Don’t rush your Bilbao to Zaragoza road trip!
While it’s possible to drive between the two cities in a day, doing so means missing some of northern Spain’s most memorable landscapes. From hidden forests of Gorbeia to the dramatic desert scenery of Bardenas Reales, this route deserves far more than a quick drive.
After spending over a month exploring northern Spain in our campervan, we’ve already done the planning for you. Whether you’re picking up a rental campervan in Bilbao or trying to avoid wasting a day on the motorway, this Bilbao to Zaragoza road trip itinerary follows the exact route we’d recommend if you’re visiting Spain for the first time.
Along the way, we’ll share the best places to stop, where we camped, and how to avoid disappointment at one of the region’s most popular attractions!
Quick Route Overview
📍 Total distance: 546km
🚗 Total driving time: 7 hours 45 minutes (ish), including 2 optional detours
🗓️ Ideal trip length: 4 to 5 days (but can easily be extended)
👀 Who this itinerary is best for: People travelling from Bilbao to Zaragoza by car or campervan who don’t want to rush.
Bilbao to Zaragoza Road Trip Map
Best stops between Bilbao and Zaragoza
While it’s possible to drive from Bilbao to Zaragoza in as little as three hours, it also means you’re going to miss out on some of the best places to see that are away from the main highways. Here are the ones we recommend that are worth the time to explore beyond just a quick drive-by!
Stop 1: Gaztelugatxe Detour
Time from Bilbao: 45 minutes
Recommended visit length: ½ to a full day
Ok ok, I know this takes you away from Zaragoza, but if you haven’t already visited as a day trip from Bilbao, I’d make one small detour before heading inland. It adds around 45 minutes of driving each way, but I promise, Gaztelugatxe genuinely lives up to the hype.
Long before it became Dragonstone in Game of Thrones, this tiny hermitage perched on a rocky island was an important pilgrimage site dating back to at least the 10th century. Today, it’s connected to the mainland by a winding stone bridge and a staircase of 241 steps that zigzags up the cliffside.
The walk isn’t particularly long; I did it in around 2 hours, but don’t underestimate it. You’ll descend all the way to sea level before climbing every one of those steps back up again. I definitely appreciated having decent walking shoes by the time I reached the top, and my hiking poles for the walk back to the van!
Even if you’ve never watched Game of Thrones, the views over the rugged Basque coastline are reason enough to visit. It’s easily one of the most photogenic spots in northern Spain and makes a memorable first stop before swapping the green coastline for the vineyards, deserts and medieval towns further south.
Because it’s such a popular attraction, parking is limited, especially for larger vehicles. We arrived the night before and stayed in the small free car park overnight, but if you don’t mind an early morning, you could arrive around 7 am and still get parked in off-season. During the summer you’ll most certainly want to arrive the night before.
Avoid disappointment: If you’re visiting during summer or on weekends, you’ll need a free reservation to access the walking trail, and these can book out weeks in advance. When we visited, we found that a reservation isn’t needed before 9:30 am and after 7 pm. We stayed nearby for a few days so Dec could photograph both sunrise and sunset, and had no issues accessing the trail during those quieter hours. Just be sure to stick to the marked paths to protect the fragile landscape and local wildlife. If you’re travelling in winter or the off-season, reservations are generally only required on weekends.
Parking and Camping Options
Parking at Gaztelugatxe is, quite frankly, a bit of a nightmare, and most of the issues come down to a lack of organisation.
There are two main parking options: a large paid car park that isn’t suitable for larger vehicles (€3 for the day), and a smaller free car park along the main road with space for around 10-12 campervans.
The problem is that, after around 9am, the free parking area quickly becomes difficult to access. Cars and campervans often queue along the road waiting for a space, mainly because many visitors don’t realise there’s another car park just down the road.
We stayed overnight in the free car park for a couple of nights without any issues, which is why we’d strongly recommend arriving the evening before. Not only will you have a much better chance of getting a space, but you’ll also be able to visit early before the crowds arrive.
Stop 2: Otzarretako Pagadia In Gorbeia Natural Park
Time from Bilbao: 50 minutes
Recommended visit length: 1 full day
Time to start heading south!
An hour and a half from Gaztelugatxe, or 50 minutes from Bilbao, Otzarretako Pagadia is probably our favourite unexpected location from our entire North Spain road trip!
We stumbled upon this almost by accident while looking for somewhere quiet to spend the night and discovered this enchanted forest, where the beech trees have grown into unusual candelabra shapes that look as though they’re reaching towards you.
The tree shapes didn’t happen by accident, though. They’ve been formed through generations of careful pruning, back when the wood was used to create charcoal for local industry. Now, they are part of Gorbeia Natural Park and really are a sight to see.
Most people park at the closest car park and walk directly to the beech forest (roughly 5 minutes), but we encourage you to take the slightly longer loop walk, which will take you through most of the natural pine forest before revealing the magic at the end. It takes around 45 minutes, or, if you have a photographer husband who likes trees… it might take you 5 hours because the place is just that beautiful.
