The ultimate road trip in Northern Spain - a 10 day Itinerary

A well-thought-out North Spain itinerary will take into account the travel season. Both rain and extremely hot weather are possible in the region, affecting what mischief you can get up to. Northern Spain in summer (particularly July and August) is considered the best for Atlantic getaways, in towns and cities such as Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Santander and San Sebastián, all offering full days of sunshine with the least amount of rain. Spring in these areas runs the risk of rain, while winter can be a little too chilly for the beach, but if indoor cultural venues appeal, winter is still great for museum touring and eating!

While summer is most likely to see warm and dry weather, the same is not uncommon from June to late November. Bear in mind that temperatures can get more unpredictable to later into fall you arrive and, if hiking in the Pyrenees and Picos de Europa, you should pack for cooler weather (even in summer) as there are micro-climates at higher elevation.

The largest city in Northern Spain and our next stop is Bilbao, around 2 hours 40 minutes’ drive from San Sebastián. To break the trip up, however, we’ll stop halfway in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a town popular for its appearances in Game of Thrones and often busy because of it (especially on public holidays). Stretch your legs on the 3-kilometre round trip hike, passing a number of fortified viewpoints and ending at a monastery where you can take turns to ring the bell for luck.

From there it’s one more hour in the car to Bilbao, where you can finally fill up on lunch at the Mercado de la Ribera, a fine introduction to the city’s foodie scene. A post-industrial city, Bilbao has fast become a cultural mecca, following the creation of Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim which blazed the trail for arts and architecture in the region. Take a guided tour or save more time for other cultural attractions such as the Philippe Starck cultural centre based within an old wine cellar, or hopping on Norman Foster’s futuristic metro to quickly pass through the old town to the riverside and the Santiago Calatrava Bridge. With more time, check out all the other things to do in Bilbao.

Day four has us happily lost in Asturias, stopping by a number of destinations before settling on a favourite for the night. Of your options, there’s Santillana del Mar for medieval streets and Renaissance palaces away from the coast, while you can also think about visiting the caves of Altamira before settling (possibly) on Llanes for the night. If passing back through Comillas, consider the fairy-tale house of El Capricho, designed by Gaudi in stained glass and wrought-iron to whimsical effect.

So, you’ve arrived in the tiny town of Llanes to find medieval magic at every corner. Move through town on foot to catch the best sights, careful not to fell the crumbling walls or waylay busy fisherman at the bustling harbour. Walk the waterways to eventually reach the town’s beaches, most notably Playa de Tóro, Playa del Sablon and Playa de Puerto Chico. Visitors who have rented cars in Spain can also venture further out to the snorkelling beach of Playa de Toranda, or surfer paradise of Playa de San Antolín among others.

Higher up above the Bay of Biscay, another walk awaits, namely the Paseo de San Pedro which runs along the dramatic cliffs that host some of the most dramatic scenery imaginable. If walking doesn’t suit, however, scour the art of Los Cubos de Memoria, a mural turning the harbour’s water barrier into a thing of beauty. Asturian cider is another thing of beauty you can get acquainted with on your travels, heading to a ‘sidreria’ to try apple-y dishes such as cachopo, chorizos a la sibra and more.

Two more choices to end your stay in Asturias are Cudillero and Luarca. Firstly let’s talk Cudillero, the perfect choice for Spain road trips looking for coastal views and seafood. The houses that line the waterfront here come pastel coloured while the cove further down is the place for leisurely meals of fresh local catch. Despite some over-tourism, Cudillero remains authentic, especially on the wonky streets around the 13^th century Humilladero Chapel. To avoid the people, simply hop back in the car and drive the 10 kilometres to Cabo Vidio. Eighty metres above sea level, these rugged cliffs provide awesome views over the Atlantic showcasing caves and a lighthouse looking out over Punta de Estaca de Bares, the northernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula.

Driving just 25 minutes from Cabo Vidio you can then reach Luarca, either exploring the fishing port by late afternoon or in the cool morning air the following day.

Those trekking the Camino de Santiago will see the region at its best, traversing verdant valleys, medieval monasteries and century-old vineyards, but Galicia’s beauty is accessible to everyone, entering via Asturias’ Castropol to Ribadeo in Galicia’s Lugo province. Vegadeo is another Galician town on the border, showing off more of the same mansions and palaces on a hillside overlooking the ports. Those looking for a beach day out of season should definitely move to Playa de Las Catedrales, while everyone else can head straight to Rías Baixas, stopping at Cambados to refuel on Galician food amongst old-world charms. Travellers coming on the first weekend of August will be lucky enough to take part in the Albariño Wine Festival, though wineries in the area operate all year round.

For the purest form of Galicia, Combarro takes the biscuit, offering cobbled streets edged with traditional houses and typical ‘horreos’ or granaries that serve as a key industry in the region. On a day trip from Combarro, head to Monte de Santa Tecla, where the Miño River flows into the ocean near the border to Portugal. Sea, river and mountains make up the landscape here though archaeological history at the Celtic Roman ruins above La Guardia attract many.

Finishing all the best itineraries for Spain is a jaunt in Galicia, home of cured meats and Spain’s greatest trek. Running 800 kilometres across thousand-year-old ruins embedded in the Spanish countryside, the Camino de Santiago is reserved for the fittest hikers. Nevertheless, regular visitors can easily visit Galicia’s capital of Santiago de Compostela, moving through the granite maze of the UNESCO Old Town using the Romanesque churches, museums and squares for navigation. Eat at the Mercado de Abastos, following the ‘De Viños’ wine trail from Rúa do Franco to Obradoiro Square for a merry time of it.

Though the airport is just 15 minutes’ drive out of town, one last day trip out to La Coruña could tempt you with its historic port and bustling beach fringing a cultural city centre. The layout of La Coruña is interesting enough, on a narrow stretch of land jutting 2 kilometres north into the Atlantic. Lighting the way is the peninsula’s World Heritage-listed Roman lighthouse, named Torre de Hércules, with the Paseo Marítimo coastal walkway and bike path connecting all the key attractions. If you’d like to extend your trip further, Vigo is yet another option, providing history and culture in grittier, industrial surrounds. Still home to Europe’s largest fishing fleet, Vigo is both full of sailors and commerce, acting as the main gateway to Illas Cías. Before boarding a ship to the island, get lairy after dark with the locals in the Casco Vello (Old Town), tapping into a buzzing tapas scene and lazing on the greens of Praza de Compestela. Check out our article for more things to do in Vigo, or head on to the airport one happy camper.