Touring in a van from the north of Germany to Portugal has been fascinating, difficult, and adventurous. I selected my route alongside the Atlantic Ocean shoreline, the blue ocean guiding me like a trusted compass. I’ve performed this street journey 3 times in complete by now and have explored quite a few unbelievable spots and stops.
Every journey alongside this path confirmed me a variety of landscapes, from the rugged cliffs of Northern France to the countless seashores of Galicia and Portugal. One focus of my journeys has been discovering wonderful waves to surf. This led me to some unbelievable locations with parking spots proper behind the dunes, just a few strolling steps away from probably the most lovely and peaceable seashores.
Diving into not solely the Atlantic Ocean nearly daily, however into a special tradition and delicacies with each different cease has been such a beautiful expertise. I’d eat conventional French pastries, strive tapas in Spain and scrumptious contemporary seafood in Portugal. Every day supplied not only a change in surroundings, however an entire new world of experiences, adventures and tales. This text options a few of my favourite locations that I’ve visited, both alone or with my buddy or boyfriend on the street.
Notice: Every of the 3 times I did this street journey I used to be accompanied by both a buddy or my boyfriend. Some components I additionally explored on my own. On this article I’ll swap between referring to solely myself and the folks accompanying me on the street. I wrote an article about my first time road-tripping within the van.
France: Fairy Tales, Crashing Waves and Croissants
I’ll begin by speaking about the perfect locations I visited in France.
Mont Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel made me really feel like a princess in a Disney Film, which is kind of spectacular when you will have been on the street for a couple of week with a complete rely of 1 bathe. Then again, it supposedly impressed the fortress of Rapunzel’s mother and father within the film Tangled, so I shouldn’t be too shocked.
Probably the most putting options of Mont Saint-Michel is its beautiful location. It’s a lovely medieval abbey on a rocky island. On low tide you’ll be able to entry Mont Saint-Michel by foot nonetheless with the excessive tide the Mont turns into surrounded by water, creating an imposing island rising from the ocean.
We arrived within the afternoon in a parking spot “Parking du Bec d’Andaine” which is situated half-hour north of Mont Saint-Michel. The parking zone is crowded throughout the day, full of vacationers and teams of faculty children that stroll to the fortress on foot over the Wadden Sea.
With the setting solar, it quiets down and affords an amazing spot for an in a single day keep. For us it was good to see the fortress from afar within the setting solar. I liked seeing the fortress from afar earlier than visiting the island itself. To go to the fortress you’ll be able to stroll from the parking spot to the island when the tide is low. Be sure that to test the tide schedules earlier than your go to, because the tides can have an effect on entry to the Mont.
What we did as a substitute was drive thirty minutes to the designated parking lot by the island (12€ for a day) and take the free shuttle bus to the fortress.
You stroll throughout a bridge to the island. Seeing the Fortress from the coast had been so picturesque however exploring the slim, cobbled streets that wind up in direction of the abbey on our personal was unbelievable. Strolling by way of the Medieval Village made us really feel transported again in time.
We explored the Abbey and realized a bit about its historical past whereas admiring not solely the structure of the place however the marvellous view as properly. The Abbey’s terrace affords a spectacular panoramic view of the encompassing bay. We might watch the teams of vacationers stroll over the disappearing Wadden Sea at low tide. Whether or not it’s the historic streets, the breath-taking views, or the distinctive tide phenomena, this island is actually enchanting. It positively introduced us a little bit of magic.
La Rochelle
La Rochelle was one of many few cities we visited. It’s identified for its historic ports and exquisite previous city. We loved the distinction to our nature spots. For us it was the right metropolis to spend a day in. It affords so many alternatives to buy, discover tradition and check out native delicacies. We parked someplace on the town and began strolling with out a plan.
First, we noticed La Rochelle’s previous harbor (Vieux Port), which the town is known for. It’s characterised by its medieval towers guarding the doorway – the Saint-Nicolas Tower, the Chain Tower, and the Lantern Tower. These towers are iconic symbols of the town’s wealthy maritime historical past. They grew to become extra spectacular after we noticed them lit up at night time. We strolled by way of the charming streets of the city, stopping for postcards, espresso and ice cream.
