Discover a side of Spain that feels worlds away from the flamenco rhythms and golden plains of the south. Northern Spain is greener, wilder, and full of contrasts—where sleek modern cities rise beside ancient pilgrimage routes, and rugged mountain ranges tumble down to the Atlantic coast.
On this 10-day adventure, you’ll wander through the gourmet streets of San Sebastián, marvel at the Guggenheim in Bilbao, sip cider in Asturias, and trace the footsteps of pilgrims in Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, you’ll hike dramatic trails in the Picos de Europa, stroll seaside promenades in Santander and A Coruña, and end your journey among the rolling vineyards of La Rioja.
This is Spain at its most authentic: a place of pintxos and pilgrim paths, ocean spray and mountain air, wine cellars and stone-built villages.
Highlights
Bilbao’s modern art & riverside charm – Explore the Guggenheim, wander the Casco Viejo, and see how a port city transformed into a cultural hub.
San Sebastián’s gourmet coastline – Stroll La Concha beach, climb Monte Urgull for sweeping views, and experience the world’s best pintxos scene.
Santander’s seaside flair – Relax along its golden bay, visit the Magdalena Peninsula, and enjoy a mix of beaches and culture.
Picos de Europa’s wild beauty – Ride the Fuente Dé cable car, discover remote mountain villages, and taste creamy Cabrales cheese.
Oviedo’s cider rituals & Romanesque churches – Sip sidra poured the Asturian way and explore UNESCO-listed stone treasures.
Santiago de Compostela’s pilgrim spirit – Stand in the Praza do Obradoiro, visit the cathedral, and feel the magic of the Camino’s final stop.
A Coruña’s oceanfront energy – See the Tower of Hercules lighthouse, walk Europe’s longest seafront promenade, and dine on fresh seafood.
La Rioja’s wine country finale – Tour family-run bodegas, taste bold reds, and stay in vineyard estates or historic monasteries.
Day 1–2: Bilbao – Basque Culture Meets Modern Design
Arrive at Bilbao, and dive straight into the Basque Country.
Begin with a riverside walk along the Nervión, where modern bridges and sleek buildings rise beside the city’s industrial heritage. The highlight is the Guggenheim Museum, a titanium masterpiece that turned Bilbao into a cultural capital. Inside, cutting-edge exhibits rival the building itself.
Spend your evenings in the Casco Viejo (Old Town), where narrow lanes reveal centuries-old churches and pintxos bars buzzing with locals. Plaza Nueva is perfect for your first Basque aperitivo.
💡 Food tip: Hop between pintxos bars, ordering one or two small bites at each. Pair with a glass of txakoli, the region’s lightly sparkling white wine.
Accommodation: Hotel Carlton / NYX Hotel Bilbao / Petit Palace Arana or similar
Day 3–4: San Sebastián (Donostia) – Spain’s Gourmet Seaside
Drive east along the Basque coast to San Sebastián, where golden sands meet one of the world’s best culinary scenes.
Start your day with a walk along La Concha beach, pausing to watch surfers at Zurriola. Hike up Monte Urgull or take the funicular to Monte Igueldo for postcard views of the bay.
Afternoons are for wandering the Old Town’s pintxos-packed alleys, and evenings are for feasting — whether it’s a Michelin-starred tasting menu or hopping from tavern to tavern with a local guide.
💡 Food tip: Don’t leave without trying gilda (anchovy, olive, and pepper skewer), the city’s iconic pintxo.
Accommodation: Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra / Room Mate Gorka / Pension Aldamar or similar
Day 5: Santander – A Seaside Pause
Continue west to Santander, a stylish seaside city set on a sweeping bay.
Walk the elegant Magdalena Peninsula, where manicured gardens overlook the water, then visit the striking Centro Botín modern art space. Relax on El Sardinero beach, a favorite among locals.
Santander offers the perfect blend of culture and coastal charm before you head into the mountains.
