Spain North Coast tour and tailormade holiday Madrid to Barcelona

Arrival at Madrid Airport and transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon and dinner with a flamenco show, the greatest expression of the passionate Spanish character. 

Breakfast at the hotel and a guided tour of the city, experiencing the lively atmosphere and bustling streets of the capital. A walk in the city centre to enjoy the Plaza Mayor, the Puerta del Sol and the colossal Royal Palace. You can also enjoy the famous “tapas”, or in winter, the traditional hot chocolate and churros.

Transfer to Madrid Airport and flight to the city of moss and stone, the historic Santiago de Compostela. Guided tour of the city where millions of people come from all over the world every year in pilgrimage to wonder at the beautiful Cathedral and be inspired by the tomb of St. James the Apostle. 

Breakfast in the hotel and free day. Santiago is easy to explore on foot and the ideal place to stroll around and enjoy its northern character. It would be impossible to resist buying some of its exquisite crafts or eating a delicious dish of octopus. 

We will start out early to travel along the North Coast to Santillana del Mar, Santander, Bilbao, San Sebastián and finally, Barcelona. The first part of the journey is along the beautiful, lushly forested Green Coast or Costa Verde of Asturias. This brings us to Oviedo, where you can see many traces of pre-Romanesque art and architecture. The climb up to the church of Santa María del Naranco will envelop you in the atmosphere of the ancient, mysterious kingdom of Asturias.

A hearty breakfast will prepare you to continue the route to the Picos de Europa, one of the most imposing mountain landscapes in Spain, and the Sanctuary of Covadonga. We then continue on to Santander where we will end the day’s travel. The capital of Cantabria, this elegant port is famous for its delicious fish and seafood.

The next destination on our northern journey is Bilbao, where you can visit the magnificent Guggenheim Museum of modern art, and enjoy “pintxos”, the delicious tapas of the Basque Country. Then on to San Sebastián, where we will stay overnight.

After breakfast we will explore the city of San Sebastián, known as the Pearl of the Cantabrian Sea. The old town centre is lovely to stroll around, and if you climb Monte Igueldo you can enjoy the wonderful view over the bay of Playa de la Concha. 

After breakfast, it’s time for the last stage of the journey. We’re going to Barcelona. Arrival, transfer to the hotel and free time until dinner, which if you like, can be an optional tapas tour in the lively Olympic Port area.

We will spend today exploring the city. The narrow streets of the Barri Gòtic or Gothic quarter will carry you back to the Middle Ages. We will also see the Art Nouveau Barcelona of Gaudí with a visit to the Sagrada Familia, and modern architecture in the Olympic Village. Free afternoon for last-minute shopping. 

Breakfast and transfer to the airport: end of services.