A little south, try to visit Buddha Eden. A special day out.

Whichever way you get to Nazaré, have fun.

 

[Speve]

Nice aire at Palencia all you are asked to do is fill up with fuel at their garage

 

[rosalan]

I am a little curious about poor roads in Spain. I do not doubt there are some bad roads but other than some deformed surface heading south, inland, towards Gibraltar, they are generally very good.

 

[Figaro]

Thanks for replies.
I think I'm finding my Spanish motorhome feet now, currently in Laredo on the unofficial Beach side parking.
Heading further west today.
Roads have been great since going rural after leaving Ainsa.

 

[Barti Ddu]

I am a little curious about poor roads in Spain. I do not doubt there are some bad roads but other than some deformed surface heading south, inland, towards Gibraltar, they are generally very good.

I agree. Spanish road surfaces are pretty good. Generally, as good or better than the UK.

Currently in Austria and the variation in road quality (even along different stretches of the same road) is astonishing. The worst bits of Austrian roads make the average Belgian road look good, and that's saying something.

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[Barti Ddu]

Figaro - If you're heading west along the northern Atlantic coast of Spain, and if you're up for a bit of unofficial beach (clifftop) parking, which it looks like you are, then I'd highly recommend As Catedrais beach (Cathedral Beach).

Praia das Catedrais - GALICIA

In Galicia, when the power of the sea unites with the patience of time the result is a work of art… the praia das Catedrais beach, a natural monument with a supernatural ...

www.turismo.gal

Once all the coach parties have left mid afternoon, you and another dozen or so motorhomes have the whole carpark to yourselves. The beach itself is stunning, and at night the roar of the waves in the total blackness is awe inspiring. Great for star gazing too as miles from any light pollution.

The local police do a quick drive by to make sure everyone is behaving, and in the morning the local bakery van toots it's horn as it pulls in for fresh bread and croissants. One of my favourite park ups of all time.

 

[Figaro]

Figaro - If you're heading west along the northern Atlantic coast of Spain, and if you're up for a bit of unofficial beach (clifftop) parking, which it looks like you are, then I'd highly recommend As Catedrais beach (Cathedral Beach).

Praia das Catedrais - GALICIA

In Galicia, when the power of the sea unites with the patience of time the result is a work of art… the praia das Catedrais beach, a natural monument with a supernatural ...

www.turismo.gal

Once all the coach parties have left mid afternoon, you and another dozen or so motorhomes have the whole carpark to yourselves. The beach itself is stunning, and at night the roar of the waves in the total blackness is awe inspiring. Great for star gazing too as miles from any light pollution.

The local police do a quick drive by to make sure everyone is behaving, and in the morning the local bakery van toots it's horn as it pulls in for fresh bread and croissants. One of my favourite park ups of all time.

Thanks, yes that came up on my research so I'll go there. Is the beach accessible from the cliff top parking and is the coach parking easily identified ?
Thanks for input

 

[Barti Ddu]

Thanks, yes that came up on my research so I'll go there. Is the beach accessible from the cliff top parking and is the coach parking easily identified ?
Thanks for input

Yes. There are steps down from the parking area straight onto the beach. At low tide, it's a magical place to walk around. At high tide the waves crash onto the cliffs. Quite exhilarating - especially at night!

Parking at -

Public parking (free) · LU-P-0610, 40, 27794 Ribadeo, Lugo, Spain

★★★★★ · Free Car Park

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[jumartoo]

Figaro If you haven't already seen it, my ongoing thread, A Year in Spain, has lots of places to park along that coast.