hawardk Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 We are planning to spend four weeks touring Northern Spain in May. We have heard some scary reports of thieves attempts to break into motorhomes - sometimes by gassing the occupants while they are asleep! Has anyone had experience of this? We will not be 'wild camping', but plan to use either aires or ACSI sites. What are the risks (in 2015) and what precautions should we take? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 We've toured Northern Spain twice in recent years without ever staying on a site and on no occasion have we ever felt at risk or threatened even in the Basque region. As with all things, common sense and simple precautions apply and if an Aire looks iffy we do not stop, if we stop on a motorway we do not leave the van unattended, if we stop anywhere and see broken safety glass or plastic window or bits of lock on the ground we don't leave the van unattended and we always keep the cab doors locked and do not leave valuables in sight on the seats or in the cab even when we are in the van. Be aware that unlike Southern Spain English is much less widely spoken in Northern Spain. Roads are generally good, the beaches, mountains and scenery generally good and varied, supermarkets are widely available and the whole area is a lo more developed than we expected although much more unspoilt than the Med coast by comparison and well worth a visit or two as you will need more than one trip to see it all. This is a personal view and others may have a different perspective? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Northern Spain is delightful, although in May many of the campsites will still be waking up ;-) .......... As for risks, no worse than Blighty, just use your common sense..... Worse thing that might happen?...... your'll bump into a O&L forum member :D ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike88 Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 By Northern Spain do you mean the area on the most northerly coast including the San Sebastian, Bilbao and Santander areas across to La Coruna or the Costa Brava which is also known as Northern Spain? If the former there are no issues but if the latter if you use the A7 motorway, especially around Barcelona, don't stop if anyone signals you to do so. There are literally thousands camping on the Costa Brava including many Brits so don't be put off. It's safe as long as you are sensible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 From my experience of north west Spain, having been a couple of times, the main risk is that it might rain more than it does in the rest of Spain. That is why it is so scenic - and is called ' Green Spain ' We stayed on sites and didn't hear of any such " dangers " in that area. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muswell Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Northern SpaIn ( Bay of Biscay side) is completely different from the Med and I would have no qualms. Away from the coast campsites are few and far between and many are closed until June so best do some research before leaving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 I would wait till June..and not worry. just take the precautions you should take anywhere and park carefully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 As has already been said. The worst thing about N Spain is the WEATHER, can be wetter than UK, Go in June and it is lovely. The worst area of Spain for "Trouble" is around Barcelona We found some good sites in N Spain from the ACSI book Just enjoy your trip, but as also said make sure the sites are open PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawardk Posted April 25, 2015 Author Share Posted April 25, 2015 Thanks for that detailed response - very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawardk Posted April 25, 2015 Author Share Posted April 25, 2015 Great - we feel less worried now. We will certainly check that the sites are open before driving up. And brush up on our 'campsite Spanish'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 I can recommend ORIO ACSI no 25066 Between the sea and a lovely old Basque village, lot's of history there. Camping Gaviota Barreiros ACSI 2574 Quiet site by a long beach.Owned by a Spanish Painter with no hands (Well it was a few years ago) Both these sites are flat. Some of the sites along that coast can be very hilly, but great views of course.. We shall be in Spain in May, but not in the north, we leave that for late June/July, when it gets too hot in the south. PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKen1 Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 The Northern Spainish coast also called the Green Coast has probably more Aires (similar to French ones most of the time ) than any other part of Spain,we always found the locals friendly towards campervans ,but like everywhere there are the scally wags around so dont let your guard down. We use mainly the CAMPERSTOP Europe book for Aires and the ASCI book for camping with these in tow you should get a good mix of stopovers Bien Viaje Brian K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fesspark Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Northern Spain is nice and safer than most other regions of Spain, Try the aires at Cabarceno the wild life air, Elephants ect roaming wild below the aires it is a wonderful place, purchase all the aires in Spain and P.ortugal and you will be rewarded with what there is there, fesspark Just returned to the u.k. from there last week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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