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Itinéraire pour un road trip de 10 jours dans l’Aragon au Nord de l’Espagne

Située entre la Navarre et la Catalogne, l’Aragon est la région centrale du Nord de l’Espagne. Elle englobe une partie des Pyrénées, la ville de Huesca, de Saragosse et descend au Sud jusqu’à Teruel.

Début septembre, nous avons réalisé un road-trip de 10 jours dans la région de l’Aragon entre les Pyrénées et Saragosse . Il y avait déjà tellement de choses à voir que nous ne sommes pas descendu plus au Sud et nous sommes ainsi limités à la découverte des provinces de Huesca et de Saragosse.

Pour rejoindre l’Aragon, nous sommes tout simplement parti en voiture depuis chez nous en région parisienne. La route étant longue jusqu’en Espagne, nous en avons également profité pour faire des étapes sur la route. Ainsi sur 2 semaines de vacances, nous en avons passé une dizaine de jours en Aragon.

Si l’Aragon n’est peut être pas la région de l’Espagne la plus connue et la plus visitée, j’espère vous convaincre avec cet article d’aller l’explorer, d’autant plus que c’est une région facilement accessible depuis la France, et encore plus si vous habitez du côté de Toulouse.

Bref, dans cet article, je vous propose de découvrir que faire et que voir dans le Nord de l’Espagne en 10 jours.

Disclaimer : cet article contient des liens affiliés, en réservant par eux vous ne payez pas plus cher et je touche une petite commission qui permet de soutenir le développement du blog.

Que voir dans la région de l’Aragon dans le Nord de l’Espagne ?

Retrouvez sur cette carte interactive, l’itinéraire que je vous propose pour découvrir l’Aragon en 10 jours.

Ainsa (1/2 journée)

Je vous propose de commencer par la découverte de la ville d’Ainsa située à environ 1h de route de la frontière française. La ville d’ Ainsa possède un charmant centre historique qui mérite le détour. C’est également une bonne base pour séjourner et découvrir la partie Est du Parc National d’Ordesa et du Mont Perdu.

Où dormir à Ainsa ?

A Ainsa, nous avions séjourné une nuit à l’ Hostal Dos Rios , un établissement 2 étoiles qui propose des chambres à un très bon rapport qualité/prix idéalement situé en contre-bas de la cité médiévale. Rien de spectaculaire, mais pratique et confortable.

Visiter le Parc National d’Ordesa et du Mont Perdu : 2 jours

Le Parc National d’Ordesa et du Mont Perdu est un lieu spectaculaire qui se trouve juste derrière les Hautes Pyrénées. Il touche le cirque de Gavarnie et c’est également ici que débouche la Brèche de Roland.

Il y a de belles randonnées à faire que ce soit dans les Gorges d’Anisclo que dans le Canyon d’Ordesa . L’une des plus belles randonnées que nous avons faite est celle de la Faja du Pelay qui offre des paysages extraordinaires et permet de traverser tout le Canyon d’Ordesa jusqu’au Cirque de Soaso .

Je vous conseille au moins 2 jours pour explorer les différents secteurs. Sachez que le parc est vraiment grand et si Ainsa est un bon cas de base pour explorer la partie Est, le village de Torla sera a préféré pour explorer la partie Ouest.

Retrouvez par ici mon article avec 3 randonnées faciles à faire dans le Parc National d’Ordesa et du Mont Perdu

Torla (1/2 journée)

Comme je vous le disais plus haut, Torla est un joli village a visiter et c’est aussi un bon camp de base pour randonner dans le Canyon d’Ordesa . C’est d’autant plus vrai qu’en haute saison le parking de la Pradera d’où partent les sentier de randonnée est fermé aux voitures et il faut prendre une navette reliant un vaste parking aménagé en contrebas du village pour rejoindre les départs des randonnées.

Où dormir à Torla ?

A Torla nous avons séjourné deux nuits à l’Hôtel Villa Russel . C’est un hôtel situé en plein coeur du village qui propose des chambres standards plutôt confortables. Il possède un parking payant accessible sur réservation, mais il est possible de laisser sa voiture au grand parking à l’entrée de la ville situé à quelques minutes de marche de là. C’est un hôtel que je vous recommande si vous souhaitez randonner dans le Parc National d’Ordesa et du Mont Perdu .

La collégiale de Bolea (30min -1h)

Après deux jours à randonner dans les Pyrénées , nous avons consacré une journée à la découverte de plusieurs lieux culturels et historiques de l’Aragon avec notamment le Château de Loarre .

Sur la route nous menant au Château de Loarre , nous marquons un arrêt dans le village de Bolea pour visiter sa superbe collégiale . De l’extérieur elle ne paye pas de mine, mais l’intérieur est d’une beauté exceptionnelle. Elle possède notamment un superbe plafond gothique et de très beaux retables du Moyen Age.

Le bon plan c’est que c ette visite est incluse dans le ticket d’entrée du château de Loarre et vous pouvez commencer les visites dans l’ordre que vous souhaitez. Au niveau des horaires d’ouverture, c’était plus simple pour nous de commencer par la collégiale et en plus c’était sur la route pour le Château de Loarre. Il faut bien regarder les horaires de la collégiale de Boléa qui varient selon la saison. Vous pourrez les consultez sur le site internet de la collégiale .

Le Château de Loarre (2h)

Après la visite de la collégiale de Bolea, nous mettons le cap vers le Château de Loarre , qui est la forteresse romane la mieux conservée d’Europe . Ce château fût édifié au 11ème siècle par le roi de Pampelune Sancho III El Mayor sur un éperon rocheux stratégique qui permettait de défendre la frontière de l’Aragon face aux territoires musulmans qui s’étendaient alors jusque dans le Nord de l’Espagne.

Il est vrai que depuis les remparts, on embrase une vue absolument imprenable sur les plateaux aragonais et l’on comprend mieux la position stratégique de celui-ci.

L’audioguide vous permettra d’en savoir plus sur l’histoire du château et les fonctions des principales pièces.

La visite du château de Loarre est un vrai labyrinthe. Nous avons un peu de mal à nous orienté et nous reviendrons plusieurs fois sur nos pas pour être surs de n’avoir rien raté. La visite se fait à l’aide d’un support audioguide à télécharger sur son téléphone portable. Je vous recommande vraiment de l’écouter car il est disponible en français et qu’il n’y a aucun panneau explicatif le long de la visite. Les pièces les plus impressionnantes est l’Eglise San Pedro avec son immense nef romane très bien conservée.

Informations pratiques pour visiter le Château de Loarre (2024)

Horaires d’ouverture : tous les jours sauf le lundi de 11h à 17h30

Tarif : plein tarif : 6€, étudiants et jeunes (jusqu’à 26 ans) et retraités : 5,50€, enfant de 6 à 16 ans : 4,50€, gratuit pour les enfants de moins de 6 ans

La visite inclut un système d’audioguide disponible en français que l’on peut utiliser depuis son smartphone alors pensez à bien prendre vos écouteurs.

Grand parking gratuit au niveau du Château

Vous trouverez sur place une cafeteria

Le tour des Mallos de Agüero (1/2 journée)

Nous avons ensuite continuer la route un peu plus à l’Ouest pour découvrir le petit village d’Agüero niché au pied d’étonnantes structures rocheuses sculptée par l’érosion. Une courte randonnée permet d’en faire le tour depuis le village et permet de les admirer sous tous les angles.

Durée : 1h Distance : 2,7 km Dénivelé : 200 m Difficulté : facile Départ / Arrivée : village d’Agüero

Las Penas de Riglos

Les Mallos d’Agüero ne sont pas les seules formations de ce type que l’on peut voir en Aragon. Il existe plusieurs sites similaires et l’un des plus connus se trouve juste à côté : il s’agit des Penas de Riglos. Le massif monolithique est apparemment encore plus impressionnant que celui d’Agüero.

On peut la aussi en faire le tour en suivant une randonnée un peu plus longue. Comme nous journée était déjà bien rempli avec la visite de la Collégiale de Boléa et le Château de Loarre, nous avions préféré opter pour la version plus courte des Mallos d’Agüero.

Durée : 2h Distance : 5.6 km Dénivelé : 450 m Départ / Arrivée : parking de Riglos

Que ce soit aux Mallos d’Agüero ou aux Penas de Riglos, sachez que les deux sites sont équipés de voies d’escalade. Avis aux amateurs !

Huesca (1 journée)

C’est un dimanche après-midi que nous avons consacré à la visite de Huesca . Alors autant le dire tout de suite : évitez absolument ce jour car tout est fermé et la ville est complètement morte…

Nous n’avons même pas pu visiter la cathédrale qui est l’une des plus belles d ‘Aragon car celle-ci ferme le dimanche après-midi. Malheureusement pour nous, nous n’avons pas pu reprogrammer cette visite à un autre moment de notre voyage car elle était aussi fermée exceptionnellement pour des festivités religieuses la semaine suivante. Nous nous sommes donc limité à admirer sa superbe façade !

A savoir : la visite de la cathédrale de Huesca est payante et inclus la visite du Musée Diocésain. Les horaires d’ouverture de la cathédrale correspondent aux horaires du musée.

Sinon la place de la cathédrale de Huesca est très belle, entièrement bordée de bâtiment en brique et ombragée. C’est un endroit très agréable.

A défaut de visiter la cathédrale, nous passons l’après-midi à nous balader dans les ruelles complètement dessertes de Huesca. Il faut dire qu’entre 14h et 16h c’est l’heure de la sieste en Espagne. Ce n’est qu’après 16h que la vie reprend ! Même pour trouver une terrasse de café à cette heure là est assez compliqué… Finalement c’est quand on n’y croyait plus que nous avons fini par trouver notre bonheur.

La ville de Huesca possède un petit centre ancien à proximité immédiate de la cathédrale et des rues plus modernes au sud. J’ai particulièrement appréciée l’imposante Plaza Luis López Allué (également appelée place du marché) avec ses immeubles roses et ses volets verts. Elle possède une belle homogénéité.

On y trouve beaucoup de terrasses de cafés mais clairement le dimanche après-midi c’est complètement mort…

Saragosse (1 à 2 jours)

Après Huesca, nous avons pris la route de Saragosse, la capitale de l’Aragon où nous avons séjourné deux nuits. Si Saragosse est l’une des plus importantes villes d’Espagne et la cinquième en terme de population, je ne vous recommande pas d’y rester plus de 2 jours car on en fait vite le tour. Le centre historique est assez resserré.

Si Saragosse est loin d’être la plus belle ville d’Espagne, elle mérite toutefois un arrêt car elle possède un riche patrimoine. Si la Basilique Notre Dame du Pilar est vraiment le monument phare, nous avons préféré la visite de la cathédrale de la Seo située juste à côté et qui est une vraie merveille.

Saragosse est aussi une ville gourmande avec d’excellentes adresses de bars à tapas et de restaurants. Nous nous y sommes régalés.

Enfin Saragosse mérite le détour pour son patrimoine mudéjar classé à l’UNESCO. Que ce soit le mur mudéjar exceptionnel de sa cathédrale ou le Palais de l’Alfajeria , une forteresse maure reconverti en château des Rois Catholiques après la Reconquista. Saragosse est ainsi en dehors de l’Andalousie, le lieu en Espagne avec la plus importante concentration d’art mudejar.

Où dormir à Saragosse ?

A Saragosse, nous avons séjourné deux nuits à l’ Hôtel Avenida , un hôtel 3 étoiles idéalement placé dans le centre historique à quelques minutes de marche de la Basilique du Pilar . L’hôtel est en cours de rénovation et propose ainsi deux gammes de chambres : les chambres nouvellement rénovées à la décoration design et les anciennes chambres standards.

Nous avons séjourné dans les anciennes chambres (tarif moins élevé) qui malgré le manque de charme ne manquent pas de confort (insonorisation, climatisation., literie confortable…). Le buffet petit déjeuner est incroyable et bien garni, l’un des plus beaux buffets de petit déjeuner de notre voyage en Espagne !

Retrouvez par ici mon article complet sur que voir à Saragosse en 1 ou 2 jours .

Alquezar et la Sierra de Guara (2 à 3 jours)

Pour terminer notre road-trip en Aragon, nous avons séjourné 3 nuits à Alquezar , l’un des plus beaux villages d’Espagne situé dans le massif de la Sierra de Guara. Cette chaine de moyenne montagne est l’un des contrefort des Pyrénées. C’est une région connue pour ses gorges et canyons. Elle est très populaire auprès des amateurs de randonnées et de canyonings. Les paysages y sont spectaculaires et on peut y faire de belles randonnées.

L’un des plus beaux sentiers à suivre est le sentier des passerelles du Rio Vero, une balade facile au départ d’Alquezar qui emprunte des passerelles suspendues permettant d’explorer les gorges du Rio Vero. C’est vraiment très impressionnant.

Où dormir à Alquezar ?

A Alquezar , nous avons séjourné 3 nuits à l’Hôtel Maribel , un boutique hôtel idéalement situé à l’entrée du village dans une bâtisse de charme. Nous avons beaucoup apprécié cet établissement qui offre de belles chambres confortables pleine de charme et un incroyable petit déjeuner servi à table. Il s’agit tout simplement de la plus belle adresse ou nous avons dormi durant ce road-trip

Retrouvez par ici mon article complet sur les choses à voir et à faire autour d’Alquezar .

Le Château de Monzon (1h)

Nous terminons notre road-trip dans l’Aragon par un petit détour par la ville de Monzon dominée par un château médiéval assez imposant. Clairement, ce ne fût pas la visite que nous avons préféré de notre séjour et ce château est loin d’être incontournable.

Si celui-ci ne mérite pas de faire un détour, n’hésitez pas à vous arrêter si vous passez à côté et que vous avez un peu de temps, car il est quand même assez imposant. La visite est relativement rapide, peu chère, et permet de profiter de beaux panoramas sur l’Aragon et la ville de Monzon.

Outre le château, nous ne nous sommes pas arrêtés dans la ville de Monzon qui n’avait pas l’air d’avoir beaucoup de charme et nous avons repris la route en direction d’Ainsa et de la France.

C’est ainsi que s’achève notre road-trip en Aragon . J’espère que vous aurez aimé découvrir cette superbe province du Nord de l’Espagne qui mérite le détour !

A lire aussi

Retrouvez par ici mes autres articles pour découvrir le Nord de l’Espagne

• Visiter San Sebastian en 1 jour
• Que voir à Bilbao en 1 ou 2 jours ?
• Que voir à Saragosse en 2 jours ?
• Visiter Alquezar et la Sierra de Guara
• Que voir dans la province de Gérone en Catalogne ?
• Que visiter à Gérone en 1 jour ?
• Visiter le Théâtre Musée Dali à Figueres
• Que voir autour de Cadaques et du Cap de Creus ?

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Blogueuse voyage francilienne de 37 ans, curieuse et passionnée de photographie, j'aime partir à la découverte du patrimoine, qu'il soit culturel ou naturel.

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The Ultimate Northern Spain Road Trip: Routes, Sights, Guides, Maps And More

From Catalonia’s unspoilt coastline and Aragon’s scenic architecture to quaint cities in the Basque Country, this northern Spain road trip offers something for everyone.

Is there any better way to see a country than grabbing a set of car keys and having the freedom to explore at your own pace? If this is your favourite way to travel, then how about exploring the north of Spain?

Often it’s when you decide to travel slowly and go off the beaten track, you start stumbling across hidden gems. You’ll take a wrong turning and end up in an authentic Spanish town that isn’t in any of the tourist guide books!

While this road trip through northern Spain takes you to a few famous places, it also gives you the opportunity to explore lesser-known regions. You’ll experience spectacular vineyards a short drive from San Sebastian, the hiker’s paradise that is Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park and stop by some truly underrated Spanish cities.

A road trip here through the north of Spain offers so much. Spend your time admiring the scenic coastlines in Catalonia and Asturias, before marvelling at the architecture of Castille and León.

If you’re a foodie, you’ll fall in love with the culinary scene in the Basque Country. It’s absolute pintxos heaven! Meanwhile, if you’re keen on the great outdoors, there are plenty of gorgeous green spaces and natural wonders to explore.

Spain is often associated with summer beach holidays, but it’s worth remembering that many of the interior parts of the country offer just as much natural beauty, with vineyards, mountains, canyons, olive groves and picturesque towns! This road trip itinerary will introduce you to several authentic experiences.

So, whether you’re looking for travel inspiration or you want to start planning your itinerary, this guide will cover all of the best places to visit in Northern Spain on a road trip.

Weather in Northern Spain

This region of Europe has warm summers and cool winters. The majority of people visit during the summer holiday season, when the weather is warmest.

If you want to make the most of the great outdoors, time your trip between May and September. It’s the ideal time for beach days or countryside hikes. During this time, temperatures range between lows of 16°C (61°F) and highs of 26°C (79°F). If possible, I’d suggest avoiding the peak summer (July and August) and travel in May, June or September. You’ll enjoy cheaper prices and won’t be battling against big crowds at the big attractions!

It gets pretty chilly in Spain in winter , but there’s a bit of magic to it! Between January and March the temperatures in the north of Spain range from 4°C (39°F) to 15°C (59°F).

Northern Spain Road Trip Map

If you’re happy to move at a pretty moderate pace, moving on every single day, you could just about fit this itinerary into one week.

However, I’d recommend moving a little slower so you can soak up all the little details in each destination.

Here’s a handy map to go with this northern Spain road trip itinerary, which you can save to make your planning stress-free.

What to pack for your road trip

If you’re wondering what to pack for your trip, this guide to road trip essentials has you covered. From portable chargers to ways to stay entertained on long journeys, it’ll help you create your road trip packing list.

Northern Spain Road Trip Itinerary – Places to Visit in Northern Spain

Northern spain road trip: stop 1 – barcelona.

Barcelona is a great city to start your road trip from. Not only is it an incredible destination in its own right, but it’s also easy to reach by plane. There are lots of car rental options too, both from the airport or the city centre.

Marking the start of your Catalonia road trip , you’ll quickly fall in love with Barcelona’s scenic shoreline with sweeping views of the Balearic Sea. Enjoy the city’s unique ambience courtesy of street musicians and tapas bars dotted in the atmospheric Gothic Quarter’s narrow streets. I challenge you not to get lost in this mini maze – it’s very easily done, especially after a few glasses of Cava!

At the centre of Barcelona’s bustling social scene is tree-lined La Rambla, which boasts restaurants, cafés, and avant-garde architecture. It’s always busy with tourists, but I’d avoid most of the restaurants around here! Many are classic tourist traps, serving vats of low-quality paella at inflated prices. You’ll find more authentic dining experiences in the small bars in the Gothic Quarter.

La Boqueria food market is located just off this main street and is an excellent place to take in the amazing ingredients of Catalonia. For a very special meal, book in for a tasting menu experience at Michelin-starred Disfrutar . I’ve been lucky enough to visit twice and I would regard these meals as the best meals I’ve ever eaten! Genuinely!

If you’re interested in art there are lots of great attractions in Barcelona. You could visit the Picasso Museum , the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya or the Fundacio Joan Miro . Oh, and don’t miss a visit to one of Gaudi’s many masterpieces. His unique style is visible throughout the city at locations such as La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell. I was enchanted by these spots – I’m sure you will be too!

If you fancy a beach day, there’s also a large beach in the city centre, lined with beach bars. It’s amazing how much there is to do in this Spanish city. There really is something for everyone!

