North Spain 8-13 March- suggestions?

There is way more than you could possibly do in five nights so you'll need to be selective. And with only five nights and a desire to take trains you might want to consider not renting a car, although that will limit you. For example, I doubt you can get to Cudillero without a car. It's a charming little village but only worth about a half day, especially in March. In fact, given the weather possibilities in March I would probably stick to cities - and those would be easier to get to/between with public transportation (buses as well as trains, buses are wonderful in that area). Oviedo was 'OK' but it wasn't a highlight for us. I guess I would suggest looking into Burgos/Leon (closer to Madrid and likely better weather than on the coast). Or, San Sebastian/Bilbao. You mention the Picos. You would probably want a car for that. Small towns close to that (besides Potes, which is in the mountains) is Santilliana. But as I said, you need to narrow it down to one 'area within the area' for only five days.

Have a look at my trip report that covers that area - https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/blog/2017/9/crisscrossing-the-camino-5-weeks-in-northern-spain-part-5-coastal-villages-the-picos

Thanks Isabel.

Well I don't think my son'd demand we train everywhere. =) just the main high speed rail from madrid to the north would suffice. and I thought I'd just rent a car the few days, then return it and HSR back to Madrid.

Quick qs, is car rental expensive in the north?

PS. Nice review of your trip too!

Hello!

With 5 nights, and since you love exploring vast landscapes, I think your focus should definitely be the Picos de Europa (3 nights). I wouldn't bother trying to drive in from one of the major cities (Santander/Oviedo), find a good base, close by, and really get to know the area.

For your travels in the Picos de Europa, I would recommend staying at the Fuente Dé Parador (https://www.parador.es/en/paradores/parador-de-fuente-de), which is a historic hotel that sits below a string imposing vertical mountains. From there you can take numerous nature hikes and even a cable car that takes you all the way to the top of the mountains.

I would also spend a couple of nights in the well-preserved medieval town of Santillana del Mar, in the next door region of Cantabria. From their one can explore the nearby Altamira Caves, a UNESCO world heritage site with numerous Paleolithic cave paintings. The real caves are closed to the public but there is a pretty good replica cave and museum there too.

As for transportation, since you would like to travel with trains, I would recommend you take the Alvia High-Speed Train from Madrid Chamartín Station to Burgos, in northern Castilla, and from there rent a car to explore the north.

Here would be my rough itinerary incorporating my some of my thoughts:

Start Madrid, take the Alvia High-Speed Train from Chamartín Station to (2:30 hr)
Burgos - See the Burgos Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, within the cathedral is the tomb of the Spanish national hero "El Cid".

Rent a car an drive to (3:00 hr)
Fuente Dé Parador (3 nights) - Explore the Picos the Europa, visit the nearby medieval town of Potes, and check out Covadonga, a pilgrimage site dedicated to a battle which set off the Reconquista. There is also a Holy Cave, where lies Kings Pelagius and Alfonso I, Astur-Visigothic Kings from the 700s AD.

Drive to (1:42 hr)
Santillana del Mar (2 nights) - Explore the nearby Altamira Caves, drive along the Cantabrian Coastline, visit the coastal town of Comillas and see El Capricho House, designed by Antoni Gaudí.

Drive back to Burgos (1:45 hr), drop off car, and take the Alvia train back to Madrid (2:30 hr)

Hope this gives some good ideas! :)

Thanks Carlos, I will digest that.

Funny thing.. I'm looking at various train sites and for a trip that is in the earlier part of march, all the sites say there's either no direct connection or sale for Madrid-Gijon. (just testing options)

I had thought Alvia trains ply that route frequently.

Yes, unfortunately there are no direct train connections from Madrid to Oviedo/Gijon. One has to first take the train to León or Burgos, in northern Castilla, and then take the ALSA bus or rent car to get farther north. Flying is the fastest way from Madrid to Asturias, but one misses all the scenery along the way.

Wow that’s unfortunate.

seems increasingly difficult to plan the picos.. burgos does seem the easier to get there train schedule wise but can't seem to get many car rental results.

If I had to shrink it down to these 2 prerequisites

1. train ride
2. living in the mountain towns..

any suggestions for these 4-5 days accessible enough from Madrid?