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Northern Spain Itinerary-2weeks on Sept/Oct

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Looking for a review of our itinerary especially rail and car travel between cities. We like to explore small towns, enjoy wine tasting and the beach as well as hit city highlights (some of the hotels are Rick Steves recommendations). Our arrival city and departure cities are set but before we book rail tickets, etc I just want to ensure we have another set of eyes. Thanks for your help!

Arrive 10/2 Barcelona/check into Evenia Rocafort in L’Example
10/3 Barcelona
10/4 Barcelona
10/5 Barcelona
10/6 Train to Bilboa/ check into hotel Casual Gurea
10/7 Bilboa/Guggenheim
10/8 Bilboa/open to suggestions
10/9 pick up rental car downtown Bilbao and drive to San Sebastián stopping at sites. stay at Pension Kursaal
10/10 SS/beach day if weather is good
10/11 drive to Rojo region/ wine country, check into hotel Eurostar Los Agustinos in Hoda/and go wine tasting (we’ll pre-plan)
10/12 move to hotel Secrotel Calle Mayor in Logrono/ explore Logrono
10/13 return rental car at Logrono train station /train to Madrid till 10/17, stay at Hotel Moderno

Posted by
716 posts

Just in case you´re using a GPS, make sure the spellings are correct: Bilbao and not Bilboa, and La Rioja and not Rojo. Haro and not Hoda, Sercotel and not Secrotel. Bilbao has a great old town and it´s a must, as well as a 1915 funicular to the top of the mountains around the city, Azkuna Zentroa is also a must and of course, the Puente Bizkaia and the old fishing port of Algorta right outside of town.

Posted by
570 posts

Hi Andrea,

first off, remember that the 12th is a holiday, Virgen del Pilar. Depending on the community, but some people will have a four day weekend.

Going Barcelona to Bilbao to San Sebastian to Haro to Logroño could be streamlined. From Barcelona you could go to Zaragoza or Pamplana, and pick up the car there and drive up to San Sebastian. Then you could go over to Bilbao. If you left Bilbao early on the 11th, you could be in Haro for a visit to a winery and have lunch. You could get to Logroño in the early evening and return you car that day. On the 12th most things are probably going to be closed. There may be a few wineries that are open. Here is the Logroño tourist office list of wineries in the city, you could check to see which is open for visits.

You don't need a car in Logroño, so by turning your car in early, you save a few days and parking.

FWIW, we were in San Sebastian seven or eight years ago on the 10th, and it was 30C, and the beach was packed.

Posted by
2 posts

My thanks to you both, I was wondering if we could go a better job of getting around and you have been very helpful telling us how.

Just a question about parking in Bilbao- is it easy/cheap enough? Or will it just sit while we are there?

And thank you for the sight-seeing tips in Bilbao. 🙏🙏

Posted by
716 posts

Bilbao is my hometown, and driving is easy as there´s a speed limit of 30km/h (18pmh) and there are plenty of affordable parkings. Street parking is metered and limited in time, so the best option is an underground parking. But it´s a very walkable city where practically everybody goes on foot everywhere.

While in Haro, you can´t miss a visit to Laguardia...it´s the most beautiful town in the area. Rioja wine region is not to be mistaken with La Rioja, which is a political entity. Haro is in Rioja Alta and in La Rioja (the region took the name of the wine area); Laguardia is in Rioja Alavesa and it´s the Basque Country, but you do not really notice many differences except the bilingual use of signs.

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