Andalusia
Moorish palaces, whitewashed villages, olive groves, and flamenco. Drive the Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos through the Sierra de Grazalema, wild camp in the sierras, and end at the Atlantic coast.
🇪🇸 ES
Spain
Sun-baked plains, Atlantic surf & the van-life capital of Europe
505,990 km²
47.4M people
3,000+ campsites
€ currency
Quick reference
Wild camping Legal in many areas
🛣️ Tolls Yes (many now free)
🚀 Speed limit 120 km/h
⚡ EV charging
🏕️ Find spots on Park4Night →01 — OverviewEurope's van-life
Europe's van-life
paradise
Spain is the country where van-life truly comes into its own. Second largest in Europe by area, it offers an extraordinary diversity of landscapes — from the lush green coast of Galicia to the ochre plateaus of Extremadura, from the snowy Pyrenees to the palm-fringed beaches of Andalusia.
Wild camping is legal in many regions (check local rules), the climate is warm for much of the year, costs are lower than northern Europe, and the Spanish approach to life — late nights, long lunches, and genuine hospitality — makes every stop a joy.
🏕️ Wild camping legal 🌊 Atlantic surf 🏔️ Pyrenees & Sierra Nevada 🍊 Andalusian warmth 🚵 Epic back roads
Quick Facts 🇪🇸
- CapitalMadrid
- ClimateVaries — Mediterranean to Atlantic
- Wild campingLegal in many areas — check regional rules
- RoadsExcellent motorways; back roads are stunning
- EV chargingGrowing network, strong in cities
- CostCheaper than northern Europe
- SurfingWorld-class — Basque coast & Galicia
02 — Must-see
Top destinations
Six regions that sum up the astonishing variety of van-life in Spain.
Galicia
The wild Celtic northwest — granite fjords (rías), misty forests, and an endless Atlantic coastline. The Camino de Santiago ends here. Green, dramatic, and largely undiscovered.
Pyrenees
Spectacular mountain scenery straddling Spain and France. The Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park offers world-class hiking, while the Aran Valley is year-round gorgeous.
Extremadura
The most sparsely populated region in Spain — vast cork oak plains, Roman ruins at Mérida, cliff-top Cáceres, and almost zero tourists. Wild camping is generally tolerated here.
Costa Brava
Rugged limestone cliffs, hidden coves, and clear Mediterranean water along the Catalan coast. Outside of summer it is quiet and genuinely beautiful, with excellent campsites.
Basque Country
Dramatic Atlantic surf, pintxos culture, and the city of San Sebastián. One of the most culinarily rich regions in the world, backed by lush green mountains that roll to the sea.
03 — Practical
Van-life tips
Essential knowledge for van-lifers in Spain.
Wild camping
Spain has some of the most permissive wild camping rules in Europe, but they vary by region. You may generally sleep in your vehicle anywhere unless explicitly prohibited. National parks, beaches, and some coastal areas have bans — always check locally.
Heat management
Inland Spain reaches 40°C+ in summer. Head north or to altitude — the Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada, and Galicia stay cool. Seek shade, open all windows, and park facing east so the afternoon sun hits the back of the van.
Roads & tolls
Autopistas are mostly tolled and can be expensive. Autovías are free and nearly as fast. The back road network is extraordinary — Spain rewards those who leave the motorway. Fuel is cheaper than most of Western Europe.
Spanish rhythm
Spain runs on a different clock. Lunch is at 2–3pm, dinner rarely before 9pm, and shops close for siesta (2–5pm in many places). Embrace the rhythm — it makes life better. Markets are Sunday morning.
Water points
Áreas de servicio (motorhome service points) with water and waste disposal are common throughout Spain. Many petrol stations have them. Rural village fuentes (fountains) often have excellent drinking water.
Shopping & markets
Mercadona, Lidl, and Carrefour are the main chains. Every town has a weekly market (mercado) — fresh produce, cheap and excellent. Avoid supermarkets on Sundays in smaller towns — many are closed.
Spain — 505,000 km² of van-life possibility