So much to see in such little. Would like to see San Sebastián, Bilbao, (LaGuardia, Marques de Riscal), Santander ( Santillana de Mar, El Capricho de Gaudi, Palacio de Sobrellano), hike at Picos de Europa, beaches in Asturias, and Galicia (Santiago de Compostela). Would like to change hotel only 3-4 times. We will have a car. What would be best towns to base out of and best day trips around them? I realize we probably can’t do it all, but would appreciate any recommendations.
Posted by
Paris
7304 posts
Hi,
Indeed, you can't see all of the above in seven days. What are your priorities?
In a week you can do a San Sebastián - Bilbao - Rioja / Laguardia loop with some side trips, with 2-3 nights in each place.
Or a Bilbao - Santiago de C trip along the coast, with 2 nights Bilbao, 2 near Santillana (avoid Santander), 2 west of the Picos de Europa, 2 in Santiago but as you see it's already more packed and the Picos - Santiago stretch is a long one. You could skip the Picos de Europa to focus on the coast instead, in which case I really like Cudillero as a place to stay. Or Oviedo for a city feel.
Posted by
Washington DC
28090 posts
How many nights will you have in Spain? Are you flying in on an overnight flight? To which airport? Are you flying out? If so, from which airport?
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you so much for your replies. First we are a family of four, two daughters 18 and 17. One loves museums and architecture. She has a list of things to see in Santander and of course loves Gehry. The other loves hiking, swimming, and fishing. I would like to visit at least one of the wineries. We like small towns as opposed to large cities and like to experience the culture around us as opposed to rushing around to landmarks.
We are going to Portugal for a week as well. My intent is to fly in and out of Bilbao and Porto, but I am flexible on that as well.
We would be most grateful for and advice.
Posted by
Paris
7304 posts
Thank you for the additional details.
How are you planning the car rental? Do you go from Spain to Portugal and swallow the drop off fee? Or do you drop the Spanish car iN Spain, for instance Santiago de Compostela? I'll assume the latter.
Also, the sights you were listing for Santander are not in the city of Santander, but in the province of Santander (Cantabria). When I meant "Skip Santander" I meant skip the city.
With one week / 7 nights, and with your interests, I'd spend
- 2 in Bilbao
- 1 in Comillas (where the Capricho de Gaudí is located) or Santillana del Mar
- 2 in Arriondas, Cangas de Onis, or any other place near Picos de Europa but preferably on the west side, to shorten the drive to Santiago.
- 2 in Santiago de Compostela
No winery... But there's Porto for that! Also it's a lot of driving.
Alternative: loop around Bilbao in a week, drop car in Bilbao, then fly to Porto.
- 2 nights Bilbao
- drive to... (stopping in Santillana del Mar)...
- 3 nights Potes, for Picos de Europa hiking a'd daytrip to Comillas
- 2 nights in the Rioja, stopping in Burgos on the way if you wish
A bit less driving this way perhaps, and you get a chance for a winery tour in the Rioja.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you for your replies. Decided to do Bilbao loop for more relaxed trip.
Bilbao 2 nights
Possible day trip to Gaztelugatxe and/or San Sebastián
Santander or Comillas 2 nights
Day trip to Santillana Del Mar
Llanes 3 nights
Bike to Niembro
Day trip to hike in Picos
Would appreciate any input or suggestions on alternate routes
Posted by
Washington DC
28090 posts
I agree with balso about Santander. The city had a catastrophic fire in the 1940s, so much of the architecture is new. I am no expert, but I found it visually one of the least interesting places I've seen in Spain, and I've seen around 70 cities and towns in the last 4 years.
Posted by
1230 posts
We are hiking in the Picos: the Ruta del Cares. Google it (there's good information on Trip Advisor). Alternately, you could visit lk. Covadonga, and hike around that. I also found a hike to a cliff jumping spot on a river between lake covadonga and Congas de Onis (but we have more time there than you so you wouldn't be able to all of this, but if you want more info. pm me). We are also staying in Llanes Also traveling with teens...
Posted by
Henderson, NV, USA
25 posts
You did not mention the caves of northern Spain. Have you considered them? Your girls, artistic and outdoorsy, might find them fascinating. There are a great many caves you can visit to see original cave art that is as old as 40,000 years. As for Santander we have found it delightful. It has a beautiful harbor walk with lots of parks and art and isn’t littered up with tacky souvenir stores etc. it even has a Park with seals, penguins, sea lions - seems very family oriented.