Northern Spain Road Trip: Stop 2 – Costa Brava or Catalonia

If time permits, you might want to head north of Barcelona to Costa Brava, before heading to Montserrat. One of Spain’s most mesmerising coastlines, the area oozes charm with its whitewashed towns and fishing villages.

Alternatively, I loved the area south of here, which includes the underrated Tarragona, Reus and Siurana.

Siurana was a new discovery for me on one of my most recent trips. It’s one of the prettiest villages in Spain and sits on top of a hill in the Prades Mountains. I’d recommend spending a couple of hours there. It’s pretty small so you can wander the streets looking at the Moorish castle, the pretty houses and perhaps stop for a coffee.

The best part about Siurana? The views! Head towards the rocky cliffs and look out over the huge gorge which is filled with a bright turquoise reservoir. I’d suggest visiting first thing in the morning and you should have it all to yourself!

If you want to learn more about Gaudi, but don’t fancy tackling the crowds in Barcelona, I’d suggest stopping by Reus. This small city is where Gaudi was born. You can learn all about his life and architectural wonders at The Gaudi Centre , before checking out some of the city’s buildings which inspired him.

You can read my detailed guide on how to tour this region by car in my Catalonia road trip post.

Northern Spain Road Trip: Stop 3 – Montserrat

Montserrat is another must-visit on your road trip through Northern Spain. The area’s top attraction is the Benedictine Montserrat Monastery, perched on a rocky crag surrounded by magnificent cliffs.

Just getting there is a bit of an adventure, as you reach the monastery via cable car! Once there, enjoy panoramic views of the Catalonian countryside while soaking in the sights and history of the monastery.

Montserrat to Zaragoza: 266 km / 2h 46min approx.

Northern Spain Road Trip: Stop 4 – Zaragoza

Next stop on your journey from Montserrat is Zaragoza, the capital of the Aragon region. This is a great place for museums, architecture, and historical monuments, including the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar .

In between sightseeing, I’d recommend a bit of restaurant-hopping at Plaza del Pilar so you can taste some authentically Spanish delights. For a real flavour of the region, sit down to dinner at Restaurante La Borde de Chema . This rustic restaurant offers Aragonese dishes including roast goat, along with plenty of regional wines.

Northern Spain Road Trip: Stop 5 – Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park

Step away from the glitz and glamour of city life with a visit to the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. This hiker’s paradise has several trails to choose from, each leading to sweeping views of the mountains.  

Be sure to pack your camera for this stop on your road trip! It’s one of the most photogenic places on this itinerary, so no doubt you’ll want to snap a lot of photos!

Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park to San Sebastian: 252 km / 3h 10 min approx.

Northern Spain Road Trip: Stop 6 – San Sebastian

The Basque Country is renowned for its food scene. Every year, many people visit Northern Spain (myself included!) purely for a wining and dining experience like no other. It’s hardly surprising, after all San Sebastian in the Basque Country has the most Michelin-starred eateries per capita in Europe! In fact, there are more in this one city per capita than in London, and that’s really saying something!

The Basque Country even has two restaurants with ‘Green Stars’, Azurmendi and Enoko, which have been recognised for their sustainable, ethical and environmental approach.

There are two sides to eating out in San Sebastian. You can either go high end with Michelin starred tasting menus, or eat the local way with dish after dish of pintxos (small dishes).

The old town of San Sebastian is filled with tiny restaurants specialising in individual dishes such as Spanish tortillas, prawns on skewers and slow cooked pork. The best way to enjoy a trip like this, is by stopping for food and drinks at multiple bars across an evening – like your very own pintxos tour .

It can be difficult knowing what to eat at each place, so I’d thoroughly recommend a pintxos tour like this one . The guide will give you tips on what to order, how to eat it and all the insider knowledge to make the most of your time in San Sebastian.

While you can’t go wrong with most restaurants here, I’d recommend the incredible steak, tomatoes and fried padron peppers at Bar Nestor as well as the famous San Sebastian cheesecake at La Viña! I popped all my top recommendations together in my post about the best pintxos in San Sebastian .

Also, if you’re looking for an extra special meal, how about going for a Michelin Starred meal with a view at Mirador de Ulia? We had a very memorable meal there!

San Sebastian is also a great beach destination, with turquoise waters, white sand and some great surf spots too!

If you want to get off the beaten track in this region, how about spending a day wine tasting? Just 30-minutes away by car you’ll find wineries including   Hirutza , where the local Txakoli wine is produced. This is a dry and lightly sparkling white wine, which is absolutely delicious!

The vineyards are in a really spectacular location too, with huge mountains and lush green valleys all around. Once you’ve toured the winery, you’ll get to taste some of the wines for yourself, paired with a few pintxos of course!

Northern Spain Road Trip: Stop 7 – Bilbao

Bilbao, the capital of the Basque Country, is home to centuries-old alleyways and modern-day architecture. The bustling city is small enough that you can explore it on foot, but big enough to keep you entertained for many hours.

One place you simple have to visit is the world-famous Guggenheim Museum , set by the Nervión River. This art gallery has an incredible collection, as well as being housed inside a curved metal masterpiece by one of my favourite architects, Frank Gehry.

This is another great city for pintxos, so be sure to spend some time in the Old Town refuelling. You could also dine at one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants in Bilbao.

For one of the best viewpoints in the Basque Country, make your way to Gaztelugatxeko Doniene, made famous by Game of Thrones. The scenic hike is around 3km and features several fortified viewpoints. The views are worth the tired legs, I promise you!

Northern Spain Road Trip: Stop 8 – Santander

Afterwards, stop by Santander, where you can enjoy some seaside fun on the small town’s myriad of beaches. Dive into the water or enjoy a trek to the Cabo Mayor Lighthouse.

Away from the coastline, grab a bite at Plaza de Canadio before exploring Santander’s Cathedral. It features two churches built on top of one another.

Santander to Llanes: 89 km / 56 min approx.

Northern Spain Road Trip: Stop 9 – Llanes and Piloña

As you drive from Bilbao to Llanes and Piloña, the road trip scenery really steps up a notch! Take in the views of the mountains and rolling hills which serve as the ultimate driving backdrop!

Llanes is a small-town region boasting medieval magic at every corner, as well as beautiful beach views. After some of the more touristy stops on this trip, this area is more chilled out and authentic.

Once in Piloña, you could hike up to the Area Recreativa del Monte Cayon, where sweeping views over Asturias’ Picos de Europa await. Alternatively, opt for a more strenuous hike at Picos de Europa, a green paradise surrounded by mountains.

Northern Spain Road Trip: Stop 10 – Gijon and Oviedo

Gijon has a whole load of charm! The city’s old town, nestled on top of a cliff, is filled with a mix of fine-dining and casual eateries and boasts iconic Roman baths and a scenic promenade.

Oviedo, the region’s capital, is a compact city with a lively atmosphere owing to its student population. Enjoy a culinary extravaganza at the city’s many tapas bars ( Gloria Oviedo isn’t to be missed) and fine dining spots. There’s plenty more to do in Oviedo too, including shopping, museum-hopping, and marvelling at the city’s architecture.

Oviedo to León: 125 km / 1h 28 min approx.

Northern Spain Road Trip: Stop 11 – León

León, the northernmost city in the region, is ready to welcome you with open arms. Top of the list of attractions here is the Catedral de León, which boasts impressive towers and colourful windows.

For a quintessential Leon experience, stroll through Plaza Mayor and enjoy a bit of people watching. This is also a great area for trendy restaurants, tapas bars, and impressive architecture.

Northern Spain Road Trip: Stop 12 – Valladolid and Salamanca

South of León is Valladolid, a small city famed for its architecture. The Cathedral of Valladolid is a sight to behold, as is the Museo Nacional de Escultura and the exhibits inside.

The final stop in the region is Salamanca, which has a burgeoning foodie scene that really delivers the heart and soul of Northern Spanish cuisine. In between the culinary experiences, enjoy visits to the Old and New Cathedral , Clerecía Church, and the Convento de San Esteban’s plateresque. For incredible viewpoints over some of the city’s attractions, be sure to visit the Roman Bridge.

Where to Stay on a Northern Spain Road Trip

If you’re wondering where to stay in northern Spain, here are a few of my top choices along this route.

Hotel Palafox , Zaragoza

This is a great luxury hotel, offering sweeping city views from the rooftop pool.

Hotel Carlton , Bilbao

This grand hotel in Bilbao offers spacious rooms with chic decor and a great restaurant serving regional delicacies.

Hotel Villa Soro , San Sebastian

Enjoy a tranquil and chic hotel stay, just a short walk from the old town. This smart villa offers a country-house feel for your foodie city trip. Wondering how to get around? This hotel offers free bikes, making it easy to get around and see the sights. 

Parador de Turismo de León , León

This luxury hotel’s rooms feature antique furnishings and a balcony. There’s also a restaurant serving the region’s top wines.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my Northern Spain road trip itinerary. There are so many great places you could visit, it’s been hard to narrow it down to just a handful.

My best advice is to use this guide as a starting point, but don’t be afraid to add some extra spots along the way too. If you’re wondering where else to visit in Spain, check out my southern Spain road trip itinerary .

For more great road trip itineraries, check out my detailed guides to driving northern Italy and southern Italy .

Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

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Road trip 01: mountains of Aragón 🇪🇸

By Tony Gálvez

Route 1 is a round trip that takes us through the ancient kingdom of  Aragón , born in the Middle Ages under the protection of the Pyrenees mountain range, the formidable barrier between Spain and France.

On day one , after leaving  Huesca  we will reach the tiny village of  Alquézar , with its churches and ancient buildings. After driving across the vineyards of the  Somontano region we will drive through  Graus  on the way to beautiful  Aínsa , another extraordinary village in the Pyrenees.

On day two, we will revive the old witchery tradition of the region of Aínsa. We will drive through the awesome Cañón de Añisclo , marvel at the Sorrosal Waterfalls and set some time aside to visit the  Ordesa National Park , declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

On the day three we will enjoy the views from Hoz de Jaca before paying a quick visit to the Balneario de Panticosa , the spa in the mountains. We will drive through Formigal to El Portalet , on the border between France and Spain. In the afternoon we will visit the pre-Romanesque churches of San Juan de Busa and San Pedro de Lárrede before ending the day in what is widely considered to be the informal capital of the entire region, Jaca .

We will begin the final day of the trip with a short drive from Jaca to the majestic  Canfranc International Railway Station . After that, we will visit one of the most impressive locations of the entire trip, the ancient Monastery of San Juan de la Peña . On the final part of the day, you will be enchanted by the unusual rock formations of the  Mallos de Riglos . The final stop for the trip is the magnificent  Loarre Castle .

TRIP DETAILS

Huesca, on the northern half of Spain.

Number of days

Nature, history, villages, mountains.

Spring to fall. All year round. Road closures in winter.

430 km (267 mi)

Where to sleep

Aínsa , Panticosa , Jaca and Huesca.

IN SEARCH FOR INSPIRATION?

Check out the 20 best road trips in Spain and the 5 best road trips in Portugal .

8 thoughts on “Road trip 01: mountains of Aragón 🇪🇸”

Do you have all these road trips documented on pdf or word file?

No, just the videos. In the future, we are planning to release the trips in PDF format, but it will take some time before that happens.

We are planning to do the Mountains of Aragorn and surrounding areas in April 2024. As it is still rather cold, are there any areas we may have trouble getting to by car? We have loved watching your videos. Outside of this info on the videos what would you suggest are the must see items within Northern Spain between Girona and Santiago de Compostella.

Hi Mark, April should be fine (the road through the Cañón de Añisclo usually reopens after the winter break in April), but it is imperative to keep an eye on the weather forecast. The must-see items between Girona and Santiago de Compostela would turn into a lifetime of travel. Impossible to summarize in a website comment.

Thank you so much for these wonderful videos! You have inspired us to do a slightly modified version of this trip in September. We’ll be driving from San Sebastian to Jaca then following the route in reverse, ending in Alquezar (actually spending a couple nights there so we can go canyoning in Sierra de Guara – so excited!). From Alquezar we are driving to Tarragona and returning our car to use train (thank you for those videos too!) the rest of the trip. Do you happen to know if there is anything/anywhere we should stop and see on our way from Alquezar to Tarragona? (I read it’s a very arid region but we love the desert.) Again, thank you for your videos – they are all very helpful!

Hello Jo, there are a million interesting places between Alquézar and Tarragona, but we haven’t covered that region yet. Try stopping at Montblanc. All the best.

Tony-we will be passing through Jaca soon and would love to know the name of the pastry/ice cream shop you stopped at on your road trip. Thank you!

Hi Denise, there are two we recommend. One is Pastelería Echeto, right by the side of the cathedral. The other one (our favorite) is Pastelería La Suiza. All the best.

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Slow driving in Aragón: routes to enjoy being on the road

Historic routes

There are several routes designed to help you learn about the region's past. For example, the “Kings of Aragon” route, which crosses the territory from north to south through all the towns that were incorporated into the old kingdom: Jaca , Huesca , Zaragoza , Daroca and Teruel . The ”Origins of the Kingdom of Aragon“ route passes through the green valleys of Hecho and Ansó, and a stop at the impressive San Juan de la Peña Monastery with its royal pantheon is highly recommended.

Cultural routes

How about going to see fortresses on the ”Castles” route through towns like Sos del Rey Católico and Uncastillo ? You also have the option of taking the “Ebro, Goya and Vestiges of the War” route, following in the footsteps of one of the great geniuses of painting, who was born in this part of Spain. Another option is to explore the regions of Matarraña and Bajo Aragón on the “Aragonese Tuscany” route. Here, relaxation and the concept of slow travel take on a whole new meaning, as you pass through medieval and stone villages where the best thing to do is simply enjoy the area. This route includes fascinating visits where you can learn about the history of the ancient Iberians and visit unique cold stores: ancient ice vaults dug underground. 

Nature trails

“La Ronda de Ordesa” is one of the most impressive routes of all, as it passes through the spectacular landscapes of the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park and the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park . Peaks of over 3,000 metres, incredible gorges, glaciers... Without a doubt, it is one of the most beautiful areas in southern Europe, with cave paintings that have been declared a World Heritage Site. But there are many more routes and they are very varied. For example, the “Secrets of the Pre-Pyrenees” route, which includes the Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park . On the other hand, the ”Heart of Moncayo ” route offers you the chance to discover this imposing mountain, which the Romans called “Mons Caius”. It is surrounded by legends and has one of the southernmost beech forests in Europe. You can also complete the “Silent Ports” route through the walled and medieval villages of Gújar-Javalambre. You can change the landscape completely by taking the ”Desert and Carthusian Route“ through the Monegros region: one of the largest steppes in Europe, where erosion has created shapes and colours that seem like they are from another planet. 

Sports routes

If you are looking for a place with countless hiking and cycling routes, the place for you is Alto Gállego, with its beautiful Lanuza and Búbal reservoirs. This is the ”Wonders of Tena and Serrablo“ road route. On the route, you will visit villages with Pyrenean architecture. If you are travelling with your family, we highly recommend the semi-free-range animal park of Lacuniacha and the spectacular Hoz de Jaca Tyrolian traverse . It is the longest double zip line in Europe and also operates at night. If it is winter, you can also visit the Aramón Formigal-Panticosa ski resorts.  The ”Wild Pyrenees” route takes you to the area where the last glacial extensions, dominated by Aneto, still survive: Ribagorza. Here you can try your hand at “taming” the white waters of the river Esera, or go downhill skiing at the Cerler ski resort, go mountaineering (there are 45 peaks over 3,000 metres high), try caving in the Cueva de Alba or go to Castejón de Sos, one of the largest paragliding centres in Spain.

Routes through beautiful villages

For example, the “Montes Universales” route passes through a village that is always described as one of the most beautiful in Spain. This is Albarracín . Situated at the top of a steep slope, a stroll through its narrow cobbled streets opening onto charming little squares is a highly recommended experience. In addition, its natural surroundings hide important examples of rock art that have been declared World Heritage Sites.

Unique routes

The “Magical Corner of Teruel“ route offers different travel plans, such as following in the footsteps of the brilliant filmmaker Luis Buñuel, discovering what the spectacular Easter Weeks in this area are all about, admiring the beauty of the Grutas de Cristal de Molinos or experiencing what life was like for the miners in Escucha by descending into the depths of a coal mine . The ”Off the Beaten Track Pre-Pyrenees“ route offers you the most exotic route to discover two medieval villages, a Chinese wall, a Buddhist temple, walkways through a rock wall, a Renaissance village and a Templar castle in Monzón. Finally, we could not miss the well-known Piedra Monastery which is part of the ”Water and Mudejar” route. It is a historic garden full of picture-perfect waterfalls. In the vicinity, there are also the beautiful nineteenth-century spas of Alhama de Aragón, perfect for a relaxing end to a road trip. 

On the slowdrivingaragon.com website, you will find detailed information on each of the 16 routes including distance, recommended stages, estimated time and services you will find along the way.

Travel plans for inspiring you

The Menorca lighthouses route

The Northern Way

The Primitive Way

Choose between thousands of activities to live your best life on holiday.

Itinéraire d’un road trip d’une semaine en Aragon

L’Aragon est un petit bijou de l’Espagne encore protégé du tourisme de masse. Si la région de possède pas les plages de l’ Andalousie , elle n’a pourtant rien à envier au Sud. Car on trouve de tout en Aragon : des montagnes, des villes et des villages des plus beaux d’Espagne, des lacs, et même encore des déserts ! Pour les amoureux de randonnée , c’est le paradis. Pareil pour les amateurs de photo et de beaux paysages . Alors si vous vous reconnaissez dans cette description, il y a des chances pour que vous succombiez au charme de l’Aragon.

Il y a 2 manières d’appréhender ce road trip en Aragon. La première est de venir avec votre propre voiture jusqu’en Espagne, de réserver un logement à Aínsa , et de commencer votre road trip le lendemain matin.

La deuxième est d’ arriver en avion à Zaragoza . Il existe des vols directes toute l’année depuis Bruxelles, et depuis Paris en été. Il vous faudra peut-être effectuer une escale avant d’atterrir à Zaragoza, mais avec Ryanair, les prix peuvent être relativement bas dans tous les cas. Le mieux ensuite est de louer une voiture pour la semaine.

Jour 1 – AINSA ET ORDESA

Si vous vous réveillez à Aínsa pour le premier jour de votre roadtrip en Aragon, vous vous trouverez juste à côté du parc national Ordesa. Le parc comprend de nombreux chemins de randonnée, à la journée ou sur plusieurs jours. Les randonnées d’une journée les plus connues sont celles du Monte Perdido et la Cola de Caballo . Vous trouverez plus d’informations sur les randos à faire sur ce site .

De retour le soir à Aínsa, profitez de ce village qui fait partie des plus beaux d’Espagne . On en fait rapidement le tour, mais il est très agréable de se balader dans ses ruelles, et sur monter sur ses remparts.

Trouver un logement à Aínsa

Jour 2 – alquezar

Alquezar est un vrai petite merveille, et un incontournable d’un roadtrip en Aragon . On le retrouve aussi dans la liste des plus beaux villages d’Espagne . Depuis les remparts de la ville, et encore plus depuis le château, la vue est impressionnante. Les collines vertes s’étendent à perte de vue. En descendant à pieds vers la rivière, vous trouverez un chemin longeant un canyon, parfois à plusieurs mètres d’altitude. Vous y trouverez aussi des petites plages, des grottes, et surtout une eau d’un bleu cristal comme on en voit rarement.

