What are the most spectacular roads in Spain?

Tucked away on the Iberian Peninsula, in the southwestern part of Europe, the roads of Spain offer the best way to discover the country’s diverse topography. It features mountain roads, even the highest paved road in Europe, as well as stunning coastal drives on the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.

The country is home to Pico del Veleta, the highest paved road in the European continent. Ending at 3,369m (11,053ft) above sea level, it's one of the highest roads in Europe. At an altitude of around 3,000m, road conditions become significantly worse. For those seeking mountain roads, Alto de l’Angliru is the ultimate cycling ascent in Asturias. Climbing up to 1.558m (5,111ft) above sea level, it’s one of the hardest and most epic climbs you can ride on two wheels.

If you’re up for a drive on scenic roads, Mallorca hosts two stunning drives: the sensational road to Formentor Lighthouse and Sa Calobra, the Snake Road. Located on the island of Mallorca, Sa Calobra Road is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Imagine dropping a long piece of wet spaghetti on the floor. The pattern it makes looks something like what the road looks. If you really want a challenge, try tackling it by bike. On the Canary Islands, GC-200 is an exhilarating road with 365 curves and spectacular views. The road has it all, from hairpin bends to sheer cliff-edge drops. It's one of the best roads on the Canary Islands.

So, rev up your engines and let Spain's spectacular routes guide you through a journey of soulful discoveries and unforgettable vistas. You will discover many treasures created by skilled workers employed by construction firms with tradition in Spain. 

Nestled in the Pyrenees of Aragon, the Congosto de Jánovas is a dramatic and scenic canyon carved by the Ara River. Famous for its narrow, twisting road and breathtaking views, this stretch of the N-260 is not only a challenge for drivers but also a fascinating example of history shaping infrastructure. The canyon’s unique geography and the story behind the road make it one of Spain’s most memorable drives.

Peña Horadada is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,350m (7,709ft) above sea level, located in Almería province, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Portillo de Lunada is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,360 m (4,461 ft) above sea level, located on the boundary of Cantabria and Castile and León, in Spain. The road is not recommended for people afraid of heights, especially when driving on the cliff side.

Puig Falcó is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,754m (9,035 ft) above sea level, located in the province of Lleida, Spain.

Pista de Ruego is the name of a stunning track climbing up to the abandoned Minas de Liena, in Aragon, an autonomous community of Spain. It's one of the highest roads in Spain.

Located on the island of Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands, Pico del Teide is Spain's highest peak, an iconic volcano. It’s said to be the third-tallest volcano in the world measured from its base on the ocean floor. A minor unpaved road, on its eastern side, tops out at 2,743m (8,999ft) above sea level.

Puerto de Peñanegra is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,909m (6,263 ft) above sea level, located in the Spanish province of Ávila.

Alto Fonte da Cova is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,850m (6,069ft) above sea level, located on the border between Galicia and Castile and León, in Spain. It is an impressive climb by any standards.

The Puente Nuevo (New bridge) is a very iconic bridge located in the province of Málaga, about 40 miles west of the city of Málaga, within the autonomous community of Andalusia, in southern Spain. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world looking like something straight out of Game of Thrones.

Alto de Aitana is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,543m (5,062ft) above sea level located in the province of Alicante, in Spain. The summit is placed within the boundaries of a Spanish army facility.

Col de Méhatché is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 716m (2,349ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.

Collado del Ampriu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,261m (7,417ft) above sea level, located in the province of Huesca, in Spain.

Estany Llong is a glacial lake at an elevation of 2,012m (6,601ft) above sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in the autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain.

Peña Ubiña is one of the most iconic peaks of the Cantabrian Mountains, standing at 2,417m (7,930ft). While the summit is only accessible on foot, a challenging high-mountain dirt track climbs the southern slopes from the village of Torrebarrio (León). This road reaches the Collado del Terreros, a mountain pass at 1,754m (5,754ft) that serves as the gateway to the massive limestone cliffs of the Ubiña Massif.

