One practical aspect of travelling through Spain that quickly became part of our routine was using Repsol propane bottles. Unlike permanently installed refillable LPG systems, these cylinders operate through a straightforward exchange scheme. When one becomes empty, it is returned and replaced with a full cylinder of the same type. Rather than refilling your own bottle, you simply exchange it for one that has already been inspected, tested and refilled by Repsol.
During our journey we regularly used the Repsol service station at Polígono Industrial de Taraguilla, close to Gibraltar. It became our preferred place for exchanging cylinders because it was easy to access with our 23-foot motorhome and offered plenty of room to manoeuvre.
We exchanged our propane cylinders twice during the trip, including 24 December, and on both occasions the process was quick and uncomplicated. The staff were familiar with motorhome travellers and the exchange took only a few minutes.
The station was useful for much more than propane. Fresh water, grey-water disposal, toilets, showers, a restaurant and a motorhome wash area were all available in the same location, allowing us to complete several jobs during a single stop.
One advantage of the Spanish exchange system is its reliability. Every cylinder returned to the network is inspected, maintained and refilled before being supplied to another customer. There is no waiting for refilling, no searching for compatible LPG pumps and no concerns about filling adapters. If your installation is compatible with Spanish Repsol propane cylinders, exchanging an empty bottle is usually one of the quickest solutions for long journeys through Spain.
One interesting curiosity is that bottled propane and butane remain far more common in Spain than in many other European countries. Even today, millions of Spanish homes still rely on exchange cylinders for cooking, heating and hot water, particularly outside areas served by the natural gas network. This explains why Repsol maintains one of Europe’s largest cylinder distribution systems, making it remarkably easy for travellers to find exchange points almost anywhere in the country.
For us, the Taraguilla station became one of those dependable service stops that every long motorhome journey needs. The combination of straightforward propane exchanges, generous access for larger vehicles and excellent facilities made it a place we returned to with confidence whenever we were in the Gibraltar area.