Guidance on northern Spain ?

[Dizzy]

We're looking at planning our first trip to Europe in Dizzy to northern Spain in May 2025 arriving Bilbao or Santander upto 14 nights, so 10-11 in the van. Whilst not taken the cali over we've done loads of trips to the alps and once to A Coruna so we're happy driving over there. Current thinking is out to A Coruna possibly to as far as Pontevedra either coast out and mountains back (Picos de los Europa). We've not got solar so are probably looking at sites where we can get hookups most nights, the missus aint too keen on doing the wild thing in car parks or spanish aires.

Some questions:

ACSI card - is it worth it ?
What websites can help us find some suitable locations to park up ? Ive tried google maps and ACSI but things dont seem particularly joined up !
Does anyone have recommendations of sites or places to go ? ive seen a few and found some recommendations on other threads.

Ive got a couple of 907s which will be full so arent too concerned about having to find gas.
Should i splash the cash on solar before we go ? TBH - not sure i think its really needed.

cheers
D

 

[andyinluton]

If you are driving every other day or so the batteries should last without needing solar.

 

[B J G]

We're looking at planning our first trip to Europe in Dizzy to northern Spain in May 2025 arriving Bilbao or Santander upto 14 nights, so 10-11 in the van. Whilst not taken the cali over we've done loads of trips to the alps and once to A Coruna so we're happy driving over there. Current thinking is out to A Coruna possibly to as far as Pontevedra either coast out and mountains back (Picos de los Europa). We've not got solar so are probably looking at sites where we can get hookups most nights, the missus aint too keen on doing the wild thing in car parks or spanish aires.

Some questions:

ACSI card - is it worth it ?
What websites can help us find some suitable locations to park up ? Ive tried google maps and ACSI but things dont seem particularly joined up !
Does anyone have recommendations of sites or places to go ? ive seen a few and found some recommendations on other threads.

Ive got a couple of 907s which will be full so arent too concerned about having to find gas.
Should i splash the cash on solar before we go ? TBH - not sure i think its really needed.

cheers
D

ACSI Card with the ID Card is used instead of Passport on site. It's an extra cost item.
Not essential but not a huge cost for the package.

ACSI Club ID

webshop.acsi.eu

 

[The Tall Luthier]

We're looking at planning our first trip to Europe in Dizzy to northern Spain in May 2025 arriving Bilbao or Santander upto 14 nights, so 10-11 in the van. Whilst not taken the cali over we've done loads of trips to the alps and once to A Coruna so we're happy driving over there. Current thinking is out to A Coruna possibly to as far as Pontevedra either coast out and mountains back (Picos de los Europa). We've not got solar so are probably looking at sites where we can get hookups most nights, the missus aint too keen on doing the wild thing in car parks or spanish aires.

Some questions:

ACSI card - is it worth it ?
What websites can help us find some suitable locations to park up ? Ive tried google maps and ACSI but things dont seem particularly joined up !
Does anyone have recommendations of sites or places to go ? ive seen a few and found some recommendations on other threads.

Ive got a couple of 907s which will be full so arent too concerned about having to find gas.
Should i splash the cash on solar before we go ? TBH - not sure i think its really needed.

cheers
D

ACSI card was used in loads of sites two years ago, it more than paid for itself several times over.

We did the trip in June for a month, great fun. We zigzagged west going inland for intense heat and to the beach for pleasant Cornwall type weather.

Picos is a must if you like hiking. The beaches are all the same really, absolutely blooming fantastic. Lovely caves, calm waters and always someone whipping their kit off for an all over tan.

Gas was a problem so two full bottles is a great idea.

In an Ocean you really won’t need solar panels, even if you were going wild camping. Easily get three days without a hook up I find, four days at a festival is normal for us too.

Have a fantastic time.

 

[BenCar]

If you need somewhere for the first nights we can't recommend San Sebastian enough. Just 'bite-the-back-of-your-hand' beautiful and the food is sensational.

https://wecamp.net/en/locations/san-sebastian. Up in the hills 5 mins from the beach, There's a bus stop right outside that zips into town. Got all the services you need, EHU, a nice pool, etc, etc.

Alternatively, I know you can get the van in the underground car park (Parking Boulevard Telpark) so you could park up and go get some Tapas in the old town.

V jealous.
b

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

We did a trip in this area in September but stayed always in Campsites.

