Camping in Spain

How to go on holiday: camping in Spain

Camping holidays, that's Spain. Kilometres of sandy beaches on the crystal-clear Mediterranean, bays and beaches on the Atlantic and a varied, sometimes archaic hinterland. When camping in Spain, you can welcome spring earlier than anywhere else in Europe, enjoy the summer, soak up the sun in autumn and spend the winter in the mild Mediterranean climate far away from the German grubby weather. And, of course, a trip to Spain at any time of year is also a journey through the stomach. More than 300 campsites described in the ADAC Camping Guide offer an excellent infrastructure, most of them of a high standard.

Camping in Spain: The stronghold of Catalonia

The best and largest campsites in Spain line the northern Mediterranean coast. The fun begins just over the French border. On the 220 kilometres of magnificent coastline of the Costa Brava alone, with its spectacular bays and beautiful beaches, you will find a multitude of four- and five-star campsites. German-speaking staff at reception make it easier for campers to organise everything during their stay. This is also the case at the campsites south of Barcelona. From there, the journey continues southwards to the Costa Dorada, the Costa del Azahar (Orange Blossom Coast), the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol. In the combination of beaches, cities, culture and nature, campers in Spain will find attractive destinations for holidays as well as long-term holidays. Spain's southern destinations are also ideal for spending the winter in the sun.

Camping in Spain: sport all year round

Spain is sporty. This starts at the campsites, most of which are equipped with gyms, sports facilities and courts for tennis or the trendy Spanish sport of pádel tennis. Joggers are just as much a part of the beach promenades as cyclists in the hinterland. The coastal areas south of Barcelona are just beginning to establish themselves as a training alternative to Mallorca. In addition to water sports on the coast, there are mountain sports in the hinterland, where the Pyrenees are a dream destination for active holidaymakers all year round. A few even offer winter camping for skiers.

The north: The other Spain

From the Pyrenees to the border with Portugal lies the largely unknown Spain. Campsites are concentrated in the Basque Country, where the lively cultural city of Bilbao invites you to explore. Instead of heavy industry, the city is characterised by modern architecture with the Guggenheim Museum as its flagship. The region also boasts ambitious cuisine and the best surfing beaches on the Atlantic. One of the hot spots - especially for culinary fans - is San Sebastian (Basque: Donostia) with its high density of gourmet restaurants and a surfing and swimming beach directly in the city and a small, nice campsite with a pool and mobile homes.

The Picos de Europa mountain range and the Costa Verde with its rocky bays, Romanesque churches and Stone Age cave paintings are a piece of Spain for advanced travellers who are rewarded with unique impressions. The coast of Galicia, lined with granite grey stone houses and imposing cliffs, is the second camping stronghold in the north. The landscape there is unspoilt and the weather is nowhere near as sunny and warm as in the south. On the other hand, it is lush and green where people once thought it was the "end of the world", and Santiago de Compostela is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in the Christian world and even has a campsite for devout campers.

Castile: camping in Spain's castle country

Travellers can experience just how much more Spain has to offer than beaches, sun and sangria in the hinterland. Castile is considered the cradle of Spain and offers a wide range of discovery opportunities, especially for art lovers and adventure-seekers. Campers who think they have seen everything Spain has to offer should explore the area around Madrid and visit historic cities such as the former capital Toledo. Or how about a detour to the university city of Salamanca with its impressive Plaza Major, where the purest Spanish is spoken? Along the Way of St James lies Burgos, whose cathedral is considered the most beautiful Spanish Gothic building. The campsites there are less modern. Facilities with wellness, sports and entertainment programmes, as we know them from the coast, are rather rare there.

The journey is the destination and the campsites are pleasant places to stay for an overnight stay or a few nights. However, there are also campsites with a high standard and special facilities that are worth a longer stay. A little planning in advance is worthwhile so that you can head for the best site for you after an eventful day.

The numerous themed routes are particularly exciting. The largest and most famous is the Way of St James, which pilgrims from all over the world have been following for centuries to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. But less prominent routes such as the Silver Route or the Spanish Language Route also allow you to see Spain from a new perspective.

Camping holidays in Spain: how it works

Spain's coastal regions in particular are ideally suited to camping holidays. It's not just the geographical conditions and pleasant weather that make holidays on the Iberian Peninsula so popular, but also the infrastructure. German-speaking staff are available at the reception of almost all campsites to help you with reservations and bookings or any other questions you may have on site.

Due to Spain's great popularity as a holiday destination, you should definitely reserve your favourite pitch early in the peak holiday season. For particularly attractive pitches on the campsites - such as the front row with direct access to the beach - this is recommended all year round. Experience has shown that glamping offers are also very popular and should be booked well in advance. With a few exceptions, guests with dogs are welcome at almost all campsites. If you regularly travel to Spain for camping, it is worth considering parking your caravan on site. Some campsites offer this service to their guests.

When travelling to Spain, also pay attention to the regulations in the transit countries, such as the obligation to specially secure caravans. For side trips to the Balearic Islands, where you will also find campsites on Ibiza and Menorca, take the ferry in Barcelona. Booking in advance is highly recommended.