This Northern Spain Road trip itinerary includes a few of my favorite spots to explore in 10 days. But you can easily make this trip shorter or longer with tons of suggestions from me. Ready for an epic adventure across the Spanish North?

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An Ultimate Northern Spain Road Trip Itinerary

Is Northen Spain worth visiting?

Northern Spain is the perfect destination for those who love wild nature and hiking, offering stunning cliffs and charming fishing villages. It’s also one of my favorite places in Spain for a peaceful getaway. Northern Spain doesn’t attract as many international visitors as regions like Southern Spain or Barcelona, even during the summer peak season, which makes it an ideal spot for a quieter, more authentic experience.

While Northern Spain boasts some beautiful beaches along the Atlantic coast, it’s not the best place for a relaxed, sunny beach holiday. You can expect occasional rain and cooler temperatures, so be sure to pack extra layers. That said, this has never been a problem for me personally. Living in the hot, tourist-heavy summers of the Valencia Region has made me appreciate the charm of lesser-known destinations like those in the north.

Traveling in Northern Spain

Traveling in Northern Spain is a great experience, even though it rains quite often. However, the cooler temperatures and fewer crowds make it an amazing summer destination in Spain. The northern coast of Spain encompasses more regions than one could possibly explore in a single trip – such as Rioja, Navarra, Asturias, Cantabria, Castille-Leon, Galicia, Basque Country, and even the Pyrenees. With so much to discover, it’s important to plan wisely and choose the places you’re most eager to see on your next road trip through Spain.

To help, I’ve curated a 10-day itinerary that offers a bit of everything Northern Spain has to offer. Additionally, in this post, I’ll provide alternative suggestions so you can personalize this trip and tailor your Northern Spain road trip to fit your Spain bucket list adventures.

Planning Northern Spain Itinerary

This Northern Spain itinerary is designed so that you have less than 2 hours of driving between each of the main city stops. It does not include Asturias or Galicia, and focuses on the Basque Country, Cantabria, La Rioja, with a stop in Burgos (Castile-Leon). I’ve set Bilbao as the first stop, but this route is actually circular (e.g., Bilbao – San Sebastian – La Rioja – Burgos – Santander – Bilbao). Therefore, feel free to begin your Northern Spain road trip in San Sebastian, Burgos, or Santander.

An interesting alternative to maximize sightseeing in each region would be to divide Northern Spain into two separate itineraries: 1) The Basque Country, Cantabria, La Rioja, and Navarra, and 2) Asturias and Galicia.

Best time to visit Northern Spain

Summer is a great time to plan a trip to Northern. The temperatures in the north are mild and comfortable for sightseeing, and except for cities like Bilbao and San Sebastian, you won’t experience the intense crowds typical of Spain’s peak season. In terms of weather, summer in Northern Spain sees average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 26°C (68°F to 79°F), making it perfect for outdoor activities and exploring the scenic landscapes. Rain is occasional but not too frequent.

However, early autumn and late spring are also great for a road trip through Northern Spain. During autumn, temperatures typically range from 16°C to 22°C (61°F to 72°F), with fewer tourists, allowing you to enjoy the sights at a more relaxed pace. Late spring offers similar weather with averages between 15°C to 22°C (59°F to 72°F), providing pleasant conditions for sightseeing and fewer crowds.

Traveling in winter can be trickier, especially in higher-altitude areas. A few years ago, we experienced heavy snowfall on the roads near Oviedo, which made travel challenging. Winter temperatures in Northern Spain typically range from 5°C to 12°C (41°F to 54°F), and while coastal areas like Santander experience milder conditions, inland cities and mountains can get colder and see snow.

Driving in Northern Spain

Driving in Spain for the first time? – You might find handy this Driving in Spain Guide, with Expert Videos, 360 Driving Tours and an On-The-Go PDF.

10-days Northern Spain Road Trip Itinerary

1. Days 1-2: Bilbao

The city of Bilbao

Bilbao is one of the must-stops on every Northern Spain road trip. It is the capital of the Basque Country and home to one of the most famous landmarks in Spain – the Guggenheim Museum. Even if you´re not a fan of modern and contemporary art, you can´t possibly deny the eye-catching shapes and forms of this avant-garde museum, created by the genius architect Frank Gehry.

Some of the biggest art pieces of Bilbao´s Guggenheim Museum include names like David Salle, Eduardo Chillida, Jeff Koons, Louis Bourgeous, Andy Warhol, Anselm Kiefer, and Robert Rauschenheim. The good news is that the museum embraces virtual travels via its online tour, so you can get a preview.

Check out my full one-day itinerary for Bilbao in this post.

