The Best Reasons to Rent a Car in Spain

Guest Blog Series - We've asked travel experts to provide their advice and insights on the best European road trips. This guest blog post is written by Julian Hatfield one member of the popular blog Don't Forget to Move. Read on to discover the best reasons to rent a car in Spain as decided by Julian and partner Christine.

One day you're bumping along tight cobblestone streets, carving your way through a small country town, the next you've got the windows down, the music bumping and the sea breeze whipping through your hair. Welcome to a Spanish road trip!

The close proximity between locations, and the diverse landscapes, make a trip through Spain an adventure that has something for everyone. Renting a car in Spain is an experience that any veteran or novice road tripper shouldn't miss, and here are the best reasons why.

Exploring Small Towns

One of the biggest benefits of renting a car is having the flexibility and freedom to go at your own pace, as well as the ability to get off the main road to explore the quieter spots. In Spain this means ditching the highway, setting the GPS to a random town you saw on a map and letting the adventure take over.

A perfect example of this is on the road from Salamanca to Leon. Both towns are beautiful in their own right, but are more city like than small town. If you were traveling solo, or with a tour, you'd simply jump between the two without a clue that you've missed one of the most iconic Spanish towns, Castrillo de loz Polvazares.

Less than an hour east of Leon, this sleepy little town has been a favorite for walkers on the Camino de Santiago for decades. Now more people are waking up its beauty and charm, but it's still way off the usual tourist scene. Having a car means you can easily take a small detour to explore the windy streets, intricate architecture and amazing hospitality on offer.
 

Hitting the Coast

No road trip is complete without a trip to the coast to take in the beach, admire the rugged shoreline and sample the delectably fresh fish. Spain, whether you're on the northern or southern coast, has miles upon miles of uninhabited scenery you can explore in the car.

The north of Spain in particular, often less traveled than the south, has some unique locations. Everybody who heads north knows of the famous San Sebastian, but having a car means you can now explore some of the less touristy spots along the way.

Check out Zarautz and Bilbao, two culture capitals of the Basque country, to sample their delicious twist on Spanish tapas. In the Basque Country they call tapas pintxos and the selection is much more expansive. Most bars sell them for a Euro or two and they're big enough to cover any cravings for dinner.
 

The Mountains

You've hit the towns and the coast, now it's time to see one last incredible spot in Spain, the mountains. Having a car in Spain means being able to explore the mountains and find some exclusive hiking trails. There are dozens and dozens of scenic hikes that trail off from the foot of every mountain range that will leave you physically and metaphorically breathless.

Not much of a hiker? Take a drive to Picos de Europa for a stunning mountain range, divided by a swirling and curling river. Depending on the season you'll see snow capped mountains or lush rolling hills of green, but either sight is incredible. Renting a car in Spain is one of the best ways to see all these locations if you're short on time and want to maximize your trip. You'll get food, culture, amazing locations and most of, a travel freedom that you just can't find when sitting on buses or taking a crowded tour.
 

Jules and partner Christine are adventure travel bloggers and responsible tourism advocates! You can find out all about their travels around the world at Don't Forget To Move.
 

Rent a Car in Spain with Auto Europe

Take road trip adventure in Spain with a car rental from Auto Europe. Whether you need car rentals, luxury or economy, incredible hotel accommodations, or international airfare, Auto Europe has got you covered, with everything you need to enjoy the perfect vacation abroad. Give us a call, toll-free at 1-888-223-5555 to speak to one of our helpful reservations agents, and prepare for the trip of a lifetime.