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





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

- 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
- 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.
- 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
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
4 breakfasts
Train, Public bus, Metro, Cable Car
Hotel (5 nights), Hostal (2 nights)
- San Sebastian - Monte Igueldo Funicular (Igeldo Funikularra)
- Logrono - Txikiteo of Pintxos (Tapas Crawl)
- Logrono - Winery Visit & Wine Tasting
- 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
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.
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.
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