Chasing The Winter Sun: Taking a Caravan to Spain for the Winter

Many people dream of some winter sun and there’s no destination more accessible than Southern Spain. The winter climate in Andalusia may not be tropical, but with average highs even in January of 15°C you’ll be doing a lot better than staying in the UK!

If you’re about to take the plunge, here are some things to take on board…

Taking The Ferry to Northern Spain

If you want to minimise your miles on the road, then Brittany Ferries operates weekly sailings to Bilbao and Santander throughout the winter, from Portsmouth and Plymouth.

It’s a 24-hour crossing (cabin mandatory), so it isn’t cheap, but you’ll be making substantial savings on fuel and French stopover fees – and there’s the option of cheaper sailings on the company’s ‘Economie’ vessels.

Camping & Caravan Club members qualify for various discount offers on ferry travel, helping travelling overseas much easier whilst saving money.

Taking The Ferry or Tunnel to France

Driving through Western France to Spain offers some fantastic stop-offs along the way if you want to make the journey part of your holiday. There are plenty of sailings and routes, even in winter, as well as the speedy tunnel.

Nothing’s guaranteed with the weather (even in Spain), but you should consider winterising your van if you are planning to spend any time further north before Spain. Additionally, it’s important to make sure you comply with French traffic requirements and have a handy emergency kit ready.

 Again, Club memberships can save you money and so it’s worth watching out for deals.

Driving in Spain

Some years ago, the Spanish Government released the Directive N332 to clarify traffic law pertaining to motorhomes and campervans. The N332 is the road that runs along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, linking locations in the southeast of Spain.

The Directive N332 seeks to clarify when a motorhome is ‘parked’ and subject to traffic laws; and when it is ‘in camp’ and viewed as a ‘home’. This may have a bearing on for example when it’s legal to consume alcohol on board, so check the rules and also, watch out for the local municipal regulations which vary from town to town.

The AA has an excellent online guide that offers comprehensive advice on driving laws in Europe.

Additionally, the Avtex Tourer Two Sat Nav is the perfect companion for travelling through Europe. It is designed to simplify navigation and ensure your journey is safe by creating a vehicle profile of your caravan or motorhome to find the most efficient route across the UK and 45 European countries including Spain, determined by the size of your vehicle.

Stopovers in Spain

Spain has a network of Aires De Service, most of which offer means of waste disposal for toilets and grey water along with a water fill point. You can use some for free, while others charge a nominal fee, payable by tokens you can buy in local shops (always a good idea to keep a few in reserve).

Alternatively, for something a bit different, how about staying overnight at a Spanish vineyard or farm? One night is often free and it’s a great way to sample and stock up on delicious, locally produced food and drink. 

For details visit Espana Discovery. 

Spending The Winter In Spain

Not all Spanish campsites open in the winter, but there’s still plenty of choice, especially heading South. Caravan and Motorhome Club provide a good selection of over 40 overseas sites that are available all year round, providing options for most preferences and budgets.

In addition to warm clothing, ensure you pack emergency items such as the emergency bulb kit and high visibility vests as you never know what may happen.  This will allow you to be prepared in case your van breaks down or you get stranded.

Remember, the winter weather in Southern Spain can be rainy and it’s likely to be chilly at night (the region saw its first snow in a century in January 2017). It’s important to pack accordingly, so that you can be fully prepared for your trip. Prima offer a range of clothing ideal for travelling and saving space in your vehicle.  The Regatta Fleeces are a great transitional option that can be used as an outer layer for the milder days and an insulating mid layer for the colder days.

You should also take steps to winterise your van, packing moisture traps and a fridge vent cover. Fitting caravan vent covers can help to prevent rain and moisture in the air from entering your van.  Having a covered vent allows a small amount of necessary ventilation and breathability whilst protecting your caravan from water and damp entering.

Awnings are also a useful way to help keep warm during the winter, as they can prevent too much heat loss when entering and exiting. It will also be useful for rainy days to enable wet muddy boots and coats to be left out to dry without introducing more moisture than necessary into your caravan or motorhome.

Indoor Entertainment

It is also key to look for sites that fit your requirements, for example a site within indoor pool if you plan on going swimming during your trip.

Stuck with a day of bad weather or fancy a day of lounging? Make your time spent indoors more entertaining by tuning into your favourite shows whilst on site, with the Avtex TV range. With variation in sizes, these TVs come with a wealth of features perfect for touring in your caravan or motorhome including built in satellite and digital.

For those staying on home turf for a winter staycation, read our winter caravanning blog for tips and accessories for stress-free touring.

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