Bilbao to Santiago Coastal Route

Camino del Norte - NC1

Northern Spain Fly-drive or Ferry-drive
14 Nights From £1,650
Food tours
Camino de Santiago tours
Tour Highlights
  • World class wines and gastronomy

  • Spain’s most beautiful beaches

  • Breathtaking mountain scenery

  • The ‘Way of St James’, steeped in history

  • Magnificent cities, unspoilt villages

  • Ancient architecture; ultra-modern Guggenheim

Feefo logo
14 Nights From £1,650
Enquire Now

Overview

The classic Northern Spain itinerary, from Bilbao to Santiago, following close to one of the original ways of St James yet never far from the beautiful coastline with the backdrop of the Cordillera de Cantabria mountain range. From start to finish you’ll find great walking, superb food and wine, great cities and lovely, well preserved towns to investigate as well as the legacy of hundreds of years of pilgrimage.

Tour Highlights
  • World class wines and gastronomy

  • Spain’s most beautiful beaches

  • Breathtaking mountain scenery

  • The ‘Way of St James’, steeped in history

  • Magnificent cities, unspoilt villages

  • Ancient architecture; ultra-modern Guggenheim

The full route takes two weeks but you can do as little, or as much, as you like.

Holiday Code: NC1


Itinerary

Day 1 & 2– Bilbao & the Basque Country

  • Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim & its sister the Bellas Artes

  • Basque cuisine, pintxos or something more substantial

  • Basque coast, lovely beaches, spectacular rock formations

  • Head for the hills, great walking just near the city

  • San Sebastian, Belle Epoque elegance by the sea

Day 1 & 2 – Bilbao & the Basque Country


Day 6 & 7– Picos de Europa

  • Breathtaking mountain scenery, walks & activities for all

  • Wildlife, butterflies to birds of prey, bears too!

  • Make a pilgrimage to Santo Toribio

  • Cable car at Fuente De whisks you up to 1800m

  • Potes, Cangas and Arriondas, historic yet full of life

  • Local mountain gastronomy, cider & Orujo

Day 6 & 7 – Picos de Europa

Day 8 & 9- Western Asturias

  • Pretty fishing villages such as Cudillero & Luarca

  • Beautiful beaches & dramatic cliff-top coastal walks

  • Dinosaur coast & Jurassic museum

  • Oviedo, historic Asturian capital & Gijon by the sea

  • National Park of Somiedo – maybe you’ll see bears!

  • Visit a traditional Asturian cider house (sidrería)

Day 8 & 9 - Western Asturias

Day 10 to 12– Costa Lucense, Galicia

  • Great seafood – famed throughout Spain

  • Playa de los Catedrales, one of many fantastic beaches

  • Unspoilt coastline with lovely fishing villages

  • Viveiro, lively seaside city with an atmospheric old town

  • Sagardelo pottery, traditional yet with a modern look

Day 10 to 12 – Costa Lucense, Galicia

Day 13 & 14– Santiago de Compostela, Galicia

  • Journey’s end, for centuries Europe’s most important pilgrim destination

  • World heritage city centred around the magnificent Cathedral, said to house the bones of St James

  • Guided walking tour, there’s so much to discover

  • Lively bar scene, great tapas and young Ribeiro wine, or if you prefer, a drop of Albariño

Day 13 & 14 – Santiago de Compostela, Galicia

& why not?

  • Fly into Santiago and end in Bilbao

  • Swap Bilbao for a stay in San Sebastian

  • Add a stop in the Rias Bajas - or stay there instead of Santiago

  • Ask about superior rooms, a larger rental car or better cabins on the ferry

  • or more economical options if you're on a budget...

  • Call us to talk through all the options - we'd love to hear from you!

& why not?


Map


What's Included

  • Accommodation in our listed hotels – 2 sharing 1 std. double ensuite, B&B (unless specified)

  • Economy 4-door car hire (talk to us about upgrades)

  • or ferry crossings with Brittany Ferries (vehicle + 4 berth outside cabin, exclusive use)

  • Guide to Northern Spain

  • Restaurant guide covering all regions en-route

  • Instructions to find all accommodation

What's Excluded

  • Flights – but we are able to advise

  • One-way car hire charges, where applicable (see your quote email)

  • The following car hire extras – these can be added at pick-up point

    • extra driver, child seats, GPS

  • Garage parking where applicable (mostly city stops) – please ask us about parking charges

  • Local tourist taxes (where applicable)


Travel Details

Getting There

Northern Spain offers direct connections from several UK airports. A point-to-point itinerary, this route is best enjoyed flying into the Basque Country and back from Galicia – or vice versa.

If your preferred local airport only connects to one of the airports at the destination, the route can be adapted to suit a single port of entry and return, interleaving the stages. Please contact us for more details.

See your flight options in the table below:

PLEASE NOTE Flights are not included and some flights are seasonal.

Ferry: If you wish to bring your own car, classic car or motorbike, we can include the ferry crossings as part of the package – check our Santander to Santiago and back Tour - NC7 and see timetables below:


Flight Options

Choose your preferred UK airport and then select from possible destinations to see airline providers.

Getting Around

For passengers travelling by air we will include a hire car as part of the package. Normally we include a 4 door economy class car but please let us know if you would like something different.

For those coming on the ferry you will use your own vehicle but in either case we will provide full instructions to arrive at each hotel, complete with GPS, as well as a map of the area.


Reviews


Related Tours

7 Nights From £1,650
Enquire Now

Our Expert Touch

Our team of experts have over 35 years travel expertise in Spain & Portugal.

You’ll receive friendly, personal service from start to finish of the booking process.

Call and speak to Andy, Leonor or Antonio about your dream holiday in Spain & Portugal...

Image

Stay Updated

Get exclusive deals, travel tips, and destination inspiration delivered directly to your inbox.

NO SPAM - UNSUBSCRIBE ANYTIME

Why choose Caminos

Image
About us

With 40+ years’ experience designing holidays in Spain & Portugal, our friendly, expert team offers personal service from booking to your return. While away, you’ll have ground support from local agents.

Every trip is tailored to your budget and needs.

Call us - we’d love to hear from you!

Image
About our tours

Discover authentic Spain & Portugal, far from tourist crowds. Stay in charming, trusted places — from castles and palaces to rural guesthouses and Paradores.

Your pack includes maps, guidebook, and touring tips. Plus, our Vamos travel app keeps all your documents and guides in one place.

Image
Peace of Mind

We’ve been a fully bonded UK tour operator since 1985, so your money and holiday are protected.


We’re also members of AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) — the hallmark of trusted, specialist holidays. Independent dispute resolution means you always travel with confidence.