Madrid & Northern Spain Explorer

Discover northern Spain on a 10-day tour from Madrid, featuring San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander, Santiago de Compostela and historic Salamanca
Discover the coastal beauty, historic treasures, and vibrant cities of northern Spain on an unforgettable 10-day tour from Madrid. Fall in love with San Sebastián’s sweeping La Concha Bay, admire Bilbao’s striking Guggenheim exterior, and explore charming fishing towns and Santander’s elegant waterfront. Journey through medieval Santillana del Mar to the mountain sanctuary of Covadonga and the atmospheric streets of Oviedo. Marvel at Lugo’s ancient Roman walls, experience the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela and its magnificent cathedral, and wander Salamanca’s golden streets
10 Days from $2999/person CAD
Family
Food & Wine
Off The Beaten Path
Premium
UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Primary Location

Spain, Europe

Departures

Sunday departures available through March 2028. Click ‘Book Online’ to view exact dates and rates

Included:

  • Accommodation in standard-category hotels
  • Daily breakfast
  • Bilingual tour director (Spanish and English) from Day 3 through Day 9
  • Guided city tours with local guides in Madrid, Santander, and Santiago de Compostela
  • Entrance to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
  • Transportation aboard a luxury coach with air conditioning, panoramic windows, reclining seats, and complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Airport transfers on the first and last day of the tour
  • Enjoy 24-hour customer service support throughout your tour

Not Included:

  • International or domestic airfare
  • Gratuities to guides and drivers
  • Travel insurance
  • Additional meals when not mentioned on the itinerary
  • Entrance fees to monuments or museums when not mentioned on the itinerary
  • Local city tax for overnight stays
  • Visas required for entry into the country as necessary
  • Anything of a personal nature or that is not mentioned in included

Pricing Details

Click Book Online for pricing!

  • If the panoramic tour of Madrid cannot operate for technical reasons, it will be replaced with a one-day Madrid hop-on hop-off bus ticket or a similar activity
  • Please note that this itinerary may combine different tours, so the tour leader and fellow travellers may change during the journey
  • For groups of fewer than 12 participants, the service will be provided by the professional driver
  • From price is CAD per person, based on double occupancy and for travel in the low season
  • The final price will vary and is also based on the month of travel
  • Prices are subject to change
  • Due to luggage restrictions on the coach bus, each passenger is allowed one suitcase and one carry-on luggage

Optional Extras:

  • Pre- and Post-Accommodation
  • During the tour, the Tour Director will offer passengers the opportunity to book optional excursions. These experiences will be arranged locally

Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN MADRID

Welcome to Madrid, Spain’s vibrant capital. Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to your hotel and settle in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, or start exploring at your own pace.

Accommodation at the Meliá Castilla, Madrid, or similar

DAY 2: MADRID GUIDED CITY TOUR

After breakfast at the hotel, begin your guided tour of Madrid. Explore the historic center on foot, discovering iconic squares including Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and Plaza de la Villa.

Then board your coach for a panoramic tour of the city’s landmarks. See Madrid’s oldest bridge and enjoy impressive views of the Royal Palace before continuing along Gran Vía. Visit Las Ventas Bullring, pass the Cibeles Fountain and Puerta de Alcalá, and see the famous Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

On the return journey, travel along Calle Serrano and past Atocha Station. The tour ends at the Plaza de Oriente parking area, opposite the Royal Palace.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore Madrid at your own pace. Overnight in Madrid. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Meliá Castilla, Madrid, or similar

DAY 3: JOURNEY TO SAN SEBASTIÁN VIA ZARAGOZA

After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Zaragoza. Enjoy free time to visit the magnificent Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar and wander through the charming streets of the historic Old Town.

In the afternoon, continue to San Sebastián, an elegant seaside city renowned for its beautiful coastal setting and prestigious International Film Festival. Overnight in San Sebastián. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Palacio de Aiete, San Sebastián, or similar

DAY 4: SAN SEBASTIÁN CITY TOUR & OPTIONAL FRENCH BASQUE COAST EXCURSION

After breakfast at the hotel, discover San Sebastián on a panoramic city tour, taking in the beautiful La Concha Bay and its sweeping beach. Continue to Mount Igueldo for magnificent views over the city and coastline.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore San Sebastián at your own pace. In the afternoon, you may join an optional excursion to Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, two picturesque seaside towns on the French Basque coast. Overnight in San Sebastián. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Palacio de Aiete, San Sebastián, or similar

DAY 5: SAN SEBASTIÁN TO SANTANDER VIA BILBAO & CASTRO URDIALES

After breakfast, travel to Bilbao and enjoy free time on the Guggenheim Museum esplanade to admire its striking contemporary architecture.

Continue to Castro Urdiales, a traditional fishing town, for free time to explore before heading to Santander. Set between the sea and mountains, this coastal city is renowned for its beautiful beaches, including El Sardinero.

Discover Santander’s highlights on a city tour with a local guide. Overnight in Santander. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Santemar Hotel, Santander, or similar

DAY 6: SANTANDER TO OVIEDO VIA SANTILLANA DEL MAR & COVADONGA

After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Santillana del Mar, a historic town renowned for its architectural treasures, including the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, a jewel of Romanesque architecture in Cantabria.

Continue to Covadonga and enjoy free time to visit the Sanctuary and Holy Cave, home to the revered image of Our Lady of Covadonga.

In the afternoon, journey to Oviedo, set among rolling hills at the foot of Mount Naranco. Discover a city known for its charming pedestrian streets and rich architectural heritage, including its impressive Gothic Cathedral. Overnight in Oviedo. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Sercotel Ciudad de Oviedo, Oviedo, or similar

DAY 7: MONDOÑEDO & LUGO TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Enjoy free time in Mondoñedo to admire its imposing Cathedral and perhaps sample the traditional Mondoñedo cake.

Continue to Lugo, where you will have free time to discover its Roman heritage, including the remarkably preserved UNESCO-listed city walls.

Travel onward to Santiago de Compostela, a celebrated Christian pilgrimage destination and the final stop on the Camino de Santiago. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town is a treasure trove of historic streets, grand squares and remarkable architecture.

Overnight in Santiago de Compostela. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Oca Puerta del Camino, Santiago de Compostela, or similar

DAY 8: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA CITY TOUR & CATHEDRAL VISIT

After breakfast at the hotel, discover Santiago de Compostela on a city tour featuring magnificent Obradoiro Square. Visit Santiago Cathedral, with entrance included, dedicated to Saint James the Greater and a celebrated destination for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore the historic streets, relax in lively squares and soak up the city’s vibrant university atmosphere.

Overnight in Santiago de Compostela. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Oca Puerta del Camino, Santiago de Compostela, or similar

DAY 9: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA TO MADRID VIA SALAMANCA

After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Salamanca, a historic university city renowned for its UNESCO-listed Old Town and rich architectural heritage. Enjoy free time to explore its elegant streets and squares.

After time for lunch, which is not included, continue to Madrid. Overnight in Madrid. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Meliá Castilla, Madrid, or similar

DAY 10: DEPARTURE FROM MADRID

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before your transfer to Madrid Airport for your departure flight, bringing your journey to a close. Meals: B

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