Camping in France | Northern Spain | Portugal - by van along the Atlantic coast

We explored northern Spain with the Hymer Car Grand Canyon S 4×4 Crossover. Northern Spain had been on our list of travel destinations for a very long time and enchanted us from the very beginning. 1570 km of Atlantic coastline with breathtaking views and charming towns lie between the Basque Country and the Portuguese border. We chose to travel at the end of May/beginning of June, which turned out to be perfect for us. We have summarized the most important experiences, spots and highlights of our tour for you here.

On our first stopover on the outward journey, we discovered this great little campsite on the banks of the river Le Rhoin in Burgundy. The campsite is located in Savigny-lès-Beaune, a wonderful little wine-growing village in the northern part of the Cote de Beaune, which is famous for its wines.

We received a very friendly welcome here and the small, lovingly designed bar on the square is ideal for a first wine tasting. There was already a lot going on here at the end of May, so it's worth making a reservation.

The 14th century castle with several museums is also worth a visit and the valley is perfect for hiking. We liked it here so much that we decided to stay for two nights instead of the one we had initially planned. For dinner, head to the restaurant Le Wine-Not (5 Rue Chanoine Donin) - you won't regret it!

After our first stopover in Burgundy, we continue towards the Atlantic coast in France. Les Grands Pins campsite is located in Lacanau, about 45 km northwest of Bordeaux in a beautiful pine forest and has direct access to the sea with a very long, beautiful sandy beach. The site is more suitable for families with children and has a spa, wellness, pool area and much more. Nevertheless, we liked it so much that we also stayed here for two nights and in the low season it was still very quiet and you had almost free choice of pitches.

For a great dinner, Le Bistrot des Cochons (1 Rue du Dr. Darrigan) with its delicious French cuisine and lovely interior is definitely recommended. You also have to go for a drink and snacks at the Beach House (9 Bd de la Plage) and marvel at the sunset.

This campsite was our destination at the end of our three-week trip and is definitely a place of idyll & relaxation. We discovered this campsite on the Atlantic coast 14 years ago. It is located in the middle of nature in the Saint-Girons region, which offers a great starting point for exploring the region, e.g. via the miles of cycle paths through the pine forests. The sea is just a few meters away on foot. A heartfelt recommendation is the food truck right on the campsite - it's best to try everything on the menu :)!

Hondarribia is considered by many to be a highlight of the Basque Country. The last village before the French border lies on the River Bidosa and is definitely a great destination with its medieval monasteries and churches and Basque architecture. Take a few hours to stroll through the alleyways and enjoy the delicious Basque cuisine at Mika Jatetxea (Harma Plaza 2) or go to Calle San Pedro for delicious pintxos. We parked in a parking lot right next to the city wall (Alamedako aparkalekua, a 3-minute walk from here to the village). On the onward journey, it's worth taking the short detour to the Faro de Higuer lighthouse to enjoy the magnificent view of the coast.

We chose this campsite for our visit to San Sébastian. San Sebastián can be reached by bus in about 30 minutes. The bus stop is on the other side of the road and is easy to reach on foot over the bridge. The site is well-kept, the sanitary facilities were a little older but clean at all times. The site is located in an industrial area and on the road and simply fulfills its purpose, namely to park safely overnight. Definitely a good starting point for visiting the city.

In San Sebastián, you should try the vegetarian restaurant Garraxi Taberna (Tejeria Kalea, 9) or for tapas/pintxos at MendaurBerria (Fermin Calbeton Kalea, 8) in the city center.

The A Gaivota campsite in northern Galicia was recommended to us several times during our trip - and rightly so! The small campsite (booking recommended) has very narrow pitches, but is beautifully laid out and is located on fantastic beaches and bays that are directly accessible via the road. The campsite has a great little bar serving freshly prepared food.

Take a hike (approx. 1 hour on foot each way) along the coast to Playa de Las Catedrales. The name of the beach comes from the rocks that form cathedral arches there. A walk through it is only possible at low tide.

Camping A Lagoa in Valdoviño on the huge Praia Da Frouxeira is a wonderfully located site with a breathtaking terrace view from the bar. You will be greeted by a very friendly gentleman who will show you all the available pitches so that you can choose the one that suits you best.

There is a beach bar at the beautiful Praia Da Frouxeira right next to the campsite, and if you walk a little further you will reach La Piscina (Av. Saíña, 3), a great tapas bar that is also right on the beach.

We chose the As Cancelas campsite for our trip to Santiago de Compostela. The campsite is quiet and the pitches offer plenty of shade. The small bar at the campsite serves snacks and coffee. There is also a large shopping center with a large supermarket about 3 minutes away by car.

The bus (bus stop approx. 5 min. walk away directly at the traffic circle) is the ideal way to get to the center of Santiago de Compostela & back. The bus back to the campsite leaves from the center at the bus stop next to the KFC fast food restaurant.

Be sure to visit the Pulpería O Piorno (Franco 24, Santiago de Compostela) for lunch or dinner.

This small campsite is located just a few meters from a large sandy beach and Monte Louro, a high granite mountain. Muros Villa Marinera, a small old town with a fishing port, is just 3 kilometers away. The campsite has a restaurant with a bar and the staff are also very friendly.

Our favorite! This small, family-run campsite is highly recommended. The site is located on a beautiful green cliff right next to a bay, just ten minutes away from the Lanzada surf spot. The sanitary facilities are very clean, the bar serves coffee, sandwiches and drinks and the campsite owner is always happy to help with any questions. The campsite also has great glamping tents that you can rent. We felt very comfortable and extended our stay here for a few days.

This beautiful campsite is located in the heart of the Basque Coast (in the heart of the Flysch Geopark). The campsite is the perfect starting point for visiting the 3 capitals of the Basque Country (Donastia San Sébastian, Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz). A trip to Zumaia and to Zarautz is also recommended & there are numerous hiking trails, climbing areas, surf schools. The reception was super friendly and you will receive numerous tips for excursions here. There is a small, well-stocked supermarket with everything you need. The small restaurant and bar right next to the campsite has a terrace with a fantastic view of the sea.

The Orbitur Canidelo city campsite is the perfect starting point for exploring Porto. You can be in the city in just a few minutes by cab (download the "Bolt" app and book a cab there) and the site is right on the beach. There is a small bar/restaurant and the sanitary facilities are fine.