Trouver un logement à Alquezar

jours 3 et 4 – Saragosse

Continuez ensuite vers le sud, direction Saragosse, la capitale de la région Aragon . Si la ville en elle-même si visite relativement rapidement, il est très agréable d’y prendre son temps et de se fondre dans la culture espagnole en se posant en terrasse et en s’attardant un peu dehors le soir.

Au coeur de Zaragoza, vous découvrirez la grande Place du Pilar . Sur cette place, vous n’avez pas moins qu’une église, une cathédrale, et une basilique à visiter ! La basilique Nuestra-Señora-del-Pilar est celle qui s’impose sur la place. Lorsque vous en ressortez, si vous vous dirigez vers la droite, et encore vers la droite, de manière à vous retrouver derrière la basilique, vous arriverez à l’entrée d’une des tour, en haut de laquelle il est possible de monter. Vous pourrez alors découvrir la ville depuis 70 mètres d’altitude.

Non loin de la basilique, se trouve le Palais de la Aljaferia . C’est un palais arabe, qui renferme une jolie petite cours, une architecture magnifique, et surtout beaucoup d’histoire.

Si vous longez l’avenue principale sur un ou deux kilomètres, vous arriverez au Parque Grande , un parc où il fait bon se promener, surtout en soirée quand l’air est plus frais et que les fontaines se mettent à changer de couleur.

Si vous cherchez une balade agréable, traversez l’Ebre, le fleuve qui passe derrière la basilique du Pilar, et promenez vous le long se la rive en remontant vers la gauche. Vous arriverez bientôt sur la place qui fut réservée à l’ Exposition Universelle . Amusez-vous à rechercher le nom de certains pays sur les banderoles suspendues, servant de parasol.

N’hésitez pas à faire appel à un guide local pour visiter Saragosse, si vous voulez en apprendre plus sur la ville!

Pour manger, vous pouvez entrer dans le Mercado gastronomico , qui se trouve sur la Plaza Españ a. Vous y trouverez de nombreux stands de nourritures, et les tables se trouvent au centre de tous ces restaurants. Il y a donc du choix pour tous.

Si vous cherchez un petit restaurant sympa où vous attabler, voici mes endroits préférés :

• El Paladar , restaurant cubain
• Mr Dumbo , restaurant syrien
• Baobab , restaurant végétarien
• La Marula , restaurant espagnol
• Goiko Grill , restaurant de viande et hamburger
• Pomodor o , pizzeria

Pour manger des tapas le soir, rendez-vous dans le vieux quartier du Tubo . Si vous vous trouvez à Saragosse un jeudi soir , ne louper surtout pas le Juepincho : dans le quartier de la Magdalena, une boisson (bière ou vin) = un tapas, pour 2 euros ! Je vous recommande notamment El Entalto , pour des croquetas incroyables, y l’ Heroismo , dans la rue du même nom.

Trouver un logement à Saragosse

jour 5 – Albarracín et Teruel

Posez vos affaires à Teruel, et allez donc faire un tour à Albarracín, qui se trouve à une demi-heure de route de là. Albarracín fait lui aussi partie de la liste des plus beaux villages d’Espagne. Ses jolies petites ruelles et places font de lui un village où il est très agréable de se promener et de se poser pour manger. L’attraction principale d’Albarracín est bien-sûr sa muraille , sur laquelle il est possible de monter pour avoir une vue impressionnante, sur le village et bien plus loin.

En rentrant le soir à Teruel, si vous sortez mangez à l’extérieur, n’oubliez pas de goûter au Jambon de Teruel , ce pour quoi la ville est connue et reconnue !

Trouver un logement à Téruel

jours 6 – monasterio de piedra et tarazona

La fin de cette semaine de roadtrip en Aragon approche et il est déjà temps de remonter vers le Nord, direction Tarazona. Mais en route, arrêtez-vous au Monasterio de Piedra . En plus d’un magnifique monastère, ce gigantesque jardin renferme de nombreuses rivières et cascades, le long desquelles on peu se promener. On y trouve aussi des grottes sombres, dont le peu de lumière paraît provenir de l’eau bleu électrique qui y coule. Un très joli spectacle.

L’après-midi, découvrez Tarazona , la ville à la plus belle cathédrale gothique d’Espagne . Mais ce n’est pas tout, Tarazona est pleines d’autres intérêts, comme notamment la façade de sa mairie, ses maisons suspendues et son quartier juif.

Trouver un logement à Tarazona

→ Insolite: dormez au sein même du parc, dans l’hôtel 3* du Monasterio de Piedra .

jour 7 – désert des bardenas reales et huesca

Pour votre dernière escale de votre road trip en Aragon , direction la ville de Huesca. Mais il serait dommage de ne pas s’arrêter en route pour découvrir le désert des Bardenas Reales . Le désert fait d’ailleurs partie du patrimoine mondiale de L’UNESCO. Il est possible de la visiter en voiture ou en vélo, en suivant les routes et les santiers prévus à cet effet. A l’entrée du parc, les personnes de l’accueil vous donneront toutes les informations nécessaires. Quelques heures suffisent pour en faire le tour en voiture, en prenant le temps de s’arrêter et de marcher pour prendre quelques photos des paysages impressionnants qu’on trouve là-bas.

Puis, en arrivant à Huesca, la deuxième ville d’Aragon, profitez d’une dernière soirée espagnole avant de reprendre la route le lendemain, direction la France.

Trouver un logement à Huesca

→ Insolite: dormez en plein milieu du désert des Bardenas, à la belle étoile dans une bulle transparente, ou bien dans un hôtel avec vue sur le désert .

Vous pouvez continuer votre road trip en Espagne en descendant vers l’Andalousie ! Et si besoin, vous trouverez d’autres d’idées de road trips ici .

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Road trip en Aragon et Navarre : itinéraire et conseils

Road trip en aragon et navarre : dépaysement garanti .

road trip en aragon : que faire en Aragon ?

en rêvais depuis des années et c’est enfin arrivé : découvrir le Désert des Bardenas le temps d’un week-end prolongé. Mais pourquoi ne pas pousser un peu plus loin à la découverte de cette région du Nord de l’Espagne souvent méconnue. C’est finalement un magnifique road trip en Aragon et Navarre que nous avons réalisé, entre désert, champs d’oliviers, routes spectaculaires, villages typiques perchés, Pyrénées aux sommets enneigés, lacs superbes… Tant de merveilles à 2 heures de la frontière franco-espagnole qui nous ont offert un dépaysement inattendu ! Alors pourquoi voyager à l’autre bout de la planète ; faites un road trip en Aragon et Navarre , vous serez sur une autre planète ! Voici mon retour d’expérience à la suite de notre road trip en famille. Je parle beaucoup, mais c’est pour vous donner un max d’informations pour vous aider à organiser le vôtre !

Notre dossier Espagne en famille

Guide de Voyage

Récits de Voyage

Adresses KidFriendly

Cet itinéraire vous plait et vous avez envie de vous rendre en Espagne pour découvrir ses merveilles. Mais vous n’êtes pas à l’aise ou vous n’avez pas le temps d’organiser votre itinéraire par vous-même, n’hésitez pas à faire appel à nos services de Travel Planner afin que nous puissions vous accompagner dans la réalisation de ce voyage 100% sur-mesure. L’appel découverte est sans engagement.

Van ou voiture pour un road trip en Aragon et Navarre ?

Road trip en aragon

La question ne s’est pas posée très longtemps pour nous. Nous avons une tente sur le toit qui n’attendait que la fin de la « saison des pluies dans le Pays Basque » pour repartir en vadrouille… C’est donc tout naturellement que nous décidé que cette escapade se ferait en mode roots !

Si vous aimez la van life ou si vous voulez tout simplement tester cette aventure, un road trip en Aragon et Navarre est un super terrain de jeu pour la vivre !

Regardez du côté de Black Sheep Van si vous partez depuis la France, ils ont des agences à Biarritz et à Toulouse ! Leurs vans sont en très bon état, bien conçus et de nombreuses options sont proposées. De la tente de toit à un van pour 4 avec douches et toilettes, vous trouverez assurément votre bonheur !

Faut-il réserver ses hébergements en Aragon et Navarre ?

road trip aragon

Nous faisons partie de la team « dernier moment ». Du coup, nous arrivions comme un cheveu sur la soupe à nos spots ou campings. Et c’est passé. Mais ça aurait pu ne pas passer, notre dernier camping a marqué « full » peu de temps après notre enregistrement et d’après le gérant les hébergements d’Alquezar étaient tous complets… Y-avait-il un événement particulier ce jour-là à Alquezar ? Aucune idée, mais avec du recul, peu importe le type d’hébergement recherché, je réservais au moins la veille pour le lendemain. Booking est clairement mon allié dans mes recherches et j’y trouve même des campings !

Pour économiser des sous en voyageant, pensez à utiliser Igraal. Reçois jusqu’à 4% de cashback sur toutes vos réservations Booking en vous inscrivant sur iGraal ici

(C’est quoi le cashback ? On vous dit tout ici)

Itinéraire de mon road-trip en Aragon et Navarre

Direction les Bardenas Reales, dépaysement garanti à 2 heures de la frontière franco-espagnole – Jour 1

Niché entre Navarre et Aragon, c’est dans le désert des Bardenas que notre road trip a débuté ! A quelques heures de route de la frontière franco-espagnole, se trouve cette zone désertique absolument spectaculaire et inattendue qui me faisait de l’œil depuis bien trop longtemps. Un véritable ovni dans le paysage !

Après deux heures de route, nous arrivons dans la zone la plus aride des Bardenas, La Blanca où trône la sublime cheminée de fée le Castildetierra. L’invitation à découvrir ce désert est lancée, nous effectuons la sublime randonnée du Tour de las Cortimas qui nous permet de nous rendre compte de l’étendue du désert… On revient explorer cette zone demain, c’est une certitude !

Où dormir aux Bardenas ? impossible de dormir à l’intérieur du parc en van. C’est tout bonnement interdit. A quelques kilomètres du bureau des guides des Bardenas, le parking d’Argedas accueille les camping-cars, les vans, les tentes sur le toit. Rien de glamour si ce n’est que vous dormez aux pieds des maisons troglodytes habitées encore dans les années 60 !

Si vous êtes plutôt du genre à penser qu’à lieu exceptionnel, hôtel exceptionnel, alors l’hôtel Aire des Bardenas est fait pour vous : original et exceptionnel !

Road-trip aux Bardenas La Blanca et route pour Agüero – Jour 2

Non lassés par ce somptueux désert et galvanisés par la vue panoramique de la veille, nous décidons d’effectuer la boucle de 35 km dans la Blanca. Pas à pied rassurez-vous ! C’est sur une véritable piste caillouteuse que nous évoluons à un rythme lent, absorbés par la beauté des paysages rencontrés (30 km/h vitesse maximale réglementaire). Les haltes sont nombreuses ; nous sommes subjugués par ces paysages dignes des grands espaces australiens (peut-être américains, mais on n’a pas encore exploré cette région du monde). Le bureau des guides préconise deux heures pour effectuer la boucle, haltes incluses.

Sur les coups de treize heures, nous laissons ces paysages lunaires derrière nous pour nous aventurer en Aragon. Place aux paysages verdoyants de la vallée de l’Èbre, un petit air de Provence souffle ici, manque le chant des cigales et la douce odeur de la lavande.

Nous traversons de nombreux villages qui semblent abandonnés ; peut-être l’heure de la sieste ? Plus les kilomètres diminuent sur notre GPS, plus nous voyons au loin les Mallos, des monolithes rocheux aux parois verticales. Depuis le mirador à l’entrée d’Agüeros, les Mallos semblent protéger le village médiéval. Le point de vue est vraiment exceptionnel. Nous restons bouche bée devant tant de beauté. Plus on s’en approche, plus on se sent tout petits.

Après avoir découvert le village, désert encore une fois, nous entreprenons le tour des Mallos (1h30). Nous grimpons à travers la garrigue où l’odeur du thym et du romarin chatouille nos narines. Pas le temps d’observer les grimpeurs qui escaladent ces falaises, des vautours rodent au-dessus de nos têtes. Ils sont nombreux ici et nichent dans les nombreuses grottes des Mallos. Après une longue descente, nous longeons les parois rocheuses. On se sent littéralement écrasés par leur grandeur ! Rapidement, la boucle est bouclée ! Une belle randonnée très facile en famille !

Où dormir dans les Mallos ? le camping de la Peña est simple mais largement suffisant ! La vue directe sur les Mallos depuis les emplacements est renversante, tout comme celle depuis la piscine (malheureusement pas ouverte lors de notre passage). Côté hôtel, il n’y en a pas ! Il faut plutôt rejoindre Murillo de Gallego, plus touristique pour en trouver !

Que faire à Agüero ? de nombreuses activités sportives sont proposées dans la région. Osez le rafting, des groupes dédiés aux familles (à partir de 7 ans) partent tous les jours s’éclater dans les rapides de niveau II ! Accessibles dès 4 ans, accrobranches et tyroliennes vous feront frissonner dans un somptueux décor ! Pour les plus de 12 ans, allez taquiner les parois verticales des Mallos en faisant de la via Ferrata !

Road-trip en Aragon : d’Agüero à Alquezar – Jour 3

Depuis notre tente, le réveil avec vue sur les Mallos est magique et nous pousse à sortir du lit pour explorer encore l’Aragon. Avant de quitter ce coin d’Aragon, nous nous dirigeons vers les Mallos de Riglos qui sont plus touristiques que ceux d’Agüero mais vraiment splendides ! Nous traversons le village de Murillo de Gallego où de nombreuses activités sportives et aquatiques sont proposées : Canyoning, rafting, via ferrata, escalade… idéales avec des adolescents, un peu moins avec nos jeunes enfants.

Cette fois, nous tournons le dos à nos Mallos ; une fois la route secondaire passée, nous nous retrouvons sur l’autoroute… beaucoup moins jolie que la veille. Par chance, nous avons décidé de rejoindre l’embalse de Vadiello pour pique-niquer au cœur de la Sierra de Guara. La route sillonne en suivant les courbes du Rio Guatizalema en contrebas, et se fraie un chemin à travers la roche (gare aux chèvres qui y trouvent un peu de fraicheur mais qui sautent sur les falaises à votre arrivée). La route en impasse nous amène aux pieds des Mallos de Ligüerri sur un parking. C’est donc à pied (comptez 100 mètres max) que nous rejoignons le barrage de Vadiello. Une nouvelle claque nous attend. La vue depuis le barrage est splendide, La couleur de l’eau est d’un turquoise cristallin assez dingue ! Des falaises blanches semblent glisser dans l’eau, au fond la vallée… Magnifique. Une randonnée débute ici et fait le tour du lac (3 heures de marche environ). Malheureusement une de nos filles n’est pas au top, nous renonçons. Nous pique-niquons sur la plateforme du mirador et comprenons les chèvres qui recherchent la fraicheur du tunnel… Il fait très chaud !

Nous rejoignons à nouveau l’autoroute pour rejoindre Alquezar. La route est moins spectaculaire mais a une nouvelle fois des airs de Drôme provençale qui m’enchantent. Nous avons voulu nous reposer au camping d’Alquezar mais il est trop tôt ! Il faut revenir à 16 heures, il est à peine 14h30 !

Nous rejoignons le Salto de Bierge, un étroit barrage composé de deux bassins. La partie supérieure bloque l’eau du Rio Alcanadre avant de se jeter en une cascade de 9 mètres de haut dans le bassin inférieur. L’invitation à la baignade est trop forte ; nous pénètrons doucement dans l’eau fraiche du Rio. Un régal que de se baigner en pleine nature même si la route passe en contrebas (très peu de passage, ça reste calme). Il est possible de se baigner dans le bassin inférieur, mais il faut passer par des rochers… Avec des chaussons d’eau c’est jouable : nous n’en avons pas donc nous n’avons pas pu y descendre. Une autre option pour rejoindre le bassin inférieur : sauter ! Certains le font, alors pourquoi pas !

Normalement, l’accès au bassin est payant. Je pense qu’en arrivant à l’heure de la sieste, personne n’était là pour faire payer l’entrée. Comptez 4 euros par personne.

Retour au camping ; bouquin, trampoline et piscine !

Où dormir à Alquezar ? Clairement je n’ai pas aimé le camping d’Alquezar. Trop grand et donc trop de monde. Pas de chance, nous avions un groupe d’une vingtaine de français qui se sentaient tellement bien au camping qu’ils ont parlé à voix haute jusqu’à une heure du matin. Mis à part cette mauvaise ambiance, les emplacements sont étroits, on est les uns sur les autres. Si nous n’avions pas dormi dans la tente, incontestablement c’est à Alquezar que nous aurions dormi pour profiter de l’ambiance intimiste du village. El Portal de Alquezar dispose d’une superbe piscine avec vue sur la ville. Des appartements confortables accueillent les familles à un tarif raisonnable.

Que faire à Alquezar ? La région de la Sierra de Guara est propice aux activités aquatiques ou de grimpe. Il est possible à partir de 7 ans de faire de la via Ferrata ! La Via Ferrata dans la Sierra de Guara , promet des paysages à couper le souffle. A partir de 8 ans et à condition de savoir nager sur 20 mètres, osez le canyoning dans un des plus beaux spots au monde !

Road-trip en Aragon : Alquezar et lac Yesa – Jour 4

Après la nuit chaotique et une petite qui tousse toujours beaucoup trop, nous prenons la décision de stopper notre road trip en Aragon et de rentrer plus tôt que prévu chez nous. Mais avant cela, nous décidons de bien mettre à profit notre journée !

Alquezar est un superbe village médiéval au cœur de la Sierra de Guara. C’est aussi un des plus beaux villages d’Espagne. Chaque maison est décorée de briquettes aux couleurs pastel chaudes. C’est un véritable bonheur que de déambuler dans le centre-ville totalement piétonnier. Nous y vivons des petits bonheurs simples de la vie, comme profiter de la vue spectaculaire depuis le parking, flâner dans les ruelles pavées du village, trinquer à la terrasse d’un café en profitant de l’incroyable vue panoramique qui s’offre à nous. C’est une véritable surprise, nous n’avions pas vraiment conscience que c’était un des plus beaux villages d’Espagne (je vous ai dit, team « dernier moment » !), nous étions essentiellement venus marcher sur le chemin des passerelles.

C’est derrière la boulangerie « Panaderia l’artica » que débute la « Ruta de las Pasarelas del Vero ». Mais avant, il faut acheter un ticket d’entrée (4 € / adulte, gratuit pour les moins de 10 ans), être impérativement chaussés de chaussures fermées (les gardes m’ont demandé de troquer mes tongs contre des baskets), de l’eau en grande quantité. En effet, si la descente au cœur du canyon du Rio Vera se fait à l’ombre, la montée est raide et en plein soleil. Avant d’emprunter les fameuses passerelles, nous effectuons un détour vers une grotte, qui n’a pas beaucoup d’intérêt. Mais c’est ici que nous découvrons l’eau turquoise (et froide) qui se faufile sous nos pieds. Un régal avec la chaleur qui sévit.

