Spain

mlonghurst

Hi all,

We (my wife Sue and I) are new to the site and RV’ing and have been watching the forum for some time.

We currently live in the Allier, France, are taking possession of a 32’ American RV (Georgie Boy Pursuit) on 30th April when we are setting off to look around Galicia in North West Spain (we are also taking along our car separately for travelling round).

Can anyone out there who has ‘done Spain’ advise on whether you are allowed to park-up and overnight stop at the Spanish motorway service stations (as you can in France)?, or must you use designated camp sites. The problem with camp sites is that we are taking our 4 border collies and most sites en-route only allow 1 dog (if any).

I should add that this is not a holiday but a house hunting trip and so will not be a leisurely sightseeing trip.

Kind Regards,

Mike L

C7KEN

Hi
If I were in your position I would be extremely carefull about stopping in motorway service areas here in Spain. My sons and I do risk it but have all the doors protected by panic alarms, carry air horns (the hand held canister type) baseball bats and have further antiscum deterants. If I was alone without the sons I would not risk it anywhere near the east coast ie E15/AP7. The service areas are usually full of lorries down here so park close and in a well lit area. I will add that a friend of mine has been attacked two times in the past two years and both times in France so its a case of being vigilant these days. Post what region you will be visiting and I will see if I can suggest some stop overs that should be safer

whistlinggypsy

Mike L, in general yes it is possible to stay on the Spanish motorway service area's but in my opinion it would be unwise, i would not stay overnight on a french motorway service area let alone a spanish one.

Something in your favour is the size of your m/h, RV's are a lot more secure than european one's having glass windows instead of plastic, and more robust locks, so parking amongst the trucks is possible but you will get no peace, and you are very vunarable to attempted attack by those that want what you have.

One other consideration is that there are no motorways after Bilbao until La Coruna, but wild camping is possible and also some of the sites will accommodate you i am sure, those that are open at that time of year.

Wild camping outside "close for season sites" and on the numurous fishing ports, and lovely coastal villages will be tolerated by the spanish authorities at the time you are going, but i suspect that in May onward sites will be reopening for the summer season, but still be very quiet therefore allowing you access.

Have you looked on the campsite database for possible sites, you can then contact them and check on access and anything else.

Bob

grouch

We would never stay on a motorway overnight anywhere!!!!!! We always pull off into a nearby town or village and have never had any problems with doing this. However, it might not be so easy for you in an RV.

rustygun

Personally I think 4 border collies should be more than enough to keep the bad guys away... Shocked

bobandjane

Re:Rustygun
Personally I think 4 border collies should be more than enough to keep the bad guys away

Its the LADIES of the day and night you need to think about!

Hi Mike and Sue we would not park on any service area in any country. And the fact that they still have BANDITS its not good.We were in Spain earlier this year and you are always on the look out and the only time I feel safe is on a campsite. I am 18 stone with a base ball bat. And ball of course! I had a lorry for many years and always looked for a small ind estate or small town With a big layby. Every time you park in a lorry park or service area you had your curtains cut. Even when the back doors are wide open.

If i was me I would stay in France. And just go to Spain in the winter!

We were in Barcelona and I was watching a suspect and knew that he up to no good. Watched him the whole time and never saw him take a womans hand bag.Good Luck but just remember if you buy in Spain you can never sell it! Bob.

teemyob

Hello there,

I would not stay at Spanish Motorway Service Areas unless In an emergency (falling asleep tired).

I have done it, once or twice late, when no other option, on both occasions we did wake up to find a couple of other Spanish registred vans parked next to us.

On one of those occasions we parked near the motorway exit for the Ports. It was full of very dubious looking folk and they even had an all night night market going. I only went to sleep because I was bill-hooxed.

I just get that gut felling when I stop for fuel at night and take a look around at the place and the people around me.

On the road see this post.....

silversurfa

Yes its not wise to stop on any motorway service , Except ones which are not direct transit routes, There are now many Romainians about and others east euro's who will chance it, I have wild camped in northern Spain and used Autovia stop overs but that was 4/5 yrs ago , Alicante along with France is my biggest worry when on the road, I would clear the likes of s/s -bibao and make for Asturias - comillas/san-vincente-de la barquera along the coast.lots of small resorts you can stop at. found it very safe in N/spain, the trick really is not to look mucho riche, with what you got its hard, Found its best to always tell someone you are stoped for night, local guardia will sometimes pay you a visit just to see if you ok. or move you at 3 oclock am. don't forget to see the pico's -de - europ/ mountains enjoy but be-aware.

hogan

Dont stay on motorway areas drive to a village you will be safe there.Stay at least 5 km from the coast and you will be safe,Have a look at this site