North of Spain is somewhat not always easy to define for a foreginer. Tendencies to include Cataluña or Aragon in Green Spain is not what “El Norte” is for a Spaniard. In In this tour we have cherry-picked only a small part of our favorite places, people, wineries, walks and experiences. We truly believe this is the ultimate 8 days tour to explore the gems of Northern Spain.

Day 1

Arrival to Bilbao and transfer about 45 min to rural hotel in eastern Basque Country with dinner and welcome meeting with guide and the other travelers!

Day 2

Transfer to San Sebastian, city walk in town and “culinary” treasure hunting following instructions and map. A different way to eat pintxos and see cultural sights…

Back to the funicular of Monte Igeldo, after walking (and eating!) about 6km we hike further west following the Pilgrims way of St.James. Green rolling landscapes and soon rural, after another 4-5km we get picked up by the bus and driven back to the hotel. Dinner ends the day!

Day 3

Check-out, and if the weather permits, we try a rowing trip in traditional Northern Spanish so-called trainera that used to be the whale fishing boat. We continue west on the pilgrimage route about 3km, to a Getaria-Txakoli winery where we try the Basque national wine with local specialties! After that, a delicious Michelin Star lunch in Zarautz! Afterwards we move on to Bilbao approx. 45min, stop at a Vizcaya-txakoli bodega and get a deeper insight into this fresh white wine. Transfer to the city for check in at central hotel. For those who are still hungry, enjoy a  recommended pintxos walk on your own the old town!

Day 4

Optional culinary morning walk that ends in the nice market hall La Ribera, then free day in Bilbao. Rent a bike, visit Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum, discover the eco-friendly tram…. Modern tasting dinner together!

Day 5

Check Out. Transfer to Cantabria approx. 45min and morning walk in Cantabrian mountain valleys towards the waterfall of Asón (estimated 9km total). Traditional lunch and after this wine visit with true entrepreneur wine makers working with foreign grape varieties! We continue to Liérganes about 30min, where we check in at a rural hotel. Evening tasting at the local microbrewery that has achieved international success!

Day 6

Check-out and short transfer 30min to the outskirts of Santander where we take a morning walk of about 6-7km along the beautiful coast towards this belle epoque gem. We then visit the historical and beuatiful market La Esperanza and admire the exterior of Renzo Piano’s modern Centro Botín Centre. We roll further west, eat lunch and get weary in one of the country’s largest mazes. Transfer about 45min to Llanes/Ribadesella area and check-in. Cooking evening with dinner and Asturian cider!

Day 7

Morning transfer to Picos de Europa, short morning walk about 5km and bodega visit with some tapas for lunch!  Afternoon surprise visit and farewell dinner!

Day 8

Transfer to Bilbao and home flight.

Some pictures from our selected hotels on this tour!

Small family owned hotels as well as a city hotel in Bilbao gives you plenty of time to relax and rest between walks and you will enjoy the city pulse as well as calm countryside. Explore the gems of Northern Spain is also our selected hotels and posadas.

On this tour you will also enjoy solid buffet breakfasts with bread, cereals, juice, coffe & tea, ham, eggs, cheese as well as local sweets to get ready for a day of walking. 5 lunches and 5 dinners are included during the week.  We will also recommend places that are worth trying and give you a tasteful memory to bring back home you where to have dinner in the travel documents you recieve upon arrival.

See the areas we explore on this tour!