La randonnée suit ensuite les courbes des parois verticales du canyon. Nous évoluons à quelques mètres de hauteur sur des passerelles. Sous nos pieds, le Rio Vero qui se tortille et des familles qui se baignent dans des cuvettes. Évoluer sur ces passerelles en se contorsionnant par moment a quelque chose de très régressif et ludique qui est loin de déplaire à nos enfants ! La randonnée passe comme une lettre à la poste jusqu’au superbe mirador. On est au cœur du canyon et la vue n’a rien à envier aux paysages australiens… Magique, on s’y croirait presque !

La montée est à la hauteur des promesses des gardes : peu ombragée et ça grimpe ! Les enfants montrent quelques signes de fatigue… mais galvanisés par une géocache au bout de la randonnée, nous bouclerons la randonnée en moins de 1h30 (3 km).

Quelques tapas dans un bistrot, un dernier tour dans Alquezar, un pincement au cœur en mettant fin à notre trip, nous voilà sur le chemin du retour, où une nouvelle claque nous attend…

Ce dernier coup de cœur, nous l’avons dégoté par hasard… Pas très motivés pour absorber 4 heures de route d’un coup et peut-être pour un dernier au-revoir à cette région qui nous aura enchantée, nous avons décidé de couper le trajet en 2. En regardant sur une carte, nous avons découvert à mi-chemin une étendue d’eau… L’Embalse de Yesa… un lac à 30 minutes au Sud de Pampelune… Quelle claque quand nous avons aperçu ce bleu turquoise voir saphir qui semble caractériser tous les lacs de la région… On en reste vraiment bouche bée ! C’est tout simplement magnifique ! Ce lac est en fait un barrage construit en 1960. La retenue d’eau permet d’irriguer les terres desséchées des Bardenas et permet la production d’électricité. La route suit les doux virages formés par le lac. Nous roulons paisiblement en le surplombant et ne cessons d’être émerveillés à chaque virage. Des chênes, des hêtres, des pins entourent le lac et offrent de l’ombre aux nageurs. Nous nous installons au bord de l’eau avec l’envie de déplier la tente et d’y dormir… Nous profitons de la vue aux doux airs de Nouvelle Zélande, nous nous faisons la promesse de revenir rapidement dans le coin et nous reprenons la route pour (une pizza à Pampelune) notre Pays Basque.

Itinéraire en Aragon et Navarre : que faire en 1 semaine ?

Je ne sais pas vous, mais moi ce road trip m’a donné l’eau à la bouche… J’aurais aimé profiter de cette belle région encore quelques temps. Depuis notre retour, je m’amuse à découvrir cette région en surfant sur le web. Alors que faire en une semaine en Aragon ?

• Si j’avais préparé notre road trip en Aragon et avec plus de temps, voilà ce que j’aurais aimé faire. J1 : Route pour les Bardenas et « Tour de las Cortimas » J2 : Grande boucle dans les Bardenas Blanca et randonnée dans la Bardena Negra. Le bureau des guides nous avait conseillé une randonnée de 6 kilomètres AR (2 heures d’après eux) pour découvrir cette zone la plus végétalisée des Bardenas. Route pour Agüero. J3 : Randonnée du tour des Mallos d’Agüero et activités types accrobranches et tyroliennes ou rafting avec ma plus grande. Nouvelle nuit à Agüero pour profiter de cette vue magique depuis le camping (et de la piscine ). J4 : Route pour l’Embalse de Vadiello avec randonnée le matin et pique-nique sur place. Route pour Alquazar avec halte au Salto de Bierge pour baignade en pleine nature. Nuit dans le village pour profiter de l’ambiance intimiste du cadre. J5 : Randonnée matinale (et à la fraiche) dans le canyon du Rio Vero. Balade dans le village avec visite du château. Avec des adolescents, j’aurais peut-être troqué le canyon du Rio Verde pour du canyoning. Nos voisins au camping étaient dithyrambiques, ça avait l’air vraiment génial. Il faut compter la journée. J6 : Pour continuer dans le dépaysement le plus total, nous aurions pris la route pour le Centre bouddhiste Dag Shang Kagyu ; un temple bouddhiste d’architecture tibétaine avec un grand moulin à prière. Je trouve ça complètement dingue de trouver ce temple en plein cœur de l’Aragon ! Le lac de Mediano a tout du lac Wanaka en Nouvelle-Zélande avec son arbre couché dans l’eau et son eau turquoise… Mes filles auraient adoré une séance de kayak avec baignade ! Nuit en camping sauvage au bord du lac ou dans un hôtel kidsfriendly à Ainsa. J7 : c’est déjà l’heure du retour… et pourtant, il y a encore de quoi faire ! Matinée tranquille à flâner dans le superbe village médiéval d’Ainsa . C’est la porte d’entrée du Parc d’Ordesa où les possibilités de randonnées sont immenses (et les activités également !). Et ce sera maintenant la route du retour, mais coupons-la en petites étapes. Déjeunez par exemple à Jaca et visitez l’incroyable monastère de la Peña puis digérez tranquillement au bord du lac Yesa avant de définitivement boucler la boucle.

Vous l’aurez compris, en une semaine en Aragon, vous n’aurez pas le temps de vous ennuyer. Le dépaysement sera intense ! Entre activités sportives, douces randonnées en famille, visites de villages médiévaux bourrés de charme, vous passerez de belles vacances. Pimentez-les en faisant un road trip en van. Les enfants en sont fans et ça donne tout de suite un côté aventure aux vacances.

L’Aragon est vaste, les paysages spectaculaires, tant est si bien qu’on a envie d’aller plus loin et d’en découvrir plus. Je ne vous ai parlé que de mon expérience et de l’Ouest de l’Aragon… Mais il y a encore tant… (je rêve de la randonnée du Congost de Mont Rebei et de celle des Murailles de Finestras)…

Boite à outil pour organiser son road trip en Aragon en famille

• Réservez des vols pas cher pour Pampelune ici
• Réservez un van ici
• Trouvez des hébergements en Aragon qui correspondent à vos envies et votre famille ici
• Économisez sur toutes tes réservations en utilisant le cashback. On vous dit comment faire ici !
• Choisis ton guide de voyage en Aragon ici
• Plus de détail sur mon voyage en Aragon et dans les Bardenas ici !

Découvrez les témoignages de familles en Espagne

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Road-trip en van dans le Nord de l’Espagne entre Catalogne et Aragon 

Après un road-trip dans l’Aude , puis dans les Pyrénées-Orientales nous avons pris la direction du Nord de l’Espagne pour environ 15 jours de vadrouille au mois de juillet. Ayant peu de temps pour découvrir le pays, nous nous sommes concentrés sur deux régions frontalières : la Catalogne et l’Aragon.  

La Catalogne on la connaissait pour les stations balnéaires de la Costa Brava ou Barcelone, ni plus ni moins. Quant à l’Aragon, la région n’avait pas encore attiré notre attention, jusqu’à ce que l’on découvre le nombre de merveilles qu’elle recèle. 

Entre villages authentiques , patrimoine architectural et merveilles géologiques , on vous emmène avec nous en road-trip dans le Nord de l’Espagne, découvrir la Catalogne et l’Aragon hors des sentiers battus.

Road-trip en Catalogne loin du tourisme de masse

Cadaqués, perle de la costa brava  .

Après une étape à Collioure, il nous semblait évident de commencer notre road-trip par Cadaqués, village de charme situé à seulement 1h30 de la France.

Ses maisons blanches et ses ruelles pavées et fleuries nous ont transporté sur une île des Cyclades en un rien de temps.

On a apprécié son ambiance village , bien loin des autres stations balnéaires le long de la côte. Cette authenticité, Cadaqués a pu la préserver grâce à son isolement géographique.

Avant 1930 et l’arrivée de Salvador Dali , le village vivait de sa vigne et son port. L’installation du célèbre peintre a changé le destin de Cadaqués à tout jamais. Lors de votre visite, nous vous conseillons vivement de visiter sa résidence, située à Portlligat, une petite crique à deux pas du village. La visite se fait uniquement sur réservation , au moins 24h à l’avance.

C’est d’ailleurs à Portlligat, face à la Platja de s’Alqueria que nous avons posé notre fourgon pour 2 nuits. Un emplacement idéal pour commencer ce road-trip dans le Nord de l’Espagne.

Calella de Palafrugell, ancien village de pêcheurs  

Toujours dans l’idée de découvrir le littoral de la Catalogne et ses villages préservés, nous nous sommes arrêtés quelques jours à Calella de Palafrugell. Tout comme Cadaqués, cet ancien village de pêcheurs a su conserver son charme d’antan. Ces rues étroites invitent à la flânerie et à la contemplation. 

Pour se sentir encore plus seuls au monde, nous vous conseillons d’emprunter le chemin de ronde qui part de l’hôtel San Roc et qui est parsemé de criques aux eaux turquoises. Non seulement vous aurez une vue d’exception sur le village de pêcheurs, mais en plus vous pourrez profiter de plusieurs petites criques rien que pour vous. Sur le retour, arrêtez vous boire un verre à l’hôtel San Roc, la vue y est splendide.

Gérone, un secret bien gardé

Après le farniente direction les terres catalanes ! Et on commence notre découverte par la jolie Gérone . Aucune attente particulière de notre côté pour cette ville, que nous n’avions jamais placé sur notre liste de city-breaks en Europe . À tort ! 

À peine avions mis les pieds dans son centre historique, que nous avons été charmés par son architecture, son patrimoine et surtout son dynamisme. 

Étant une ville de taille moyenne, nous avons pu découvrir les incontournables en une journée . Ses ponts qui traversent le Riu Onyar, sa basilique et sa cathédrale nous ont suivi tout au long de notre visite. Coup de cœur également pour ses bains arabes (3€/personne l’entrée) et ses murailles qui se parcourent librement. 

Des volcans (éteints) en Catalogne ? Direction la Garrotxa !

Les volcans de Catalogne se trouvent dans le Parc Naturel de la Garrotxa à environ 1h de Gérone. Olot (prononcé Olotte) en est la ville principale. Le parc se compose de plus de 40 cônes volcaniques et 20 coulées de lave . Il s’agit de la zone volcanique la plus importante de toute l’Espagne péninsulaire. 

C’est l’endroit où nous avons croisé le moins de touristes en Catalogne. Un vrai petit paradis pour les amoureux de nature , de randonnées, et d’itinérances douces (vélo, cheval, et même montgolfière!). 

Nous avons opté pour une balade sur les volcans les plus connus du parc : le Croscat et le volcan de Santa Margarida . Et n’oublions pas la forêt de hêtres Fageda d’en Jordà.

Côté villages de charme, vous ne serez pas en manque dans la Garrotxa avec Besalú , village à l’important passé juif. Castellfollit de la Roca , perché sur une falaise basaltique. Ou encore Santa Pau , véritable joyau du Moyen-Age.

Pour plus d’informations sur la région, n’hésitez à consulter notre article détaillé : une Catalogne secrète dans le parc naturel de la zone volcanique de la Garrotxa.

L’Aragon, un road-trip pour les amoureux de la nature

Les vertigineuses passerelles de montfalcó .

On commence notre road-trip en Aragon par une randonnée qui ravira les amateurs d’adrénaline et à l’inverse fera déchanter toutes les personnes sujettes au vertige. Il s’agit de la Route des Passerelles de Montfalcó, située à la frontière entre l’Aragon et la Catalogne.  

Un itinéraire de 8 km aller/retour sur les hauteurs vertigineuses, composé de deux passerelles, un pont suspendu et des paysages à couper le souffle le long d’un mur de 80 mètres de haut. 

Nous avons débuté cette promenade dans le Montsec à l’Auberge de Montfalco, mais une autre alternative est possible, en partant du côté Catalogne sur le parking de la Masieta. Avant de rejoindre les passerelles, il faudra déambuler durant 4km dans le Congost Mont-Rebei, un sentier creusé dans la roche. Il est tout à fait possible de lier les deux randonnées.

👉 Retrouvez toutes les informations sur les Passerelles de Montfalcó par ici.

Muraille de Finestras, la muraille de Chine espagnole

La découverte de la Muraille de Finestras était certainement celle que l’on attendait le plus de ce road-trip dans le Nord de l’Espagne.

La Muraille de Finestras est une vraie merveille géologique naturelle formée de deux impressionnantes parois rocheuses. Sur les hauteurs au milieu de celle-ci, on aperçoit une chapelle en ruine. La plus belle vue sur la muraille se trouve au niveau de la chapelle San Marcos.

La randonnée pour y accéder ne présente aucune difficulté. Nous avons mis à peu près 1h pour la rejoindre, et 1h30 pour le retour (en montée). Le départ se fait depuis un parking “non officiel” dont les coordonnées GPS se trouvent ici . Attention en revanche, pour rejoindre ce point il faudra s’aventurer sur une piste caillouteuse sur environ 7 km.

👉 Plus d’informations sur Muraille de Finestras dans notre article dédié.

Alquézar au coeur du parc naturel de la Sierra et des canyons de Guara

Après nos aventures aux Passerelles de Montfalcó et à la Muraille de Finestras nous avions besoin d’un peu de repos 😅

Notre choix s’est porté sur la petite ville d’Alquézar, ville médiévale considérée comme l’une des plus belles villes d’Espagne. Dans la cité, ne manquez pas la monumentale collégiale, et la plaza Mayor. La promenade à travers la ville et ses sites historiques est un vrai régal, chaque coin ayant son propre charme.

Au cœur du parc naturel de la Sierra et des canyons de Guara, Alquézar est aussi une destination nature parfaite avec comme activité principale le canyoning .

L’itinéraire des passerelles (oui un autre 😂) permet de découvrir la rivière Vero et offre une activité familiale sympathique. Le ticket d’entrée est à retirer à la mairie, car la randonnée d’environ 3 km est depuis quelques années payante (4€ par adulte). Nous vous conseillons d’emmener votre maillot de bain et votre pique-nique pour profiter à fond du lieu.

Le Château de Loarre, le château roman le mieux conservé d’Europe

Le château de Loarre au Nord de l’Espagne est une impressionnante forteresse romane qui se dresse à 1 100 mètres d’altitude. Il fût construit au XIe siècle sur les restes d’un édifice romain.

Nous avons été étonnés de l’état de conservation impeccable de cette forteresse. Et que dire de sa situation, surplombant la plaine, qui offre des points de vue tout simplement magnifiques sur les environs.

Pour faire durer le plaisir plus longtemps, nous avons dormi sur le parking du château avec June, notre fourgon aménagé. Se réveiller avec le soleil illuminant la forteresse fut l’un de nos plus beaux moments dans le Nord de l’Espagne.

ℹ️ Ouvert toute l’année de 10h à 20h, 6€ par adulte

Mallos de Riglos, un site naturel remarquable du Nord de l’Espagne

À quelques kilomètres seulement du Château de Loarre, les Mallos de Riglos ont été notre dernière découverte en Aragon.

« Mallos » est le terme espagnol employé pour ces grandes formations géologiques , avec des murs verticaux de roche rouge qui atteignent près de 300 mètres de hauteur. 

S’arrêter à Riglos dans le Nord de l’Espagne c’est comme voyager sur une autre planète. Nous sommes restés seuls un bon moment à les admirer bouche bée depuis le parking du cimetière de la ville. Plusieurs autres miradors se trouvent autour des mallos dont le mirador de los Buitres.

Un itinéraire balisé d’environ deux heures et demie (5,5 km) part du centre de Riglos et grimpe entre les formations rocheuses. 

Pour être encore plus impressionné, levez la tête et admirez les rapaces et les vautours qui planent majestueusement au gré des courants d’air.

Fact :  Le Monde a classé la petite commune aragonaise parmi les 20 plus belles destinations de la planète en 2022. Une raison de plus de découvrir ces hypnotisants monolithes géants !

Road-trip dans le Nord de l’Espagne : où dormir en van / fourgon aménagé ?

Durant ce road-trip entre l’Aragon et la Catalogne nous avons découverts de superbes spots pour passer la nuit avec notre van. Nous avons pris pour habitude d’ alterner entre des endroits nature, des campings et des hébergements chez l’habitant avec HomeCamper .

Dormir en Van en Catalogne 

🌿 Cadaqués : comme mentionné précédemment nous avons passé la nuit sur le parking gratuit de la Platja de s’Alqueria. Sur park4night il est indiqué comme un parking jour uniquement, mais nous étions environ 6 fourgons et n’avons eu aucun problème pour la nuit. Ne soyez pas surpris si aux alentours de 21h vous recevez la visite d’une famille de sangliers. Ils viennent tous les soirs et sont inoffensifs.

🏕 À Calella de Palafrugell, le camping Kim’s est un bon point de chute pour visiter l’ancien village de pêcheurs. Le camping dispose de deux types d’emplacements, les emplacements traditionnels et des emplacements plus “nature” en terrasse entre les pins. Même pas l’impression d’être au camping !

🏘 Dans le Parc Naturel de la Zone Volcanique de la Garrotxa nous avons dormi chez Albert et sa petite famille . À deux pas d’Olot, ils nous ont chaleureusement accueilli dans leur ferme au cœur de la nature. L’endroit idéal pour se ressourcer tout en étant à seulement une vingtaine de minutes des points d’intérêts. On a pu profiter d’une cuisine, d’une salle de bain, de sa grande terrasse avec hamac, des légumes de son jardin, et de son ensemble jacuzzi / sauna qu’il a aménagé (avec supplément). Cette expérience est possible grâce à HomeCamper , une plateforme que l’on a découvert récemment qui permet aux particuliers de mettre un bout de leur jardin à disposition des campeurs.

Dormir en Van en Aragon

🚐 Montfalco : le parking de l’Auberge de Montfalcó est idéal pour se poser en van et pouvoir partir tôt pour la randonnée des passerelles.

🏕 Alquézar : le camping municipal en bas du village fait parfaitement l’affaire pour découvrir le parc naturel de la Sierra et des canyons de Guara. Gros plus pour le Nord de l’Espagne au mois de juillet : il y a une piscine !

🏰 Loarre : pour une vue imprenable sur la forteresse de Loarre rien de mieux que de dormir au pied du château. Le parking est aménagé avec des poubelles et les toilettes du site sont disponibles aux heures d’ouverture.

Nous aurions dû poursuivre encore quelques jours notre road-trip dans le Nord de l’Espagne mais un rendez-vous administratif sur Paris, pour un PVT au Canada (qui s’annonce grandiose 😍) nous a obligé à écourter le périple. Parmi les autres joyaux de l’Aragon nous avions prévu de découvrir le désert de Monegros ou encore Saragosse. Puis de poursuivre en Navarre. Ce sera pour une prochaine fois ! 

Avez-vous déjà fait un road-trip dans le Nord de l’Espagne ? Quels ont été vos incontournables ? 🇪🇸

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5 commentaires sur “ road-trip en van dans le nord de l’espagne entre catalogne et aragon  ”.

Bonjour, Nous avons pour projet de visiter l’Espagne en van l’été prochain avec nos 2 enfants de 12 et 9 ans, sur 2 semaines. Votre itinéraire et vos explications nous attirent énormément !! Petite question, êtes-vous allés jusqu’à Barcelone ? Cette ville fait partie de notre projet, à la demande de notre fils 😉 Merci d’avance !!

