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 sevent-day tour takes you to some of the finest places in Spain for an incredible northern adventure.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Bilbao: Discover this famous Basque city and see the famous Guggenheim Museum and other sites and attractions
Logroño: Explore the capital of La Rioja and get to know this important wine-producing area
Burgos: Admire the imposing Gothic cathedral and the magnificent Miraflores Carthusian Monastery
Santander: Without a doubt, one of the most elegant and beautiful cities on the northern coast of Spain
Additional Info
* Duration: 7 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 sevent-day tour takes you to some of the finest places in Spain for an incredible northern adventure.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Bilbao: Discover this famous Basque city and see the famous Guggenheim Museum and other sites and attractions
Logroño: Explore the capital of La Rioja and get to know this important wine-producing area
Burgos: Admire the imposing Gothic cathedral and the magnificent Miraflores Carthusian Monastery
Santander: Without a doubt, one of the most elegant and beautiful cities on the northern coast of Spain
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL BILBAO
Stop At: Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport, C. Aeropuerto, s/n, 39600 Maliaño, Cantabria, Spain
Collect your car upon arrival at the airport. Explore Bilbao. Although the capital of the autonomous region of Euskadi – also known as the Basque Country – is Vitoria, the port city of Bilbao is, in fact, the largest of all Basque cities. The renewal of this industrial city has been continuous since the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in 1997, with various projects designed by famous architects, including a new tram system, a subway system designed by Sir Norman Foster, a pedestrian bridge, the Zubizuri bridge by Santiago Calatrava, a jagged glass-fronted public health building, and the reconversion following the indications of well-known designer Philippe Starck of a disused warehouse turned into a public multifunction building, the Alhóndiga.
Overnight in Bilbao.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Silken Indauchu or similar 4*
Day 2: BILBAO – SAN SEBASTIÁN – LOGROÑO (265km – 3hrs)
Stop At: Logrono, Logrono, La Rioja
After breakfast at the hotel, hop into your car and drive to San Sebastian. Continue to the seaside cosmopolitan city of San Sebastian and explore this fabulous city. Enjoy a stroll down the promenade at La Concha beach to the sculpture named ‘El Peine del Viento’ from renowned artist Eduardo Chillida. ake the funicular up to the top of Igueldo hill for a panoramic view over the city (not included) and try the famous Basque “pintxos” (tapas/snacks) in one of the many bars in the old town. In the afternoon, continue to Pamplona, where you will spend the night.
Overnight in Logroño.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = F&G Logroño or similar 3*
Day 3: LOGROÑO
Stop At: Logrono, Logrono, La Rioja
After breakfast at the hotel, step out into the streets of Logroño and go discover its monumental legacy by losing yourself through its charming old town. This city that embraces the banks of the river Ebro has historically been a stop-by location, being at the crossroads of many important routes. While you’re at it, head out to explore the gorgeous wine country of La Rioja. Drive up to the hilltop town of Laguardia and visit one of its famous bodegas, some of which boast spectacular architecture, around Elciego or Haro.
Overnight in Logroño.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = F&G Logroño or similar 3*
Day 4: LOGROÑO – BURGOS (135km – 1.5hrs)
Stop At: Burgos, Burgos, Province of Burgos, Castile and Leon
After breakfast at your hotel, depart towards Burgos. Learn about the city’s fascinating history as you stroll through the winding streets and alleys of the old quarter, which lies in the shadow of a magnificent hilltop castle. Dedicate some time to admiring its stunning Gothic cathedral, a Unesco-listed World Heritage Site. Make your way to the city’s eastern outskirts and pay a visit to the Miraflores Charterhouse, a wonderfully-preserved Gothic monastery belonging to the Carthusian order, which hosts a priceless collection of religious artifacts.
Overnight in Burgos.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Corona de Castilla or similar 4*
Day 5: BURGOS – SANTANDER (185km – 2.10hrs)
Stop At: Santander, Santander, Cantabria
Eat up your breakfast at the hotel to replenish your energy for a drive back to Santander. 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
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Silken Rio Santander or similar 4*
Day 6: SANTANDER – BILBAO (100km – 1.15hrs)
Stop At: Bilbao, Bilbao, Province of Vizcaya, Basque Country
Enjoy your breakfast and before departing to Bilbao stroll around Santander. 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 Bilbao.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Silken Indauchu or similar 4*
Day 7: DEPARTURE BILBAO
Stop At: Abba Santander Hotel, C. Calderón de la Barca, 3, 39002 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Bid farewell to Bilbao after breakfast at the hotel and drive back to airport to drop off the car. You’ll be told the return procedure and exact designated area by a Rent a Car Company when you pick up the car on arrival day. Catch your departure flight back home.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
