Lorraine Williamson
As holiday costs continue to rise, growing numbers of travellers are ditching flights and hotels to hit the road in a motorhome. Spain offers vast and varied landscapes, but not every region is keen to share them with the camper community.
With over 300,000 motorhomes expected to travel through Spain this summer, a national survey by ASEICAR – Spain’s caravan industry association – has lifted the lid on where campers feel welcome, and where they’re shown the door.
Legal on paper, blocked in practice
Technically, motorhomes enjoy the same rights as other vehicles. The national traffic authority (DGT) makes it clear: you can’t ban a vehicle based on its size or shape alone.
But Spain’s decentralised system means local councils can apply their own parking and overnight rules. This has led to an uneven and often confusing landscape, where motorhome users risk fines, restrictions or even being moved on – often without clear justification.
Red zones: Where motorhomes face resistance
Some of the worst feedback comes from Spain’s northern coastline – ironically, one of the country’s most scenic routes. In Cantabria, travellers report difficulties in popular towns like Noja, San Vicente de la Barquera, and Suances.
Over in the Basque Country, towns in both Guipúzcoa and Vizcaya – including Hondarribia, Deba, Mundaka, and Lekeitio – are flagged as unfriendly. In Galicia, much of Pontevedra’s coastal stretch, from Sanxenxo to O Grove, offers little welcome.
Further east, Catalonia’s Costa Brava shows similar patterns, with Cadaqués, Platja d’Aro, and L’Escala repeatedly mentioned. Asturias isn’t exempt either, with Gijón, Cudillero, and Llanes all earning a reputation for pushing campers away.
Surprisingly, the issue isn’t limited to the north. In Alicante province, destinations like Benidorm, Elche, and Santa Pola are also named as restrictive. In Andalucia, some of Cádiz’s most popular beach towns – including Tarifa, Zahara de los Atunes, and Puerto de Santa María – appear on the no-go list.
Even the Canary Islands, often promoted as ideal for road travel, come under fire. Restrictions in Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria suggest that island authorities haven’t caught up with the rise in motorhome tourism.
Inland Spain rolls out the welcome
While coastal areas struggle with camper policies, much of inland Spain is leading the way in accessibility. In Castilla y León, towns such as Ponferrada and La Bañeza offer good infrastructure and a friendly reception. Aragon also shines, with Aínsa and Daroca praised for their facilities and attitude.
Extremadura, often overlooked by mainstream tourism, is gaining popularity for its camper-friendly cities like Mérida and Cáceres. In La Rioja and Navarra, Logroño and Tudela have also earned positive mentions. Even parts of Andalucia redeem themselves, with Baeza and Cazorla in Jaén standing out as exceptions to the coastal trend.
And on the Valencian coast, Peñíscola and Benicarló buck the regional pattern by welcoming motorhomes with designated areas and minimal hassle.
It’s about more than parking
The divide between regions says as much about local tourism strategies as it does about regulations. Some towns see motorhomes as an asset — bringing low-impact, year-round visitors who support small businesses. Others still view them as an inconvenience, despite the growing popularity of road travel across Europe.
With camper tourism on the rise, especially post-pandemic, how Spanish regions respond could shape their future as destinations.
Planning a motorhome holiday? Check before you go
Before setting your route in stone, it’s worth checking up-to-date traveller reports and local regulations. ASEICAR’s interactive map, based on nearly a thousand camper experiences, gives a region-by-region guide to the best and worst spots for motorhome travel in Spain.
You can explore the full map via the following link in El Español.
Changing gear on camper travel in Spain
Spain’s landscape may be perfect for the open road, but the reality for motorhome users depends on where you stop. While some regions are opening their arms to campers, others are still throwing up barriers. For now, inland Spain seems to offer the warmest welcome – but as the demand grows, coastal towns may need to rethink their approach.
The motorhome travel trend creating tensions along the Spanish coast