J’aime Aimé par 1 personne

Bonjour, merci pour votre commentaire ! On ne pourra pas vous aider car Barcelone n’a pas fait partie de notre itinéraire en van. Nous avons essayé d’éviter les trop grosses villes. On vous souhaite une belle découverte du nord de l’Espagne 🇪🇸

J’aime J’aime

Merci pour les infos sympas, elles nous ont été bien utiles pour notre voyage!

Ravis d’apprendre que notre itinéraire vous a aidé à préparer votre voyage 🙂

• Ping: 2 randonnées incontournables en Aragon : les Passerelles de Montfalco et la Muraille de Finestras – Le temps d'un week-end | Blog voyage et vanlife en France et en Europe

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Aragón Travel Guide

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Politically and historically Aragón has close links with Catalunya, with which it formed a powerful alliance in medieval times, exerting influence over the Mediterranean as far away as Athens. Locked in on all sides by mountains, it has always had its own identity, with traditional fueros like the Basques and a written Aragonese language existing alongside Castilian. The modern autonomía – containing the provinces of Zaragoza, Teruel and Huesca – is well out of the Spanish political mainstream, especially in the rural south, where Teruel is the least populated region in Spain. Coming from Catalunya or the Basque Country, you’ll find the Aragonese pace in general noticeably slower.

Aragonese cuisine

Zaragoza, teruel and southern aragón.

It is the Pyrenees that draw most visitors to Aragón, with their sculpted valleys, stone-built farming villages and excellent trekking. Some valleys have been built up with expensive ski resorts, but they still reveal the stunning wilderness of the Parque Nacional de Ordesa and the Parque Natural de Posets-Maladeta, with their panoply of canyons, waterfalls and peaks. Aragón’s Pyrenean towns are also renowned for their sacred architecture; Jaca has one of the country’s oldest Romanesque cathedrals.

The most interesting monuments of central and southern Aragón are, by contrast, Mudéjar: a series of churches, towers and mansions built by Muslim workers in the early decades of Christian rule, which have been on UNESCO’s World Heritage list since 2001. In addition to its absorbing Roman remains, Zaragoza, the Aragonese capital and the only place of any real size, sets the tone with its remarkable Aljafería palace. Other examples are to be found in a string of smaller towns, in particular Tarazona, Calatayud and – above all – the southern provincial capital of Teruel.

In southern Aragón, the captivating walled village of Albarracín is incredibly picturesque, while to the east lies the isolated region encompassing the Sierra de Gúdar and El Maestrazgo, a rugged countryside stamped with dark peaks and gorges.

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Aragonese cuisine in many ways reflects the region: rugged, hearty, traditional. In a word: meat. Popular dishes include roast lamb (ternasco, derived from the word tierno, or tender); plump coils of pork sausages, such as longaniza; and, of course, ham, particularly from Teruel, whose dry but cold winds create an ideal climate for curing. The region is also known for its stews, such as chilindrón, which gets its name from the heavy pot in which it’s cooked. Multiple varieties exist – the traditional version is a fragrant mix of bell peppers, chicken and cured ham. Migas (“breadcrumbs”), based on day-old bread cooked with garlic, peppers and other ingredients, is a popular dish throughout central Spain; the Aragón recipe calls for sausage and grapes. As for fish, fresh river trout from the Pyrenees often appears on menus, while sweets include the region’s famous frutas de Aragón: candied fruits covered in chocolate. Aragón also has several wine-growing regions, including Somontano, Campo de Borja, Cariñena and Calatayud.

Benasque and around

East of Bielsa lies the small town of Benasque, spectacularly set in the spacious green Ésera valley and ringed by rocky mountains. Much of the surrounding area is protected as the Parque Natural Posets-Maladeta, and numerous trails snake through the valleys and up the mountains. A lively crossroads, the town of Benasque itself is hardly untouched – it’s often crammed with adventure-seeking tourists in high season – but this also means that it has plenty of outdoor sports services and tours, mountaineer-friendly accommodation and decently priced restaurants where you can refuel over robust meals.

Benasque is especially popular with avid climbers and trekkers who wish to ascend the Pyrenees’ highest peaks, Aneto (3404m) and Posets (3371m). To do this you’ll need all the proper equipment: crampons, ice-axe, rope and a helmet to guard against falling rocks. If you’re less experienced, your best bet is to go on a trek with one of the many operators in town. Either way, the tourist office is well equipped with maps and can update you on weather and trail conditions. As for snow sports, there’s a popular ski hub in the area at Cerler.

Hikes around Benasque

Benasque falls more or less in the middle of the trans-Pyrenean GR11 trail, making the town a popular resting spot for hikers, whether for one or more nights. One of the best ways of exploring the surrounding wilderness is to use the many refuges dotted around Benasque as your base.

One of the more popular treks is northwest of Benasque, along the Estós valley to the Refugio de Estós, a three-hour trek. You can then continue over the Puerto de Gistaín to the Refugio de Viadós, which takes another 5 hours. Viadós is a base for treks up Posets, but again, this is a serious undertaking, and you’ll need all the proper equipment to do this climb.

An alternative to this route (though best if you’re in tip-top shape, because it can be challenging) is northwest up the Eriste valley, 4km southwest of Benasque, and then over the Collado de Eriste before descending to Viadós. Along this route, you can stop at the Refugio Ángel Órus.

North of Benasque lies the lush Upper Esera valley and massive Maladeta massif. A small hub is La Besurta, about 16km northeast of Benasque (and linked by buses in summer), which has parking and a small hut/bar with food and supplies (summer only) and is a gateway to hikes in the area. A good base is Hotel-Spa Hospital de Benasque, about 3km before you reach La Besurta. In the summer, buses connect Benasque to La Besurta (€11 round trip) and also to Valle de Vallibierna and the Refugio Pescadores, 11km northwest of Benasque.

Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido

The best of Aragón’s natural wonders all seem to converge with climactic glory in the Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido. Presiding over the park’s greenery is the Monte Perdido (Lost Mountain) range, the largest limestone chain in Western Europe. Verdant valleys blanketed in beech, fir and pine cut through the terrain, and clear blue streams and gushing waterfalls keep the fields fertile. After the snow melts, honeysuckle, primroses and irises bloom in rocky crevices and on sun-speckled slopes. As for wildlife, the park is teeming with it: Egyptian vultures and golden eagles soar overhead; Pyrenean chamois scamper up hillsides; and trout dart through ice-cold streams.

Many of the deep valleys were created by massive glaciers, at the heads of which are cirques: basins shaped roughly like an amphitheatre with steep walls of rock. Elsewhere, tiny alpine villages, with stone houses crowned with sandstone-tile roofs and conical chimneys, dot the mountainsides and make for pleasant stops along the many routes that meander through the park. The park is divided roughly into three main sections: Ordesa (to the west), Añisclo (to the south) and Escuaín (to the east). The chief town of Torla, 3km south of the park’s southwest border, is one of the more popular gateways, from where trails lead into the park.

Hikes in the park

The park offers a wide range of hikes, from half-day ambles to multi-day treks, all of which take you past natural wonders, including crashing waterfalls, gaping canyons and bright-green valleys. You can access the park on foot from Torla on the well-marked GR15 path from town, which eventually links up with the GR11, a right fork of which goes to Pradera de Ordesa, entrance to the Cañón de Ordesa and the starting point for most of the popular hikes further into the park. The whole trek from Torla to Pradera takes about two hours.

Circo de Soaso

The Circo de Soaso trek is one of the park’s main crowd-pleasers – and for good reason. It offers a lovely overview of the park’s natural highlights – gorgeous greenery, tumbling waterfalls – but is not too challenging, and it can be completed in a day. From Pradera de Ordesa the route leads through forest, followed by a steep climb up the Senda de los Cazadores (Hunters’ Path), which then flattens out as the Faja de Pelay path to the beautiful Cola de Caballo (Horsetail Waterfall). The journey takes about three to four hours (around 6–7hr roundtrip).

Circo de Cotatuero

This trek also has a lovely waterfall as a reward, and takes you along the northern crest of the impressive Valle de Ordesa. The full round-trip hike takes about 5 to 6 hours. Park officials warn that the hike should only be done in the summer or early autumn; in the winter and spring, there is the risk of avalanches. From Pradera de Ordesa, the hike starts steeply and eventually leads to a lookout point below the thundering Cascada de Cotatuero (for an onward route from the Cascada, see Brecha de Rolando). To return from the Cascada, head downhill and then continue on the Cotatuero circo back to the Pradera de Ordesa.

Refugio Góriz and Monte Perdido

From Pradera de Ordesa, trek along the GR11 to Circo de Soaso (about 3hr) and then up to the Refugio Góriz (2169m), the traditional jumping-off point to climb Monte Perdido (3355m). The trek up Monte Perdido (about 5hr) requires intermediate mountaineering skills, crampons and other professional equipment.

Brecha de Rolando and Refuge des Sarradets

If you have a head for heights, try this memorable onward route from the Cascada de Cotatuero: from the waterfalls, on the Cotatuero cirque, you can climb, via a series of iron pegs in a wall, the Clavijas de Cotatuero. Note that you don’t need any special climbing equipment but you should be fit and have the aforementioned affinity for heights. Once you’ve done the climb, it’s about a two- to three-hour trek to the Brecha de Rolando, a large natural gap in the Cirque de Gavarnie on the French border. From the Brecha, it’s then a steep climb (about 500m) to the Refuge des Sarradets (2587m;), across the border in France.

Parc National des Pyrénées and Gavarnie village

The northern section of the park is adjacent to France’s Parc National des Pyrénées, which in total runs for about 100km along the Spain–France border. The French side offers more of the same wild Pyrenean landscape, and a popular trek with hikers is to cross northwest into the French park and on to the pretty village of Gavarnie. Many will do this hike over the course of a couple of days. From Torla, hike along the GR15.2 to Puente de los Navarros and then continue on the GR11 to San Nicolás de Bujaruelo (roughly 7km from Torla), which is marked by a medieval bridge. Here you’ll find the Refugio Valle de Bujaruelo. From the San Nicolás bridge, you can trek over mountains and into France and Garvarnie – about a six- to eight-hour hike.

The busy industrial town of Jaca is one of the main crossroads and transport hubs of northern Aragón, and first impressions are not great. Venture into the city centre, however, and you’ll find a bevy of sights that powerfully evoke the town’s long history, including a magnificent cathedral. Extending south of the cathedral is Jaca’s casco antiguo (old town), which includes atmospheric little plazas and streets, and the fifteenth-century Torre de Reloj.

Jaca was founded by the Romans and then conquered by the Moors in the early eighth century. Later in the century, it was won back by the Christians in a victory that’s celebrated annually on the first Friday in May. In an interesting twist, the Moorish armies were driven back thanks to an immense – and brave – effort by the town’s women, and the festival includes a parade that pays homage to these brave Jaca ladies. In the eleventh century, Jaca became the first capital of the Aragón kingdom, though by the end of the century the power had shifted to Huesca.

Jaca makes for a good jumping-off point for outdoor adventure in the Pyrenees, including skiing at Astún and Candanchu, just 30km away. During the Festival Folklórico de los Pirineos (w jaca.es/festival ), held in early August every odd-numbered year, people stream in from all over the Pyrenees to show off their cultural traditions with religious dances, performances and food. Also in August, over a two-week period, is the annual Festival Internacional en el Camino de Santiago (wfestivalcaminosantiago.com), featuring religious and classical music concerts at different venues, including the famous cathedral, as well as a medieval market in the city centre.

Hit the slopes in Aragón

Skiing in the Aragon Pyrenees matches that of Catalunya and, increasingly, of France. Overall, the ski resorts are well maintained and cater to all levels, from downhill daredevils to wobbly first-timers. Note that, as in the Catalan Pyrenees, some of the best discounts are via pre-trip package deals offered by hotels, agencies or the resorts themselves. But even if you don’t book a package ahead of time, you can often find on-site deals once you’ve arrived, offered by the turismos as well as the hotels and the resorts.

In the west are Candanchú (w candanchu.com ), with a well-known ski school, and Astún (w astun.com ), which lies just 4km away, and has a wide range of pistes, including plenty for beginners. The main hub for accommodation and the like is Jaca. Partly funded by the Aragón government, the Aramón group (waramon.com) now manages a group of formerly independently run ski resorts. Of these, Formigal is one of the larger, with 93 runs and 21 lifts, and caters to all levels. Panticosa is smaller but also less crowded, as daily numbers are limited to 3500 people per day. In the Pyrenees’ easternmost section, sleek Cerler attracts seasoned skiers, with several ski centres totalling about 52km, altitudes up to 2630m, 61 runs and 18 lifts. Cerler also offers equipment rental and ski and snowboard schools. Benasque is a popular hub for Cerler, with a decent array of accommodation.

San Juan de la Peña

The Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña, set amid protected natural parkland 21km south of Jaca, is one of the most stunning sacred buildings in Aragón, if not in Spain. Tucked protectively under the overhang of a massive boulder, it’s built right into a rocky mountain: from certain angles, it’s hard to tell where man-made structure ends and nature begins. Dating from the ninth century, the monastery is named after a hermit who lived in solitude atop the towering cliff (peña). The monastery features a Romanesque church with twelfth-century murals and the Gothic San Victorián chapel, but the real standout is the elegant twelfth-century cloister, shaded by the bulging rock face that looms over it. The cloister has ornate capitals, some fully ringed by saints and apostles, depicting different scenes from the Bible.

In 1675, a fire in the monastery forced the monks to leave and build a newer one, which sits further up the hill. The Monasterio Nuevo (same hours as old monastery) features a helpful visitors’ centre and two interpretation centres, which chronicle the history of the monastery and the eventful lives of the Aragón’s kings and queens.

The city of Zaragoza houses nearly half of Aragón’s 1.5 million population, and most of its industry. It’s a big but enjoyable place, with a lively zone of bars and restaurants tucked in among remarkable monuments, and it’s a handy transport nexus, too, for both Aragón and beyond. Its province includes the Mudéjar towns of Tarazona, Calatayud and Daroca, and, along the border with Navarra, the old Cinco Villas, a series of lovely mountain villages, of which the most interesting is Sos del Rey Católico. Wine enthusiasts can also follow the Ruta de los Vinos, south from Zaragoza through Cariñena to Daroca.

Teruel province is a lot more remote, and even the capital doesn’t see too many passing visitors. It is unjustly neglected, considering its superb Mudéjar monuments, and if you have transport of your own, there are some wonderful rural routes to explore: especially west, through Albarracín to Cuenca, or south to Valencia. The valleys and villages of the Sierra de Gúdar and El Maestrazgo, which borders Valencia province, are the most remote of the lot: a region largely untouched by tourism, and where transport of your own is a big help.

Book tickets and tours for Zaragoza

Tarazona and around

The Aragonese plains are dotted with reminders of the Moorish occupation, and nowhere more so than at TARAZONA, a wonderfully atmospheric old town loaded with Mudéjar architecture. If you’re en route to Soria or Burgos, it’s an ideal place to break the journey. Don’t miss out, either, on the tranquil Cistercian monastery of Veruela, 15km southeast.

Tarazona’s most absorbing sights lie in the old upper town, incorporating the Judería and Morería (Jewish and Moorish quarters, respectively), which stands on a hill overlooking the river, with medieval houses and mansions lining the callejas and pasadizos – the lanes and alleyways.

If you’re around for the fiesta on August 27, watch out for “El Cipotegato”, a luckless character dressed in jester-like red, green and yellow stripy pyjamas who runs through the streets while everyone pelts him with tomatoes. He kicks off the town’s annual week-long festivities, during which there are street parties, live music and bullfights.

Like Tarazona, Calatayud is a town of Moorish foundation with some stunning Mudéjar towers. It’s worth climbing up to the old upper town where, amid a maze of alleys, stand the church of San Andrés (generally closed; enquire at turismo) and Colegiata de Santa María (closed for renovations) both of which have ornate Mudéjar towers. Santa María, the collegiate church, also has a beautifully decorative Plateresque doorway, while towards the river, at c/Valentín Gómez 3, San Juan el Real (daily 10am–1pm & 4–8pm; free) features paintings attributed to the young Goya. The ruins of a Moorish castle (open access; free) survive on high ground at the opposite end of town from the train station. The views from here are lovely, and you can walk around the evocative ruins and parts of the city wall.

Sierra de Gúdar

The mountains of the Sierra de Gúdar and nearby El Maestrazgo, to the east and northeast of Teruel, are an area of great variety and striking, often wild, beauty, with severe peaks, deep gorges and lush meadows. One hundred years ago, this now impoverished region had four times the number of inhabitants it does today. Defeated in their attempts to make a living from agriculture, many left to seek their fortunes in the cities, leaving behind the crumbling remains of once grand, honey-hued farmhouses that dot the landscape and stone-walled terraces etched into the steep-sided hills.

A landscape of sharp, rocky crags, Sierra de Gúdar is easy to access by following the N234 southeast from Teruel and then heading northeast into the mountains along the A232. This will bring you to the lovely medieval villages of Mora de Rubielos, 42km from Teruel, and its even lovelier twin, Rubielos de Mora. Head north from here for Linares de Mora and Mosqueruela, also charming and remote mountain villages.

ALBARRACÍN, 37km west of Teruel, is one of the more accessible targets in rural southern Aragón – and also one of the most picturesque towns in the province, poised above the Río Guadalaviar and retaining, virtually intact, its medieval streets and tall, balconied houses. There’s a historical curiosity here, too, in that from 1165 to 1333, the town formed the centre of a small independent state, the kingdom of the Azagras.

Despite its growing appeal as a tourist destination, Albarracín’s dark, enclosed lanes and ancient buildings adorned with splendid coats of arms still make for an intriguing wander – reminders of past eras. Approaching from Teruel, you may imagine that you’re about to come upon a large town, for the medieval walls swoop back over the hillside – protecting, with the loop of the river, a far greater area than the extent of the town, past or present.

The provincial capital of TERUEL offers an appealing glimpse into this rugged and sparsely populated wedge of Aragón. Because it’s often overlooked, the region came up with the playful slogan “Teruel existe” (“Teruel exists”). If you’re looking for remote, you’re in the right region, with its back-of-beyond villages and medieval sights that haven’t been prettified. The land, too, is high and harsh, with the coldest winters in the country.

Teruel the town is a likeable and impressively monumental place, with some of the finest Mudéjar work in Spain. Like Zaragoza, it was an important Moorish city and retained significant Muslim and Jewish communities after its Reconquest by Alfonso II in 1171. As you approach town, the Mudéjar towers, built by Moorish craftsmen over three centuries, are immediately apparent, and – like the fabulous Mudéjar ceiling in the cathedral – should not be missed.

The centro histórico, on a hill above the Río Turia, has Plaza del Torico at its heart, and is enclosed by a few remains of fortified walls, with a viaduct linking it to the modern quarter to the south. Leading off to the north is a sixteenth-century aqueduct, Los Arcos, a slender and elegant piece of monumental engineering.

Southern Maestrazgo

Unfolding northeast of Teruel, the Maestrazgo is dry, windswept, rugged terrain dominated (and named after) the Maestrazgo mountain range. In keeping with the rest of the region, the Maestrazgo is sparsely populated and often seems stuck in time, particularly if you wander the quiet, cobbled streets of its ancient mountain villages. Approaching the region from Teruel, you pass nearby Cedrillas with its conspicuous, ridge-top castle ruin. From here the road starts climbing into the hills, scaling high mountain passes and affording tantalizing views of the valleys. The first village of any size is Cantavieja, which makes a useful base for exploring – or walking in – the region, while to the southeast lies the fairly well-preserved La Iglesuela del Cid.