We spent a full day just in this part of the forest, but there are several other walks to do in this area if you haven’t quite had enough and want to explore more.
Parking and Camping Options
If you’re in a campervan, your only option is to park at the Saldropo car park, which will add around 30 minutes to your walk, but the route in itself is pretty amazing because it takes you through fields of horses that are seemingly able to come and go as they please. We woke up to several around the van with their bells dinging and mist rolling in.
Stop 3: Vitoria-Gasteiz
Time from Bilbao: 60 minutes
Recommended visit length: half to one full day
If you like chocolate, you’re going to love this next stop, which I only added to our own Bilbao to Zaragoza road trip itinerary because of its famous chocolate shop, but it turned out to have a really beautiful old town too.
After exploring forests and coastal landscapes around Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz makes a great slower-paced stop before continuing further south.
It’s an easy drive from Bilbao but feels like a completely different side of the Basque Country, with a pretty town square and plenty of old cobbled streets to explore.
Once you arrive in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the old town is best explored on foot. Plaza de la Virgen Blanca is a good starting point, but honestly, we found Vitoria-Gasteiz was best enjoyed without too much of a plan. It’s not a city where you need to rush between attractions, which is exactly why it works so well as a stop on this route.
Of course, the main reason we came here was the chocolate.
Confituras Goya has been making traditional sweets since 1886, and the original shop in the old town is still running today. The hardest part is deciding what to buy when the counters are full of pastries, biscuits and chocolates.
We came away with a bit of a haul, including their famous Vasquitos and Nesquitas pralines, and I’d definitely prioritise those if you’re trying not to leave with half the shop!
Honestly, if we had to cut one stop from this route, this would probably be the one. But after spending an afternoon wandering without a plan, we were surprised by how much we enjoyed it.
Parking and Camping Options
We parked here, which is reportedly ok for an overnight stay too, although we only stayed during the day. Depending on how busy it is, you may need to try some nearby streets, but we managed to park without any issues.
From here, it’s around a 20-minute walk into the old town, making it a convenient place to leave your vehicle while exploring.
Feeling overwhelmed by where to start?
Our upcoming Spain Road Trip Guide is designed to take the guesswork out of planning. Instead of spending weeks piecing together routes, campsites, overnight stops, and attractions from dozens of different websites, you’ll be able to build your entire Spain campervan itinerary using our tried-and-tested routes, interactive maps, and planning tools.
Stop 4: Bardenas Reales
Time from Bilbao: 2 hours 30 minutes
Recommended visit length: one to two full days
As you leave Vitoria-Gasteiz and continue south, you’ll notice the landscape gradually starting to change. The green mountains begin to disappear, the roads flatten out, and suddenly you find yourself somewhere that feels completely different from the rest of northern Spain.
Welcome to Bardenas Reales.
This semi-desert landscape is one of the most unique stops on this Bilbao to Zaragoza road trip, with huge open plains, dramatic cliffs and strange rock formations that look more like the American Southwest than Spain.
The best way to explore is by following the gravel loop road through the park, which takes you past some incredible viewpoints and landscapes that genuinely don’t feel real. We managed it easily in our 7m campervan, although be prepared for dust because it gets absolutely everywhere!
The most famous stop is Castildetierra, the iconic fairy chimney rock formation that you’ve probably seen all over Instagram. It’s popular for a reason and definitely worth stopping for, but we’d recommend exploring more of the park before heading here as it gets busy throughout the day.
Continue towards Cabezo de las Cortinillas for some of the best views across the badlands, and keep an eye out for Game of Thrones filming locations along the way, including the area used for the Dothraki camp scenes.
Avoid disappointment: If you’re hoping to hike, El Rallón is one of the main walking areas in Bardenas, but check for seasonal closures before visiting. Parts of the park can close during bird nesting season (usually from February to September), and we only realised after arriving that some areas were already inaccessible. It’s also worth knowing that the park is only open to the public from 8 am until one hour before sunset, so if you’re hoping for sunrise or sunset photography, plan your visit carefully.
One final Instagram warning: if you’ve seen photos of the famous blue door in Bardenas Reales, it’s no longer there, so don’t waste time trying to find it!
Parking and Camping Options
There are two main campervan options depending on what you need from your stop.
Fustiñana is the quieter option. It has a free motorhome area with electricity (also free!) and is usually very peaceful. The downside is that there isn’t much around; the flies can be pretty bad due to a nearby pig farm, and you’re around 30 minutes from the main Bardenas access roads.
Arguedas is the more practical base and is much busier because of this. There’s a free motorhome area as well as a paid option (around €10) with showers, water and a dump station. It’s also only around 10 minutes from the main entrances to Bardenas Reales, making it the better option for a short visit.
It’s also close to the Cuevas de Arguedas, an abandoned cave village that’s worth exploring if you haven’t seen Spanish cave houses before.
Stop 5: Detour to Loarre Castle
Time from Bilbao: 2 hours 20 minutes
Recommended visit length: half to a full day.
Zaragoza is only an hour and 15 minutes from Bardenas Reales; however, if you like castles and beautiful landscapes, we recommend taking a detour to Loarre Castle, which will make your total drive time to Zaragoza around 3 hours.