Unique experiences to book in Bilbao:

spanish landmarks gaztelugatxe
Gaztelugatche
bilbao in a day Things to see and do
Check out my full one-day itinerary for Bilbao in this post

The Basque Country

While you can easily find enough things to do in Bilbao for two days, I recommend planning at least one day trip to explore more of the Basque Country. Bilbao is a must-stop for first-timers in Northern Spain, but in my opinion, the region’s hidden gems do not stay behind the city. Two days is not enough to see it all – exploring the Basque Country deserves its own dedicated road trip.

That said, depending on your preferences, you can choose a few highlights. Nature lovers should not miss Salto de NerviĂ³n, Cascadas de Tobera, Salinas de Añana, and Gaztelugatxe (which is also one of the Game of Thrones filming locations in Spain). The first destination, Salto de NerviĂ³n, offers a 7.2 km hike, while the others are easier walks: Cascadas de Tobera is 3 km, Salinas de Añana is 2.6 km, and Gaztelugatxe is 3.6 km. These natural wonders are generally family-friendly and can be explored with children.

If hiking isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other interesting spots in the Basque Country. You can visit Santuario de Arantzazu, Guernica (home to the famous Picasso painting), and Cueva de Pozalagua, a unique cave with the greatest concentration of eccentric stalactites in the world.

For families traveling with kids, Pagoeta Natural Park is a great choice, offering animal encounters and kid-friendly hikes. Make sure to stop by the Centro de Visitantes de Iturraran for more information about their activities. Other great museums to explore in the Basque Country include Chillida Leku in Hernani and Topic in Tolosa, where you can also sample delicious local sweets like tejas, xaxus, and cigarillos.

Unique day trips from Bilbao:

2. Days 3-4: San Sebastian

The city of San Sebastian

San SebastiĂ¡n is one of the most beautiful cities on the entire Iberian Peninsula and one of my favorite places to visit in Spain. While I must admit that since my first visit back in 2011, the city has become much more touristy, it still manages to preserve its original charm and remains the perfect destination for a romantic getaway in Spain.

The Basque Country, where San SebastiĂ¡n is located, is renowned as one of the world’s best culinary regions, with 40 Michelin-starred restaurants spread across just 21,000 square kilometers. The city’s food scene revolves around the famous pintxos – small, delicious bite-sized snacks that are served in a variety of combinations. Every year, the local Euskal Herria Pintxo Championship takes place, where bars and restaurants compete to create the most mouthwatering pintxos.

To make the most of your foodie experience in San Sebastian, I recommend taking a pintxo tour or researching the winners of recent competitions. That said, it’s nearly impossible to choose a bad spot to eat, as every place offers something delicious. You can easily spend an entire evening hopping from bar to bar, sampling pintxos along the way. Keep an eye on the walls of the bars – they often display certificates from past pintxo competitions, so you’ll know exactly what to order. You can check out my full San Sebastian Travel Guide in this post.

basque country san sebastian
You can check out my full San Sebastian Travel Guide in this post
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The landscapes of the Basque Country

Since this Northern Spain road trip itinerary is meant to be packed with experiences, I’d suggest spending just one day in the city (although you could easily spend 3 days in San SebastiĂ¡n , if not a week, there). However, with so many interesting places to visit near San SebastiĂ¡n, you’ll definitely want to plan at least one day trip.

Unique experiences to book in San Sebastian

France from San Sebastian

San SebastiĂ¡n is located near the French border, making it easy to visit the charming town of Biarritz, which is very dear to my heart. Years ago, I spent two weeks in Biarritz learning French and taking surfing lessons – it was one of the most unique solo experiences of my life. On the way from San SebastiĂ¡n to Biarritz, be sure to stop by Hondarribia (also known as Fuenterrabia), one of the most colorful villages in Spain.

Hondarribia basque country
Hondarribia

Navarra from San Sebastian

Another great day trip idea from San Sebastian is visiting the Caves of Zugarramurdi, one of Spain’s most mysterious and intriguing locations. While the cave is technically in the Navarra region, it is actually much closer to San Sebastian. Dating back to the 12th century, the caves were historically used for witch coven gatherings. As a result, the locals suffered greatly during the Spanish Inquisition (which, as you may know, intensified during the reign of Isabel I of Castile when Spain became a highly religious country).

Another possible day trip is to the city of Pamplona in the Navarra region, just an hour’s drive from San Sebastian. Known worldwide for the famous San FermĂ­n Festival (held from July 6 to July 14), Pamplona offers a unique cultural experience. While Navarra isn’t included in this itinerary, you can read more about my recent weekend trip to Navarra and La Rioja in this article. Be sure to check out my guide to the top attractions in Navarra, especially if you have more than 10 days for a Northern Spain road trip.

The region of Navarra is also known for a few great adventure parks you can enjoy as a family – Sendaviva, Irrisarri Land, Bertiz Abentura Park, Baztan Abentura Park, Urbasa Aventura, and Artamendia.