The Cinco Villas

North of Zaragoza, the Cinco Villas stretch for some 90km along the border with Navarra and comprise Tauste, Ejea de los Caballeros, Sádaba, Uncastillo and Sos del Rey Católico, all set in delightful, scarcely visited countryside. The title of Cinco Villas is owed to Felipe V, who awarded it for their services in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–14). For those en route to the Pyrenees (the road past Sos continues to Roncal in Navarra) or to Pamplona, the Cinco Villas make a pleasant stopoff. Sos, the most interesting of the five, attracts the majority of visitors.

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{Espagne} Notre road trip en Navarre et en Aragon

Début Juillet, nous sommes partis en Road Trip en Espagne avec mes grands-parents. Pendant ces 5 jours de vacances, nous avons découvert la Navarre et l’Aragon.

Les étapes de notre Road Trip en Espagne

Dans cet article, je vais vous présenter brièvement chaque étape de ce road-trip. Je reprendrais les plus intéressantes dans des articles séparés, ultérieurement.

• Le Parc’Ours à Borce

Le premier jour, nous sommes partis de Pau en direction des Pyrénées et nous nous sommes arrêtés pour notre première étape : nous avons visité le Parc’Ours à Borce dans la Vallée d’Aspe. Ce parc présente la faune sauvage de nos montagnes et les animaux domestiques sur 7 hectares de manière très pédagogique et via à une promenade de 2h.

Ce parc avait été initialement construit suite à la découvert de Jojo, un ourson pyrénéen trouvé par des enfants de la ville de Borce, en 1971. Actuellement, nous pouvons voir plusieurs ours dans le parc.

• Le Palais Royal de Olite

Ensuite, nous avons traversé les Pyrénées par le tunnel du Somport qui fait plus de 8,6 km de long. En fin de journée, nous sommes arrivés à Olite où nous avons visité le magnifique Palais Royal dont la construction a commencé au 15ème siècle.

• Bardenas Reales

Le lendemain, nous avons été voir les Bardenas Reales. Les Bardenas Reales offrent des paysages magnifiques avec des plaines et des canyons aux formes étranges !

• Les cigognes à Alfaro

Ensuite, nous avons repris la route en direction de Alfaro où nous avons pu observer des centaines de cigognes sur les toits de l’église San Miguel.

Alfaro est réputée pour accueillir chaque année, de décembre à août, la plus grande colonie de cigognes blanches au monde, qui viennent nicher et se reproduire dans cette ville.

Le soir, nous avons dormi à Nuévalos , une charmante petite ville située à quelques kilomètres de notre étape du lendemain.

• Le Monastère de Piedra

Le lendemain, nous avons donc été visiter le Monastère de Piedra . Le parc de ce monastère est majestueux avec toutes ces immenses cascades !

• Le château de Loarre

En fin d’après midi, après 2h30 de route, nous avons visité le château de Loarre. Ce château a été construit au 11ème siècle et est la forteresse romane la plus important du Haut Aragon et d’Espagne.

• Mallos de Riglos

Le lendemain, nous avons été admirer les Mallos de Riglos . Ces murs coniques hauts de près de 300 mètres sont très impressionnants. Nous avons passé du temps à regarder les courageux grimpeurs escalader l’aiguille !

Le lendemain, avant de rentrer en France par le col du Pourtalet, nous avons été visiter la petite ville de Bolea ainsi que la Collégiale de Santa María la Mayor.

L’itinéraire de notre Road-Trip en Espagne

Chaque nuit, nous avons dormi dans de charmants hôtels espagnols et avons énormément apprécié l’ambiance et les repas proposés.

Notre prochain road-trip en Espagne se fera probablement sur la côte littorale, la Costa Dorada, avec la location d’appartements à Salou !

Allez-vous faire des road-trips cet été ? Où ?

Mots clés qui ont permis aux internautes de trouver cet article :

• road trip aragon
• blog voyage aragon
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• navarre et aragon
• raod trip offroad espagne
• blog navarre
• blog voyage en aragon
• https://www les-aventures-de-la-famille-bourg com/2017/07/espagne-notre-road-trip-en-navarre-et-en-aragon/
• image aragon espagne
• navarre aragon

Expatriée depuis Octobre 2013 avec mon mari et nos 2 filles en Californie, je partage sur ce blog nos aventures, nos découvertes, notre vie d'expatriés, nos voyages ainsi nos bons plans. Cela me permet d'allier mes passions : le voyage, l'écriture et le web !

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Très beau road trip ! De tous les sites je connaissais les Bardenas Reales. Cet endroit rappelle un peu certains paysages américains. Bonne route pour la suite.

Bonjour Très sympa votre voyage. Nous avons aussi fait un raod trip en Espagne et au Portugal sur un séjour de 6 semaines en minibus aménagé, à 4 personnes. Nous avons réalisé une carte qui recense des lieux généralement gratuits, à visiter. On la partage : https://sites.google.com/view/curieuxdedecouvertes/accueil

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The Ultimate Zaragoza Travel Guide! Everything You Need To Know!

Categories Europe , Spain

I loved Zaragoza after my first visit , and I love it even more after my second visit. This lesser-known Spanish City is a complete gem and great for a long weekend trip on its own or as part of a bigger trip around Spain. The big Spanish Cities of Madrid and Barcelona are good to visit but if you want to visit a friendly Spanish City, with plenty of things to do, experience the local life and culture, Zaragoza is the perfect option.

Here is my Zaragoza City Guide and Zaragoza Travel Guide with everything you need to know to help plan your trip to Zaragoza!

Zaragoza Travel Guide

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Where is Zaragoza?

Zaragoza is in the Northern part of Spain in the Aragon region and it’s the 5th biggest city in Spain.

Why visit Zaragoza?

It’s a lesser-known Spanish City which means it’s not overrun by tourists but it still caters well to visitors and tourists because there are plenty of things to do in Zaragoza .

It’s small enough to see in just a few days but if you wanted to stay for longer there are plenty of things to do and it’s easy to get around. Zaragoza is home to an array of museums, important religious sites , a large number of beautiful Renaissance buildings. In addition to this, the food and wine scene is incredible, plus the people of Zaragoza are extremely friendly and hospitable.

Zaragoza is perfect to visit as a Spanish City Break on its own but also as part of a longer Spain itinerary .

Another great reason to visit Zaragoza is because of all the festivals and events they have on throughout the year. There seems to be a big event each month so it’s likely your visit will coincide with one of the cultural and fun events. The biggest event in the calendar is festival Fiestas del Pilar held every October for 10 days (more information on that below)!

How to get to Zaragoza?

Zaragoza by air.

Zaragoza’s airport is just a 15-minute taxi ride from the centre of the City so it means you can start your City Break quickly after landing.

From the UK there are direct flights to and from London Stansted a few times a week. There are regular, direct flights to and from many cities in Spain, and they have also fly to and from popular Cities in Europe like Paris, Brussels, Milan.

Search for flights to and from Zaragoza on Skyscanner here.

Zaragoza By Train

Alternatively, if you cannot get a direct flight, due to Zaragoza being in the middle of Barcelona and Madrid , you can fly into one of these airports and get a fast train right into the City.

Trains from Barcelona to Zaragoza can take as little as 1hr 23 minutes and trains from Madrid to Zaragoza can take as little as 1hr 15 minutes.

There are also fast trains from the South of France and other places in nearby Europe so definitely don’t think that flying is the only way to get to Zaragoza!

Best time of year to go to Zaragoza?

Zaragoza benefits from a long Spanish Summer. I visited in June on my first trip which was very hot, nearly 40c late in the day. On my second trip, I visited in the middle of September and the temperature was still reaching 30c late in the day.

Zaragoza has a big festival in October called Festival del Pilar and it’s known that after this the weather does start getting quite chilly and Winter arrives. I have heard that the wind in Zaragoza in the Winter is particularly cold due to the City being located in a valley. You may be pleased to hear that rain is pretty uncommon in Zaragoza all year round.

In terms of whether I would say the best time of year to visit Zaragoza is in Spring – April & May, and Autumn – September & October if you want to miss the sizzling heat of the Summer and the chilly wind of the Winter. But as long as you pack correctly , there’s not really a bad time to visit Zaragoza.

In terms of festivities, as I said their big annual  festival of Fiestas del Pilar is on for 10 days throughout October so if you’re flexible with when you visit Zaragoza, I would recommend visiting in October to experience it!

In October for Festival del Pilar the City literally turns into a festival, there are parades and performances with lots of colour and happiness. The grand act of the festival is the Flower Offering Day on 12th October where the Patroness of the Hispanic world comes out onto the street, specifically into the Plaza (the huge Plaza del Pilar can be seen in the photo below) where citizens in regional dress place between 6 to 8 million flowers at her feet!

The flower offering has been happening each year since 1958 although the festival originates a lot further back than that. As you can imagine, October is a great time to visit Zaragoza if you want to experience a real local, Spanish Cultural event and atmosphere!

• More Zaragoza Posts:
• 50 Things to do in Zaragoza!
• 2 Day Zaragoza itinerary!

Where to stay in Zaragoza?

Hotels in zaragoza.

The quality of hotels in Zaragoza are really good and they benefit from being reasonable and competitive prices, especially compared to other cities in Spain. A double room in a well-located, decent hotel can start from €40.00 a night in Zaragoza, and prices for a 5* Hotel can start from €80.00 a night, from what I have seen on Booking.com .

I stayed at 2 of the Palafox Hotels on my recent trip to Zaragoza. Palafox is a chain with 5 hotels in Zaragoza and 1 in Cadiz, and they must be the best hotels in Zaragoza because they were both luxurious, modern, comfy, well located and had the best breakfasts!

I stayed at the Hotel Reina Petronila on my first night in Zaragoza and the moved to Hotel Alfonso .

Hotel Reina Petronila is not in the centre of historic Zaragoza and is instead located in the new cultural and administrative centre of the city. It’s well-connected to the historic centre and the university area of the city via tram and its design is its biggest attraction. Every inch of the hotel from the outside to the inside, to the spa on the 11th floor, has been beautifully designed in a sleek but comfortable way.

Hotel Alfonso is right in the middle of the historic centre of Zaragoza and I don’t think there is a better location to be in! It’s located at the top of Alfonso Street which is the main shopping street that leads all the way down to the impressive Basilica del Pilar. The suites have their own private terrace’s with sun loungers as well as plenty of space inside of the rooms, and if you don’t opt for a suite you still have access to the rooftop pool and sun loungers which provide incredible views of the city.  In my opinion, having this roof pool and terrace area really adds to a city break in Zaragoza!

Another good hotel in Zaragoza is Hotel Sauce , it’s also well located in the historic centre and well priced. It’s a smaller, family-run hotel with an extra friendly and cosy feel to it.

For a hotel that is brilliantly located, right in the centre of the historic city but has really low and competitive rates, have a look at Hotel Pilar Plaza .

For more hotel options in Zaragoza check out what Booking.com has to offer. I use this site to book nearly all of my accommodation thanks to the endless choices and flexible paying options.

Hostels in Zaragoza

If you are on a budget or want a hostel vibe, Zaragoza does have a number of hostels around the city. Have a look at Hostels on Hostelworld.com here .

Where to eat in Zaragoza?

Zaragoza is known for its gastronomy so whether you’re wanting Tapas or a 3 Course meal, you’ll be sure to get some really good food in Zaragoza.

Here are the top places to eat in Zaragoza from my experience and where I have been:

I had a wonderful meal at Casa Lac which consisted of various courses, this restaurant is a bit of an institution in Zaragoza and many important dinners and lunches are held here. There are 2 dining possibilities, downstairs is a fairly relaxed bar and restaurant area where you can choose from a range of tapas dishes, and upstairs is more of a fine dining experience for a set price. Either way, the food is incredible from here and the staff are very friendly and helpful to.

Based in Plaza San Felipe you may mistake it for a deli if you didn’t know it was a restaurant but it has inside and outside seating in the Plaza and serves an array of Spanish dishes. It’s another restaurant that is very popular with locals too!

Spanish Website. English Translation.

La Clandestina Cafe

If you’re looking for a good brunch spot in Zaragoza, La Clandestine is it. It’s open all day serving lunch and dinner but it seems to be a popular place for brunch and I can see why as it’s very trendy. They offer a brunch package as well as being able to order individual options. If you do want to go here for brunch I would recommend booking in advance.

Facebook Page.

Puerta Cinegia Gastronomica

This is an indoor food market and it’s great. Around the edges of the room are many stalls, most of which are from restaurants in the city and in the middle area are tables, chairs and a bar. It’s a great way to view all your options before making a decision and see food in real life rather than choosing from a menu (this place is good if your Spanish is bad as you can just look and point!).

Spanish Website . English Translation .

This is a  Vegetarian restaurant in Zaragoza and even if you’re not vegetarian I still really recommend you visit. They offer fresh, healthy but delicious food for a great price. The staff are friendly and it’s located in the student area of the city.

Doña Hipolita

For a cafe vibe for lunch or a coffee and cake, be sure to head to Doña Hipolita in Plaza San Felipe. There is seating inside and outside and the interior of the inside is really cool and colourful!

I haven’t eaten here but I passed by it whilst visiting the Sunday markets in Las Armas and really liked the look of it. It’s a bar and grill with mostly outdoor seating located. It’s really colourful with lots of street art and looks like a great place to eat in the Summer.

In addition to this, if you are Vegetarian or Vegan you’ll be pleased to know that Zaragoza has some great restaurant options, check out my Vegetarian and Vegan Guide to Zaragoza for more yummy options that I have not mentioned above!

Where to eat Tapas in Zaragoza?

The Tapas and Pintxos are great in Zaragoza and so is the Tapas scene in general so I wanted to create an extra section for this so you know where to get the best Tapas in Zaragoza. Thursdays are really popular for Tapas as well as the weekends and you’ll see lots of locals out enjoying drinks and food.

On Thursday evenings in the Juepincho area, a lot of the restaurants and bars have a €2.00 deal on which includes a small drink of water, beer or wine, plus 1 Tapas which I would really recommend checking out. The image below shows which establishments are part of it and where they are.

These are the places around the city I have visited for Tapas in Zaragoza and really love so be sure to visit a few of them on your trip to Zaragoza:

Casa Domino

El angel del pincho, la republicana.

Food tour in Zaragoza

If you would like to do a private food tour in Zaragoza, have a look at the below tours and options:

Where to drink in Zaragoza?

Zaragoza has a good number of bars and they are very popular and busy on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. What I love about the bars and about Zaragoza, in general, is that there are no ‘tourist’ places, the locals and tourists will eat and drink in the same places.

El Tubo is a good place to start and to visit for drinks in Zaragoza as it’s one of the main bar and restaurant areas of the city so you’ll be sure to find somewhere serving a good Cerveza. It’s interesting too as in the 90’s it was a no-go area and has only been cleared up fairly recently using an initiative started by the shop and bar owners in the area.

Another area that has been cleaned up recently is the Juepincho area. I’ve mentioned it above as a good place to visit for Tapas on a Thursday and it’s also a good place to visit for a drink too.

Things to do in Zaragoza?

Zaragoza has a lot to offer, it has many museums, churches, cathedrals and parks.

I wrote a list of 50 Things To Do in Zaragoza so be sure to check that out for an extensive list but my favourite, must-see and must do things in Zaragoza are:

Basilica del Pilar

The Basilica del Pilar is incredible! It’s absolutely huge and it’s very easy to appreciate from the outside. Going inside is a must-do though as it’s so grand and because it’s so big and has so much detail it takes a while to see it all. The inside also holds paintings from Goya, a famous painter from the Aragon region.

After you’ve been inside the Basilica del Pilar be sure to go up the tower to see it from the top and see panoramic views across the city.

Aljaferia Palace

Just slightly away from the historical centre is a palace. It does look more like a fort from the outside but once you get inside it’s clear that it’s a palace with a beautiful courtyard filled with Orange Trees. The origin of the palace is Muslim with the original tower dating back to the 9th century and the palace constructed in the 11th century.

Goya Museum

If there is just one museum you visit in Zaragoza I would make it the Goya Museum because the city, and a lot of what you see in the city will make more sense once you have visited and learned more about Goya. If like me, you don’t and didn’t know who Goya is, he is one of the most important painters in the world and it is said that he is the father of the modern movement. Locals are very proud that he is from the Aragon Region of which Zaragoza sits in Spain and therefore a huge amount of his art is in the city. 

For more ideas and recommendations on museums to visit in Zaragoza see my post – things to see and do in Zaragoza .

Mercado Central

A Central Market is the heart of a Spanish city and the one in Zaragoza is not to be missed. Constructed in 1903 in the same place that the 13th-century market was housed. It’s closed on Sundays but the rest of the week it’s bustling with stalls selling a range of foods!

Calle de Alfonso

I love this street because of the Basilica sat so prominently at the end, and the fact that it’s a calm, walking street so definitely take a walk down here when you’re in Zaragoza.

Parque Jose Antonio Labordeta

This Park is a 40-minute walk from the city or a short bus journey (I visited using the hop-on, hop-off bus which I would also recommend using), and it’s a great way to see a green area of the city. Not only that but the park holds the highest point in the city which you can walk up and see the park below and the city in the distance.

Zaragoza Street Art

You may be surprised to hear that Zaragoza has a lot of street art. This is mainly due to the fact that every year for many years there has been an Urban Street Art festival in Zaragoza called Festival Asalto. It’s held in different parts of the city each year and although some of the pieces only last a few weeks or months, others last a few years.

The area of El Gancho was home to the festival a few years ago so there is still a lot of street art around Las Armas which is pretty central. I went to the 2018 festival which was held out of the city in Oliver, although it’s still very accessible if you want to see it on your trip to Zaragoza too.

For more details on the festival and where you can see the street art, read my guide to Festival Asalto .

Sunday Market in Las Armas

If you are in Zaragoza on a Sunday morning be sure to visit the markets in Las Armas. It’s a fairly small market but there are plenty of local artisan stalls to look at and the vibe is very relaxed, friendly and local making for a great experience in Zaragoza.

And this Zaragoa City Guide and Zaragoza Travel Guide will cover your trip to Zaragoza!

• My Guide to Festival Asalto in Zaragoza
• Vegetarian and Vegan Places to Eat in Zaragoza

I visited Zaragoza with the Zaragoza Tourism board but all opinions and thoughts are my own. 

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Friday 31st of May 2019

I like the vibe of Zaragoza - not too big to be swamped by hordes of tourists and not too small that you’ll be bored after a couple of days.

TheWanderingQuinn

Yes I totally agree! Such a great city!

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The Spanish Pyrenees Road Trip: My Ultimate 4-Day Itinerary

Posted by Anna | Nov 7, 2022 | Aragon , My Favorite Trips , Nature in Spain , Pyrenees , Top Posts | 7

The Spanish Pyrenees road trip is still on the list of my favorite Spanish adventures ever . While this mountain region of Spain totally fits the bill for hikers, climbers, and ski lovers, most of the top local gems are easy to visit on a simple road trip, even if you are not a sports enthusiast. Let me share with you all the amazing places that made me fall in love with the Spanish Pyrenees!

• This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). For more info, please read  my disclosure . As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

The Spanish Pyrenees road trip

My trips to the pyrenees.

