The Basque Country to Asturias, Northern Route

Start your trip! Depending on what time you arrive, you may be able to explore Bilbao in depth or simply get your bearings. Take a stroll or go out for dinner and a refreshing drink. You deserve a rest after your travels!

Start your day in Bilbao by going to the modern part of the city. Walk along Gran Via and discover the major commercial centre, with straight lines and bigger streets. A must-see attraction in Bilbao is the Guggenheim Museum. Just viewing it from outside is a worthwhile experience, but inside you can find permanent and temporary world class exhibitions. If you are a football fan, go to see the new San Mames, Athletic Club Stadium. Alternatively, visit the outskirts of Bilbao, for example, Portugalete where you can see the famous Vizcaya Bridge. After seeing all the tourist attractions, spend the evening in Casco Viejo, moving from bar to bar and eating pintxos and drinking the night away. There is always a party happening in Bilbao.

Check out of your accommodation in Bilbao and get ready for the next stop!

TRIP  Bilbao - San Sebastian

You can spend the evening in San Sebastián walking along La Concha beach, one of the best city beaches of the world. The stately mansions in the front line of the beach will take you to a past age. Now you can continue your visit going to the commercial area of the city, where the cathedral is, or you can go either to Casco Viejo and be caught up in the rhythm of the pintxos bars, spending the hours dawdling.

Your day in San Sebastián/Donostia should start in the Peine del Viento, on the west side of La Concha Bay. From there you can walk almost two kilometres along the promenade, crossing the Ondarreta Beach and La Concha Beach (one of the most beautiful beaches of the country). Between them, you will find the English style Miramar Palace. Also during your walk, you will discover remnants of the Belle Epoque period, including big stately mansions like La Perla, a former aristocracy health resort, and the London Hotel. Another excellent walk follows the Urumea River, where you can delight in more of the city's big old buildings, such as the Victoria Eugenia Theatre. The best place to spend the evening is in Casco Viejo, which has one of the highest numbers of bars per square metre in the world. The night will involve eating pintxos and drinking some wine and beer. Anything could happen in San Sebastian.

There are some possibilities to spend the morning in San Sebastián, depending on what you prefer or see before. A good one is climb up to the Igueldo Hill and enjoy the nice view of the bay from above. Another option is to spend the time in La Concha beach, the most important of the city, or cross the Urumea river to the west and spend the morning in Zurriola beach, smaller and quieter, where you can try some surf if you like. In your way there, you will see the Kursaal Centre, seat of both cinema and jazz festivals known worldwide. You also can climb up the Urgull hill, the other small summit that flanks La Concha Bay; it's located behind the Casco Viejo.

TRIP  San Sebastian - Santander

One way to spend an evening in Santander is to go to the area by the docks where you can walk around the Paseo y Jardines de Pereda. You will pass the Palacete del Embarcadero and the Stone Crane, to eventually reach the Maritime Royal Yacht Club, a boat-shaped building. If you are a sea lover, you can visit the Cantabrian Maritime Museum, with a huge whale skeleton in the entrance hall. If you still have some more time, walk on the beach and then make your way to the city centre. At night, go to one of the many seafood restaurants and enjoy the city's atmosphere.

You can start the day in Santander visiting the Magdalena Palace, the most remarkable building in the city, located on a beautiful green peninsula. After that, spend part of the day walking along the succession of beaches that make up the Sardinero, with some of the more excellent ones including Camello Beach and La Concha Beach, where you could also go for a surf. While walking along the promenade, you will see the Sardinero Big Casino, an imposing white building. For some top views, you should go to Cabo Mayor, following the path near the cliffs at the end of the beach. The best evening plan in Santander is to go out for pinchos. Finish the night in one of the many pubs or clubs.

Check out of your accommodation in Santander and get ready for the next stop!

TRIP  Santander - Gijón

Spend the evening in Gijón by going to San Lorenzo Beach. From there you can make your way to the Old Town. Jovellanos Square, one of the emblems of the city, is the entrance to Cimadevilla Quarter, the old fishing area that today defines the Old Town of Gijón. Take a stroll on the streets, taste the local cider and go up Santa Catalina Hill to watch and listen to the sculpture Elogio al Horizonte of the artist Chillida (also known as King Kong toilet). At night, you can always find some fun in Cimadevilla.

An interesting morning plan in Gijón is to visit the grandest part of the city walking through the Plaza del Marqués until you get to Begoña Gardens, and on your way, you can try some typical regional produce. Combine this with a couple of hours on San Lorenzo Beach, relaxing next to the Cantabrian Sea.

TRIP  Gijón - Bilbao

Spend the evening in Bilbao wandering in Casco Viejo, also known as the Seven Streets. From the Arenal Bridge, near the Arriaga Theatre, plunge into the narrow and bustling streets of the old town of Bilbao and walk towards Plaza Nueva, where there are markets on some days. Afterwards, continue to Unamuno Square and climb the hill to the Basilica of Begoña. Make your way back down and lose yourself in Casco Viejo's alleys where you will also spot the Gothic Santiago Cathedral. When you get tired of walking, take a rest with some pintxos and beers from the same area. As the evening draws on, notice the neighbourhood becoming more lively until it turns into one big party for many hours.

Sadly, the last day of your trip has arrived. Depending on the time of your departure, you could spend your final hours in Bilbao visiting some more fantastic places, or simply chill out and relax.