Tuc de la Llança is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,503m (8,211ft) above sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Cim de Coma Morera is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,205m (7,234ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border. 

Lago de Llauset is a high mountain reservoir located in the Province of Huesca, in Spain, at an elevation of 2,250m (7,381ft) above sea level.

Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera is a unique Spanish enclave located on the northern coast of Morocco. Once an island, it became a peninsula in 1934 after a massive storm created a natural sand bridge. Today, it is famous for holding the world’s shortest international border—a mere 85-meter-long sandy isthmus that connects the massive Spanish rock to the Moroccan shore.

Playa Veneguera is a very comfortable beach for swimming, 370 meters long, located in Gran Canaria, one of Spain’s Canary Islands, off northwestern Africa.

Refugio Villavientos is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 3,094m (10,150ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

El Retamar is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,100m (6,889ft) above sea level, located on the Canary Islands, in Spain.

Puerto de la Sia is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.229m (4,032ft) above sea level, located in Spain.

Coll de Pradell is an extreme high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,732m (5,682ft) above sea level, located in the province of Barcelona, Spain. The climb is brutal, with 23% gradient sections.

Hoces de Vegacervera is an amazing gorge located in the Province of León, in Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads in Spain. Be careful and drive slowly, as the road is narrow and winding.

Coll de Jou is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,637m (5,370ft) above sea level, located in the province of Girona, in Spain.

La Villuerca is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,603m (5,259ft) above sea level, located in Cáceres Province, in Spain.

Ortzanzurieta is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,570m (5,150ft) above sea level, located in Navarre, in Spain.

Boca del Infierno (Mouth of Hell) is a defiant canyon located in the province of Huesca, in Spain. It is one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Col d’Artzatey is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 662m (2,171ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.

Monte Oiz is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,026 m (3,366 ft) above sea level, located in the autonomous community of Basque Country, Spain. The climb is simply terrible, hitting 20% gradients. The climb is known for its half-asphalt, half-concrete surface and irregular ramps.

Located in the Lleida province, in Spain's northeastern Catalonia region, the bridge over the Segre river is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Torreta de l'Orri is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,439m (8,001ft) above sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin (Piedra de San Martín) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,760 m (5,774 ft) above sea level, located on the French-Spanish border. It’s one of only five roads with pigtails (nudo de corbata) in Spain.

Haza del Lino is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.280m (4,199ft) above sea level, located in Granada, in Spain.

Mirador Del Rio is a very scenic viewpoint at an elevation of 473m (1,551ft) above sea level, located in the northernmost part of the Canarian island of Lanzarote. It’s a fabulous cliff road affording panoramic views.

Collado de Orgambide is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 992m (3,254ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.

Collado de Basibé is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,353 m (7,719 ft) above sea level, located in the province of Huesca, in Spain. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Alto de la Farrapona is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,708m (5,603ft) above sea level, located in Spain. The pass has already made a name for itself.

Puerto de Pandetrave is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,562m (5,124ft) above sea level, located in the province of León, in Spain.

Puerto de Palombera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,260 m (4,133 ft) above sea level, located in the autonomous community of Cantabria, in Spain.

Cerro del Moro is a mountain peak at an elevation of 914m (2,998ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Málaga, in Spain. A demanding climb and descent, the views from the top are spectacular!

Puerto de Navacerrada is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.860m (6,102ft) above the sea level, located in the Sierra de Guadarrama, on the border of Castile and Leon and Madrid, in central Spain.

Collado El Lobo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,115 m (10,219 ft) above sea level, located in the region of Andalusia, Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Have you ever heard of ghost infrastructure? These are large projects that were planned for a specific purpose, cost a lot of money, but for some reason never saw use. In Madrid, one of these abandoned works exists: the MP-203, a ghost highway where not a single car has ever driven.

Alto de Hazallanas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.679m (5,508ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Granada, Spain. The climb includes gradients in double figures for long periods, and the inside of the hairpins are regularly over 20%.

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