La Cantabrie en camping-car : advice, areas, routes

How to visit the Cantabria in motorhome or furnished van?

What if we go to Cantabria on a motorhome for the holidays? Cantabria, one of the smallest autonomous communities in Spain, is located north of the Iberian Peninsula. Delimited by the Basque Country , the Castile-et-León, the Asturias and the Cantabrian Sea, the Cantabria is a region often swept by tourists. Cantabria lives in the shadow of the Catalonia , Andalusia, Balearic Islands or Madrid . Yet, the Cantabria does not have to blur its assets.

Between the gastronomy, its beaches, its massifs (the Pics of Europe), its historical heritage and its cities, you will have a lot to do. You're leaving for her. Galicia or Portugal ? Make a stop in this area of nature often unknown to the general public.

Here is our mini-guide advice to visit the Cantabria in motorhome.

Ideas of itineraries in Cantabria by motorhome

With only 5,326 km2, Cantabria is a relatively small autonomous community. Its coastline extends for less than 300 kilometers. You can easily cross the region in a single day. But you will not be able to explore all the cultural treasures in the region. Several entry points are possible in Cantabria.

You've been coming since Bilbao , Gijón, or Salamanca , your itineraries will vary according to the type of stay desired. Would you like to visit the cantabrian nature or explore its cultural heritage? You don't know what route to develop? Here are some essential steps to be taken to visit the Cantabria by camping-car:

• Visit Cantabria in 5 days : Castro Urdiales, Laredo, Santoña and the natural park Marismas de Santoña, Noja, La Sorrozuela and its beaches, Santander and its large bay, the prehistoric cave of Altamira;
• Cantabria in 15 days : the same steps, the more Suances, Comillas, San Vicente de la Barquera and its surf beaches, the Desfiladero de La Hermida, the National Park of the Pics of Europe with the Torre de Cerredo (the highest point of the Cantabric Cordillera), the natural park of Peña Cabarga, the natural park of the Dunes de Liks, the natural park of Yambre and its beaches,
• Cantabria in 20 to 30 days : the same route, the more the Ojo Guareña, the reservoir of the Ebre, Carmona, Liérganes, Bárcena Mayor, Potes, Maps.

You have time and you've been around the area? Incursions in neighbouring areas. The Asturias , the Castile-et-León deserve a look. In Asturias, nicknamed “Green Spain”, visit for example Gijón, Cudillero, Ovideo, Covadonga, the beaches, Ribadesella, Cangas de Onís. Go south to find Valladolid, Salamanca and the via the Plata In Extremadura.

In the east, discover the Spanish Basque Country on your way back to the France .

Driving in Cantabria in motorhome : traffic rules to know

Drive in camping-car

As everywhere in Spain, the driving is done on the right track to visit the Cantabria by camping-car or by fitted van. The road code is the same as to visit the rest of Spain. However, it must be adapted to the cantabric relief. By camping-car, your template is imposing. Therefore, be careful on the road: a motorhome does not brake and does not drive like a car .

The braking distance is more important than a car. In addition, do your visual controls well during parking manoeuvres. Also, take a larger turn curve than with a car to avoid hitting the body by turning.

Tips for driving in Cantabria

Cantabria is a mountainous region: 40% of its territory is more than 700 metres above sea level. And a third of the region has an inclination greater than 30%. The slopes can therefore be steep. On the road, you must klaxonner in the mountain in the corners if visibility is reduced. This will prevent motorists coming from your arrival.

And roads are sometimes narrow. Crossings will therefore sometimes be difficult or impossible without stopping on the coast. Even if the driving is known to be quiet and courteous in Spain, you can always meet heaters on the road. Self-proclaimed race drivers and lack of respect are always found in all countries of the world. Let the cars that try to get past you by locking as much to the right.

A motorhome in Spain is limited to 50 km/h in agglomeration, 90 km/h out of agglomeration and 120 km/h On the highways. The great difference between France and France is the scale of tickets for excess speed: Spain appears to be much more lenient than France.

In agglomeration, fines range from 100 € to 600 € by gravity of the offence ( 100 € for less 20 km/h , and 100 € more by ten km/h above the limit). Outside limited areas 50 km/h , the fine is 100 € for an excess of less than 30 km/h (and 100 € by ten km/h above the limitation). The fraudster only uses one point of suspension permit.

