Views on Spain: Driving

Driving in Spain is easy. There is only one rule. If they can do anything stupid and dangerous, they will.

This is particularly true at roundabouts . Look out for everything. Everyone has the right of way. Including cattle and horses, which may travel in the opposite direction.

Beware of the Granada bi pass. There are six lanes of fast moving traffic, all in a hurry to go nowhere. San Sebastian has two names, so does everything else up there. Easy to get lost.

Madrid, I’m told is a nightmare. Never venture there.

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James57 · 61-69, M

Worked in Spain for six years and before sat navs. I would say driving is easier than the UK because there it is less traffic and more space. I would rather travel through any Spanish city than a British one. Been to central Madrid twice, The Granada bypass, 3 times, Central Granada and Barcelona, once. Always found a free parking spot. The danger time would be the early hours of the morning. I regularly travelled mountain roads at night and would come across vehicles travelling uneasily down the central white line. I would just follow behind, knowing full well the driver is on his way home from the bar. I was regularly stopped by the Guardia for routine checks and breathalysed even though I had only had tea to drink. They were always friendly. I did once go round a roundabout the wrong way and in my own town.

peterlee · M

@James57 I agree there is far less traffic, the towns are so distant from each other, and the tourist towns are discretely far away. Let them stay there. With the married guys on lads holidays, claiming they are single. How the women fall for them amazes me, but they do!

Today I experienced rain. Heavy rain. The few cars on the road travelled faster than usual as if it was a Grand Prix.

Parking is easy, and free. Unless again you are in the tourist areas. Malaga is easy to negotiate.

Yes, the Guardia Civil are polite. Always carry your paper work, the Spanish love paperwork, especially with red seals. They give up on you quickly though, when it is in English.

Never drink and drive. I walk to the Tapas bars, even if they are two miles away.