Route South to Portugal? (1 Viewer)

[xtab]

I'm hoping to be heading south in January and - as you do! - am spending hours reading blogs and looking at maps. First time going this far south.
I was wondering if it would be a really bad idea to turn West at the French/Spanish border, go along the top and then turn South down along the Portuguese Atlantic coast? It adds extra distance versus just heading straight south through Spain to the coast and then west to the Algarve.
There's no knowing at the moment what the weather will be like of course, but just as a general idea does anyone have any opinions, advice or suggestions for me on this?

 

[PhilandMena]

Take this route into Spain then down through Salamanca and into Portugal.
http://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes.htm

 

[JJ]

Are you wanting to race south to get to the sun, all day English brekkies and Irish Pubs?

If not in a hurry, and you want to explore Portugal, I understand the west coast routes are very scenic.

The Atlantic coast can be pretty and pretty wild.

JJ

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[maxi77]

It's a good few years since I drove along thetop of Spain not a fast road but spectacular in places. It all depends on how fast you want to make it. We currently go Burgos _ Salamanca _ Caceres _ Badajoz _ Evora _ Albufeira. About 12 hours driving but we take 3days.

 

[DanielFord]

If you are going to come down the west coast, Porto is well worth a visit. Very touristy, but you can get a good deal on a Port tour if you shop around, and the scenery is spectacular. The fisherman on the Duoro are amusing, if optimistic!

 

[xtab]

Are you wanting to race south to get to the sun, all day English brekkies and Irish Pubs?

JJ

No just want somewhere warmer than Scotland and plan to take our time going south. Would only do long drives in a day if the weather was so bad that it didn't make sense to stay put on a transit site or aire.

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[xtab]

It's a good few years since I drove along thetop of Spain not a fast road but spectacular in places. It all depends on how fast you want to make it. We currently go Burgos _ Salamanca _ Caceres _ Badajoz _ Evora _ Albufeira. About 12 hours driving but we take 3days.

That's about the kind of speed I'd go - maybe taking even longer if the stops were nice and the weather kind. Where do you overnight on that run?

 

[JackieP]

Hello xtab. I took this route last year and loved it. I missed out the very top north west of Spain as I u deratood it to be very hilly and my old van and hills don't get on so well. Out of season the police turn a blind eye to most wild camping and I was able to stay on some amazing beaches along the way. I did the trip in December and the weather was superb, as you said, you'd need to check the forecast for January. Some of those exposed coasts might be a bit challenging in the cold when it's blowing a hoolie!

Whatever you decide - enjoy!

 

[BILL 875]

Maxi77 is right thats a nice route when its warmer going back home, it can get cold and windy in Jan.
Bill

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[maxi77]

That's about the kind of speed I'd go - maybe taking even longer if the stops were nice and the weather kind. Where do you overnight on that run?

There is a good campsite in Burgos Camping Fuentes Blancas and in Caceres Camping Caceres which is beside the football stadium, and each pitch has it's own en-suite. There is also an aire in central Caceres but we have never got there to find a space early enough.

 

[xtab]

(When you get tired of my non-stop questions, don't hesitate to tell me to shut it! )

Google maps shows three alternatives to Burgos. Do you use the AP1 AP8 route or one of the longer ones?

 

[Tincataylor]

We did the same route as you are proposing so if it helps please take a look at out "Tincas on Tour......again" series of posts in the Continental Touring Spain section

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/tincas-on-tour-again.120965/

The Tincas

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[Stewart J]

Interesting thread, we are also travelling to the Algarve area to join several C CC rallies but taking ferry to Bilbao in January.

 

[PhilandMena]

For any of you who are not aware, or newish to Motorhoming. I would recommend you purchase the full Campercontact download version (around £6.00). This can be used off line and list loads of stopping options from Campsites - Aires - Service areas - wild camping spots. A filter can be applied to the cost so you can search for free places, places under 10€ etc. and all places have reviews from fellow motorhomers which are translated into English. A brilliant package IMO.
http://www.campercontact.com/en/content/app

 

[TerryL]

We're heading south too at about the same time. The first time we did it we planned northern Spain then south through Portugal but the weather turned against us so, with our objective somewhere dry and warm, we headed straight for the Algarve by the quickest route, involving a lot of Spain before ducking into Portugal. Although I've got a route planned for this trip, it will depend very much on the weather - we like to just amble along but don't like cold and wet. Oh and we don't use toll roads unless we have to, planning our days drive on where the next aire will be when we're ready to stop. (NB, at that time of year many French aires will technically be closed but you can usually still park up, although there won't be any facilities.)

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[maxi77]

(When you get tired of my non-stop questions, don't hesitate to tell me to shut it! )

Google maps shows three alternatives to Burgos. Do you use the AP1 AP8 route or one of the longer ones?

We are usually heading from or to Bilbao and us the pay motorway past Vitoria, the only time we came down through France we took the fastest. Remember you will be climbing to over 1000 metres on the route and snow in Northern Spain is common,but their snow plow systen is first class

 

[Teuchter]

Our chosen route starting from Santander or Bilbao in easy stages involves 3 overnight stops before reaching the Algarve on day 4

Day 1 - to Camping El Estral in Tordesillas - good site, open all year - 170 miles from Santander Mway all the way no tolls or 190 miles from Bilbao Mway all way with tolls

Day 2 - Tordesillas to Camping Caceres open all year very good site 180 miles Mway all the way no tolls

Day 3 - Caceres to Orbitur Camping Evora open all year reasonably good site 120 miles Mway most of the way some tolls

Day 4 - Evora to Camping Alvor in the heart of the Algarve - very good site in nice town open all year 145 miles Mway most of way with tolls

Alternatively we sometimes miss out Evora and on day 3 go from Caceres directly to Tavira in the Algarve 266 miles staying on the Spanish Mway system (toll free) down past Seville then into Portugal Mway with tolls

 

[Steveboy]

Dont plan. just keep checkin the compass says South & enjoy the journey. OH! n dont hurry.

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[xtab]

Thanks Steveboy. The OH's reaction as soon as she saw your post was "Now that's the way to do it!".