Motorway pass in Cantabria: what price for your camper category?

Cantabria is only crossed by two highways: A8 and A67 . On the outskirts of Santander, you will also find toll roads with separate roads marked S-10 , S-20 and S-30 . All these highways are free and therefore are not subject to any toll. Motorways noted A (autovia) are free highways.

The toll highways (autopista) are noted AP . We can therefore always choose a free, alternative route to the highway AP . The only tolls you will encounter to visit the Cantabria on a motorhome are in France and the Basque Country.

Without wanting to push over speed limits, let’s note that 120 km/h and 150 km/h on the highway, a fine of 100 € and one point of withdrawal on the permit.

How and where to rent a motorhome in France?

Do you want to explore Cantabria with your Camping-Car or van for example? It is now easy to rent a motorhome in the Hexagon. How? Using interrelationship platforms between tenants and particular camper owners as Yescapa For example.

How does it work?

• At first, you have to choose the motorhome in your city (For example Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, Paris, Montpellier or Marseille).
• Be careful choose unlimited mileage, to check the number of beds available and if travel abroad is possible.
• Do your work online rental request and share your travel information (dates, rental options, mileage, etc.) to the owner.
• If your request is accepted and after payment, you will have access to the owner's contact information to organize a First meeting.
• Day J, present your driver's license and pour bail.
• One. status of premises is executed and a lease is signed between the two parties. When you return, after shaking the roads of Cantabria, sign the state of the places of return and the tower is played!

Campsites in Cantabria : where to park ?

Parking in Cantabria

The issue of parking is often a matter of concern in motorhomes. Where to park by visiting the Cantabria on a motorhome? If the Cantabria becomes a land of vast spaces of preserved nature, attention must be paid to parking. In the cities and resorts, camping-car parking will be complicated.

There are underground car parks in Santander, but the model of the camper is likely to be too large. Prefer car parks for motorhomes and car parks of the city's campsites. Wherever its dimensions allow it, the camper is allowed to park on the public space in the same way as the cars. Facilities for camper are also available. Are you going to visit the Cantabria in furnished van?

Parking will be much easier: you can park in the city centre and in the underground parking lot.

Where to sleep in Cantabria?

Would you like to know where to sleep in Cantabria? The principle of travelling by camping-car or van is to sleep in the vehicle as the steps go. Well, know that. camping wild is forbidden in Spain. Do not leave the camping equipment on the public track, especially if the area is crowded. By camping-car, it is better to avoid bivouaquer in nature parks and protected areas.

To sleep legally, go to the service areas for camper and camping. The Campercontact site with reference to many. Some are free , others are paying. Are you going to visit the Cantabria in furnished van? It will be easier in this case to sleep in nature. The Park4night app can help you find very nice spots to install. The tool reveals areas (in kind isolated areas, beach parking, trails, hiking trips, free and paid parking, camping, service areas, etc.) published by other travellers.

A notice system allows to get an idea on the spot. You can even be guided by GPS coordinates.

What is the best time to travel by motorhome in Cantabria?

What will be the weather conditions to visit Cantabria in motorhome? The best time to visit the Cantabria in motorhome, spreads from end of May to mid-September . Cantabria enjoys a fresh ocean climate without a dry season. This climate is characterized by significant rainfall throughout the year (from 1,000 mm to 1,200 mm per year on average, up to 2,000 mm in the mountains), with peaks in autumn and winter.

The coastal climate is fresh and wet due to proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. In the mountains, the climate is cold and continental. Winters are mild and rainy on the coast (the Marina ), and the summers are hot without being canicular. The snow can fall in abundance on mountain peaks, with heavy frosts. On the coast, these are very rare. The temperatures are cooler in the mountains and on the coast, north.

In summer, maximum average temperatures are 20 °C , with peaks to 30 °C . In addition, the wind that devalues the slopes of the Pics of Europe massif can cause a rapid rise in temperatures. As a result of foehn, they can exceed 20 °C in winter, 30 °C in spring and fall, and climb beyond 35 °C In summer.