One of the largest states in Europe, Spain, attracts many tourists. A warm Mediterranean climate and an abundance of beaches on two coasts, a huge number of historical sites and outstanding examples of modern culture - all this makes Spain one of the most popular holiday destinations. But to fully enjoy the beauty of this country, it is worth renting a car and making an independent trip. Fortunately, the roads in Spain allow even a novice car enthusiast to move here with a minimum of difficulty.
Features of roads in Spain
The local road network is very extensive, but it is very easy to get lost in it. After all, the roads here were built on the site of historically formed paths, developing gradually and somewhat chaotically. The exception is high-speed autobahns, laid within the framework of a special program for the development of the country's transport network.
Expressways mainly leave the capital of Spain, Madrid. There are also several major highways along the coasts. Some high-speed roads are toll roads, they go directly, bypassing settlements. It is on such passages that the speed is maximum, making up 120 km / h. However, moving along such highways is a bit boring, you can't see anything here except concrete fences. Also, one should not forget about the high fare - Spain in this respect is among the leaders in Europe.
Any toll road section is duplicated by free roads, the difference of which is the lower permitted speed, as well as the fact that you will have to travel much longer distances. However, you can visit hospitable villages and towns, stay in especially picturesque places.
Almost all local roads are built with a hard surface, while their quality, both toll and free, is exceptionally high. All major roads are well lit, but minor passages at night can be dangerous.
Abundance of mountain roads
Since the entire country is dotted with mountain ranges and plateaus, many roads here are winding and have steep descents and ascents. In addition, there are a large number of tunnels and bridges connecting hard-to-reach areas.
Often in Spain you can find real mountain serpentines with one lane. And although the quality of the roads here is also excellent, you need to move along them with great care. It is also worth considering the weather conditions - fogs are not uncommon in Spain due to the humid climate.
Features of local traffic
Any traveler who decides to drive a car in Spain should take into account some of the peculiarities of local traffic:
- There are very convenient road markings and extremely rational placement of signs. The latter should be treated especially carefully. If a speed limit sign is set, then it must be reset. A dangerous turn warning sign is installed where this turn really requires the driver to be very careful and careful driving.
- The fines for any violations are very high and amount to several hundred euros. Speeding, passengers not wearing their seatbelt, talking on a mobile even in a parked car - all this can result in a significant loss of money.
- Local drivers are characterized by extremely friendly and correct behavior on the roads, so accidents are quite rare here. However, on the Mediterranean coast, there are a large number of motorcyclists and scooter drivers who can appear on the road out of nowhere.
- In cities, most of the roads are one-way, so it is easy to get confused here in finding the right route.
A distinctive feature of Spanish roads is their thoughtfulness and convenience, therefore, despite some peculiarities, getting around the country by car is one of the most convenient and easiest ways to travel here.
