Road Tripping Northern Spain by Motorbike

Northern Spain is blessed with some of the most beautiful and rewarding coastlines in the world. It is certainly one of the most underrated parts of Spain and the reasons behind that are virtually undetectable.

You’ve got sand, sea and sunshine – what more could you want?

Road tripping Northern Spain by motorbike, then, is a refreshing and exciting adventure for anyone, least of all the petrol heads among you.

So, here’s all you need to know about just that, ranging from when’s best to where’s best.

Best time to go

Road tripping Northern Spain by motorbike is, of course, made what it is by the weather. In the Western summer months of June through to August, it’s incredibly hot in Spain and the blistering heat is usually not a great combo with the bike gear you’ll have to wear.

That’s why we’d recommend heading on your road trip in September – it’s still very much summer in Spain, but it’s cooler than the blazing month of August and also less crowded.

At this time of year, you’ll probably avoid the peak season tourism prices too.

What to wear

September in Northern Spain peaks at temperatures of around 21 degrees Celsius, so it is lovely and warm, but not incredibly hot like in July and August where temperatures hit 25 degrees and above. In terms of what to wear, then, we’d of course advise you to wear a helmet to ensure your personal safety.

If you’re worried about excess sweating due to your helmet, we recommend purchasing a lightweight neck fabric to help soak up some of the fluid and to regulate the temperature around your head.

If you’re road tripping Northern Spain by motorbike in the blazing summer, you will most likely want to use lightweight biking boots and wear a pair of shorts when riding, which is fine. In this case, we do advise extra protection on your shins and knees, though.

However, in September it’s fine to wear ‘breathable’ jeans. These scientific wonders are woven with Kevlar, too, providing extra protection for your legs in case you have an accident. They’re brilliant.

What to take

Seeing as your road trip is happening via motorbike, it’s advisable to take anything you reckon will come in handy in terms of tools and gear. This will ensure that you’re as comfortable as you can be and that you’re prepared to face whatever unexpected incidents occur while in-country.

We would also advise taking a map of Northern Spain, and all of Spain, for that matter, so that you have something concrete to work from on your road trip. You should also take a GPS device with you so that you can have something automatic and easy to work from while travelling around Northern Spain.

And, finally, as Northern Spain has some gorgeous coasts you will just love to explore, make sure you pack a few pieces of beachwear, a towel to lie on and a book to read while relaxing by the sea. We promise they’ll come in handy!

Where to visit

There are so many brilliant places to visit in Northern Spain, but some shine bright. Galicia is one of those locations standing out for a road trip in this part of Spain, seeing as it is one of the most stunning parts of North Western Spain and is situated mainly on flat land. But that doesn’t mean you’re driving through fields of sheep. Oh no.

Instead, it’s a route with a gorgeous coastline cutting in and out of headlines as you go along.

We’d also recommend visiting Asturias, another special part of the region. It is a must-visit for any biker, seeing as it has some of the best roads in all of Europe and has some spectacular views to match. There are mountains, clear blue skies and jutting natural wonders left, right and centre.

Best views

In terms of the best coastal views, there is much to choose from. We have to give a nod to San Sebastian – a truly elegant beach in Northern Spain with bright blue crystal sea and bold yellow sand. There’s something quaint about this coast, but it’s filled with an urban culture too.

One of the best views in all of Northern Spain, though, has to be La Rioja. It’s Spain’s second-smallest autonomous community, and it has views for years. You might have to put the motorbike down for a few hours to test out some of the 500 wineries and explore the ancient monasteries, but it’s all worth it for that luscious green expanse and superb historic feel.

Where to eat and sleep

Everyone needs somewhere to hit the hay, regardless of road tripping on a motorbike or not. Most hostels and hotels in Northern Spain can be acquired at relatively good rates, but it’s important to check their policy on motorbikes and the security (if any) they can offer you.

Rio de la Plata in Northern Spain is a superb restaurant in Salamanca with some gorgeous fish to try. We’d recommend it for a spot of lunch on your travels any day! For fine dining, though, Restaurante En La Parra, also in Salamanca, is perfect. It has the best Mediterranean menu in Northern Spain and is simply delicious.