Despite our recent Mediterranean cruise , a unique trip to the lesser-known Soria , and a sunny weekend getaway in Murcia the highlight of this summer for me was definitely our Spanish Pyrenees road trip.

Let me warn you that in this beautiful region of Spain, you will find everything from otherworldly landscapes , epic hikes , and magical forests , to charming villages , dreamy castles , and even top national landmarks of Spain.

Therefore, the Spanish Pyrenes is one of the unique regions of the Iberian Peninsula that might keep one gravitating back all the time.

Ever since my last trips to Huesca , Andorra , and Baqueira , I dreamed of another mountain getaway, eager to live new adventures. Quick spoiler – this trip has ended up on my list of 2022 favorite travel experiences in Spain , so you can imagine how much I have enjoyed this Spanish Pyrenees itinerary myself.

About this Pyrenees Itinerary

The Spanish Pyrenees extend for more than 400 km across the Spain-France border and include 3 Spanish regions: Aragon , Navarre , and Catalonia . As this Spanish Pyrenees road trip was not my first time in the region (plus we only had 4 days to make the most of it), I decided to build up the Itinerary within the Aragon region only. To read more about the Pyrenees of Catalonia, check this other travel story of mine .

The Spanish Pyrenees of Aragon are formed by 5 main valleys – Valle del Cinca , Valle del Chistau, Valle de Ordesa, Valle de Añisclo, Valle del Ara , and Valle de Tena . Therefore, keep in mind that even exploring each valley fully is impossible within 4 days.

Also read: The Coolest Hikes in Valencia, Spain

Nevertheless, if you have less than a week for your Spanish Pyrenees Road Trip it is absolutely enough to fall in love with the region and cross off your Spain bucket list a few adventurous experiences . You just need to pick the few places you would like to visit the most and build an itinerary around them.

To get a quick glimpse of my Spanish Pyrenees Road Trip – check  Pyrenees Reel  and  Highlights  on IG. If you have more days for this trip – feel free to steal my 10-Day Pyrenees Itinerary , 7-Day Pyrenees road trip from Barcelona , Aragon road trip itinerary , Weekend in the Pyrenees of Catalonia , and Northern Spain Road Trip Itinerary – all can be easily combined with any Pyrenees itinerary.

Also, you can read more about my hiking essentials in this post .

Favorite hotels to stay

During my first visit to the Pyrenees, we stayed at Barceló Monasterio de Boltaña . It´s one of the best hotels with SPA in the Pyrenees, with spacious rooms and quite decent prices (considering the quality of the services). While exploring the Pyrenees of Catalonia we stayed at the budget-friendly  Apartamentos Chuandervera  in the small town of  Laspaules .

For this Pyrenees road trip we planned to do more hiking, so picked an apartment in Escalona (for some reason it´s not available on booking.com anymore).

You will find a few cute boutique hotels in Ainsa , one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Spain , like Alojamientos Ainsa Sanchez and Los Siete Reyes . I also love these hotels – Hotel Boutique Mediodía & Apartments , Casa Lascorz , and Casa de San Martín .

Books about the Pyrenees

If you are looking for more visual inspiration or historical/practical data on the Pyrenees region, there are a few books you might enjoy – Shorter Treks in the Pyrenees , Explore Pyrenees Like A Local  or Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees (focused on the French Pyrenees). Planning to read something about the Pyrenees on the road? – Check Footprints on the mountains , Boundaries , The Savage Frontier , Cruel Crossing , and If you only walk long enough .

Alternatively, you can pick something from the contemporary Spanish bestsellers or Wanderlust books .

If you know Spanish, check out: Pirineos. Mas allá de las montañas , Los Pirineos , Leyendas de brujas en el Pirineo fantástico , Pirineos: 50 joyas del arte románico , Pirineos : montaña sublime , 101 Lugares de los Pirineos sorprendentes .

Unique experiences to book in the Pyrenees

There are a few unique experience you can book in the Spanish Pyrenees in advance: Via Ferrata K3. Climbing Experience , Pyrenees Paragliding Experience , Ordesa National Park Guided Snowshoeing Tour , and Hot Air Balloon Ride and Breakfast over the Volcanoes of la Garrotxa .

Best places to visit on a Spanish Pyrenees road trip

Spanish pyrenees road trip – day 1.

For this trip, we rented an apartment in the small town of Escalona , which was close to all the places we planned to visit and had a good price/quality relationship.

Also read: 5 Epic Reasons to Visit the Spanish Pyrenees with Kids

As we were driving to the Spanish Pyrenees from Castellon – it took us around 4h 30 min to get to Escalona . Therefore, by leaving home early morning we literally had the whole afternoon to start exploring the mountains.

Cañon de Añisclo

After the check-in, our Spanish Pyrenees road trip started with a beautiful drive along the Añisclo Canyon to the parking Aparcamiento San Urbez . The local road HU-631 taking us there was so beautiful.

From Aparcamiento San Urbez you have a few hiking trail options. One of the easiest is Ruta por el Cañon de Añisclo , an easy 45-minute walk (2km) that made it to my lists of favorite hikes in Spain and Top Trails of The Pyrenees . During this route, even in the summer months, you’ll be hidden from the annoying heat by the spectacular local greenery. Along the way, you’ll encounter the remains of an ancient watermill  Molino de Aso , a waterfall, the cave-church  Ermita de San Urbez , and the Medieval bridge  Puente Medieval de San Urbez .

Also read: The Most Epic Cliffs in Spain

Prepared hikers have a few alternatives to make this route longer by taking another trail near  Ermita de San Urbez  towards the village of Sercué ,  La Ripareta , and  Fuen Blanca  (you might have up to 5-6 hours of walking one way).

For dinner, we headed to one of the most beautiful Spanish Medieval towns – Ainsa. While we previously visited Ainsa on our last trip to Huesca , this charming hilltop village was so close to our apartment in Escalona that we couldn’t miss a chance to wander along its cobblestone streets once again. However this time I honestly felt like it became way more touristy. From local sights make sure not to miss  La Plaza Mayor de Aínsa ,  Castillo de Aínsa , and  Iglesia de Santa María .

For some gorgeous views head to  Mirador Balcón de Aínsa  and  Mirador del Cinca .  B y the way, only 18 km from Ainsa there’s another epic panorama at  Castillo de Samitier .

Spanish Pyrenees road trip – Day 2

On our second day in the Spanish Pyrenees, we woke up early in the morning once again in order to drive to Canfranc and enjoy breakfast there. This small town is known for its iconic Canfranc Train Station (unfortunately it was closed due to the restoration works).

Also read: The Most Beautiful Gardens in Spain

The 241m-long Modernist building of Canfranc Train Station has 150 gates and nearly 350 windows. It was inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII in 1929. Back then it had a hotel, a casino, and a customs office all within one building. During World War II Canfranc Train Station was an important crossing point for the trade of gold and stolen artworks, as well as the Jewish refugees on the run.

After breakfast in Canfranc, we headed to the Astun Ski Station, where we took a lift upwards to enjoy the famous hiking trail Ruta de Los 7 Lagos de Astun  (also called  7 Ibones de Astun or Ruta de lagos de Ayous ). Even for the kids, it honestly became one of the highlights of our Spanish Pyrenees road trip.

What can be more mesmerizing than the crystal-clear glacier lakes with snow caps on the backdrop and no soul around? This route is one of the most epic Spanish hiking trails I have experienced so far. It begins at the Astun Ski Station and covers the 7 glacier lakes located in both Spain and France.

Also read: 10 Epic Hikes in Castellon You Can´t Miss

Aside from the jaw-dropping views, 7 Ibones de Astun route makes you cross the Spain-France border a few times in one single day. While this trail is often described as a great match for all types of public, personally, I consider it a slightly challenging one. Keep in mind that you will be walking at an altitude of 2100 m, which means less oxygen. While the trail is only 13,55 km long, this hike is for those in a good shape.

Nevertheless, if hiking is not the option for you – consider simply taking the lift towards the first lake  Ibon de Truchas , and walking around it. Also, you can easily reach the nearest lake Ibon de Escalar – till this point, the trail is very easy, but afterward, you´ll need to walk upwards to complete the trail of the 7 lakes of Astun.

Nevertheless, this stunning trail is still one of my favorite hikes in the Pyrenees .

In the afternoon/evening, we headed to Jaca. The initial plan was to visit the Museum of Military Miniatures in Ciudadela de Jaca . But they did not let us in 40 minutes before the closure: according to them, one needs at least 2 hours to see the museum. Actually, it´s not the first time I encounter this policy in Spain, but I still don’t get it. If I am willing to pay the entrance price and ready to leave before the closure, why is it their business how much time I spend inside?

Anyway, once in Jaca don’t miss Ciudadela de Jaca, San Pedro Cathedral , and San Miguel Bridge, all of which are worth visiting. Nearby the city of Jaca, you can visit Santa Cruz de la Seros (with its unique churches San Caprasio and Santa Maria ).

If you don´t plan to hike in Astun, keep in mind there are a few other interesting places nearby – the caves Cueva de las “Güixas” , Ecoparque El Juncaral , Fuerte de Rapitán . Another beautiful Pyrenees landmark to visit near Jaca is Real Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña , one of the most secret and beautiful monasteries in Spain .

Spanish Pyrenees road trip – Day 3

Ordesa y monte perdido national park.

On the 3rd day of our Spanish Pyrenees road trip, we planned a visit to one of the most beautiful national parks in Spain – Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. Its most iconic peak is called Monte Perdido (or “the lost mountain” in English). Also, it is the highest limestone massif in Europe.

Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes and hikes of the Pyrenees – T ozal de Mallo, La Cascada del Estrecho, Gradas de Soaso, Bosque de las Hayas, Cañon de Añisclo, Cola de Caballo , and Gargantas de Escuain .

Access to the park is restricted. Visitors leave their vehicles at the free Parking of the small town of Torla and then take a bus to the National Park. The bus leaves from the Visitors Center of Torla-Ordesa. You can check the bus fares and schedules here .

Also read: The Prettiest Flower Fields in Spain

Actually, I found this system very convenient and environment-friendly. On the road, we saw a few small deer crossing the road a few times, which would have been impossible with over-tourism and private cars driving on the road 24/7.

While the most famous hike of Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is probably Ruta Cola de Caballo , we have picked the lesser-known option – Ruta Circo   de   Cotatuero . While it had some elevation, we did not encounter almost anyone on the trail.

In the evening we headed to the small town of Boltaña and made a quick stop at Broto to see the waterfall Cascada de Sorrosal. While on our last trip to Huesca, we lived in a hotel nearby, I didn’t mind visiting Boltaña again, as this small town is so charming and quiet. So, it is always a great stop to wander around and enjoy local traditional architecture and cuisine.

Spanish Pyrenees road trip – Day 4

First thing in the morning on day 4 of our Spanish Pyrenees road trip, we headed to Panticosa, located in a local valley Valle de Tena .

Valle de Tena is undeniably one of the most beautiful places in the Spanish Pyrenees. Hikers can not miss Ibón de Espelunciecha , Ibón de Piedrafita , Vuelta al pantano de Lanuza , Paseo del camino de las Palizas , and also the amazing zip line Tirolina Valle Tena .

This time we only visited Ibon de Los Baños (also called Lake of Panticosa) and a waterfall Cascadas del Argualas . Although a local Panticosa Spa with its baths could be traced back to the times of the Roman Empire in Spain, this place disappeared during medieval times. Nevertheless, in the 19th century, it was opened to the rich and famous as a luxurious villa able to host 1500 people. Many Spanish historic characters like Niceto Alcala Zamora, Santiago Ramon y Cajal, Primo de Rivera , and others, were once spotted in Panticosa.

Also read: 10 Photos to Inspire You to Visit The Canary Islands

While The Panticosa Spa is still open nowadays, its reviews suggest the place needs restoration, even though it definitely preserves the signs of its past glory.

At Ibon de los Baños or the Lake of Pantiosa, you will find hiking trails (most of which will take you to the nearest mountain peaks) and waterfalls like Salto del Pino , Argualas , Salto de El Fraile . The most beautiful views of the area could be seen from Mirador de La Reina .

Tirolina Valle de Tena

The last experience of our Spanish Pyrenees road trip was Tirolina Valle Tena . It is the longest double zip line in Europe and the views are simply to die for. On their website , you can see how different the landscape is as the seasons of the year change.

I loved the experience of Tirolina Valle de Ten a so much. While I initially expected it to be way scarier, the ride turned out to be so enjoyable. Hopefully, I will get a chance to repeat it at night or with the snowy landscape.

This experience is a must for the adventure-seekers in Spain .

Pyrenees Road Trip: My Map

On this map, you can see the exact locations of all the places I visited during this Spanish Pyrenees Road Trip. It will be helpful while deciding on where to stay.

Honestly, searching for a hotel in the Pyrenees area is a bit confusing: the region is so wide-spread that it takes forever to travel between the main landmarks. This is why it´s essential that you pick a holiday rental anywhere near the main stops of your Pyrenees road trip, otherwise you will end up driving too much.

Future Plans

There are still many places left on my Spanish Pyrenees bucket list, like Sos de Rey Catolico , Aguas Tuertas, Tella, Cueva de las Guixas , Mallos de Riglos hike , Congost de Mont-rebei , and a stay at Camping Valle de Bujaruelo – only to name a few. Therefore, you can absolutely expect new road trips to the Spanish Pyrenees anytime soon. Subscribe for blog updates not to miss out.

More Pyrenees Travel Tips

Since I return to the Pyrenees every year, I constantly share new travel stories and tips about the region: 10-Day Pyrenees Itinerary from Madrid , Top Hiking Trails in The Pyrenees You Can Not Miss , Top Beautiful Places to Visit in the Spanish Pyrenees , Exploring the Pyrenees of Catalonia , 5 Epic Reasons to Visit the Spanish Pyrenees with Kids , Top Romantic Things to do in Andorra , Our Baqueira Beret Family Getaway , Andorra Travel Guide , First Time in the Pyrenees , and My Top Hiking Essentials On The Go .

For more Spain travel tips and itineraries check my  Pinterest boards   Best of Spain  and  Spain Travel Collection .

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Traveling in Spain non-stop is my biggest obsession. Looking for Spanish hidden gems and local travel tips? - You are in the right place! Let me be your insider guide to Spain!

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This looks like a beautiful part of Spain. I’m adding it to my list as I’m hoping to spend a month in Spain very soon. Is there snow around Christmas time? I’m coming from Australia.

I would love to do a road trip in this part of Spain! Definitely saving this for next year when we plan our trip.

I would love to replicate this four-day Spanish Pyrenees road trip! So beautiful! Definitely would love to explore the hiking trails.

I’ve wanted to visit this part of Spain for some time. I’ve pinned your useful blog for future reference!

Wow! Everything looks so beautiful. What a fun road trip. I would love to visit Cañon de Añisclo and Cascada de Sorrosal. Next time we are in Spain!

would you recomend this trip in a moterhome. would the roads be suitable for a 7.5 meter van

Hi, I have honestly never travelled across the Pyrenees in a van. Most of the places on this trip have an easy access and include large roads(except Añisclo) – so I assume that you could, you’ll need to research this via apps like Park4night and Caramaps

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The Ultimate Road Trip to Fayetteville, West Virginia Guide

A re you planning any road trips? Consider adding this road trip to Fayetteville, West Virginia, to your itinerary. This charming town offers a plethora of outdoor adventures, shopping, dining, and historic landmarks that will make your trip unforgettable.

Nestled in the heart of the New River Gorge National Park, Fayetteville offers many exciting opportunities for adventure seekers. Whether you enjoy hiking, rock climbing, or zip lining, Fayetteville has something for everyone.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most popular things to do and see in Fayetteville, West Virginia .

New River Gorge National Park

Your road trip to Fayetteville should begin at West Virginia’s newest National Park and Preserve, the New  River Gorge . Learn about the region at Canyon Rim Visitors Center before hiking the boardwalk to the observation decks for unobstructed views and terrific photo ops. 

You’ll be in awe as you admire the New River Gorge Bridge, one of the world’s longest steel-arch bridges at 876 feet and 3,030 feet long. The path is wheelchair friendly.

Fun Fact: There are only 63 true National Parks, but the US National Park Service manages 423 territories covering over 85 million acres around the country. You can learn more about this breakdown on this informative list from the NPS .

Another way to see the New River Gorge Bridge is with a “panoramic three-hour adventure” with Bridge Walk , a guided bridge walking tour on the catwalk 25 feet below. The ultimate time to visit the New River Gorge is on the third Saturday in October for Bridge Day, one of West Virginia’s most exciting festivals.

If fishing or a fun float trip down the New River is on your agenda, Pro River Outfitters can organize a trip that includes food, drinks, and equipment. 

For more adventures in the Mountain State, check out this post, with 95 choices .

Hiking Long Point Trail

The  Long Point Trail  hike is a moderate 2.6-mile loop that is perfect for hikers of all skill levels. The trek offers scenic views of the New River Gorge from a privately owned property opened to the public. The sandy beach at the trailhead is a popular swimming hole, making it a great place to cool off after your hike.

More Fun and Adrenaline Rushes

Fayetteville is known for its adrenaline-rush adventures—mainly white water rafting. Book a guided rafting trip on the Upper and Lower New River (one of the oldest rivers in the world) and the nearby Gauley River (the most challenging rapids) from  Ace Adventure Resort  or Adventures on the Gorge (premier whitewater rafting resort in the country) from May to November. 

A second popular offering in the area is aerial adventures, designed to show you the thrills from the treetops looking down. Rappelling is yet another impressive outdoor activity in Fayetteville.

The city’s terrain makes mountain biking another thrilling adventure. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one from Arrowhead Bike Farm . You can take part in a bike clinic and have lunch while you are there. And, if rock climbing interests you, head to Beauty Mountain.

Adventures on the Gorge

Searching for a thrilling adventure? Adventures on the Gorge is a must-visit destination for thrill-seekers. Offering whitewater rafting, zip lining, and rock climbing, Adventures on the Gorge will push you out of your comfort zone and give you the ultimate adrenaline rush. You can even walk underneath the New River Gorge bridge in one of the latest adventures.

With experienced guides and state-of-the-art equipment, Adventures on the Gorge is deemed safe, fun, and accessible for all skill levels. The property has a multitude of spaces for eating, shopping, hearing live music and hanging out. I was a big fan of the well-appointed gift shops, which included S’mores-making kits and souvenir tees.

As with any gorgeous property like this, I prefer to hang in the pool area, and the one at Adventures on the Gorge (Canyon Falls Pool) is spectacular! You even have views of the New River Gorge Bridge from the pool, surrounded by a rhododendron forest.

Adventures on the Gorge is also your one-stop shop for lodging. Choose from cabins (hotel-style, loft, and rustic-many handicapped accessible), glamping, campsites, vacation homes, and RV sites. I stayed in a hotel-style cabin at Sunnysides.

The cabin was spacious with two comfortable queen beds, a deck with wooded views, a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, huge bathroom, and roll-in shower.

Did you notice the heated towel bar on the wall? That would be a great perk in the cooler months.

I might add that there was no lip on the door in the shower or to get outside on the deck, which my friends in wheelchairs are always curious about.

My accommodations at Adventures on the Gorge were hosted as part of a familiarization trip. As always, opinions and reviews are 100% mine and unbiased.

