Northern Spain Tours from Madrid
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10 best Northern Spain tours from Madrid
Compiled by
MelissaMadrid travel expert at TourRadar
- Highlights of Northern Spain & Portugal - 8 Days
- Madrid and North of Spain
- Green Spain (Northwest)
- 10-Day Tour Northern Spain from Madrid
- Basque Country from Madrid
- Camino de Santiago Experience
- Northern Spain Explorer
- San Sebastian, Santander & Oviedo - 4 days
- Northern Spain (Small Groups, End Madrid)
- Northern Spain (Small Groups, End Barcelona)
The path stretches 590km from Madrid to San Sebastian via Zaragoza. Visitors pass through Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum, medieval Santillana del Mar, and Covadonga's shrine. The route continues through Spanish Fjords and Vigo before reaching Porto, completing the 566km return to Madrid via historic Salamanca.
Duration 8 days Destinations Madrid, Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Santillana del Mar, Covadonga, Oviedo, A Coruña, Santiago de CompostelaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Click Tours From $3,352
20% Off- NZ$2,681You save $670
Madrid and North of Spain
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The mountain scenery is stunning in Northern Spain and the people are welcoming.”
KEITH, traveled in September
The grand tour takes you from Madrid's center to Bilbao's Guggenheim district. Along the way, marvel at León's Gothic cathedral, visit Oviedo's Congress Palace, take in Santander's coastal beauty, and wander Bilbao's old quarter before heading back to Madrid.
Duration 5 days Destinations Madrid, Leon, Oviedo, Covadonga, Santander, Bilbao Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
20% Off- NZ$1,030
The route stretches 590km from Madrid's VPT office to San Sebastian via Zaragoza. The path winds through Bilbao, Santander, and medieval Santillana del Mar, before returning through Salamanca. Total route covers 1,561km of Northern Spain.
Duration 4 days Destinations Madrid, Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Santillana del Mar, Oviedo, Salamanca Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator VPT Tours From $1,232
10% Off- NZ$1,109You save $123
10-Day Tour Northern Spain from Madrid
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The tour was good, but more information prior to departure would have been helpful.”
Matthew, traveled in April
Beginning in Madrid, the tour travels north to Zaragoza's Basilica, then San Sebastian. Journey continues through Bilbao, Santander, and Santiago de Compostela, before heading to Porto. Returns via Salamanca and Ávila, covering major Northern Spain landmarks over 10 days in luxury coach transport.
Duration 10 days Destinations Madrid, Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Santillana del Mar, Covadonga, Oviedo, Mondonedo, LugoSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Julia Travel From
10% Off- NZ$3,265
A spectacular route from Madrid leads through Northern Spain, featuring Segovia's UNESCO Aqueduct and medieval Pedraza to Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum. The route continues via San Sebastián's Mount Igueldo before passing through Burgos Cathedral.
Duration 3 days Destinations Madrid, Segovia, Bilbao, Portugalete, San Sebastian, Burgos Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
10% Off- NZ$897
Your northern Spanish adventure launches from Madrid's Plaza Mayor by train to Sarria. The path leads through Ferreira, Portomarín, and Palas de Rei on the way to Santiago de Compostela, covering 115km of historic pilgrimage routes.
Duration 10 days Destinations Madrid, Sarria, Portomarin, Palas de Rei, Arzua, Pedrouzo, Santiago de Compostela, Cape Finisterre Age Range Operated in English, Spanish Operator UniTrips From
10% Off- NZ$3,351
Northern Spain Explorer
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent food to sample. We love Spain, a good sample of cities and small towns to experience the culture and history.”
Linda, traveled in September
The tour rolls north from Madrid to Bilbao's Guggenheim, then east to San Sebastian's beaches. Visitors pass through Laguardia's medieval streets and Pamplona's historic center before arriving in Barcelona via scenic Northern Spanish countryside.
Duration 8 days Destinations Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Laguardia, Pamplona, Zaragoza, Barcelona Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Explore! From $4,100
11% Off- NZ$3,660You save $440
Duration 4 days Destinations Madrid, Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Santillana del Mar, Covadonga, Oviedo, Salamanca Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $1,745
30% Off- NZ$1,222You save $524
This 11-day adventure starts in Madrid with Prado Museum tour and concludes with transfer from Barcelona. The route crosses Guadarrama Mountains to Santiago de Compostela, follows Costa Verde to Oviedo, then to Santander via Picos de Europa. Final leg includes Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum before reaching Barcelona's Sagrada Família.