The drive from the campsite in Bardenas will actually take you through more of the national park, so you can expect more open plains and desert-like scenery and even a few castle ruins!
Once you reach Loarre, the drive up to the castle itself is steep and winding, but there’s plenty of shaded parking when you reach the top.
Loarre Castle is one of the best-preserved Romanesque castles in Spain, dating back to the 11th century, and its hilltop position gives it incredible views across the surrounding Hoya de Huesca landscape.
The castle itself doesn’t take too long to explore. You can comfortably walk around in a couple of hours, but it’s definitely worth taking your time to enjoy the views from the walls and towers.
Entry costs €6 per person, and unfortunately dogs aren’t allowed inside, so we took it in turns exploring while the other stayed with Lilly.
If you’re travelling by campervan, we’d actually recommend staying overnight in the car park. The castle looks beautiful during the day, but watching the sunset behind the castle with the surrounding valley in the background was easily the highlight of our visit.
It’s one of those stops where the attraction itself is great, but the location is what really makes it special.
Parking and Camping Options
Loarre Castle has plenty of parking for larger vehicles, which is ok for overnight parking too as long as you’re respectful, but if you’d like to stay on a campsite, there’s one a little further down the hill. From there, you can actually walk up to the castle, but the route can get quite hot in the summer as it’s not very shaded.
Is It Worth Driving From Bilbao to Zaragoza?
Absolutely. While you can travel between Bilbao and Zaragoza much faster by train or by sticking to the motorway, you’d miss some of the most unique landscapes and underrated stops in northern Spain.
This route takes you through everything from rugged Basque coastline and ancient forests to medieval towns, desert-like landscapes and one of Spain’s most impressive castles.
If you have the time, this is one of those journeys where the stops along the way are what make the trip memorable.
How Many Days Do You Need For This Road Trip?
This Bilbao to Zaragoza road trip itinerary needs at least 4 days if you want to enjoy the stops without feeling rushed.
However, we’d recommend allowing closer to a week if you have the time. This gives you more flexibility for hiking, slower mornings, exploring towns properly and adjusting your route around the weather.
If you’re travelling by campervan, having extra time makes the route even more enjoyable because some of the best moments often come from unexpected overnight stops.
Campervan Tips For Driving Between Bilbao and Zaragoza
This Bilbao to Zaragoza route is a great option for campervan travellers, with a good mix of overnight spots, nature areas and easy places to stop along the way.
The biggest thing to be aware of is that the Basque Coast and areas around Bilbao can feel a little more restrictive for campervans. During our time there, we found overnight parking rules were enforced more often, and there were a lot more height restrictions in car parks. This is why we’ve included the camping options within each stop, so you know where you can comfortably park with a larger vehicle.
Once you leave Bilbao and start heading towards Zaragoza, things become much easier. The route takes you through quieter rural areas, where finding places to stop overnight felt much less of a hassle.
As always, we’d recommend using apps like Park4Night to find overnight parking, water points, dump stations and other campervan facilities along the route. We found it especially useful for checking recent reviews, as conditions and restrictions can change regularly.
A few roads on this route are steep and winding, particularly as you head into more rural areas and towards places like Loarre Castle, so take your time and don’t rush the drives between stops. They’re not difficult roads, but they’re definitely more enjoyable when you’re not trying to tackle them quickly.
The one place where you’ll want to be prepared for something different is Bardenas Reales. The main route through the park is gravel rather than paved, but you don’t need a 4x4. We drove it comfortably in our 7m campervan alongside plenty of other motorhomes. Just take it slowly, keep your distance from other vehicles, and be prepared for dust because it gets everywhere!
Overall, this is one of the easier campervan routes we’ve done in Spain. Once you’re away from the busier coastal areas, the combination of quieter roads, natural landscapes and relaxed overnight options makes it a really enjoyable route to explore at your own pace.
Best Time To Do This Route
The best time for a Bilbao to Zaragoza road trip is spring and autumn, when temperatures are comfortable, and the landscapes are at their best.
Spring brings greener scenery around the Basque Country, while autumn is a beautiful time for forests like Otzarretako Pagadia.
Summer is still a great time to visit, but expect more crowds at popular stops and hotter temperatures around Bardenas Reales. If you’re travelling in a campervan, early starts become much more important.
Winter can also work well, especially for photography, but be prepared for shorter daylight hours and possible weather changes in the mountains.
Continue Planning Your Trip;
- How To Plan A Road Trip With Google Maps
- The Best Apps For Road Tripping Europe
- Campervanning In Spain: The Complete Guide For First Time Visitors
Spain Destinations;
- Discover Galera, The Spanish Town Of Caves
- Things To Do in the Tabernas Desert: Film Sets, Hiking & Road Trip Stops
- Where To Find The Best Viewpoints in Montefrio
- Skip the Crowds: How to Visit Gaztelugatxe
- The Best Places In Spain To Celebrate New Year’s Eve
Spain Road Trip Itineraries;
