Spain, From Sea to Sea 10 Days
10 Days: Barcelona - Bilbao – Santander - Oviedo - Santiago de Compostela - Madrid
Tour overview:
Discover the beauty of northern Spain, where rugged Atlantic landscapes meet elegant seaside cities, medieval villages and centuries-old traditions. From Barcelona’s architectural masterpieces to Bilbao’s modern artistry, savor Basque pintxos, explore the historic treasures of Asturias and Galicia, and arrive in Santiago de Compostela, the legendary end of the Camino de Santiago. This remarkable journey offers an unforgettable portrait of Spain at its most authentic and enchanting.
Day 1 - Arrive Barcelona
Arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Join tour Tour Director for your Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers over a delightful evening of good food and wine. Accommodation at the hotel in Barcelona. (D)
Notes: We recommend you to select flights that arrive no later than 5 PM so you can enjoy the itinerary from the beginning.
Day 2 - Barcelona
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Barcelona. Drive along its elegant avenues, admiring Antoni Gaudí's iconic Modernist masterpieces, including La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. Continue to Montjuïc Hill for panoramic views over the city and its harbour, passing the Olympic Ring, the Columbus Monument and the lively waterfront. The highlight of the tour is a visit to the magnificent Sagrada Família, Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece and the city's most emblematic landmark. The afternoon is at leisure to continue exploring Barcelona at your own pace, perhaps strolling through the Gothic Quarter, browsing the boutiques along Passeig de Gràcia or relaxing by the Mediterranean. Accommodation at the hotel in Barcelona. (B)
Day 3 - Barcelona - Zaragoza - Pamplona - Bilbao
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel southwest through one of Spain's most important industrial and agricultural regions. Arrive in Zaragoza, the capital of Aragón, set on the banks of the mighty Ebro River. Enjoy free time to admire the magnificent Baroque Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, one of Spain's most important pilgrimage sites. Continue to Pamplona, world-famous for the San Fermín festival. Stroll through this historic city, founded in Roman times, with its charming medieval old quarter and impressive Gothic Cathedral. Continue to Bilbao. Accommodation at the hotel in Bilbao. (B)
Day 4 - Bilbao - San Sebastian - Bilbao
Breakfast at the hotel. Discover Bilbao on a panoramic city tour, showcasing the city's remarkable transformation into a hub of modern architecture and culture. Enjoy free time around the iconic Guggenheim Museum to admire its striking titanium-clad design. In the afternoon, continue to San Sebastián, one of Spain's most elegant seaside resorts and host of the prestigious International Film Festival. Panoramic tour featuring the spectacular La Concha Bay, its beautiful beach and Belle Époque architecture. Continue to Mount Igueldo for breathtaking views over the city before enjoying free time to explore at your own pace. Return to Bilbao and savour a traditional dinner featuring the famous Basque pintxos. Accommodation at the hotel in Bilbao. (B/D)
Day 5 - Bilbao - Castro Urdiales - Santander
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel west along the scenic coastline of Green Spain. Stop in Castro Urdiales, a charming fishing town with a picturesque medieval harbour and the striking Gothic Church of Santa María overlooking the Bay of Biscay. Continue to Santander, the elegant capital of Cantabria, beautifully set around one of the world's finest natural bays. Once the favourite summer retreat of the Spanish Royal Family, the city combines stately architecture, seaside promenades and the renowned El Sardinero Beach. Enjoy free time to soak up the relaxed atmosphere of this refined coastal destination. Accommodation at the hotel in Santander. (B)
Day 6 - Santander - Santillana del Mar - Covadonga - Oviedo
After breakfast, depart for Santillana del Mar, one of Spain's finest medieval villages, whose cobbled streets preserve an exceptional historical heritage. Visit the surroundings of the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. Continue to Covadonga, spiritual heart of Asturias, where you will have free time to visit the Sanctuary and the Holy Cave housing the revered image of Our Lady of Covadonga. In the afternoon, travel to Oviedo, passing by the magnificent Church of Santa María del Naranco, a jewel of Asturian pre-Romanesque architecture. Enjoy free time to discover the city's pedestrian streets and its impressive Gothic Cathedral, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Accommodation at the hotel in Oviedo. (B)
Day 7 - Oviedo - Mondoñedo - Lugo - Santiago de Compostela
Breakfast at the hotel. Journey into the lush landscapes of Galicia. En route, stop in the charming episcopal town of Mondoñedo, one of the oldest cities in the region. Enjoy free time to admire its magnificent 13th-century Cathedral, stroll through its peaceful squares and sample the famous local almond cake, a traditional Galician delicacy. Continue to Lugo, the only city in the world entirely encircled by perfectly preserved Roman walls, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its historic centre, where Roman remains blend harmoniously with medieval streets, elegant squares and the impressive Cathedral of Saint Mary. Continue to Santiago de Compostela, the spiritual heart of Galicia and the legendary destination of the Camino de Santiago. Accommodation at the hotel in Santiago de Compostela. (B)
Day 8 - Santiago de Compostela
Breakfast at the hotel. Guided tour of Santiago de Compostela, one of Christianity's most important pilgrimage destinations and the final stage of the legendary Camino de Santiago. Visit the Cathedral (entrance included), an outstanding masterpiece of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture, traditionally believed to house the remains of Saint James the Apostle. The remainder of the day is at leisure to wander through the city's charming old quarter, where granite streets, elegant arcades and lively squares lead to the magnificent Obradoiro Square. Accommodation at the hotel in Santiago de Compostela. (B)
Day 9 - Santiago de Compostela - Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the railway station to board the high-speed train to Madrid. Sit back and enjoy a comfortable journey across the diverse landscapes of northern and central Spain before arriving in the country's dynamic capital. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel in Madrid. (B)
Day 10 - Depart Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, transfer to Madrid Airport for your departure flight. (B)