Duration 11 days Destinations Madrid, Museo del Prado, Guadarrama, Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Asturias, Miraz, Santillana del Mar, Santander, CovadongaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Insight Vacations From $8,050
15% Off- NZ$6,843You save $1,208
Duration 11 days Destinations Madrid, Museo del Prado, Guadarrama, Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Asturias, Miraz, Santillana del Mar, Santander, CovadongaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Insight Vacations From $8,050
15% Off- NZ$6,843You save $1,208
What people love about Northern Spain Tours from Madrid
- Madrid and North of Spain
Overall my wife and I enjoyed the tour to northern Spain immensely. The mountain scenery is stunning in Northern Spain and the people are welcoming. The trip was well planned. We were lucky enough to see the annual festival dedicated to Spanish bullfighting albeit using imitation bulls, in Tordesillas; and catch a fleeting glimpse of the cyclists in the annual Vuelta a Espana 2023, as they hurtled through the tiny mountain village of Santillan a Del mar at a mere 100kmph on stage 16, a hill climb through the mountains. The Drivers and Couriers were pleasant and helpful. The Hotels well located and comfortable. However, we did have to change our coach twice as travellers were going on different tours. This is how we missed out on the event we we looking forward to most on day 4 the wine museum at La Rioja, Santo Domingo de la Calzada. If we had changed coaches at the hotel in Santander in the morning we would have gone to the wine museum. However we were asked to change coaches in Bilbao at lunchtime and missed out as the other coach had already visited the museum. This unfortunately has soured our trip. I understand that it it the fault of 'Europamundo' and not Tour Radar and therefore would ask you to speak to them as other customers of yours will surely not want to miss out on the museum. I assume that you will issue a refund to me. Also, I can make my concerns known on 'Trip Adviser' about 'Europamundo' so that other unsuspecting customers do not miss out. The visit to the wine museum is one of the reasons for taking the trip. Mr KB from the UK.
- Northern Spain Explorer
Tour itinerary needs to be revised: Guggenheim closed Monday, our only day in Bilbao; not enough time to enjoy San Sebastián- should stay overnight nearby and avoid 3 hours on the bus from Bilbao, wine tasting would be much better in the afternoon than in the AM, way too much packed into single day on Thursday before touring Zaragoza late afternoon. Hotels must have working AC. Still, it was a great trip thanks to excellent tour leader Ester: She was personable, flexible, organized, knowledgeable, and FUN.
- North of Spain & Portugal, 8 days
Overall very happy! Amazing driver Guillermo made all the difference. I just wish he had a nicer car to drive. This car was not comfy at all. The sights, the itinerary were fantastic. Guide is required, but was not always available.
What our customers ask about Northern Spain Tours from Madrid
What are typical tour lengths for Northern Spain tours starting in Madrid?
Northern Spain tours from Madrid range from quick 3-day getaways to expansive 12-day explorations. The most sought-after options are 4 and 11-day itineraries. Companies like Insight Vacations structure their 11-day tours to begin with two full days in Madrid before venturing north to coastal gems like San Sebastian vibrant Bilbao and the rugged Picos de Europa National Park. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The tour was a relaxed pace not too rushed which was nice & the start times in the morning were not too early which makes the tour feel more like a vacation."
What regions and highlights are typically covered on Northern Spain tours from Madrid?
Tours wind through the distinct regions of Basque Country Galicia Asturias and Cantabria. Travelers can explore Bilbao's modernist Guggenheim Museum take in San Sebastian's crescent-shaped La Concha beach walk the cobblestone streets of Santillana del Mar and visit the historic Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "Northern Spain was a great experience. Beautiful countryside. Diverse people. Interesting and wonderful food experiences. We totally appreciated how different North Spain is from the south."
What type of accommodations can I expect on Northern Spain tours from Madrid?
Accommodations focus on centrally located 3-4 star hotels that blend comfort with convenience. Madrid options include the refined Hesperia Madrid and NH Collection. San Sebastian features properties like the contemporary Silken Amara Plaza while Santander offers luxury stays at the clifftop Eurostars Hotel Real with its bay views. As confirmed by a TourRadar traveler: "The hotels were lovely and close to everything in each city."
What's the best time of year to take a Northern Spain tour starting in Madrid?
The prime travel window spans May through September when mild temperatures create ideal exploring conditions. May and September bring pleasant weather and thinner crowds while July and August buzz with festivals and peak-season energy. Spring and early fall provide comfortable conditions for walking tours. Tour operators like Insight Vacations and Cosmos increase their departures during these months with consistently positive reviews during the shoulder seasons.
What unique culinary experiences are offered on Northern Spain tours starting in Madrid?
The food experiences reflect the region's rich culinary heritage. Tours often include Rioja wine tastings traditional pintxos (tapas) crawls in San Sebastian and cider house visits in Asturias. Local specialties range from Mondoñedo's signature cake to authentic Galician dinners in Santiago de Compostela. One TourRadar reviewer highlighted the quality of regional dishes served throughout the journey making food a standout element of the experience.
How do I get to the starting point in Madrid for Northern Spain tours?
Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) connects to central Madrid where most tours begin through a 20-30 minute taxi ride or direct Metro service. Tour operators like Insight Vacations include airport transfers when booking international flights through their service. Popular starting hotels such as the Hesperia Madrid and NH Collection offer easy access to public transportation. Plan to arrive a day before the tour starts to adjust to local time and meet your group.
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Coach / Bus from Madrid