Imagine a road trip–like holiday, but instead of taking a car or campervan, and instead of travelling by bus or train, you walk from point to point and from town to town.
You decided to go to one of the most beautiful countries on Earth: you are taking a walking holiday in Spain.
As people grow increasingly hungry for more diverse adventures, staying in the same accommodation every day no longer always feels enough. At the same time, you might not want to rely on a car either, but rather experience the landscape slowly, on foot.
Many people are familiar with hiking or going on a pilgrimage, but a walking holiday is usually something different. This type of travel comes with many added comforts, from well-developed infrastructure in towns and villages to practical support such as luggage transport. This makes walking holidays accessible even in regions where carrying everything yourself would be difficult.
In this article, we take things a step further. We look beyond traditional hikes and explore the differences between hiking, road trips, and walking holidays. We also explain why a walking holiday might be the perfect choice for your first experience of this kind of travel – in one of our favourite countries: Spain.
And don’t worry, we won’t stick to mainland Spain only! 🙂
Why choose a walking holiday in Spain?
Spain is in fact a vast and incredibly diverse country. While the Camino de Santiago is rightfully famous, it is far from the only place where you can enjoy an unforgettable walking holiday. Beyond the mainland, Spain’s islands offer some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in Europe.
The weather is generally excellent for walking, especially in spring and autumn. The food is rich in flavour and tradition, add to that the vibrant culture, colourful local festivals, and numerous national holidays, and you have a country that feels alive all year round.
Slower travel, more meaningful experiences
What we truly love about walking holidays in Spain is that they take you to places you would otherwise never visit: small villages between mountains or breathtaking coastal small towns. At a time when overtourism affects cities like Barcelona and other major hotspots, there is a growing desire for a different kind of travel. A slower, more intentional way of exploring a country.
Walking holidays naturally spread visitors across regions, beyond the obvious highlights, and into areas that genuinely benefit from your presence. You also have the opportunity to support local businesses along the way. Family-run guesthouses, small cafés, bakeries, and traditional restaurants become part of your daily experience.
Spain’s variety in just one trip
Spain is actually one of the most geographically diverse countries in Europe. With nearly 5,000 kilometres of coastline, the country stretches from the wild Atlantic shores in the north to the warm Mediterranean in the east and south. Add to that the volcanic Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean and the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, and you suddenly have multiple worlds within one nation.
Spain is also home to 17 autonomous regions, each with its own traditions, architecture, gastronomy, and even languages! Walking from region to region changes the culture, and this is what makes a walking holiday in Spain so compelling. In one trip, you can cross mountain passes, descend to the sea, wander through medieval towns, and end your day in a small village square where life unfolds slowly.
Best areas in Spain for walking holidays
It is difficult to highlight only a few remarkable things about the incredible variety Spain offers, as the country presents an extraordinary range of landscapes within one national border.
When we select regions for walking holidays at WAW, we look beyond scenery alone. A beautiful landscape is important, of course, but it is only part of the equation. We carefully consider whether the stages are achievable for most walkers, including beginners who may be taking their first multi-day trip. While we also appreciate more challenging routes, the overall level should feel encouraging rather than overwhelming.
We also look at the practical details that make a walking holiday truly enjoyable. Are accommodations frequent enough to create comfortable daily distances? Is there reliable luggage transportation so that walkers of different ages and fitness levels can enjoy the journey without carrying heavy backpacks? Can walkers experience varied scenery, such forests, mountain views, and ideally the sea – maybe even within a single trip?
So we say that a great walking region combines natural beauty with accessibility and infrastructure. It allows you to move steadily from place to place, arriving each afternoon in a welcoming village or town.
And fortunately, Spain has many such regions. Let’s take a look at where it is best to take a walking holiday in Spain!
Camino de Santiago routes
One of the most iconic choices for a walking holiday in Spain is – of course – the Camino de Santiago. The Camino is a network of historic pilgrimage paths crossing different regions of the country, each with its own character and level of challenge.
We absolutely love Galicia, where the city of Santiago de Compostela also lies. Here the landscape feels lush and green, almost Celtic in character. The Atlantic air is fresh and the cuisine is shaped by the region’s proximity to the ocean.
Further east, the Basque Country offers a completely different experience. On the Camino del Norte, for example, you walk along cliffs overlooking the Bay of Biscay, through green hills and into seaside towns like San Sebastián. The culture here feels special with its own language and culinary identity.
Another favourite region is the coastal stretch of the Camino Inglés, which brings yet another variation. Starting near the Atlantic ports of Ferrol or A Coruña, this shorter route combines maritime history with forest paths. It is often less crowded than other routes, yet rich in atmosphere.
