Traveling with the camper (11) | Tips and sights eastern Spain

Spain, the country with many hours of sunshine, fine beaches, sangrias and tapas. In addition, Spain is a real camper country and has nice weather in autumn and winter. These were reasons enough for us to go after Austria en Italy continue to Spain with our camper.

We have been traveling around with the camper for the past two months, in October and November and it was wonderful! For now we have temporarily interrupted our motorhome trip, but for a nice reason. We're in now The Netherlands because we are flying to… Ghana! More about that later in a subsequent blog.

Now we take you along the east side of Spain, the part where we have been for the past two months. We will share the highlights with you including tips for motorhome pitches!

Our motorhome route in Spain

We came from Italy, then have a piece through France drove to cross the border via the A9 to Spain. We quietly drove down along the Balearic Sea (on the east side) to Cartagena (Location here). From L'Ametlla de Mar (Location here) we made a trip to Madrid (Location here) and then drive back to the coast.

After a few days Castellón de la Plana (Location here), we drove further south. From Cartagena we drove north with a few more stops before finally entering the Netherlands via France. After our trip to Ghana, we will continue our camper trip in Spain. We would also like to discover the other side of Spain, just like the neighboring country Portugal.

1. Empuriabrava

We immediately start with a camping tip! Camp Laguna in Empuriabrava. This campsite is not far from the border with France. It is a large campsite with all kinds of facilities and popular among the Dutch. The camping shop even sells Dutch products. As a child we were so happy with a pack of chocolate sprinkles and a jar of peanut butter!

The campsite is located on the beach, has two swimming pools, a fishing pond and there is much more to do for young and old. There are not only campers to be found, you are also welcome here with other camping equipment. We thought it was a nice place to relax for a few days after many hours on the road.

Tip:: The campsite can be found via the ANWB and stands up Park4night via ID: #41378.

2. Tossa de Mar

In terms of name Tossa de Mar (Location here) maybe a little less known than Lloret de Mar, but in our opinion it is definitely worth a visit. I (Laura) celebrated my first holiday here with a friend, without parents and have nice memories here. I took Stefan on a small tour of Tossa de Mar.

Nice to visit are the many shops, the cozy restaurants and the beaches. In addition to the large beach, you also have a small bay: Platja des Codolar (Location here), on the right side of the castle Murallas de Tossa de Mar. At this small bay you can snorkel fantastically and see lots of fish! So don't forget to bring your snorkel set and swimsuit during a visit to this nice coastal town.

You can view the castle from several sides and it is wonderful to walk around. You can also extend the walk to walk up the cliffs via the bay Platja des Codolar.

We parked the camper in a parking lot in Tossa de Mar within walking distance of the center. It is a paid car park with spaces for campers. When we were here there was no parking attendant and we were able to spend the night here for free with other campers.

Tip:: The parking lot can be found via Park4Night with ID code: #292993.

3. Parc Natural del Delta de l'Ebre

Parc Natural del Delta de l'Ebre (Location here) can be visited with a camper and there are options for spending the night at a camper place.

It is a natural park, a wetland area, which is free to enter. There are several villages in this area. We have explored this area with the camper. There are enough parking spaces to get out for a while to view a village, viewpoint or one of the rice fields.

It is also an area where many different birds can be spotted. If you have binoculars, these will come in handy. There are several bird-watching spots throughout the area. If you are lucky you will also spot flamingos. We were certainly lucky and saw large groups of flamingos.

There are a number of parking spaces where you can spend the night (paid) with the camper. These places can be found via Park4Night.

Tip:: We did not spend the night in the park, but were at a campsite nearby L'Ametlla de Mar, 'camping Ametlla' (click here for availability and prices). A nice campsite, not only for campers. The prices in the late season are a lot lower than during the high season.

4. Madrid

To be fair, we liked Madrid personally not the most beautiful or nicest city. Neither of us had been to Madrid before and were curious. In retrospect we didn't think it was worth driving that far for it, but of course we didn't know that in advance. We also had two nice days.

