Itinerary
- Day 1
Bilbao
You'll arrive in Bilbao and get transferred to your hotel to settle in. After you've checked in, you'll meet your English-speaking guide who gives a welcome briefing. Later that evening, you'll have your first Spanish dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Cantabria
Start the day in Cantabria, beginning with Santillana del Mar and its 12th-century Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana. Then you'll visit the NeoCave of Altamira to see the famous bison paintings. Head to Comillas next to check out royal palaces and architectural works by Gaudí and Domènech i Montaner, then the fishing town of San Vicente de la Barquera. After lunch, you'll drive through La Hermida Gorge and arrive in Espinama.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit the Collegiate Church & Cloisters of Santa Juliana in Santillana del Mar
- Explore the NeoCave of Altamira with cave paintings
- Discover Comillas and its architectural heritage
- Visit San Vicente de la Barquera
- Cross the La Hermida Gorge
Landmarks/POIs Collegiate Church & Cloisters of Santa Juliana NeoCave of Altamira Santillana del Mar Comillas San Vicente de la Barquera La Hermida Gorge - Day 3
Picos de Europa
You'll head into the mountains for about 150 minutes to reach the Fuente De cable car. Take the cable car up over 800 meters to Fuente de Glacier and enjoy the views. Later, you'll visit the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana, one of only five Christian sites that grants perpetual indulgences and houses the Lignam Crucis. In the afternoon, tour a liquor winery to learn how 'Orujo de Potes' is made before returning to your hostal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Fuente De cable car ascent to Fuente de Glacier
- Short tour at Fuente de Glacier
- Visit the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana
- Liquor winery tour to see Orujo de Potes production
Optional Activities
- Walking trail at Fuente Dé (2.5 km, +150m, -150m)
Landmarks/POIs Fuente De Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana - Day 4
Picos de Europa to Llanes
Explore the Central Massif of Picos de Europa National Park and see the iconic Naranjo de Bulnes peak. Stop at Pozo de la Oración to learn about this limestone formation, then go to Poncebos where the Cares Gorge begins. Continue to Sotres and take a gentle walk at Collado de La Caballar with views of the main summits. Have lunch in Arenas de Cabrales, then travel about 2 hours through scenic terrain to Llanes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stop at Pozo de la Oración viewpoint
- Explore Poncebos and the Cares Gorge
- Gentle walk at Collado de La Caballar
- Visit the town of Sotres
- Lunch in Arenas de Cabrales
Landmarks/POIs Naranjo de Bulnes Picos de Europa National Park Cares Gorge Collado de La Caballar Arenas de Cabrales - Day 5
Covadonga Lakes and Coast
Start your walk from Lake Ercina in the Picos de Europa, heading up to La Reblagas and then Bricial Majada, a high mountain meadow. Walk through a beech forest toward Vega de Enol Majada where you'll stop for lunch with views of Las Peñas Santas, then continue to Lake Enol. Later, stop at Covadonga to visit the church and Saint Cave to see the Virgin of Covadonga. Before dinner back in Llanes, you'll visit Ribadesella, a small coastal town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with spectacular views of Las Peñas Santas), Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk from Lake Ercina to La Reblagas and Bricial Majada
- Cross beech forest to Vega de Enol Majada with lunch
- Continue to Lake Enol
- Visit Covadonga Basilica and Saint Cave
- Visit Ribadesella
Landmarks/POIs Lake Ercina Lake Enol Covadonga Basilica Saint Cave of Covadonga Las Peñas Santas Ribadesella - Day 6
Oviedo
Start a guided walking tour of Oviedo from Uría Street, exploring the historic center and royal heritage. Walk down Cimadevilla Street to Plaza de la Constitución with its town hall arches, then check out the bustling Fontán Market. Continue through the Escandalera area and see 'La Maternidad' statue by Fernando Botero, then head to the Campoamor Theatre and finish at the Cathedral. You'll return to Llanes for your final dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Oviedo historic center
- Visit Plaza de la Constitución and town hall
- Explore Fontán Market
- See the Escandalera and La Maternidad statue
- Visit Campoamor Theatre
- View Oviedo Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Uría Street Plaza de la Constitución Fontán Market Escandalera La Maternidad statue Campoamor Theatre Oviedo Cathedral - Day 7
Santander to Bilbao
Spend time in Santander, the capital of Cantabria, visiting Sardinero Beach with its golden sands and the Magdalena Palace within its 24-hectare peninsula. Tour the unusual Cathedral with two Gothic churches built one above the other in the 13th and 14th centuries (you can optionally climb the bell tower for views). Take a leisurely boat trip through the Bay of Santander. Then drive about 1 hour 15 minutes to Bilbao and cross into the Basque Country.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Sardinero Beach
- Tour Magdalena Palace
- Visit Santander Cathedral
- Boat trip in the Bay of Santander
Optional Activities
- Climb the Santander Cathedral bell tower for views (small fee)
Landmarks/POIs Sardinero Beach Magdalena Palace Santander Cathedral Bay of Santander Isla de Mouro - Day 8
Bilbao and Basque Coast
Visit the iconic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, designed by Frank Gehry with modern and contemporary art in a futuristic space. Head to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, an islet that appeared as Dragonstone in Game of Thrones. Cross a stone bridge and climb 241 steps to reach a small church dedicated to St John the Baptist with impressive coastal views. In the afternoon, go to Bermeo, a charming Basque town famous for surfing, then return to Bilbao.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit the Guggenheim Museum
- Visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
- Climb to the church atop San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
- Visit Bermeo
Optional Activities
- Walking at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (2 km, -220m, +220m)
- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe viewpoint walk (600m, -60m, +60m)
Landmarks/POIs Guggenheim Museum Bilbao San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Church of St John the Baptist Bermeo - Day 9
Flysch Coast
If you're interested in walking, trek the Flysch coastal pathway (about 4 km at a steady pace), which is part of the GR121 coastal walking route around Guipúzcoa province. If you'd rather not walk, head straight to Zumaia to explore and relax until the group arrives. There's also an option to visit Zarautz, a coastal town with a 2.5 km beach, restaurants, and shops for souvenirs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walk the Flysch coastal pathway (approximately 4 km, +200m elevation)
- Explore Zumaia
- Visit Zarautz coastal town with 2.5 km sandy beach
Landmarks/POIs Flysch Coast GR121 Tour of Guipúzcoa Zumaia Zarautz - Day 10
San Sebastian
Take a guided walking tour of San Sebastian's main sites including Plaza de la Constitución with its majestic Town Hall, the Old Town (La Parte Vieja), and the fishing port at the base of Urgull Mountain. In the late morning, join a private pintxos tour (tapas) with a specialist in Basque food and culture. Spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure exploring the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Brunch (Private pintxos tour (tapas) with Basque gastronomic specialist)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of San Sebastian
- Visit Plaza de la Constitución and Town Hall
- Explore Old Town (La Parte Vieja)
- Visit fishing port at Urgull Mountain
- Private pintxos tour with gastronomic specialist
Landmarks/POIs Plaza de la Constitución San Sebastian Town Hall La Parte Vieja (Old Town) Urgull Mountain San Sebastian Fishing Port - Day 11
Departure
Have breakfast and then you'll be transferred to Bilbao for your journey home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