La Rochelle is famend for its well-preserved previous city which is gorgeous to stroll by way of. On one sq. folks had been dancing beneath pink umbrellas hung up within the sky. It has numerous cute cafes and eating places. We particularly loved wanting by way of all of the little retailers full of souvenirs, decorations, video games, posters, and different cute gadgets.
Within the night, in spite of everything our purchasing, we discovered ourselves in a small however crowded alley the place a band performed within the streets. It felt like a small get together, everybody singing and dancing within the streets. When the clock struck midnight we drove to a spot a bit additional out city the place we might park the van and sleep at night time.
Seashores and Biarritz within the Southwest of France
The Southwest of France is house to among the most lovely and unspoiled seashores in France. There may be the Grande Plage in Biarritz or the distant seashores of the Landes area, the place you’ll be able to sunbathe or people-watch. It’s equally as fashionable for its surf spots, which is without doubt one of the major causes I took my time exploring this area.
For surf fanatics notably the Atlantic coast round Biarritz and Hossegor, is a must-visit. These spots are well-known for his or her surf tradition and host a number of worldwide browsing competitions. The waves right here cater to all ranges, from rookies to professionals.
Even in the event you’ve by no means stood on a surfboard, that is your time to strive. My favourite spots embody Soulac-sur-Mer, Plage Surveillée du Gurp, Cap de L’homy and the Plage des Océanides in Capbreton. I liked the unbelievable seashores and waves but in addition the chance to park so near the ocean. At some you’ll be able to park proper behind the dunes or beneath excessive pine timber, that are attribute of this area. The shoreline is dotted with expansive sandy seashores, and small seaside cities which gave me a way of peacefulness. Perhaps as a result of the seashores weren’t overrun by vacationers.
In summer time the seashores are packed and it’s will get too sizzling for my private desire. I discovered autumn and spring to be the right time to discover the Southwest of France. It isn’t as crowded as in however the climate continues to be largely sunny. Even in mid September we might nonetheless sunbathe and surf in bikinis as a substitute of wetsuits.
In conclusion, the Atlantic coast within the south west of France is a tremendous vacation spot to take pleasure in a surprising pure surroundings, scrumptious meals, and a vibrant surf scene. I particularly suggest visiting Cap De L’homy. It’s a bit much less crowded vacation spot for these searching for peace, serene seashores and pure landscapes and is good for browsing, sunbathing, swimming, and having fun with magical sunsets.
Should you’re searching for extra of a metropolis environment, you need to go to Biarritz. Biarritz appears like a small seaside metropolis. I liked strolling across the streets, exploring the smaller retailers for jewellery, surf garments, data and souvenirs. My buddy and I purchased postcards. We wrote them whereas sitting in a cute cafe and having fun with an enormous brunch – a distinction to our regular van life breakfast.
Town’s many eating places and bistros have a variety of various meals choices. We strolled by way of the native meals courtroom, Halles de Biarritz, and acquired small treats – croissants, macarons and quiche. We ate them in entrance of the picturesque harbor. The extensive blue ocean creates a lovely coastal surroundings.
SPAIN: Limitless Nature and Limitless Smiles
Galicia
Galicia is my all time favourite street journey vacation spot. Each time I drive from Portugal to Germany (or from Germany to Portugal) I ensure that to spend just a few days alongside this unbelievable shoreline within the northwest of Spain. It affords many various hidden nature spots proper by unbelievable seashores. A lot of the instances you’ll be able to park proper by the seaside too.
I’ve woken as much as serene sunrises, seen breathtaking sunsets, surfed empty line-ups and explored lovely nature. All the pieces proper subsequent to my parked van. Galicia really is a paradise for all seaside and nature lovers.
You could find sand seashores hidden between rugged coastlines, tasty seafood and welcoming folks, to not overlook concerning the breathtaking night time sky. I really like exploring Galicia and may’t wait to be again quickly, to surf, to sunbathe, to discover its nature.
Bilbao and Sopelana
Sopelana continues to be one among my favourite stops. We initially stayed right here to take a day journey to Bilbao however stayed longer for the wonderful surf and unbelievable views. I’m not an enormous fan of massive cities and staying in a van in a metropolis is quite inconvenient, that’s why we felt so fortunate to discover a parking zone in Sopelana, proper by the seaside. We drove into Bilbao someday to discover it and in any other case loved the calm and beachy environment of Sopelana.
