Northern Route Experience: From Porto to the Basque Country (2026)

Day 1: Madrid - Ciudad Rodrigo - Porto

Welcome to your tour with Europamundo!We’ll depart early from Madrid, heading towards the Castile region. Our first stop will be at the Mirador de los Cuatro Postes, offering a breathtaking view of the magnificent walls of Ávila. Near the border with Portugal, we’ll make a stop in Ciudad Rodrigo for a stroll through its medieval streets, where we’ll admire its cathedral and ancient city walls. We’ll then continue our journey to Porto.Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy a 50-minute cruise along the Douro River aboard a traditional Portuguese "Rabelo" boat, offering a unique perspective of the city’s beautiful riverside. Afterwards, you’ll have free time to explore the lively medieval Ribeira district, known for its narrow streets lined with historic merchant houses and charming cafés, before heading to the hotel.Note: If the number of passengers traveling from Madrid to Porto is very low, this leg of the journey may be completed by plane, in which case the stop in Ciudad Rodrigo will be canceled.

Day 2: Porto - Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary - Cambados - Santiago de Compostela

Today, we´ll travel through stunning landscapes. In Braga, we´ll take a ride on the world’s oldest water-operated cable car to reach the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, where breathtaking views await. After exploring the sanctuary, we recommend descending via its picturesque staircase. Our journey continues into Galicia, where we´ll visit the historic town of Cambados in Rías Baixas. Here, we´ll embark on a glass-bottom boat trip along the Ría de Arousa, learning about mussel and oyster production. Enjoy wine and mussel tasting onboard. At lunchtime, we´ll arrive in Santiago de Compostela for a city tour led by a local guide, exploring its medieval streets and renowned pilgrimage sites dating back to the Middle Ages.

Day 3: Santiago de Compostela - Lugo - Betanzos - A coruña

Day 4: A coruña - Pontedeume - Cabo ortegal - Viveiro

Day 5: Viveiro - Mondoñedo - Ribadeo - Abres

Day 6: Abres

Day 7: Abres - Cudillero - Gijon - Oviedo

After breakfast, we’ll visit TAPIA DE CASARIEGO, one of the most beautiful and popular fishing villages on the western Asturian coast, with origins dating back to the whaling era.We’ll then continue to CUDILLERO, a picturesque fishing village—declared a Historic-Artistic Site—where brightly colored houses cling to the hillside. Free time for lunch.Before reaching OVIEDO, we’ll stop in GIJON, the largest city in Asturias, known for its fishing and sports harbor, the Atlantic Botanical Garden, and the Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura, home to its Art and Industrial Creation Center. Free time for a stroll.Upon arrival in Oviedo, we’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of the city with a local guide. We’ll see the 9th-century Cathedral, Calatrava Palace, Campoamor Theater, and La Rua Street.We’ll end the day with a typical Asturian dinner featuring local cuisine, served in a traditional cider house (sidrería).

Day 8: Oviedo - Covadonga - Santillana del Mar - Santander

We will travel to Picos de Europa. We will visit Basílica de Covadonga which is surrounded by beautiful scenery. We will resume our journey following the coastline to SANTILLANA, one of Spain’s most beautiful towns, and we will visit its well-preserved medieval quarter. We visit the National Museum and Research Centre of ALTAMIRA (ticket included) located in the vicinity of this town. We will later travel to SANTANDER, the region’s capital city, a coastal city with amazing vistas and beaches. We include panoramic city tour to discover this elegant city and its beautiful bay. NOTE: On some high difficulty dates (especially in summer from July to mid September), some groups can be accommodated in Bilbao.

Day 9: Santander - Bilbao - Guernica - San Sebastián

Day 10: San Sebastián - Burgos - Madrid

In the morning, after admiring the beautiful views over the Bay of San Sebastián from Mount Igueldo, we will head to the Basque Cider Museum (entrance and tasting included) to learn about the traditions and production of this popular drink. Afterwards, free time to enjoy the city’s great beach, stroll along its boulevards, or wander through the Old Town.We will also include a pintxos experience, tasting these delicious small bites so typical of Basque cuisine, accompanied by a drink.In the early afternoon, we’ll travel along a scenic highway toward Castile. BURGOS – free time in the historic center, where the Cathedral of Burgos, a jewel of Gothic architecture, stands out.We then continue to MADRID, arriving at the end of the day.Our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful and lasting memories.Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night.