If you are going to visit Madrid by camper (or other camping equipment), you can spend the night at the campsite Osuna (click here for availability and prices). We were kindly received here and the campsite has excellent sanitary facilities. The campsite is a bit outdated and the pitches are a bit uneven. At 10 minutes walking distance from the campsite you can take the metro to the center of Madrid. At the campsite they give you a map with information. We personally think the campsite is on the expensive side, we paid €30 per night, without power supply.

5. Castellon de la Plana

Here you have a free (!) camper place by the sea, next to a boulevard and within cycling distance (with good cycle paths!) to the city. A (small) harbor is around the corner where you can eat delicious Paella. You can park for free at this motorhome and spend the night for a maximum of 48 hours.

There are many places and it was always full the 48 hours we stayed here. It's a popular place and we understand that! From the camper you cross the road and you are directly on a beautiful sandy beach with a wonderful sea. In addition, you can also walk directly onto the boulevard where you can walk (or cycle) between all the palm trees. At the motorhome you can even fill water and discharge your gray and black water.

Tip:: This free camper place by the sea can be found via Park4Night via ID: #32064.

6. Valencia

A very cozy, bustling, beautiful city! I'll be in May this year too Valencia (Location here) been. For Stefan and our family, who had left the Netherlands at the time, it was the first time they visited Valencia.

We have rented bicycles and I took the family on a bike tour of Valencia. Valencia is a real cycling city, there are good cycle paths. If you are in Valencia for the first time is a bike tour a fun way to discover the city.

You can also book a bicycle tour with a Dutch speaking guide. I did this tour last May and I learned a lot about the city that way. After the tour you can rent a bike or explore the city on foot at your own pace.

7. Javea and Bacia Xàbia

A very pleasant town (location here)! We explored this town on our folding bike. It has both an older center and a new center. You can cycle well because some cycle paths have been constructed and it is also easy to do on the road here.

Javea has a long beach and a boulevard with many nice, hip catering establishments. We were here on a Sunday and almost all catering establishments were busy. Javea also has a (small) harbor and all kinds of water sports are offered. There is a pleasant atmosphere in the center.

8.Altea

Altea (Location here) is a municipality and town built on a hill. The town is located by the sea with a long beach and can be recognized by the many white houses, often decorated with beautiful, colored flowers.

Via narrow streets you can walk up to the old center and to the Basilica. Around the basilica you will find many terraces, shops and you have a beautiful view. It is a nice town to visit for a few hours.

If you are with the camper you can choose from several camper pitches. We were there in November and it was busy on the camper pitches. There was only room at the third place we called. So it is a popular place! In addition to a number of paid camper pitches with facilities, the municipality also offers a number of free camper pitches that can be found at Camper contact.

9. Benidorm

We were curious about Benidorm (Location here). The seaside resort where many older people spend the winter. We cycled from a camper place to the center on the folding bike. It was incredibly busy!

The center has many shops, many restaurants and long beaches. Many older people enjoy their retirement here. Pay close attention when you walk on the boulevard, the scooters that cross around your ears! We thought it was a pleasant experience, a day in Benidorm.

10. Alicante

Alicante (Location here) is a city located on the Costa Blanca . A city that has everything to offer such as a covered market hall, a boulevard, the harbour, restaurants, a beach and a castle. You can also find very old, large trees that are (partly) supported with beams.

You can visit it Castle Santa Barbara (Location here). You can walk up, but you can also use a lift for a fee. From the castle you have a nice view over the city and the harbor.

11. Elx

elx (Location here) we think it's a really nice town. It's the city of palm trees! There would be a palm tree for every inhabitant, about 240.000! You can walk through the park with the many palm trees and go to the center.

What we liked to do was a ride on the train that runs throughout Elx. The boarding point for the train is at the VVE office, at the entrance/exit of the park. For a few euros per person you can ride the round for 50 minutes.  

12. Torrevieja

Torrevieja (Location here) is a well-known seaside resort for tourists. It naturally has a number of beaches, but also a pleasant boulevard, many shops, a fairground, covered shopping centers, the Salinas of Torrevieja and La Mata (pink salt lakes, location here) in a nature reserve Natural Park of Las Lagunas de La Mata and Torrevieja.