There were though lots of opportunities for wild camping along the coast but we like shower and toilet facilities for a longer trip.

Try Park4night and Searchforsites for off-grid places.

Here's a link to our trip

https://www.caravanramblings.co.uk/?cat=104

 

[BrugseB]

Out of season there's no problem of finding good spots, either just via Google or Park4Night.
We stayed 4 weeks in Basque country in April, very nice spots to visit and see, many of them off the beaten track. Could share my prep if you like, but cannot reach you through the forum as you're not a VIP member. If interested, let me know carobart at scarlet dot be.

 

[calibusje]

Well, I must first admit that we spend as little time as possible on a campsite, so I won't be of much help there and we do not have an ACSI card nor solar panels. We also do not take a spare 907 with us and haven't been to Pontevedra.
Hence just some info about what we did two summers ago in July when the four of us visited northern Spain for about three weeks. We used the Park4Night app and just looked around for places to sleep. We slept at beautiful places. Sometimes had to do a campsite to do the laundry (+ shower). We had a great time and I will try to pass on how we experienced it there, although this is of course personal and everyone has their own idea. I will give you some places that you can look up yourself and see if this is something for you.
Here we go. We are from Belgium and entered Spain through France and then to San Sebastian, a beautiful city and certainly the place to eat pintxos for the first time (first time of many times). Also Hondarribia with the old center (pintxos again). Then Pamplona where we had pintxos in 'café Inuña'... it is a return to the 19th century and be sure to visit the part of the café where Hemingway spent a lot of time; there is a life-size statue of him.
From here we actually followed the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella, but with our California. A route with many beautiful views! Next stop Léon, very beautiful there. Then Astorga whit its palace, designed by Gaudí.
Further along the route: the Cruz de Ferro, special. You'll also pass O Cebreiro with its pallozas: round stone houses with straw roofs. From Santiago de Compostella you continue to Cabo Finisterre.
After our pilgrimage we drove back to Bilbao via the coastline. What an extremely impressive coast, including Muxía where we ate percebes (recommended, definitely look it up) but also the Faro de Muxía. We also visited A Coruña, the end of 'the Coast of Death' and its Hercules Tower.
Where else were we: Vixía Herbeira, with the highest cliffs in Europe and also Souto da Retorta: forest reserve with huge eucalyptus trees: both worth a visit. In the evening we have dinner in Cudillero Cabo and the next day we visit the Peñas: a peninsula along the Asturian coastline. We also visited the 'Jusassic Museum Asturias' (MUJA) and along the Dinosaur Coast of Asturias some of the largest dinosaur footprints ever found have been found. For example: Playa La Griega beach with footprints that have a diameter of almost one meter.
Just before we entered the Picos de Europa, we stood at the Mirador del Fitu for a beautiful view and ditto route to it. Pico de Europa: impressive and we thought the Fuente Dé cable car was a wonderful thing to do.
Back to the coast: Comillas with 'El Capricho', designed by Gaudí in the 19th century. Worth a visit. Another thing about the entire coastline that we followed: there are many places where you can sunbathe and swim and afterwards enjoy a surf bar/ restaurant (this was of course in the summer). There are often beautiful places to sleep along the coast (both camper places found with an app and campsites).
Then Altamira with its museum and the floating bridge 'Puente Colgante' between Portugalete and Getxo. We slept just outside Bilbao and early in the morning we entered the city with the cali - enough underground parkings where a cali can be parked - and then enjoyed what Bilbao has to offer: Mercado de la Ribera (touristy but certainly not to be missed) , Funicular de Artxanda cog railway with a magnificent view of the city at the top. And much more. Afterwards we spent the night outside the city again. And then: Gaztelugatxe. What a trip!
Guernica with the terrible bombardment on it. We visited the Casa De Juntas De Gernika.
Something worth mentioning: sometimes you have to make a reservation, but is done quickly, Casa De Juntas is such a place (also the Hercules Tower in A Coruña).
To end our journey through these extremely beautiful and fascinating regions of Northern Spain, we had a glass of wine in the Bodega in Elciego: Marqués de Riscal. Ask if there is still room in the bar of the hotel designed by Frank Gehry: special experience.
So, some chronological highlights of our journey. It's quite a long text, I know but perhaps an inspiration for you or others. Have fun researching and planning.
Greetings
Calibusje
Oh, and you will encounter a lot of California's

Photo at Lebeña