Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Northern Spain and Portugal Road Trip Coastal Cities, Trekking Trails & Vineyard Tours
Spain – Portugal – San Sebastian – Bilbao – Picos de Europa – Santiago de Compostela – Porto – Douro Valley
Begin in charming San Sebastian, where you’ll sample some of the best food in the Basque Country and learn how to surf like a local. Then, it’s on to Bilbao next for a couple of days of art and culture, before exploring the spectacular mountains of the Picos de Europa National Park. After hiking glorious trails and embarking on an epic canoeing adventure, head to the final stop on the Spanish leg of your trip, the historic city of Santiago de Compostela.
Then, say farewell to Spain as you embark on the Portuguese part of your journey. First stop, Porto – a tile-clad city steeped in culture and history. Discover Porto’s many wonders (including its iconic local drink) on a fascinating city tour with a local guide, then for the final leg of your holiday, head inland to the beautiful and beloved Douro Valley, where strolls among the vineyards, wine tastings, boat trips and relaxation await – dreamy.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
There are several two-hour flights to Bilbao daily, so depending on which one you’re on, you'll arrive between late morning and mid-afternoon. Once you’ve collected your hire car, embark on the hour-and-a-half-long drive to the coastal city of San Sebastian – the Basque capital. Alternatively, you could start driving in the UK, enjoying the delights of France en route to San Sebastian.
Once you’ve dropped your bags and found your bearings, meet your local foodie guide for a tour of San Sebastian's best pintxos (Basque tapas) spot – an essential part of any day in Donostia, the Basque name for San Sebastian.
As you make your way between the best bars, hunt out the freshest prawns, baby squid and perfectly charred steak, pairing each with a complementary drink. Our local Concierge will recommend their favourite haunts, too, so there's no danger of FOMO.
After a morning spent exploring the city at your own pace, make your way to a local surf shop to experience the other essential part of life in San Sebastian – surfing. Time to amp up the adrenaline and hit the waves.
Following the instructions of an expert local, work up an appetite for a hearty Basque supper while learning to pop up, carve and maybe even hang ten at the perfect spot to escape the city: Zurriola Beach.
After your lesson, you'll have some time this afternoon to relax and indulge in a suitably Spanish cocktail on the beach before dinner. Consult our Concierge again for their favourite spots if you’re in need of some foodie inspo.
Today, spend another lazy morning in San Sebastian before hopping in your car, pumping up the tunes and setting off on the short return journey to Bilbao, the next stop on your road trip.
After you’ve dropped your bags in your room and divvied up the sides of the bed, we recommend stepping out for a wander around this charmingly compact city before dinner tonight.
This morning, our expert local guide will meet you at your hotel for a walking tour of the city. You'll visit the old town, as well as the ultra-modern area around the iconic Frank Gehry Guggenheim Museum. If you fancy it, you could also dip into this titanium-clad structure to learn more about its permanent collection, which includes work by Yves Klein and Andy Warhol.
Suitably art-sated, move on to the Mercado de la Ribera, where you can enjoy lunch (bring on more pintxos) and some local wine tastings. Afterwards, spend the afternoon discovering the 'Guggenheim effect' – the recent artistic phenomenon bringing tourism to Bilbao, including Louise Bourgeois' spider sculpture, 'Mamma.'
Spend your final morning in Bilbao strolling around your newfound favourite spots in the city and enjoying your last few pintxos. Then, after lunch, make the two-and-a-half-hour drive to your next hotel in the beautiful setting of Fuente De, Picos de Europa National Park.
After parking up, settle into your next home away from home for the next four nights. Then, spend the rest of the day exploring your stunning surroundings in the lead-up to dinner – what a way to end the day.
Rise and shine this morning for an active day spent almost entirely outdoors. After breakfast, you’ll be met at your hotel and privately transferred to the launch point for your canoeing adventure along the majestic Deva River.
The next three hours will be a visual delight as you glide along calm stretches of water past river beaches and abundant wildlife. Then, enjoy a private guided tour and a picnic lunch in a secluded riverside beauty spot.
Blissed out at the end of your dreamy day trip, you'll be privately transferred back to your hotel – just make sure you didn't forget to leave a towel and some dry clothes in the car.
Make sure you’ve had a hearty breakfast and plenty of coffee, because today, you’ll be embarking on a five-hour-long hike. Led by a private tour guide, venture out from your hotel to the Vega de Urriellu mountain refuge hut.