We have friends living in Torrevieja who took us for a tour of Torrevieja and that was a lot of fun! Unfortunately, the Salinas, the pink salt lakes, were not very pink last November.

What is very nice to do (in this period of the year) is to take a walk in the nature reserve Parque Natural de Las Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja. It is fantastic to take a nice walk and with a bit of luck you will encounter squirrels. We were lucky and the squirrels ate nuts from our hands.

Tip:: Torrevieja has a nice, large camper place that can be found via Park4Night ID: #308828.

Tips for camper pitches

1. Area Camper Massis del Montgri

A great place for a stopover or for Digital nomads who want to stay affordable for a few days, want good WiFi to work and can use sanitary facilities if desired. We spent a number of nights here for the above reasons, it was a great place to work for us.

We paid €10,20 per night, including tourist tax, without electricity, but with free WiFi and use of the toilets. Showers are available. We paid €1 per five minutes of hot water.

If you are going to visit this motorhome, pay close attention to which place you choose. There are different sizes of plots. One side with power and the other side without power. Prices differ. The owner of the motorhome is a very friendly young man.

Tip:: The spot is up Park4Night via ID: #21625.

2. Camping Playa Costa De Levante

We spent a number of nights here, because it was a great place to work for us. It is a somewhat outdated campsite with many permanent (mobile) caravans, but also with a section for people who come here temporarily to spend the night. The campsite is located by the sea and has (outdated) sanitary facilities. The owner is very friendly and is currently doing some renovations.

Outside the high season, pay €10 per night for a camper with two people including electricity, including use of the sanitary facilities. In our opinion, this is a perfect place for a stopover or to work if you do not have too high expectations / requirements.

Tip:: The campsite can be found at Park4Night via ID: #31638.  

3. Bodega 2020

cellar 2020 (Location here) is a winery with very friendly Belgian owners. You can take a wine tasting here and/or enjoy tapas snacks. Both the wine and the tapas are made by the owners themselves. Owner Joeri has a lot of knowledge about wine and their tapas look and taste fantastic! After a wine tasting you can roll into the camper. You can spend the night in the parking lot of Bodega2020. NB! You cannot spend the night here without a tasting and reservations are recommended.

Tip:: Bodega 2020 is located below Valencia and can be found via Camper contact or Park4Night via ID: #189655.

4. The Cardboard House

Perhaps this name sounds familiar to you? The Dutch owners have participated in the program 'Ik Vertrek'. Initially, David and Gine started a B&B, but they have now expanded their place with a camper place.

During our trip we visited their place twice. David and Gine are hard working, friendly people. The motorhome has been running for some time, but due to the hard work it is getting more and more beautiful. During our second visit we could see the results of the work they had already done in the meantime. There is new sanitary facilities. During the warm months you can cool off in the pool and discover the rest yourself! Are you curious?

Tip:: The Cardboard House can be found via Camper contact and on Park4Night via ID: #310731.

5. La Manga del Mar Menor

The Sleeve of the Mar Menor (Location herelisten)) is a strip of land on the southeastern coast of Spain. In the summer months this is a busy place for water sports enthusiasts. In the winter months it is very quiet and not much inhabited. We spent two nights here last November in the camper by the sea under the most beautiful starry sky.

Tip:: The place can be found via Park4Night via ID: #21693.

There was no prohibition sign when we were there and there were many campers present. The police and municipality drove by a number of times when we were here to check, but no one was approached. The latest review on Park4Night indicates otherwise. So make sure to check whether something has changed and whether you can spend the night here!  

Closing comments

Spain is a very nice country to travel in with the camper. There are many (free) camper pitches, often with all amenities. In addition to the places mentioned above, there are of course more nice places to discover in Spain. It is a popular destination among campers.

We had a wonderful time in Spain and look forward to part two in the new year, more about that later! Now we will first prepare for the journey to Ghana and enjoy the month of December with family and friends.