Hi,
We're planning an eleven days trip to Bilbao, San Sebastian, Castro Urdiales, Santillana Del Mar, Potes, El Ciego and La Rioja. Intend to spend a couple of days in Bilbao and take the train to San Sebastian where we'll spend a couple of nights. Will rent a car in San Sebastian and drive the rest of the way. Would like to stay one night at Castro Urdiales. Could you please share your ideas about the drive, sights and lodging?
Thanks!
Posted by
762 posts
Could you please share your ideas about the drive, sights and lodging?
We loved Castro Urdiales, but did it as a daytrip from Bilbao, so can't really help on the lodging. But while there, be sure to head up to the Church of Santa María de la Asunción. An absolute gem of gothic architecture with fabulous flying buttresses. Inside is the White Virgin, which dates from the 1200s, but was only recently rediscovered behind a wall in the mid twentieth century! Consequently, she looks terrific! The medieval bridge you cross to get up to it is also very cool.
Posted by
Bilbao
644 posts
This thing about US and the trains...there must be something there, as so few US visitors ask about the bus. I would, no doubt, take the bus (all buses in Spain are clean, cheap, efficient, modern, with wi-fi...), that takes just a bit over one hour while the train (on a very scenic ride, that´s true) takes over 2.5h as it stops in every town on the way.
Laguardia over Elciego, no doubt (unless you plan to visit Marqués de Riscal...but you do not get to see the building from a close point of view and the wine tour is horrible); do not mistake La Rioja political autonomous region with Rioja wine region (divided into Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa -this one is Basque Country- and Rioja Oriental); Santillana del Mar is fine, three hours is more than enough, try to visit Comillas and Liérganes as well. Castro Urdiales has the port area as the only area worth visiting, with the church on top of the hill as HistoryTraveler has mentioned, two hours is more than enough. Potes is fine, quite touristy, but the views around it are spectacular.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6543 posts
If it didn’t have to be in Castro Urdiales, I’d suggest the Parador de Limpias. It’s 31 km away and en route to Santillana del Mar.
If staying in Santillana Del Mar consider the Parador de Santillana Gil Blas. If staying at one of the two Paradors there, you’re allowed to drive in the no drive zone (the entire village) to unload your bags, then move the car to the convenient Paradors parking lot.