Central Spain Road Trip | Campervan Hire

Stop 1: Toledo

Highlights:

The cathedral: Don't miss its impressive art collection.
Mirador del Valle: Great views of Toledo across the river. Perfect spot for a selfie!
Christ of Light Mosque & Synagogue Sta Maria la Blanca: One of the oldest religious buildings in Spain.

Where to Eat:

El Trebol ($$): Good traditional tapas.
Bar Ludeña ($): Try carcamusas, a local delicacy.

Where to Park for the Night:

Parking de Safont: Free parking near the city centre.
Camping El Greco ($$): On the outskirts by the river.

Toledo, the city of the three cultures

Toledo is known as the City of the Three Cultures because for many years Christians, Jews and Muslims lived peacefully together in its narrow hilly streets. The old city sits on a hilltop, surrounded on three sides by a bend in the Tagus River. As your campervan approaches, the view of the city from a distance is unforgettable.

A one-hour drive from Madrid, make Toledo the first stop on your central Spain road trip. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, the city is packed with medieval churches, synagogues and mosques worth visiting.

The old city walls and gates still stand, as do two stunning bridges over the river: the Roman Alcántara Bridge and San Martin Bridge.

Stop 2: Sierra de Gredos

Highlights:

Laguna de Gredos: Stunning views on a mountain walk to this glacial lake.
Cinco Lagunas: Tough, long walk that's worth the effort.

Where to Eat:

La Mira de Gredos ($$): Great food, great mountain views.

Where to Park for the Night:

Parking Platforma Gredos: Public car park.
Camping Gredos ($$): Perfect spot for exploring the mountains.

Sierra de Gredos, home to Spain's wild goat

Surprisingly, Spain is, after Switzerland, Europe’s most mountainous country. Many people associate Spain only with beach holidays, despite it offering a wide range of unmatched natural landscapes.

Sierra de Gredos, still unknown to many Spaniards, is a gorgeous mountain range west of Madrid and home to the Iberian Ibex, the Spanish wild goat.

As you leave Toledo on your Central Spain road trip, drive towards Talavera de la Reina and from there to Arenas de San Pedro, a perfect place to have a break or grab lunch. One of the main attractions of Sierra de Gredos is the walk to its glacial lake, Laguna de Gredos. From the Plataforma Gredos car park, it takes around two hours to walk to the lake.

The path is well marked and gentle, though stony at times. It’s common to spot wild goats from the path, particularly out of season.

There are many paths to explore in the Sierra de Gredos. For experienced and fit walkers, one of the most beautiful is the one to Cinco Lagunas (Five Lakes). The return walk is 25 km long, so start very early if you want to complete it in one day, or spend a night camping by one of the lakes.

Stop 3: Ávila

Highlights:

The Cathedral of Ávila: Magnificent Gothic architecture
The walls of Ávila: Admire them from outside the city before crossing them

Where to Eat:

Los Candiles (€€): Ávila is famous for its beef. Try a steak!
Siglodoce (€€): Great quality local food.

Where to Park Overnight:

Palacio de Congresos: Public car park outside the walls.
Camping Valle de Iruelas (€€): In the mountains near Ávila.

Ávila, a medieval walled city

Another of Spain’s many UNESCO World Heritage sites, Ávila is famous for the walls that surround the old city. Started in 1090, the walls have a perimeter of 2,516 metres (~8,255 feet), an average height of 12 metres (~42 feet), and a total of 9 gates.

You can walk on the walls themselves for around half their circumference. It’s also said they’re the largest fully illuminated monument in the world — so why not try a night walk along the walls?

Don’t just admire them from outside the city — go inside and wander around this small, charming city full of history. An impressive collection of old churches, monasteries and museums will transport you back to medieval Castile.

And while all are worth a visit, pick the main cathedral and the Monastery of Saint Thomas if you’re sticking to the central Spain road-trip itinerary and only staying for the day. If you do, leave Ávila at night and head to your final destination, Segovia.

Stop 4: Segovia

Highlights:

The Alcazar and the cathedral: Impressive, almost Disney-like.
Pedraza: Medieval village about 40 km (≈25 miles) from Segovia — worth the detour.

Where to eat:

Taberna Lopez ($$): Try the suckling pig.
El Sitio ($$): Another great spot for suckling pig.

Where to park for the night:

Camping El Acueducto ($$): On the outskirts of town.
Area de Segovia Parking: About a 15-minute walk to the city centre.

The Roman city of Segovia

Segovia’s main symbol is its Roman aqueduct, still used today to supply drinking water to the city. Due to its length, beauty and location, it’s considered the most impressive Roman structure in all of Spain.

Built from 25,000 granite blocks held together without mortar, it spans 818 metres (about 2,684 feet). With more than 170 arches — the tallest reaching 29 metres (about 95 feet) — the aqueduct is an impressive feat of engineering.

Aside from the aqueduct, Segovia is famous for the Alcazar, the royal palace that Walt Disney used as inspiration for Cinderella’s Castle, and its stunning Gothic cathedral. Don't miss trying Segovia’s signature dish, roast suckling pig, the perfect way to round off your road trip through central Spain.

If you’re still in the mood for more exploring before driving your campervan back to Madrid, it's worth taking a detour to Pedraza, a well-preserved medieval village often considered one of the most beautiful in Spain.