First, take the Fuente De funicular to the small village of Bulne, unreachable by car. The views back across the valley here are beautiful, and once you’ve had your fill, you can continue hiking along the well-trodden path towards Torre de Horcado Rojos.
Admire the clear blue waters of the Lloroza lakes along the way before hiking up the iconic Naranjo de Bulnes limestone peak. You’ll reach the Vega de Urriellu hut in time for a well-earned mountain lunch, during which you can appreciate the spectacular views before descending and being privately transferred back to your hotel by mid-afternoon.
Running into the Picos de Europa National Park is the Cares River, also known as the Divine Gorge. Here, you’ll find one of the most breathtaking trekking trails in Europe, carved out of the mountains over millennia.
This morning, you’ll be transferred via off-road taxi to the start of the route and led by an expert guide along the hiking trail, which meanders for almost eight miles through the most beautiful parts of the gorge. Along the way, your guide will fill you in on the flora and fauna and geological history of the area, keeping you distracted from aching legs...
Post-hike, return to your hotel for a well-earned rest and a hearty bite to eat before sinking into a plush stack of pillows tonight.
After your last lazy morning in the mountains, check out, load up the car and buckle up for the five-hour drive west towards Santiago de Compostela, your base for the next two nights.
Once you’ve settled into your stylish hotel in the heart of the city, we recommend consulting our Dossier for a few recommended spots for dinner. It’s time to try some of that famously fantastic Galician seafood.
Enjoy a filling buffet breakfast at your hotel this morning before exploring Santiago de Compostela at your own pace. The city is the capital of Spain's Galicia region, and its beautiful cathedral is said to be the last resting place of the remains of the eponymous St James, making this one of the key pilgrimage sites in Europe.
We recommend embracing the slow pace of life today and wandering the picturesque streets. Then, perch up and relax in the main square, nursing a top-tier cup of coffee and munching on churros – cue musings of ‘this is the life’.
After breakfast this morning, make your way to Ourense, about an hour and a half away. After arriving, drop off your hire car and join forces with a private driver for the two-and-a-half-hour transfer to your hotel in Porto, Portugal.
Your next cosy hotel is located in the historic downtown part of the city. Once you've settled in, head out to explore the pretty places of Porto, hitting up a few of our favourite bars for a glass or two of port wine before dinner. This time, it’s our Portuguese Concierge who’ll be on hand to advise you about where to eat.
Today, you have a full day to discover Porto, so meet your private guide this morning for a walking tour of this fascinating city. Begin in Boavista and Foz, two of the city’s trendiest areas, where the Atlantic meets the Douro River, and wander around the city's best museums. Then, in the historic city centre, explore the Church of Sao Francisco, whose simple Gothic exterior belies an astonishing interior dripping in gold.
After taking in the Sao Bento train station, the Stock Exchange building and the city's Cathedral, cross the river to Vila Nova de Gaia. Here, you’ll visit some of Porto's best port houses to learn about the fortified wine's production, storage methods and secrets that make it one of the most popular post-dinner drinks in the world. Don’t worry, you’ll also be able to sample some port yourself at a wine tasting in one of our favourite cellars.
It’s time for the final leg of your journey, so pick up your second hire car and drive two hours inland towards the Douro Valley. If your road trip tunes are in need of a refresh along the way, check out our destination-specific playlist.
You’ll be spending the next three nights in an elegant quinta, or country estate, overlooking the Douro River. The rest of the day is yours to explore the serene grounds and bask in the sun on the terrace – lucky you.
The next two days are free for you to do as you please in this perfectly peaceful place. There’s plenty on offer at your hotel, so you needn’t leave the grounds to enjoy a wine tasting, walking trail or gastronomic delight.
You can also venture further afield for more activities, though, including river cruises and visits to local vineyards. If you’d prefer something more zen, we can book you into a spa session or you can spend your days lounging by the tranquil outdoor pool while enjoying spectacular views over the valley – whatever takes your fancy.
Savour one final breakfast on the terrace this morning before hopping in your hire car and driving back to Porto. After dropping off your trusty vehicle, check in for your two-and-a-half-hour flight back to the UK this afternoon. Oh, and don’t forget to leave time to pick up some bottles of your new favourite drink – port – from duty-free beforehand.
Why visit Spain with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Spain
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
Why visit Portugal with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Portugal
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