Of course, we cannot write an article without mentioning the absolute classics: the Camino Francés and the Camino Portugués. However, we also recommend taking a look at some of the lesser-known – yet just as beautiful – Camino routes for your walking holiday, such as the Camino Primitivo, Camino Sanabrés, Camino Finisterre, or one of our newly introduced routes, the Camino de Invierno.
Coastal and mountain trails beyond the Camino
Here are four remarkable areas that show just how diverse a walking holiday in Spain can be:
One of our all-time favourites is northern Spain, where the Picos de Europa rise dramatically from lush valleys and limestone hills contrast with green pastures and remote mountain villages.
Or take the GR131 on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. In one journey, you move from volcanic craters and black lava fields to desert plains and long Atlantic beaches. You pass through places like Haría in the Valley of a Thousand Palms, the historic streets of Teguise, the former capital Betancuria, and finish at the lighthouse of Morro Jable overlooking the ocean.
Along the Camí de Cavalls on the island of Menorca, you might start your day near the elegant harbour of Maó and end it watching the sunset near Ciutadella’s sandstone cathedral.
And Mallorca’s GR221 takes you through the dramatic Serra de Tramuntana mountains, where cliffside paths overlook the Mediterranean and traditional villages like Deià and Pollença, suspended between mountain and sea.
What to expect on a walking holiday in Spain
A typical walking holiday in Spain covers between 12 and 25 kilometres per day, depending on the route and region. Some days are shorter, others slightly more challenging — and the best part is that they can be tailor-made. You can usually find a proposed itinerary on our website, but if you prefer a faster pace, a slower rhythm, or a rest day to explore a city, that is absolutely possible.
In fact, that flexibility is one of the best parts of a walking holiday in Spain. You truly walk at your own pace and explore in your own rhythm.
The paths can vary from coastal trails and forest tracks to mountain routes and country roads. You might walk on gravel, natural earth paths, old stone pavements, or occasionally through charming village streets.
The beauty of a walking holiday in Spain is that you spend several hours outdoors each day – which is super healthy, by the way – and at the same time arrive each afternoon at a beautiful, comfortable accommodation. There is time to both rest and explore the town or village you have arrived in.
A typical day on the trail
Your day on a walking holiday in Spain often begins with a simple breakfast, which may mean fresh bread with tomato and olive oil, coffee, fruit, and perhaps a pastry. After preparing your daypack and leaving your main luggage behind for transfer, you set off.
The morning hours are often the most peaceful. During a walking holiday in Spain, you move at your own rhythm, perhaps stopping mid-morning in a small village café for a coffee or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.
By early or mid-afternoon, you arrive at your next destination. A shower, a short rest, maybe a stroll through town, and in the evening, you can enjoy dinner, try local dishes, and share conversations with fellow travellers — maybe even other walkers — about the day’s journey over a glass of wine.
Food, wine and local culture
A walking holiday in Spain allows you to experience the country’s diverse culture in an authentic way.
And then there is the wine.
Spain is one of the world’s great wine-producing countries, and each region you walk through tells its own story in the glass. In Rioja, you might taste elegant, oak-aged reds with deep berry flavours. In Galicia, you can enjoy crisp white wines like Albariño on the Atlantic coast. In Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, local wines reflect the Mediterranean sun, and even in volcanic landscapes such as Lanzarote, vines grow in black ash, producing distinctive wines shaped by the island’s unique terrain.
Is a walking holiday in Spain right for you?
For those who enjoy being active but do not necessarily consider themselves extreme hikers, a walking holiday in Spain is ideal. You do not need to be an athlete, because a reasonable level of fitness and a willingness to walk several hours per day is enough.
It suits many types of travellers. Solo walkers often appreciate the independence and reflection time, while couples enjoy the shared rhythm and daily sense of achievement. Groups of friends find it a meaningful way to spend time together without distractions. Even complete beginners can thrive on well-designed routes with luggage transport and comfortable accommodations.
If you prefer fast-paced sightseeing or luxury resorts where everything revolves around a single location, this type of holiday may feel different from what you are used to. But if you are curious, open to slowing down, and excited by the idea of discovering Spain step by step, it might be exactly what you are looking for.
Ready to try a walking holiday in Spain?
If this has sparked your curiosity, we encourage you to explore our website and discover the walking holidays in Spain we currently offer. At WAW.travel, you will find carefully designed itineraries that are ready to book and thoughtfully crafted by our team.
At the same time, we specialise in tailor-made walking holidays. If you would like to adjust distances, add rest days, combine regions, or create something entirely personal, we would love to help you shape that journey.
Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected], and we will be happy to assist you in creating a walking holiday in Spain that truly fits your wishes.
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