Once we drove to Bilbao, we parked someplace within the outskirts and took the metro into city. Our first cease was, after all, the well-known Guggenheim Museum. We admired the spectacular structure of the Museum in addition to the 2 statues exterior. Pet is the world’s largest flower sculpture. A everlasting set up created by the American artist Jeff Koons. In distinction to the attractive flower association you could find Maman, the monumental metal spider that’s nearly 9 meters tall.
Though the admission costs are cheap, we determined to spend our restricted time within the sunny streets of Bilbao. We wandered by way of the previous city’s charming streets.
The center and soul of Bilbao, the Casco Viejo, affords a stark distinction to the modernity of the Guggenheim. Within the Previous City we walked by way of its seven unique streets (Las Siete Calles) and found charming boutiques, conventional Basque taverns (pintxos bars), and historic landmarks just like the Santiago Cathedral and the Plaza Nueva. It was a good way to expertise the town’s conventional tradition and delicacies.
At Plaza Nueva we tried some pintxos (native tapas) which had been scrumptious. You may get them on the many bars and taverns which are in every single place within the metropolis. One other place to strive pintxos is the Mercado de la Ribera the place you can even purchase contemporary native merchandise like cheese, wine or fish. We loved strolling by way of Bilbao, absorbing its full of life environment and roaming round Casco Viejo.
I really feel like we received to see among the finest components of Bilbao within the brief time that we visited. Nevertheless, there’s a lot of locations that we didn’t get to see. On my listing for subsequent time is Cafe Iruna for the good meals and exquisite historic tiled partitions inside.
In distinction to the busy metropolis we had been grateful for the calm atmosphere of Sopelana. The parking zone is on the cliffs proper by the seaside. We had a tremendous panoramic view of the blue ocean and surfers. In the course of the day the seaside and parking are packed so you must be fortunate with discovering a spot however within the night it quiets down a bit of.
We felt secure and met a lot of different like-minded vacationers. We spent our time laying on the seaside, having fun with the sunshine, browsing, and skating a skate bowl on the cliffs.
I can suggest staying in Sopelana and visiting Bilbao in the event you’re searching for the right mixture of metropolis and seaside.
Portugal: Small Fishing Cities, Ceramic Tiles and Waves
Porto, Portugal
Porto has an simple appeal. I fall in love with this metropolis a bit of extra each time I go to. It’s famend for its colourful structure, world-famous port wine, and a full of life culinary scene. I don’t suggest driving into the town with a van or motorhome. The streets are busy and slim and a few on-line evaluations counsel that parking a van on the town just isn’t secure.
As an alternative, I prefer to park at one of many tenting websites within the district of Madalena, that are fairly fashionable even within the off-season. I do know that after a busy time exploring the town I can return to a secure campsite. There’s a bus connection into the town heart, I nonetheless favor to take an Uber or Bolt which takes me on to the Jardim do Morro. T
he small hill affords breathtaking views of the cityscape and offers a lovely first impression of Porto. From there you’ll be able to cross the Dom Luís I Bridge into the Ribeira District. The bridge is a logo of the town’s industrial heritage. The Ribeira District, with its slim, cobbled streets, colourful homes, and full of life squares overlooking the Douro River, is quintessentially Porto.
I like to recommend simply strolling by way of and taking within the metropolis’s vibrant environment. It’s my favourite technique to discover any metropolis.
Be ready to stroll plenty of stairs. The realm is bustling with conventional eating places, cafes, and bars the place you’ll be able to strive native delicacies. I like to recommend doing a Port wine tasting and attempting the Francesinha sandwich in addition to a Pastel de Nata.
If you wish to see some extra sights you’ll be able to go to the São Bento Railway Station for its azulejos (ceramic tiles), the Clérigos Tower as the town’s most iconic landmark or the Livraria Lello, which is ranked among the many most lovely bookstores on the earth. Undoubtedly stroll alongside the riverbank to soak up the beautiful views of the town.
Nazaré, Portugal
Nazaré, is a picturesque seaside city in Portugal, famend for its majestic sea cliffs, expansive sandy seashores, and vibrant cultural heritage. Though the city has a quaint appeal and scrumptious seafood, that wasn’t what initially drew me to it. As an alternative I visited Nazaré for its world-famous large waves. The underwater Nazaré Canyon creates record-breaking swells that entice surfers from across the globe.
