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North Spain Discovery

8 Days | Taste your way through northern Spain's culture, cuisine and charm

4.4 out of 5 based on 27 reviews submitted.
Explorer
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EUR €1,713
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Come on a signature tour through northern Spain and get to know the people, landscapes, customs and cuisine that make this part of the country so fascinating. From sipping delicious Rioja in Logrono and delighting in the seaside charms of bustling Barcelona to enjoying the lively tapas bars of San Sebastian and pulling up a seat in an atmospheric square in Madrid – this is an eight-day adventure that packs the essentials of Spain into one. Spain is full of culture, charisma and extraordinary cuisine, and this tour up north is no different.

Trip overview

Map of North Spain Discovery including Spain
Start
Barcelona, Spain
Finish
Madrid, Spain
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Spain
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
ZMSN
This trip generates 24.83 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Begin in Barcelona, sporting fabulous food, stunning coastline and a vibrant atmosphere that has attracted worldwide acclaim. You’ll want to spend more time here beforehand!
  • The fortified medieval city of Pamplona is a great place to discover on foot. Weave through the city's winding alleyways to the Gothic Cathedral and walk down the street of the famous running of the bulls.
  • Logrono is bursting with delicious local produce and wine, just waiting to be enjoyed on an included pinxtos crawl and winery tour. Delicioso!
  • Take a long siesta on the golden beaches of San Sebastian, one of Spain's most scenic coastal destinations. As the sun goes down, join the crowds as they come out to play among the city's exciting nightlife.
  • The Art Walk in Madrid is every art lover's dream. In one small stretch you can browse the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the Reina Sofia and the Prado, one of the world's most celebrated galleries.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Open Arms. Donations help them safeguard the physical integrity and rights of migrant people in imminent danger who have fled their homes across the Mediterranean Sea.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! Summer temperatures can be very high in these regions (over 40°C), which can make things uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
  • Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. Rooms tend to be smaller by American or Australian standard. Please note that only a selection of our hotels will have air-conditioning.
  • Some hotels and train stations don't have lifts, and you will need to walk up and down some stairs carrying your luggage. Please make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'What to Take' section of the Essential Trip Information.
  • Please note that shops, attractions, sights and businesses may be closed for up to 5 hours in the middle of the day for siesta time. This gives the locals time to escape the heat and spend time with their families, eat a large lunch or simply sleep through the most uncomfortable time of day. This means of course that people work later into the evening and dinner time can seem quite late – 9.30 pm is not uncommon for family dinner time.
  • On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight between 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of North Spain Discovery including Spain

Inclusions

Meals

4 breakfasts

Transport

Train, Public bus, Metro, Cable Car

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Hostal (2 nights)

Activities
  • San Sebastian - Monte Igueldo Funicular (Igeldo Funikularra)
  • Logrono - Txikiteo of Pintxos (Tapas Crawl)
  • Logrono - Winery Visit & Wine Tasting
Add on activities
  • Barcelona - Barcelona Cathedral - EUR11
  • Barcelona - Guell Palace - EUR12
  • Barcelona - Ethnological and World Cultures - EUR5
  • Barcelona - Casa Batllo (advance booking required) - EUR29
  • Barcelona - Museum of City History - EUR7
  • Barcelona - National Art Museum of Catalonia - EUR12
  • Barcelona - Old Santa Creu Hospital - EUR16
  • Barcelona - Picasso Museum - EUR14
  • Barcelona - Museum of Gaudi - EUR6
  • Barcelona - Cable car to Montjuic (one way) - EUR10
  • Barcelona - Contemporary Art Museum - EUR10
  • Barcelona - Tapas Tour in El Raval Urban Adventure - EUR70
  • Pamplona - Gothic Cathedral - EUR5
  • Pamplona - Ciudadella Fortress - Free
  • Pamplona - Taconera Park - Free
  • San Sebastian - Catedral del Buen Pastor - Free
  • San Sebastian - Grab Your Pintxo Urban Adventure - EUR73
  • San Sebastian - Hiking the St James Way (Camino de Santiago) Urban Adventure - EUR63
  • Bilbao - Guggenheim Museum - EUR16
  • San Sebastian - San Telmo Museum - EUR6
  • San Sebastian - Basque by Bike Urban Adventure - EUR43
  • San Sebastian - Catamaran Boat Trip - EUR10
  • Logrono - Museo de la Rioja - Free
  • Logrono - San Bartolome Church - Free
  • Logrono - Cathedral - Free
  • Madrid - Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza - EUR12
  • Madrid - Real Jardín Botánico - EUR6
  • Madrid - Museo del Prado - EUR15
  • Madrid - Museo Reina Sofia - EUR10
  • Madrid - Royal Palace - EUR11
  • Madrid - Tapas Urban Adventure - EUR82
  • Madrid - Museo Taurino - EUR15

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip, excluding Days 5&6. Availability is limited due to small property we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 based on 27 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Sandra · Traveled October 2023
I was really surprised at the ease at which this trip took. Using public transport, trains, local buses, distance buses, was much easier than I anticipated, and therefore thinking of the sustainability that comes with it. There was a lot of walking which made it a bit harder than expected but as the oldest in the group 77, I still could manage it quite easily. Chiara was the best guide and she made this trip to remember. Thank you Chiara
Review submitted 25 Oct 2023

Sandra · Traveled October 2023
I recently traveled for the first time with Intrepid. I was interested to know that intrepid had taken the step of being involved as to the substantial level with the environment. It showed that you can enjoy traveling on public transport, with perhaps less impact on the planet. Well done, intrepid, I will certainly be traveling with you again in the not too distant future.
Review submitted 15 Oct 2023

Nicholas · Traveled September 2023
Come for the food and culture, stay for the adventure. The guides know what they are doing, the accommodation comfortable, the transits reasonable.
Review submitted 18 Sep 2023

Katie · Traveled September 2023
We had a great trip. The architecture, culture, history, scenery and food were all amazing. Sergi was an incredible guide. Highly recommend.
Review submitted 13 Sep 2023

Susan · Traveled August 2023
You can organise this trip yourself using public transport saving $$. Not enough time spent in San Sebastián and too much wasted time waiting for public transport. It’s not an organised tour it’s a self directed tour were you have to figure your own itinerary out yourself.
Review submitted 16 Sep 2023
North Spain Discovery
From
EUR €1,713