Santander Trip Overview
The northern regions of Spain are often less visited by tourists and mostly unknown to foreign visitors. However, the north of Spain boasts some of the most fascinating places in the country: from amazing mountainous landscapes to charming beaches. Here you’ll find friendly people, top-notch gastronomy and expansive nature reserves. This six-day tour tour takes you to some of the finest places in Spain for an incredible northern adventure.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Santander: Without a doubt, one of the most elegant and beautiful cities on the northern coast of Spain
Santillana del Mar: An exquisitely charming cobblestoned town.
Gijon: This city offers an attractive combination of maritime tradition and monumental heritage.
Picos de Europa: Driving around and through this mountain range you will find typical villages and panoramic views of verdant valleys and captivating mountain scenery.
Additional Info
* Duration: 6 days
* Starts: Santander, Spain
* Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Santander, Cantabria, Spain
The northern regions of Spain are often less visited by tourists and mostly unknown to foreign visitors. However, the north of Spain boasts some of the most fascinating places in the country: from amazing mountainous landscapes to charming beaches. Here you’ll find friendly people, top-notch gastronomy and expansive nature reserves. This six-day tour tour takes you to some of the finest places in Spain for an incredible northern adventure.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Santander: Without a doubt, one of the most elegant and beautiful cities on the northern coast of Spain
Santillana del Mar: An exquisitely charming cobblestoned town.
Gijon: This city offers an attractive combination of maritime tradition and monumental heritage.
Picos de Europa: Driving around and through this mountain range you will find typical villages and panoramic views of verdant valleys and captivating mountain scenery.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL SANTANDER
Stop At: Santander, Santander, Cantabria
Collect your car upon arrival at the airport. Then climb into what will be your mode of transportation for this holiday and drive to your first hotel accommodation in Santander, the beautiful capital of Cantabria. Santander is, without a doubt, one of the most elegant and beautiful cities on the northern coast of Spain. Both the sea and the mountains are continually present in this city, captivating you with its aristocratic atmosphere, 19th-century buildings, charming outdoor terraces and spectacular bay – considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world! There are several beaches and harbours on the northern side of the city and a charming old quarter. In the 19th century, the city used to be a renowned tourist resort for Spanish politicians, aristocrats and other members of the upper class. The city still contains wonderful palaces and promenades, bay-type architecture with white buildings, old cafés and a famous casino.
Overnight in Santander.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Silken Rio Santander or similar 3*
Day 2: SANTANDER – GIJON (185 Km – 3 hrs)
Stop At: Gijon, Gijon, Asturias
Drive to Gijon after breakfast at the hotel. We recommend you make a stop en route at some of the several beautiful coast towns that line the way. Start with Santillana del Mar, an exquisitely charming cobblestoned town. Continue then to Comillas, officially designated a historical-artistic site. Its alleys and squares are filled with ancestral houses and some modernist buildings, such as the stunning ‘El Capricho’, designed by Antoni Gaudi. Afterwards, visit San Vicente de la Barquera, an old fishermen´s refuge. It offers some stunning views, its backdrop being the mountains of the Picos de Europa. The village of Llanes is our next recommendation. In former times, it was considered one of the most important fishing port of the area. Don´t miss a stroll along the San Pedro walk, which runs for more than 800 metres along the cliff tops with spectacular views of the Cantabrian Sea and coast. Continue then to Gijon, where you’ll spend the night.
Overnight in Gijon.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Silken Ciudad Gijón or similar 4*
Day 3: GIJON – AVILES – CUDILLERO – GIJON (110km – 1.5h)
Stop At: Gijon, Gijon, Asturias
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel before heading out to explore Gijon. The city offers an ideal combination of maritime tradition and monumental heritage right on the seashore. The historical quarter is formed by the hill of Santa Catalina and the fishing neighbourhood of Cimadevilla, which still preserves the characteristic buildings, layout and atmosphere of its seafaring past. Drive towards Aviles, the third major city in Asturias and a commercial town of mediaeval origin and maritime tradition. The old quarter is dotted with mansions, gardens, fountains and churches. Its natural estuary passes right through the heart of the city and has a pathway with views of the marina and its related activities. Continue to the small, picturesque village of Cudillero located in a natural shelter. The fishermen´s taverns, its main attraction, are in a narrow cobbled square next to the sea. After that drive back to Gijon to spend the night.
Overnight in Gijón.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Silken Ciudad Gijón or similar 4*
Day 4: GIJON – OVIEDO – CANGAS DE ONIS – SANTANDER (240km – 3h)
Stop At: Santander, Santander, Cantabria
Bid farewell to Gijon after breakfast at the hotel and drive towards Oviedo, the Asturian capital. Explore the old town, where you will discover the city’s important monumental heritage, which includes its cathedral, churches and monasteries, as well as a great many museums. Continue later on in the day to Cangas de Onis, the heavenly gateway to the Picos de Europa National Park. At the end of the day drive to Santander and spend the night here.
Overnight in Santander.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Silken Rio Santander or similar 3*
Day 5: SANTANDER
Stop At: Santander, Santander, Cantabria
Wake up to a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and then prepare to spend an entire free day at your leisure. Spend the day as you best see fit, be that heading back out to the already familiar streets of Santander to further explore this fascinating city, or simply relax at the hotel making the most of the services available. The choice is yours; today, you set the pace.
Overnight in Santander.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Silken Rio Santander or similar 3*
Day 6: DEPARTURE SANTANDER
Stop At: Abba Santander Hotel, C. Calderón de la Barca, 3, 39002 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Bid farewell to Santander after breakfast at the hotel and drive towards Santander Airport to drop off the car. You will have been told the return procedure and exact designated area by the car rental company the moment you picked the car up on the first day. Catch your departure flight back home.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
