Having had several holidays in the South of France, most of them were great, some just average we thought that we'd have a go at camping in Northern Spain. I fancy a ferry from Plymouth / Potsmouth to either Bilbao or Santander and a nice quiet site in spain - I'm looking for other peoples experiences / advice but in particular a nice quiet site in Northern Spain. I don't need a bar, pool, entertainment. A loo, shower and pleasant quiet surroundings is all I ask.
Any info or advice would be gratefully accepted.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
The Atlantic coast of Spain is great - the further West you go the quieter and more mountainous it gets. There are nothing like as many campsites as in France and we sometimes had problems finding a site but, again, it gets easier as you get away from Santander westward.
One site we stayed at was bare minimum but had vacancies - http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=8451 - over the road from a beach with the old town (great restaurants and bars) behind it. Good centre for touring but the next time we go we'll go further west, near the Picos de Europa.
The Picos and Asturias really are beautiful - can't recommend any specific sites as we have been lucky enough to rent a house or stay with friends when we have been there.
Asturias has 365 beaches - one for every day of the year
Look out for when the local fiestas are on, usually lots of fun but camping accomodation can be scarce
We have just come back from Spain having used the Portsmouth/Bilbao ferry. It was fairly expensive but saved a long drive and site fees and tolls through france. Northern Spain was beautiful and very mountainous. we were travelling in winter of course and everything was green and slightly Alpine looking. The Rioja wine growing area near Haro is worth a visit, and the town is ancient and the shops are like something out of the 50's with counters and shelves with boxes on! I would give Zaragoza a miss as it is undergoing major works and is a mess of roadworks. We did not venture into the Pyrenees as the weather was too unpredictable, and snow was not unusual.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We were in Northern Spain last May and loved it, despite the very changeable weather. (That's why the area is so green!) We can recommend two sites, both reviewed on this website. Camping Ribadesella is about 80 km west of Santander. It's not too big, though it does have a swimming pool and a bar/restaurant. The toilet facilities are excellent and there is a view of the Picos from the higher pitches. From what I recall there is a separate area for tents. The coast around here is lovely, and it's also not far from the mountains. Further west, but still in Asturias, we liked Camping Los Cantiles, Luarca, although another reviewer didn't share our opinion! It's quiet, beautifully situated on a cliff top, has a small bar and a camp kitchen but not much else. Luarca is a lovely little fishing harbour. We can also recommend the Santander-Portsmouth ferry. It was comfortable, there was a range of eating options, and best of all they have people from the charity Orca on board who organise whale-watching activities! We liked the area so much we plan to return this summer, but in late June when the weather might be better!
------------- Il vaut mieux vivre ses reves que rever sa vie
Slightly off topic but Britanny ferries have a great offer on just now for a return with car and a few nights in a parador, starting at about £250 per person for the crossing and three nights. http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/holidays/spain/parador
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Travel & Camping in Spain