Shopping in Downtown Fayetteville

Downtown Fayetteville offers a unique shopping experience that you won’t find anywhere else. The beautiful architecture and stunning courthouse property will make this an exciting walking tour. From artisanal pottery to trendy clothing boutiques, the shops in Fayetteville are diverse and welcoming. Here are a few of my faves.

Lost Appalachia Trading Co.

I love the looks and great products in this Fayetteville shop. Things to watch for at Lost Appalachia are cute stickers, books, candles, apparel, and other unique finds from local artisans.

Thread is an eclectic clothing boutique on the corner of Maple Avenue. Inside are racks full of retro and vintage-looking clothing, sunglasses, jewelry, interesting items, and beautiful displays.

No stranger to the downtown Fayetteville shopping scene is Water Stone Outdoors . You’ll find quality outdoor apparel and products, as well as specializing in rock climbing gear and the best shoe selection possible.

Inside the Hobbit Hole is a gallery of mystery and intrigue. Vintage items squirreled away in nooks and crannies will pique your interest and test your window-shopping willpower. It’s insanely good!

A newer name to Fayetteville is Out of the Ashes , a cutesy shop on Maple Avenue. I loved the arsenal of West Virginia products (candles, purses, notecards), throws, handbags, clothing, and jewelry.

While you’re downtown, make sure to stop by the New River Antique Mall for a selection of vintage and antique finds.

Drinking Around Fayetteville

You’ll find a darling coffee shop in downtown Fayetteville:  Range Finder Coffee . This craft coffee shop serves specialty and ethically sourced coffee and espresso. They also have a small variety of locally-made baked goods. I found the shop to be so darned cute; it made me want to linger longer. 

Bridge Brew Works  is a local microbrewery that offers a wide range of craft beers. The brewery is located in a renovated school building. It features an outdoor patio where you can enjoy a cold beer while taking in the views of the New River Gorge. The brewery is open for tastings, and growler fills, making it the perfect spot to unwind after a day of adventure.

Dining in Fayetteville, WV

Fayetteville offers many delicious dining options, from casual to upscale. You can find everything from farm-to-table cuisine to classic burgers and fries. Some of the most popular dining options in Fayetteville are Tudor’s, Cathedral Cafe, Secret Sandwich Society, and Pies & Pints.

Tudor’s Biscuit World

Breakfast is the most important meal. Luckily, Fayetteville has a Tudor’s Biscuit World , a West Virginia icon, with homemade biscuit sandwiches that melt in your mouth. The gang’s all here: Ron, Dottie, Duke, Mickey, Mary B—popular biscuit combinations, but the Peppi, with pepperoni and melted cheese, is my standing order.

Pies and Pints

Downtown Fayetteville is home to the original Pies and Pints , a pizza joint franchised around the country with plentiful tap beer options. The Steak and Mushroom pizza is scrumptious, but get this…you can split the pizza between two gourmet creations.

Pizza Skins and Pork & Pepper Nachos with a chipotle crema are two pleasing appetizers to start your dining experience off right.

Secret Sandwich Society

Tempting culinary bites await you in Fayetteville. Currently rebuilding from a fire, Secret Sandwich Society is known for top-notch gourmet sandwiches and salads. We sure hope they will rebuild in the eclectic fashion that delighted their devoted customers.

SSS’s Truman is my favorite sandwich (turkey, peach jam, blue cheese spread, and crispy onions), but the pimento cheese smothered fries will make your eyes roll back in your head. 

Cathedral Cafe

Cathedral Cafe  has been a hippie mainstay in Fayetteville for years and an exceptional eatery for paninis, quesadillas, and coffee drinks. However, the quiche and chicken salad with bacon has been my favorite for years. If you just need a snack, try the artichoke and spinach dip. Nom!

Save room for the mixed berry cobbler and bread pudding—both are absolutely delicious. 

Smokey’s on the Gorge

Smokey’s on the Gorge is a place for a special meal with one-of-a-kind scenery. Try the Smoked Gumbo Dip with crostini or the filet mignon tournedos for your main course. Yummy! West Virginia farm-raised trout is another recommended dinner selection at Smokey’s.

Historic Fayette Theater

The circa 1938  Historic Fayette Theater  is a restored movie theater and performing arts venue that offers live theater productions from local groups and often traveling shows throughout the year. It’s a great place to experience the arts and history of the town all in one place. Check the website for currently running shows. 

Additional Lodging Choices

You can find options as rugged or upscale as you want to be in this town. 

At Ace Adventure Resort, cabins, chalets, cottages, and log homes around the spring-fed mountain lake are trendy.

Hawks Nest State Park is only a few miles away, a picturesque destination with a sweeping vista of the New River, an onsite restaurant, a 31-room lodge, and a nerve-racking aerial tram ride that takes you to the ground level for jet boat rides.

Hawks Nest has undergone a major renovation, and I can’t wait to see it.

The Historic Morris Harvey Bed and Breakfast would be a romantic option for staying in Fayetteville, offering a gourmet breakfast, charming details, clawfoot tubs, free WiFi, and a fabulous home-cooked breakfast.

Lafayette Flats, boutique lodging in the heart of historic downtown Fayetteville, has me intrigued. The artwork and stylish decor are really exceptional.

A Bonus Find!

Just a hop, skip, and jump from Adventures on the Gorge is Swiftwater General Store (physical address is Lansing). This provision station features firewood bundles, fire starters, produce, groceries, prepared gourmet foods, beer, wine, ice, and souvenirs.

They also have a cute little eatery serving breakfast and lunch, including vegetarian items, breakfast burritos, WV hot dogs, and homemade soups. Grab & Go items are popular, too.

Fayetteville: Fun and Funky, Guaranteed to Satisfy

Fayetteville, West Virginia, has so much to offer visitors. From the adventures on the New River to the historic charm of downtown, Fayetteville is the perfect destination for those seeking outdoor activities, shopping, dining, and history.

We hope this guide inspired you for your next road trip to West Virginia. Don’t forget to add Fayetteville to your itinerary for an unforgettable experience.

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Road trips USA: Route inspiration and ideas

There's no vacation more American than a road trip through the USA. To help you plan your adventure, we're sharing some of the best road trip routes in the USA, from Route 66 to the Pacific Coast Highway. Plus, find out what factors to consider when choosing when and where to go.

In this post

Suitable cars for your road trip in the U.S.

Best time to do a road trip in the u.s., estimate your road trip budget, one-week road trip usa: from seattle to los angeles, the ultimate 2-week road trip in the u.s., 5-day road trip in texas.

The U.S. is a massive country with diverse road conditions, so the best rental car for your USA road trip depends on your route. If you're taking a city-centric East Coast road trip, consider booking a smaller rental car to more easily navigate city streets. If you're crossing vast distances out in the wilderness, a larger vehicle like an SUV might be more suitable. Avoid electric vehicles when driving remote routes, as charging stations may be sparse.

Because the U.S. is so vast, there's no singular best time to take a road trip. The weather varies dramatically across the country. For instance, the wettest month in New York City is July, yet July is the driest month in Los Angeles (data sourced on weatherbase.com ). And while the average temperature is below freezing in Salt Lake City in January, the average temperature in Los Angeles is a mild 57.3°F. Overall, it's best to avoid extreme weather no matter what USA road trip route you're taking, so avoid winter up north and summer down south or in the desert.

You should also consider the popularity of the destinations along your route. Peak travel months may mean accommodations and rental cars are more expensive and harder to book. Most tourism peaks in the summer or during the holidays (based on KAYAK’s flight searches data), so consider traveling during spring or fall for the fewest crowds and more reasonable prices.

Before you select your road trip destination and length, you might want to know how much a USA road trip can cost you. Here is some data, based on the comparisons of hundreds of travel providers, to help you estimate the cost of your trip and adapt accordingly.

• Average daily rate for a car rental in NYC: $109
• Average daily rate for a car rental in Los Angeles: $69
• Average price for one night in a mid-range hotel in NYC: $318
• Average price for one night in a mid-range hotel in Los Angeles: $233
• Cost of 1 gallon of gas in NYC in March 2024: $3.86
• Cost of 1 gallon of gas in Los Angeles in March 2024: $5.35 (source: numbeo.com )

For an East Coast USA road trip, the cost of a one-week journey that spans 700 miles might be about $3100 for 2 travelers ($1550 per person).

For a West Coast USA road trip, the cost of a one-week journey that spans 700 miles might be about $2280 for 2 travelers ($1140 per person).

To reduce expenses, consider camping if the weather is mild . Plus, if you travel with more than one other person, you can split expenses even more. But do keep in mind that these estimated costs are just for the rental car, gas, and accommodations. You'll still have to pay for food and entrance fees to attractions, whether museums or national parks.

Rent a convertible to drive down the Pacific Coast Highway on this iconic USA road trip.

Day 1: Seattle

Start your trip in Seattle, home to iconic attractions like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and the Museum of Flight. Fuel up your body and mind with some coffee, as Seattle is known for its coffee culture.

Where to stay in the Seattle area: Hyatt Regency Seattle is the best rated hotel in town, according to KAYAK data.

Day 2: Portland

Distance from Seattle: 174 miles – 2 hours 40 minutes

On your drive from Seattle to Portland, consider making a side journey to Mount St. Helens for scenic views, a history lesson and some epic hiking. Once in Portland, don't miss a visit to the Portland Japanese Garden, and wrap up your day with a beer from a local brewery (there are many to choose from!).

Where to stay in the Portland area: One of the most elegant hotels in town is The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton .

Day 3: Crater Lake National Park

Distance from Portland: 232 miles – 4 hours

In the warm months, take the opportunity to go boating on the deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake, which is 1,943 feet deep. If you'd rather stay on solid ground, consider hiking the many trails along its edge.

Where to stay in the Crater Lake National Park area: Crater Lake Resort is located in the nearest town to the national park, Fort Klamath.

Day 4: Redwood National and State Parks

Distance from Crater Lake National Park: 154 miles – 3 hours

Redwood trees are some of the largest in the world, topping out over 300 feet tall. They're also some of the world's oldest, living up to 2,000 years.

Where to stay in the Redwood National and State Parks area: The Historic Requa Inn has beautiful views of the Klamath River.

Day 5: San Francisco

Distance from Redwood National and State Parks: 311 miles – 5 hours 30 minutes

There's far too much to do in San Francisco than can be accomplished in a single day, but we'd recommend visiting Alcatraz Island, seeing the Golden Gate Bridge and listening to the sea lions bark at Fisherman's Wharf.

Where to stay in the San Francisco area: If you're willing to splurge, the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero offers bird's-eye views of the city.

Day 6: Morro Bay

Distance from San Francisco: 232 miles – 4 hours

Morro Bay is the halfway point between San Francisco and Los Angeles along Highway 1, or the Pacific Coast Highway. It's a good overnight stop, but spend most of your day exploring the California coast, from Monterey (home to the famous Monterey Aquarium) to Big Sur.

Where to stay in the Morro Bay area: The Estero Inn overlooks Morro Bay Rock and the harbor, and it's one of the most highly rated hotels in town.

Day 7: Los Angeles

Distance from Morro Bay: 202 miles – 3 hours 20 minutes

As you make your way down the coast, visit San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. Then once in LA, the world is your oyster. Visit the iconic Santa Monica Pier, take a Hollywood studio tour or visit one of the city's world-class museums.

Where to stay in the Los Angeles area: The Fairmont Century Plaza is a historic hotel that's fairly centrally located, making it easy to get around town.

There's no USA road trip more iconic than Route 66, also known as the Mother Road. Here's how to travel its full length, with stops at a few must-see off-route destinations.

Day 1: Chicago, IL

You'll find the beginning of Route 66 in Chicago at the intersection of Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue. Before you start driving, take a moment to enjoy some of Chicago's top attractions, from its numerous museums to the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture (you might know it as "the bean").

Where to stay in Chicago area: Chicago Athletic Association has stunning architecture, as well as a rooftop bar with views of Millennium Park.

Day 2: Springfield, IL

Distance from Chicago: 202 miles – 3 hours

It's all about Route 66 in this Illinois town. Visit the Route 66 Twin Drive-In or the Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum for a taste of Route 66 history. And don't miss the chance to snap a photo of the Lauterbach Giant.

Where to stay in the Springfield area: The Inn at 835 Boutique Hotel is one of the most highly rated hotels in town.

Day 3: St. Louis, MO

Distance from Springfield: 101 miles – 1 hour 30 minutes

Just down the road from Springfield is St. Louis, home of the grand Gateway Arch. After you make your way to the top, visit the City Museum, an architectural playground for children and adults alike in a 600,000-square-foot industrial building.

Where to stay in the St. Louis area: The St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton is housed in the former train station, and its lobby is breathtaking.

Day 4: Branson, MO

Distance from St. Louis: 253 miles – 4 hours

Branson might be just off Route 66, but it's a resort destination worth a stop. Choose between relaxing on Table Rock Lake or visiting any one of the numerous attractions here, from the Titanic Museum Attraction to Dolly Parton's Stampede.

Where to stay in the Branson area: The Lodge of the Ozarks is one of the top-rated hotels in the region.

Day 5: Tulsa, OK

Distance from Branson: 220 miles – 3 hours 17 minutes

Architecture lovers will enjoy Tulsa's Art Deco buildings, while music lovers won't want to miss the Woody Guthrie Center. And aviation lovers should visit the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium.

Where to stay in the Tulsa area: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tulsa Downtown is one of the highest-rated hotels here.

Day 6: Oklahoma City, OK

Distance from Tulsa: 106 miles – 1 hour 35 minutes

Oklahoma City has no shortage of attractions, from the Myriad Botanical Gardens to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Plus, you can visit the poignant Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, honoring the victims, survivors, and rescuers of the Oklahoma City Bombing.

Where to stay in the Oklahoma City area: The National, Autograph Collection is located inside a former bank, and its

Day 7: Amarillo, TX

Distance from Oklahoma City: 260 miles – 4 hours

For a photo op, make for Cadillac Ranch, an unusual roadside art installation comprising a series of 10 Cadillacs. For dinner, dig into the 72-ounce steak at the Big Texan Steak Ranch. If you finish it (and its trimmings) within an hour, it's on the house.

Where to stay in the Amarillo area: The highest-rated hotel in Amarillo is TownePlace Suites by Marriott Amarillo West/Medical Center .

Day 8: Santa Fe, NM

Distance from Amarillo: 279 miles – 4 hours 14 minutes

Take the Santa Fe loop of Route 66 to visit artsy Santa Fe. The city is a haven for creative types, who will be drawn to institutions like the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum or interactive attractions like Meow Wolf.

Where to stay in the Santa Fe area: Pueblo Bonito Santa Fe has charming rooms in adobe buildings, plus free parking.

Day 9: Albuquerque, NM

Distance from Santa Fe: 64 miles – 1 hour 3 minutes

It's a short drive today, which means you can spend your morning in Santa Fe before heading to Albuquerque attractions like Petroglyph National Monument, Sandia Peak Tramway and the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

Where to stay in the Albuquerque area: Hotel Chaco is one of the highest-rated hotels in town.

Day 10: Flagstaff, AZ

Distance from Albuquerque: 323 miles – 4 hours 50 minutes

Use Flagstaff as your home base for visiting Grand Canyon National Park, which is just 90 minutes away. At night, visit the nearby Lowell Observatory for stargazing.

Where to stay in the Flagstaff area: The High Country Motor Lodge has a retro road-trip vibe.

Day 11: Page, AZ

Distance from Flagstaff: 129 miles – 2 hours 17 minutes

Page is another detour from Route 66, but we think it's a worthwhile one for the landscapes. This is the nearest town to Antelope Canyon, one of the most picturesque slot canyons in the Southwest, and the scenic Horseshoe Bend.

Where to stay in the Page area: The highest-rated hotel in town is Hampton Inn & Suites Page - Lake Powell .

Day 12: St. George, UT

Distance from Page: 154 miles – 2 hours 35 minutes

Add another national park to this road trip: Zion National Park. This Utah stunner, known for its red rock cliffs and dramatic landscapes, is best accessed from St. George.

Where to stay in the St. George area: Staybridge Suites St. George is a top mid-tier hotel in the area.

Day 13: Las Vegas

Distance from St. George: 120 miles – 1 hour 45 minutes

No, Las Vegas isn't on Route 66, but if you're all the way over here, Sin City is worth a visit. If gambling isn't your thing, visit the Neon Museum for a taste of Vegas history, then catch a show in the evening.

Where to stay in the Las Vegas area: Encore at the Wynn Las Vegas is the highest-rated hotel on the Strip.

Day 14: Los Angeles

Distance from Las Vegas: 274 miles – 4 hours 5 minutes

Congratulations, you made it! Route 66 ends in Santa Monica. Celebrate with a dip in the Pacific Ocean, a sunset view off Santa Monica Pier or an ice-cold drink at Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe.

Where to stay in the Los Angeles area: Treat yourself to an ocean view at Shutters on the Beach .

As the second largest state in the US, Texas is an ideal candidate for a road trip. Visit several of its major cities (plus one fun pit stop) on this five-day journey.

Day 1: Dallas

Dallas is a sprawling metropolis, so pick one or two things to do during your brief stay. We recommend a taste of presidential history at the George W. Bush Presidential Center and the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza for a look into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Where to stay in the Dallas area: Hotel ZaZa is one of the highest-rated boutique hotels in town.

Day 2: Fort Worth

Distance from Dallas: 32 miles – 33 minutes

Fort Worth (is the oft-overlooked counterpart to Dallas, but it's renowned for its works by architectural icons like Philip Johnson Fort Worth Water Gardens), Louis I. Kahn (Kimbell Art Museum), and Tadao Ando (Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth). Plus, don't miss the Old West heritage in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Watch the twice-daily cattle drive to see Texas longhorns on the move, then head to Billy Bob's, the world's largest honky tonk, for a concert and a round of pool.

Where to stay in the Fort Worth area: For a highly rated hotel in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards district, pick the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fort Worth Historic Stockyards

Day 3: Waco

Distance from Fort Worth: 89 miles – 1 hour 21 minutes

En route from Fort Worth to Austin, the city of Waco is worthy of an overnight. Fans of home renovation TV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines will no doubt want to spend time at the Silos, the home base of the couple's Magnolia empire. But there's also the Dr. Pepper Museum and Waco Mammoth National Monument in town.

Where to stay in the Waco area: For some warm hospitality, stay at the Bed and Breakfast on White Rock Creek

Day 4: Austin

Distance from Waco: 102 miles – 1 hour 40 minutes

Live music is everywhere in Austin, so head into your nearest bar to catch some tunes. Animal lovers will want to witness the nightly flight of the Congress Avenue Bridge bats, while nature lovers might enjoy paddling on Lady Bird Lake.

Where to stay in the Austin area: The boutique Colton House Hotel is the highest-rated accommodation in Austin.

Day 5: San Antonio

Distance from Austin: 80 miles – 1 hour 20 minutes

San Antonio's biggest claim to fame might be the Alamo, but the mission is just one of five in the city. After visiting them, head to the trendy Pearl District for dinner and drinks.

Where to stay in the San Antonio area: Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk has a lovely outdoor bar overlooking the Riverwalk.

Though flying from city to city might save you a bit of time, there's no better way to travel the US than via a road trip. If you need information about rental cars , road trip tips or the best places to visit in the US during the summer , we've got you covered.

The hotel recommendations included in this article are based on customer ratings and the author's personal choices, so please feel free to use our hotel search tool to find the accommodation best suited to your needs.

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