The large wave season is between October and March in which you’ll see waves that common about 15 meters (50 ft) excessive and if the situations are distinctive even as much as 24 meters (80 ft). Watching surfers navigate the monstrous waves is a such a particular expertise that’s each exhilarating and humbling. It’s unbelievable to see.
When the waves are large and an occasion is on, there are large crowds of individuals watching. You’ll be able to watch the spectacle from the seaside, Praia do Norte, nonetheless the perfect place to watch is on Sítio da Nazaré. It’s by the lighthouse – Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo, which you’ll go to the inside of all year long. It homes a small exhibition devoted to the surf tradition in Nazaré and the historical past of massive wave browsing.
I discovered it very fascinating to dive a bit of deeper into the background of the Nazaré large wave browsing. To summarize, Nazaré is unquestionably value seeing. The seashores are lovely and it’s a captivating city to walk by way of. Should you’re searching for a little bit of thrill ensure you time your go to in accordance with the swell. That means you get to expertise the colossal waves at Praia do Norte.
Ericeira, Portugal
Ericeira is definitely my favourite vacation spot, in all probability as a result of I’ve spent probably the most period of time right here. It’s identified for being one of many few World Browsing Reserves, a testomony to its distinctive waves and surf tradition. It attracts surfers and vacationers from all all over the world. Regardless, I discover that it doesn’t lose its conventional Portuguese appeal.
It’s proper by the ocean with quite a few lovely seashores and a vibrant social life on the town. The previous city is a labyrinth of cobbled streets, conventional white homes with blue trim, and quaint squares. Wandering by way of, you’ll uncover distinctive retailers, cafes, and seafood eating places that serve contemporary seafood dishes.
At Praia dos Pescadores, or Fisherman’s Seaside, you’ll be able to generally watch native fishermen launching their boats, sustaining the village’s lengthy standing maritime traditions. Praia dos Pescadores is simply one of many many unbelievable seashores all alongside the shoreline. There are a number of well-known surf spots, together with Ribeira d’Ilhas and Coxos. Whether or not you’re a seasoned surfer or a newbie, the various surf spots supply situations for all ranges.
Even in case you are not into browsing there are various different actions to strive. You’ll be able to skate, apply Yoga, strive bouldering or climbing. Particularly in summer time there’s a full of life get together scene to take pleasure in. It’s additionally a improbable place for a metropolis stroll, a nature stroll, sunbathing, or just soaking within the vibrant environment and exquisite views of the Atlantic.
One notice: When you can keep at quite a few wonderful hostels and resorts, it’s a bit much less straightforward when looking for an in a single day parking spot with a van. I like to recommend the campsite on the town or discovering a parking spot a bit additional alongside the shoreline.
Nevertheless, Ericeira is unquestionably value visiting. It’s such a captivating seaside village with distinctive sights and actions. Whether or not you’re drawn in by the waves, the attract of conventional Portuguese village life, or the straightforward pleasure of exploring a lovely coastal panorama, Ericeira is a memorable escape.
3000 km and a Pocket filled with Seashells Later: A Conclusion
I’ve traveled up and down the coast with my van 3 times now. I do know the final time wasn’t truly the final time as I’m already planning my subsequent street journey. I really like coming again to those locations and exploring new ones. Each time is one other distinctive expertise filled with adventures. I accumulate moments and recollections in addition to pockets filled with seashells and sunshine.
My journeys from Germany to the shores of Portugal depart me in awe of the variety and richness of the Atlantic Coast. Every vacation spot, with its personal historical past, tradition, and nature, has proven me such distinctive magnificence. From the majestic silhouette of Mont-Saint-Michel, to the countless seashores within the South of France, to the great thing about Galicia; from the cultural vibrancy of Bilbao and Sopelana, to the appeal of Porto; and eventually, the exhilarating waves of Nazaré and the surfer paradise of Ericeira.
This street journey alongside the Atlantic Coast is greater than only a journey; it’s an invite to find the tales etched into the landscapes and cities of the shoreline. I hope my tales can encourage you to embark by yourself street journey journey, whether or not it’s the historic cities, the blue of the ocean, the beautiful cuisines, or the fun of browsing that attracts you.
See you on the street.