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Olite Castle in Navarra

3. Days 5-6: La Rioja

Visiting La Rioja wineries

One of the things Spain is most famous for internationally is Rioja wine. The Rioja region spans 41,505 hectares of vineyards and is home to around 600 bodegas. If you’re on a Northern Spain road trip with your significant other, consider some romantic experiences in La Rioja, like visiting ancient bodegas in search of the perfect wine or taking a hot-air balloon ride over the vineyards.

For those exploring Spain with kids, some bodegas offer family-friendly tours. Your little ones will learn about local history and the wine-making process, and for the wine-tasting portion, they’ll be given grape juice instead. Last year, we visited Bodegas Franco Españolas (you can find it on Instagram), which was visited by Ernest Hemingway in 1956. During his visit, the legendary writer reportedly said, “My only regret in life is that I did not drink more wine.” While I can’t quite relate to that sentiment, I still enjoyed the bodega tour with the kids.

If you’re not into Spanish wine, consider exploring other attractions in the region, such as the Arnedo Caves, San MillĂ¡n Yuso and Suso Monasteries, or hiking in the Sierra de Cebollera Natural Park. For an engaging experience for kids, visit Tierra Rapaz, a theme park and educational center for birds of prey (raptors). Be sure to check the schedule, as the park is usually open on weekends.

For more details on the La Rioja region check my Quick Guide to La Rioja.

4. Days 7-8 Burgos

the cathedral of burgos northern spain road trip
The Cathedral of Burgos

You simply can’t miss one of the most stunning cathedrals in Spain on your northern Spain road trip. The Cathedral of Burgos is one of my favorite landmarks in Spain and one of the top Gothic architectural gems in Europe.

The Burgos Cathedral was built between 1221 and 1260, although a medieval Romanesque church originally stood on the same site. Despite the lengthy construction period, additions of new structural elements and chapels continued until the 18th century. The cathedral houses the tomb of El Cid, or Cid Campeador (the legendary Spanish knight Rodrigo DĂ­az de Vivar) – you can learn more about him through my list of Spanish documentaries.

The city of Burgos itself has plenty of amazing sights to enjoy, including the Monasterio de las Huelgas, the Arch of Santa MarĂ­a, and the MEH Museum of Human Evolution. There are also two fun places for kids near Burgos: Territorio ARTLANZA (a real-life medieval town) and PaleolĂ­tico Vivo (the only park in Europe with Paleolithic animals).

Check out my one-day Burgos itinerary in this post. If you’re planning a longer stay in Burgos, you can combine it with a visit to Soria and other Spanish hidden gems – check out my post about Soria for more travel ideas.

5. Days 9-10 Santander

The city of Santander

For some reason, many road trip itineraries in Northern Spain tend to skip Cantabria, but in my opinion, it’s one of the coolest regions for adventurous family travel. Plus, it’s conveniently located just an hour’s drive from Bilbao.

Santander, the capital of Cantabria, is a must-visit. Be sure to check out the stunning Palacio de la Magdalena, the panoramic views from the Funicular de RĂ­o de la Pila, the art-filled Centro de Arte BotĂ­n, the bustling Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and the beautiful Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la AsunciĂ³n.

If you’re visiting in the summer and craving a more relaxed atmosphere, don’t miss the beautiful beaches of Playa de los Peligros and Playa del Puntal. For more beach recommendations in Northern Spain, check out my post on the most epic beaches in the region!

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San Vicente de la Barquera

Unique tours to book in Santander and its surroundings:

More of the Cantabria Region

As I´ve previously mentioned, Cantabria is an amazing destination for adventurous family vacations. Yes, you can´t see it all in a few days, but you can definitely choose something for your own taste from this list:

  • Altamira Caves (one of the top Spanish national landmarks)
  • Bosque de Secuoyas ( a park full of giant sequoias, very rare in Spain)
  • Laberinto de Vilapresente (with its 5625 m2, the biggest labyrinth in Spain)
  • Cueva el Soplao (a unique cave, one of the greatest Spanish wonders of geology)
  • Teleferico de Fuente De ( a cable car to one of the most stunning National parks in Spain – Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa)

From the small towns of Cantabria, you´ll definitely love San Vicente de la Barquera, Santoña (famous for its anchovies), Castro Urdiales (read its famous legend of The Mermaid of Castro-Urdiales), and Santillana del Mar.

At this point, you can end your Northern Spain Road Trip and return back to Bilbao, as it´s only a 1h-long drive from Santander.

Asturias Best Beaches Northern Spain: 3 Beaches to Awaken Your Wanderlust
Playa del Silencio in Asturias

More things to do in the North of Spain

In case you want to drive further along the coast of Northern Spain check my posts about traveling to Asturias, the beautiful villages of Asturias, and one day in Santiago de Compostela. Also, you can consider adding to this Northern Spain Road Trip Itinerary my Pyrenees Road Trip, Asturias Road Trip, Weekend in La Rioja and Navarra, and even Andorra.

Northern Spain Road Trip Map

Here’s a map of the most unique places you shouldn’t miss in Northern Spain.

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