Skip to main content
EF Go Ahead Tours logo

Northern Spain: Basque Country to Madrid

12 days  |  14 days with Madrid extension  |  Estimated monthly payments as low as $281

Group size
15–38 travelers
Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars

6
Activity level

Discover diverse landscapes, delicious food, and provinces bursting with personality.

Travelers who venture to northern Spain will discover well-preserved medieval villages, postcard-perfect mountains and beaches, and some of the best food the country has to offer. On this tour of the region, you’ll explore historical, cultural, and culinary treasures in Bilbao, San Sebastián, Santander, Oviedo, and Santiago de Compostela. Then, head south, to the Castilla and Leon region, where you’ll explore Salamanca’s 13th-century university and marvel at Segovia’s imposing Roman aqueduct before making your final stop in bustling, cosmopolitan Madrid.

Your tour package includes

  • 10 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 10 breakfasts
  • 4 dinners with beer or wine
  • 1 cider tasting
  • 8 sightseeing tours
  • Expert Tour Director & local guides
  • Private deluxe motor coach

Included highlights

  • San Sebastián
  • Guggenheim Museum
  • Altamira Cave Museum
  • Oviedo Cathedral
  • Cidery visit & tasting
  • Lugo
  • Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
  • University of Salamanca
  • Alcázar of Segovia

Itinerary

Overnight Flight

Day 1: Overnight flight

Board your overnight flight to Bilbao today.

Bilbao

Day 2: Arrival in Bilbao

Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Spain! Arrive in Bilbao, an industrial port city in the Basque Country that’s home to the iconic, Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum, as well as a world-renowned dining scene. Get to know your Tour Director and fellow group members at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars

Overall rating based on 6 traveler ratings

Showing 1-6 of 6 traveler reviews

Nice trip.

5 out of 5 stars

6th-time traveler Donalda, traveled in Apr 2024

Beautiful places! Above-excellent tour guide, Alberto! Great bus drivers! And --- a nice group of fellow travelers!

Poorly planned

3 out of 5 stars

5th-time traveler Mary Ann, traveled in Apr 2024

Hotels: mostly ok but one (Santander) was terrible and way out of the city center. I always felt rushed. We were in Spain during many holidays but they were not taken into account and planned around. Included meals were satisfactory. The tour felt disjointed. Very...

EF Go Ahead Tours

Mary Ann, thank you for your review. We are so disappointed that hotel accommodations and itinerary organization fell short of...

Northern Spain

5 out of 5 stars

1st-time traveler Regina, traveled in Apr 2024

It was a nice overall trip. I learned a lot about Spain. Loved learning about the history and see all the historical sights in this country. I really enjoyed the people on the trip, we had a great group of people.

Northern Spain — a bucket list trip!

5 out of 5 stars

2nd-time traveler Carolyn, traveled in Apr 2024

Search YouTube and learn some greetings and courtesies in Euskara, the Basque language and use them in Bilbao. Try txakoli, a white wine of the region. Visit the Guggenheim Museum and modern Bilbao! Next, off to San Sebastian, Guernica (Gernika), and take a photo of the sunset...

Not ready for primetime

3 out of 5 stars

8th-time traveler Anonymous, traveled in Apr 2024

This was our 8th EF TOUR AND OUR LAST. Was poorly planned and exhausting even tho rated as Moderate. Without taking optionals, city walking tours were difficult with all cobblestone streets and numerous hills. Arrived on a Sunday in Bilbao. Everything closed. Scheduled to...

EF Go Ahead Tours

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We were able to speak with you directly about your tour experience. It was a very...

Saint Alberto

5 out of 5 stars

1st-time traveler Andrea, traveled in Apr 2024

Tour Director, Alberto, was excellent. He is a very kind, patient and compassionate man in addition to being fully informed and enthusiastic about the tour. Bus drivers, Diego and Vanesa, were outgoing and helpful.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Skip to end of carousel

Bilbao - Hotel Ercilla de Bilbao

This sophisticated hotel is located in the vibrant city of Bilbao. Guests enjoy amenities such as a fitness center, a spa and wellness center, and an on-site bar. Nearby, you'll find the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the Casco...

Santander - Silken Rio

This elegant hotel is located in the beautiful coastal city of Santander. Guests enjoy amenities such as a fitness center, a restaurant with sea views, and a café-bar. Nearby, you'll find El Sardinero Beach, the Grand Casino...

Oviedo - Hotel Silken Monumental Naranco

This modern hotel is located in Oviedo's Losa de Renfe area. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, fitness center, and on-site coffee house. Nearby you'll find Plaza de España, the Old Town, and several cider bars.

Santiago de Compostela - Compostela Hotel

This modern hotel housed in a historic building is located in Santiago de Compostela's Plaza de Galicia. Guests enjoy the on-site restaurant, bar and coffee house. Nearby you'll find the Cathedral, the Museum of Pilgrimage, and...

Salamanca - Hotel Soho Boutique Canalejas

This boutique style hotel is located in Salamanca's Old Town. Guests enjoy the stylish rooms, on-site restaurant, and delicious breakfast. Nearby you'll find the Art Deco & Art Nouveau Museum, Jesuítas Park, and the Pozo de las...

Madrid - Novotel Madrid Center

This elegant hotel is located in Madrid, Community of Madrid. Guests enjoy a rooftop terrace, a seasonal swimming pool, and a fitness center. Nearby, you'll find Retiro Park, the Prado Museum, and the Puerta de Alcalá.

Skip to start of carousel

Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare and you’ll get:

  • Round-trip flight for your tour
  • Airport transfers at your destination
  • A great price locked in today
  • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
  • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
  • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Select tour date

DateExtensionPrice
2025
6 left at this price
Available

$2,989, $500 off $3,489

Available

$3,309, $150 off $3,459

Available
$3,439
2026
Available
$3,559
Available
$3,589
Available
$3,689
Available
$3,579
Available

$3,389, $150 off $3,539

Available
$3,539
Available
$3,659