First-timers heading for Spain

Personally I would skip the coast and aim inland for El Molino de Cabuerniga as a first campsite and then move on to Potes as a base for the Picos mountains. That area is closer if you switch your booking to a Santander rather than a Bilbao arrival, and for riding cable cars up into the high places it might be better if you can leave your dog at home with family or friends. It’s a fact of life that a number of campsites in northern Spain don’t accept dogs - nor do monasteries, museums and historic places in the inland cities. Do you have a good guidebook  to give you ideas of places to visit which might interest you?

You'll have a great time, it's a beautiful area with lots of great walking which your dog will enjoy too.
We've been with our dog and also without. Campsites which we went to with the dog included La Viorna in Potes, Ribadesella and Zumaia. All great sites. In the Picos the cable car Eurocamper mentions didn't take dogs but it's possible to walk up instead.
Zumaia has a world heritage site, a cliff face, and is also good for a train into Donastella San Sebastian, which is well worth a visit, dogs are accepted on the train and it's a short journey.
We've also stayed at and enjoyed the campsite La Paz and another near Colombres, I don't know specifically whether they take dogs, but we didn't ever find it a problem when we had ours with us. The ACSI app lets you filter campsites according to whether dogs are accepted.
I'm sure it would be difficult to swop ferries now given how hard it is to get a dog cabin, and I'm sure Bilbao will be a good starting place. You've got a month to enjoy exploring and it won't make that much of a difference where you start. Have a great trip

You'll have a great time.  Sep is a great time to go and as you will have loads of time would recommend going down into Portugal for half your trip, you will not be disappointed.  Yes ACSI is very useful. A couple of minor points: if your outfit is more than 12 mtrs long you will need  those 'Long Vehicle' signs on the back; and if you wear specs you will need a spare pare with you.  I don't use one but a lot of folks recommend a motorway tag thing; if you do not use one you will need to register your outfit just after you enter Portugal at the first major motorway entrance (or shortly afterwards - it was a few Ks before we were directed off the motorway to do this and it is quite straight forward.  A bit of research will find all the info you need.  The sites are generally fine with plenty of space - usually.

Can't help on a site near Bilbao as we have always entered Spain at Santander but try to find a site close to the port in case you are delayed.  On one of our trips to Santander the ferry was late and we did not get to our site until after 11pm; they knew the ferry had been delayed and had made arrangements to receive us (and the 20 or so others affected!).

Although we did this in a motorhome in May/June as part of a 5 week 'tour', I can second El Molino, fascinating little place & would love to see it during summer.....

Below is an extract from our itinerary, that may help with your planning:

El Molino de Cabuerniga, 3 nights, 20th – 23rd May, Sopena, Cabuerniga, Spain E39510

A Gaivota Camping, 3 nights, 23rd – 26th May, Barreiros Beach, 27790 Barreiros, Lugo, Spain – Lidl en Rte

Bayona Playa, 3 nights, 26th – 30th May, Baiona, Pontevedra, Spain 36393

Angeiras, 3 nights, 30th May – 2nd June, Rua de Angeiras, Angeiras, Lavra, Portugal 4455-039

Costa do Vizir, 6 nights, 2nd June – 8th June, Monte Branco, Porto Covo, Portugal 7520-437 – Lidl en Rte

Hope this helps

Hi Miriam,

We had a fantastic holiday on Spain's Mediterranean coast in September 2022. You might be interested our story at the following link: https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/your-stories/roger-mcnair/a-summer-holiday-in-spains-costa-daurada/

Thanks to all for your replies.

Unfortunately, leaving the dog behind isn't an option so yes, we'll have to filter out any sites where he won't be welcome.

Lots of tips in your story, Roger, plenty to take on board and act upon.

We've ordered maps and guides, just need to spend some quality time doing the planning and booking. We've been told that we shouldn't have much trouble finding a pitch so long as we keep away from the coast but we wouldn't want to put this to the test first time out.

Bring on the sunshine!

Someone mentioned Potes on here. Yes a lovely spot but beware of the road up to the town. El Desfiladero La Hermida on YouTube will show you that it has some scary overhanging cliffs that may well force you into the middle of the road where you might meet one of the many coaches going up and down.