Barcelona, Northern Spain & Madrid
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Discover Spain’s northern gems on this 10-day journey from Barcelona to Madrid. After time to soak up Barcelona’s iconic sights – from the Sagrada Familia to Park Guell – travel by high-speed train through Zaragoza to elegant San Sebastian. Explore the Basque coast, Bilbao’s striking Guggenheim and charming fishing villages, then continue west to Santander and the historic treasures of Santillana and Covadonga. Wander Oviedo’s medieval streets, admire Lugo’s Roman walls and experience the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela. Finish in the golden city of Salamanca before arriving in Spain’s vibrant capital, Madrid.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
10 daysHotel Rating
4-5 star hotelsStarts
BarcelonaEnds
MadridMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Spain that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
Bi-lingual tour leader escort & local guides for sightseeingCountry
SpainMeals Included
Breakfast: 9Passengers
R 43 348,00
R 5 000,00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 6 / Max 70
Trip Type
Large Coach Tours
Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip. Our Budget tours offer incredible experiences at a great price. As well as guided sightseeing (depending on the Tour Inclusions), there's free time to explore independently or take part in optional excursions so you can focus on doing just the things that suit you.
Guiding Style
This tour is led by a dedicated tour guide or tour leader who accompanies you throughout your journey. They take care of the day-to-day logistics, offer local insights at every stop, and are available to assist with any questions or needs along the way. On longer tours or multi-country itineraries, you may be accompanied by a different tour guide or tour leader for certain sections of the journey. For full details of the guiding services included on this tour, please refer to the Inclusions.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Bi-lingual tour leader escort & local guides for sightseeingGroup Size
Min 6 / Max 70Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip. Our Budget tours offer incredible experiences at a great price. As well as guided sightseeing (depending on the Tour Inclusions), there's free time to explore independently or take part in optional excursions so you can focus on doing just the things that suit you.
Guiding Style
This tour is led by a dedicated tour guide or tour leader who accompanies you throughout your journey. They take care of the day-to-day logistics, offer local insights at every stop, and are available to assist with any questions or needs along the way. On longer tours or multi-country itineraries, you may be accompanied by a different tour guide or tour leader for certain sections of the journey. For full details of the guiding services included on this tour, please refer to the Inclusions.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Large Coach ToursTour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to Barcelona
On arrival at Barcelona Airport, we transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or begin exploring the city at your own pace.
Day 2 - Explore Barcelona
Today we discover Barcelona aboard a comfortable double-decker hop-on hop-off bus. With a single ticket, you can explore the city at your own pace, boarding and alighting as often as you wish.
The Orange Route takes us beyond the city’s most emblematic modernist landmarks to its western highlights, including the FC Barcelona stadium and the National Museum of Art of Catalonia. You may choose to visit either museum before rejoining the bus. Alternatively, you can explore El Born, known for its lively atmosphere and excellent cuisine, or simply relax and enjoy panoramic views of the city. The Green Route focuses on Barcelona’s artistic heritage. From Placa Catalunya to Park Guell, we admire some of the city’s most striking modernist architecture. We see the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece, renowned for the intricate symbolism of its facades. Throughout the journey, we gain insight into Barcelona’s history and cultural identity.
Day 3 - Travel to San Sebastian via Zaragoza
Barcelona - Zaragoza - San Sebastian. Breakfast at the hotel. We transfer to Barcelona "Sants" station to board the high-speed train to Zaragoza. On arrival, we meet our guide and continue by coach to San Sebastian, one of Spain’s most elegant seaside cities and host of the renowned International Film Festival.
Day 4 - San Sebastian City Tour
We enjoy a panoramic tour of this refined coastal city, set around the sweeping Bay of La Concha and its famous beach. We travel up Mount Igueldo for superb views over the bay and the city below. The remainder of the day is at leisure. In the afternoon, you may choose to join an optional excursion across the border into France to visit the charming towns of Biarritz and San Juan de Luz.
Day 5 - Free Time in Bilbao and Castro Urdiales & Explore Santander
San Sebastian - Bilbao - Castro Urdiales - Santander. We depart for Bilbao and stop at the Guggenheim Museum for free time to admire its striking contemporary architecture. We continue to the fishing town of Castro Urdiales, where you will have time to explore at leisure. Later, we travel to Santander, a port city set between sea and mountains, known for beaches such as El Sardinero. With a local guide, we explore the city’s principal sights.
Day 6 - Visit Covadonga & Transfer to Oviedo
Santander - Santillana del Mar - Covadonga - Oviedo. We travel to Santillana del Mar, one of Spain’s most historic towns, renowned for its medieval streets and the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture in Cantabria. We continue to Covadonga, where you will have free time to visit the Sanctuary and the Holy Grotto, an important pilgrimage site. In the afternoon, we proceed to Oviedo, set at the foot of Mount Naranco. The city is known for its elegant pedestrian streets and remarkable monuments, several of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including its impressive Gothic Cathedral.
Day 7 - Visit Mondonedo and Lugo toward Santiago de Compostela
Oviedo - Mondonedo - Lugo - Santiago de Compostela. We enter the region of Galicia, stopping in Mondonedo. You will have free time to visit its imposing 12th-century cathedral and sample the traditional Mondonedo cake. We continue to Lugo, where you have free time to see the remarkably preserved Roman walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only complete Roman city walls still standing in Europe. Our journey then takes us to Santiago de Compostela. Its historic centre, also UNESCO-listed, is one of Spain’s most important pilgrimage destinations and marks the final stage of the Camino de Santiago.
Day 8 - Santiago de Compostela City Tour
We take a guided tour of Santiago, visiting the Plaza del Obradoiro and entering the Cathedral, dedicated to Apostle Santiago el Mayor. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the city’s vibrant university atmosphere and historic streets.
Day 9 - Explore Salamanca & Transfer to Madrid
Santiago de Compostela - Salamanca - Madrid. We depart for Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its golden sandstone architecture and one of the oldest universities in Europe. You will have free time to explore and have lunch, at own cost, before we continue to Madrid.
Day 10 - Goodbye Madrid
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport. This marks the end of an incredible journey experiencing Spain and all it's beauty.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Prices & Dates
All departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 6 people. Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'Single' price applies for solo travellers who require their own room.
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