One of the best ways to discover a country is to travel by car and Spain lends itself perfectly to a road trip. The changing landscapes, stunning panoramas, historical accolades and rich culture are just a few of the rewards you will reap when you choose to journey through Spain on four wheels.
Hire a vehicle, supplement the rental company’s collision damage waiver with car hire excess insurance and pack your bags: here are some exciting stops on the classic 1840km journey from Barcelona to Madrid, including Valencia, Malaga and Seville.
Barcelona
We couldn’t get away with not telling you a little more about the starting point of this epic drive. Barcelona is an architectural highlight in Spain.
Must See
La Sagrada Familia is an iconic church that has to be seen to be believed. It is simply stunning both inside and out, and is not due to be completed until 2026. It was designed by the genius artist Gaudi, and it is meant to give the illusion of a constant curve. Your neck will ache when you leave here from all the looking up you will do!
Granada
The street art in Granada has made it an open-air gallery and given it the nickname ‘the City of Graffiti’. It is laidback and located under the shadow of the Sierra Nevada range – it’s a wonderful road trip detour.
Must See
The Alhambra is an incredible building that was founded on the idea that it would become a ‘paradise on earth’. Tranquillity and beauty hit you in equal measures as you enter the Islamic fortress, and as you wander the towers, walls and stunning gardens, you can’t help but be mesmerised by the majesty.
Malaga
Famous for being the hometown of Pablo Picasso, this vibrant town is also well known for being home to a breath-taking coastline. White sandy beaches and calm, clear waters abound and both are complemented by a lively, youthful nightlife and social scene.
Must See
Apart from the museum dedicated to Picasso, which needs no introduction, the Alcazaba Fortress is another of Malaga’s highlights. The impressive fortress was built by Arabian rulers back in the eleventh century. Gardens, fountains and beautiful orange trees create the perfect backdrop to the magnificent site that ignites all the senses, and the scent of the jasmine bushes will stay with you always.
Madrid
End your road trip in Madrid and you will end on a high. The cosmopolitan city embodies all a metropolis of today should. Madrid is culturally rich and is propelling full speed into the modern era. Home to some beautiful designer boutiques, upbeat and trendy cafés and fashionable hangouts, it is constantly throbbing with activity.
Must See
Even if football is not your thing, a visit to see the Real Madrid Stadium is definitely worth it. It’s an incredible place that has seen more than its fair share of sporting history.
Before You Go
Road trips are loads of fun but you don’t want the worry of not having adequate insurance. While your car hire company might have gotten you to agree to a collision damage waiver, be aware that this may not fully cover you. The best way to protect yourself in every eventuality is to get car hire excess insurance, which is easily purchased through an independent company. By purchasing excess insurance you are not relying on the often inadequate collision damage waivers.
Have we whetted your appetite and got you thinking about putting a Spanish road trip on your bucket list? Our top stops between Barcelona and Madrid should give you plenty of inspiration.
Sam Walker is a specialist insurance expert at LowerHire, a company that offers low-cost single trip and annual multi-trip car hire excess insurance policies. Travellers can avoid the hidden costs of the collision damage waiver in their rental agreement and look forward to a stress-free car hire experience.
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