Are you looking for an eco-friendly way to explore northern Spain? Would you like to explore different regions without the hassle of a car? If this sounds like you, our 16-day Northern Spain by public transport holiday is the perfect plan. With unique experiences and breathtaking views, just sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey on trains, buses, and even cable cars!
As intoAsturias is based in northern Spain, we use our local expertise to craft itineraries highlighting the best of the region and arrange your public transport tickets in advance. This time, we’ve crafted a 2-week trip across multiple cities only using public transport. You’ll enjoy charming, hand-picked accommodations, cultural and active excursions, and plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine!
Our trips are fully customizable, so no matter where you begin your journey, we can rearrange and modify your plan to suit your needs. For example, if you’re flying into Madrid, we suggest starting in Oviedo, which is just a short train ride away!
Here’s an example of what we have in store for you…
What We Offer
Seamless Public Transport Travel
Northern Spain boasts excellent public transport networks, from modern trains to reliable bus routes. No more worrying about car rentals, parking, or even booking tickets! Travel by public transport is a much easier, and eco-friendly, way of exploring locations, and we’re here to help at any point.
Beautiful Locations
As you discover northern Spain by public transport, you’ll discover many unique locations, each offering its own charm:
- Picos de Europa: Marvel at the views from the Peaks of Europe and the stunning Lagos de Covadonga.
- Asturias: Explore lively towns like Oviedo and Cangas de Onís.
- Basque Country: Wander through Bilbao’s cultural (and culinary!) delights, and enjoy the coast of the biosphere reserve Urdaibai and San Sebastián.
Exciting Activities
You’ll enjoy a variety of guided tours and opportunities to explore northern Spain. You can revise the full itinerary below, but here’s a snippet of what you’ll experience…
🚶 Beautiful Hiking Routes: There are a huge variety of trails in this region, suitable for any traveller. Whether you’re a fan of coastal walks, mountain adventures, or even e-bike excursions, there’s something to everyone’s taste: including a flavour of the famous Camino de Santiago!
🦅 Guided Tours: Among other optional inclusions, we’ve selected two unmissable tours for your trip. Enjoy an evening sampling Basque pintxos and learning about the region’s cuisine and culture with a knowledgeable local guide in our guided pintxos tour in Bilbao. Additionally, head into the mountains of Picos de Europa with an English-speaking expert for a private birding excursion, spotting birds such as bearded vultures and eagles among other stunning flora and fauna!
🖼️ Cultural Sightseeing: There’s a host of culture and history in northern Spain. From the renowned Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao to historic towns such as Gernika, Cangas de Onís and Oviedo, we guarantee an eye-opening experience into Spanish culture.
Travel Support
One of the main benefits of planning your perfect trip with us is our travel support. Don’t stress about finding hotels, or searching through an overwhelming amount of suggested activities, or wondering what to do each day! We do all the planning to ensure a hassle-free holiday.
- Curated Itinerary: We handle all the logistics—such as accommodations and guided tours—so you can focus on enjoying your adventure.
- Completely Customizable: If you’d like to change anything about the trip (the number of travellers, length of your stay, or order of the tours) we’d be more than happy to do so. Our trips are entirely customizable to suit your needs.
- Recommendations and Advice: We’re here to help you before, during and after your trip! If you have any questions, we’d be more than happy to support you and your family.
- Sustainability Guarantee: intoAsturias is part of the Proyecto Corredor de Ecoturismo, an ecotourism corridor across northern Spain. This means we ensure your trip respects the natural environment and supports local communities. Moreover, we are Travelife Certified, a guarantee that our travel agency is committed to sustainability. Read more about our commitment to sustainable travel here!
Ready for Your Public Transport Journey in Northern Spain?
Take a break from everyday life and discover the natural and cultural treasures of northern Spain without ever getting behind the wheel. Book with us today for an unforgettable, eco-friendly holiday!
Are you looking for shorter tours? We have a variety of shorter, one-day activities you can include in your holiday to northern Spain. Whether you’re looking to discover dinosaur footprints, spot bears and wolves, or simply want to explore the region, explore our variety of activities on offer!
To receive a trip proposal for the number of days and travellers, please contact us by email info@intoasturias.com or fill in an enquiry. ¡Hasta pronto!
Itinerary
Today, you’ll arrive in Spain, usually to Madrid, Bilbao or even Asturias airport. Depending on where you start, we can book a train (high-speed train from Madrid-Oviedo, for example) or a bus to take you to Oviedo, where you’ll check in to your hotel.
Immerse yourself into Asturias’s capital, renowned for its cathedral, art museum, and many other landmarks. Stroll the old town and discover local delicacies at the bustling market!
Today, lace up your boots to experience a segment of the historic pilgrimage route “Camino Primitivo”, together with a local guide! Enjoy beautifully scenic countryside paths that have been walked for centuries.
Head to Cangas de Onis by bus, a picturesque town with a river, where you can visit the famed Roman bridge and try regional cheeses in the charming village center.
Join an English-speaking guide in search of bearded vultures, eagles, and other mountain species in the stunning Picos de Europa. Discover fascinating local flora and fauna along the way.
Take a bus into the Picos de Europa to see the Covadonga sanctuary, Santa Cueva de Covadonga (“Holy Cave of Covadonga”), and the beautiful highland lakes. Alternatively, travel onward toward Arenas de Cabrales for stunning mountain trails.
Continue to the coastal town of Llanes by bus. Settle in, explore its historic quarter, or relax along scenic beaches.
Spend a leisurely day soaking up the sun on nearby beaches. If you prefer being active, you can also rent an e-bike to discover more coastal highlights.
Take a bus ride to San Sebastian, where you can enjoy a stroll along the promenade or try different pintxos spots!
Take the regional train to Mundaka in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Check into a historic, family-run hotel and explore Mundaka, where you can stroll through the narrow streets and the view of the harbor and the sea.
Discover Urdaibai’s rich birdlife at its marshlands and nature center, or go on a relaxed hike. Then hop on the train to Gernika to discover the history of the Basque Country, including Picasso’s famed mural.
Travel by Euskotren to Bilbao. Here, you can visit the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, with its striking architecture and exhibitions.
Enjoy a day seeing the city’s highlights, including a funicular ride (‘Funicular de Artxanda’) up the surrounding hills. In the evening, savour authentic Basque flavors on a pintxos tour with a local guide!
Take a bus west along the coast to the picturesque town of San Vicente de la Barquera, and explore its historic streets and wonderful views.
Explore the diverse landscapes of Oyambre Natural Park, ranging from beaches to marshes and cliffs. You can pick a walking route at the information center to see the park’s flora and fauna.
After a wonderful trip, say farewell to Northwest Spain and enjoy safe travels onward! We’ll help you travel to the nearest airport to head back home.
¡Hasta pronto!
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