💡 Food tip: Order rabas (Cantabrian-style fried squid) with a cold beer for the ultimate seaside snack.
Accommodation: Hotel Bahía Santander / Vincci Puertochico / Silken Coliseum or similar
Day 6: Picos de Europa – Spain’s Wild Heart
Leave the coast behind for the dramatic Picos de Europa National Park. Limestone peaks tower above deep valleys, and tiny villages cling to the slopes.
Ride the Fuente Dé cable car for breathtaking views, then explore the mountain hamlet of Bulnes, reached only by funicular or footpath. Sample local Cabrales cheese, aged in limestone caves and known for its strong, smoky flavor.
This is Northern Spain at its wildest — rugged, green, and utterly unspoiled.
💡 Food tip: Try a mountain stew like fabada asturiana, hearty beans with chorizo and morcilla, perfect after a hike.
Accommodation: Parador de Cangas de Onís / Hotel del Oso / Hotel Picos de Europa or similar
Day 7: Oviedo – Cider & Stone Churches
Drive into the Asturian capital, Oviedo, a city of leafy plazas and UNESCO-listed pre-Romanesque churches. Admire San Miguel de Lillo and Santa María del Naranco, perched on a hillside overlooking the city.
In the evening, head to a traditional sidrería (cider house). Watch as cider is poured from above the server’s head into a tilted glass, then drunk quickly before the fizz disappears.
💡 Food tip: Pair your cider with tortos de maíz — crispy corn cakes topped with local cheeses and cured meats.
Accommodation: Barceló Oviedo Cervantes / Eurostars Hotel de la Reconquista / Gran Hotel España or similar
Day 8: Santiago de Compostela – The Pilgrim’s End
Arrive in Santiago de Compostela, the legendary endpoint of the Camino de Santiago.
Join the crowds in Praza do Obradoiro to watch weary pilgrims arrive, then step inside the Cathedral of Santiago, one of Spain’s most important religious sites. Wander the cobblestone streets, explore atmospheric cloisters, and enjoy the city’s lively student buzz.
💡 Food tip: Try pulpo a la gallega — tender octopus with paprika and olive oil, served on wooden plates.
Accommodation: Parador de Santiago – Hostal dos Reis Católicos / San Francisco Hotel Monumento / Hotel Altaïr or similar
Day 9: A Coruña – A City by the Atlantic
Just an hour away, A Coruña brings you back to the sea. Climb the Tower of Hercules, the world’s oldest working Roman lighthouse, for sweeping ocean views.
Stroll along one of Europe’s longest seaside promenades, shop at bustling markets, and dive into Galicia’s seafood culture. The city’s old town is lively and welcoming, with plazas perfect for an evening glass of Albariño wine.
💡 Food tip: Order percebes (gooseneck barnacles), Galicia’s most prized and adventurous seafood.
Accommodation: NH Collection A Coruña Finisterre / Hotel Plaza / Attica 21 Coruña or similar
Day 10: La Rioja – Wine Country Finale
End your journey in La Rioja, a region of vineyards, medieval towns, and some of Spain’s best red wines.
Spend your day touring family-run bodegas, wandering through cellar tunnels, and tasting bold Tempranillos straight from the barrel. Many wineries also offer traditional tapas — a perfect match for the region’s rich reds.
For your final night, stay in a converted monastery or vineyard estate, raising a glass to a journey that’s taken you from coastal cities to wild peaks and pilgrim paths.
💡 Food tip: Pair Rioja’s bold reds with patatas a la riojana — a rustic potato and chorizo stew.
Accommodation: Hotel Marqués de Riscal / Hospedería de los Parajes / Hotel Calle Mayor or similar
✨ From Bilbao’s modern art scene to San Sebastián’s gourmet streets, from the mountain trails of the Picos to the pilgrim squares of Santiago, this 10-day itinerary captures the essence of Northern Spain — authentic, varied, and unforgettable.
