Costa Verde Express: From Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2024

Itinerary

Bilbao - Santander (Saturday)

Reception at the Bilbao train station "La Concordia" at 10:00 hrs. on board the Costa Verde Express train, presentation of the crew and accommodation in your Suite. Panoramic tour of the city of Bilbao that combines the avant-garde with the traditional represented by its old town, which is what gives personality to this city and visit of the Guggenheim Museum. Lunch on board while the Costa Verde Express starts the Transcantabrian Route heading to Santander. In the afternoon, visit the capital of Cantabria, a city that combines an urban environment as a modern city with other areas related to history and culture. Free time and dinner in one of Santander's restaurants. Night in this city.

Bilbao (Basque Country)

Bilbao, a cosmopolitan city full of life that has evolved towards modernity without losing its traditional identity. Famous not only for its "Cathedral of Santiago", declared a World Heritage Site in 2015, but also for its Guggenheim Museum, considered one of the most important works of the contemporary world for its beauty and great cultural value. City of exquisite dishes such as tripe a la vizcaína, squid in its ink, or desserts such as carolinas. Read more

Santander (Cantabria)

Santander, a city with beautiful mansions, such as the emblematic Palacio Real de la Magdalena. It stands out in the city its Great Maritime Museum of the Cantabrian Sea, totally reformed. It is famous for its International Music Festival, with dance and opera performances. It is beautiful for its green areas, such as the parks of La Marga and Morales or the Pereda Gardens. Among its best dishes are the "cocido montañés", "quesada pasiega" and "Rabas". Read more

Santander - Cabezón de la Sal - Santillana del Mar - Llanes (Sunday)

While having breakfast on board the Costa Verde Express train we will arrive at Cabezón de la Sal, where our bus will take us to visit the Neocueva de Altamira, a rigorous three-dimensional reproduction of the cave of Altamira and the medieval village of Santillana del Mar, one of the most charming villages in Spain, due to its historical and artistic value. Lunch in this town. After lunch, we will take the train into Asturian lands to the fishing village of Llanes. Visit of this town. Dinner and night on board in Llanes.

Cabezón de la Sal (Cantabria)

Place with great architectural wealth, especially civil and religious. It houses buildings such as the Casa-Palacio de Carrejo, the Palacio-Torre de los Monasterios in Casar and the Palacio de la Bodega among others. There are also beautiful churches such as San Lorenzo and San Bartolomé. The "Day of Cantabria" is one of the most important local festivals and is oriented towards the exaltation of its historical customs and displays of its rich folklore. Read more

Santillana del Mar (Cantabria)

Santillana del Mar is neither holy, nor flat, nor does it have a sea, but it does have the most famous prehistoric caves, the Altamira caves, which are undoubtedly worth a visit. Other sites are the Monastery of Santa Juliana, the Casas del Águila and Parra, with its exhibition hall and the House of Leonor de la Vega. Surrounded by a great natural beauty. The cocido montañés (mountain stew) and hake in green sauce are its best dishes. Read more

Neocueva de Altamira

Faithful reproduction of the original cave of Altamira (Santillana del Mar). Three-dimensional, rigorous and accurate, made with the latest technology and scientific knowledge. In the visit of the Neocueva, guided or on your own, you will learn about the life, art and environment of the first European settlers. Next to the original cave, the National Museum and Research Center. Read more

Llanes (Asturias)

Bathed by the Cantabrian Sea and with a long fishing tradition, Llanes has much to offer visitors, such as its picturesque old town, its port where the emblematic work of art "Los Cubos de la Memoria" and its beaches, such as those of Toro and Sablón and its majestic cliffs. With numerous festivals and pilgrimages and varied cuisine, based on meats and seafood and with its llambionadas and sweets such as frixuelos asturianos. Read more

Llanes - Picos de Europa - Oviedo (Monday)

After breakfast we will depart by bus to Cangas de Onís, the first capital of the Asturian Kingdom; after that, we will go into the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park to visit the Sanctuary of Covadonga, a neo-Romanesque basilica located next to the cave where the image of the Santina (the Virgin of Covadonga) is venerated, a place of worship and pilgrimage, and the Enol Lake of glacial origin. Later, return to the Costa Verde Express train to leave for Oviedo where we will have lunch. After lunch, visit of Oviedo with its historic center of undeniable medieval flavor and capital of the Principality of Asturias. Dinner and overnight in Oviedo.

Picos de Europa National Park (Asturias)

It is a mountainous massif, a limestone formation that extends through Cantabria, Leon and the Principality of Asturias, and in it stand out its heights, in many cases above 2500 meters. Read more

Sanctuary of Covadonga (Asturias)

A symbolic place of great significance for Asturians where nature, history and religion come together in one place. It consists of the Basilica of Covadonga and the Holy Cave. In the cave there is a small chapel with the image of the Virgin, which allowed the victory of the Asturians in the Battle of Covadonga, germ of the Spanish Reconquest and next to it is the tomb of Don Pelayo (First King of Asturias). Read more

Enol Lake

Nestled in the Picos de Europa, Lake Enol is 1,070 meters high and has a capacity of 80,000m² and a depth of about 24m, which allows the thermal stratification of water throughout the summer to autumn, forming 3 layers of water. Its color is emerald green of overwhelming beauty. There is a carving of the Virgin of Covadonga submerged in the lake that is taken out in procession every September 8th. Read more

Oviedo (Asturias)

Oviedo is a city that stands out for its important architectural complexes, many of them declared World Heritage Sites such as the Cathedral of Oviedo, the church of Santa María del Naranco and the chapel of San Miguel de Lillo. Other places of interest are the Old Town with its Museum of Fine Arts which houses works by El Greco, Picasso. Also important is the Campoamor Theater, where the Princess of Asturias awards are presented. Read more

Oviedo - Gijón - Luarca (Tuesday)

After breakfast visit of Gijón, a city open to the sea and full of dynamism. Free time and lunch in the city. In the afternoon, the Costa Verde Express train will head for Luarca, known as La Villa Blanca de la Costa Verde. Visit of this town. Dinner and overnight on board in Luarca.

Gijón (Asturias)

Gijón, cosmopolitan and hospitable city of incredible nature, with impressive buildings such as "La Laboral ciudad de la Cultura", the Aquarium, the Botanical Garden and the Talasoponiente. Other interesting options to visit are Cimadevilla, old fishermen's quarter and the gardens of the Queen. Attracted by its famous carnival "Antroxu", and the festivities of San Juan and San Pedro, among others. It is worth trying its "Cordero a la estaca", one of its most delicious dishes. Read more

Luarca, Asturias

Luarca impresses for being a staggered city between natural promontories, with spectacular views. It is known as the Villa Blanca of the green Asturian coast, because of the white color of its buildings. Its beautiful Ermita de la Regalina, the symbol of the town built on a cliff, the Cabo Busto are ideal places to stroll. It is worth to know its Barrio de la Pescadería and visit the Casas de los Indianos with a unique architectural style. Read more

Luarca - Ribadeo - Viveiro (Wednesday)

Arrival in Ribadeo during breakfast, first Galician enclave in our Transcantabrian Route. Visit of this beautiful stately village, declared of tourist interest, free time and lunch in Ribadeo. In the afternoon the Costa Verde Express will take us to the city of Viveiro. Panoramic visit of this beautiful and historic coastal town. Dinner and overnight in Viveiro.

Ribadeo (Galicia)

Ribadeo has several interesting places to visit, the most important being the paleolithic site of Louselas and the Chapel of Atalaya and the Castle of San Damian, as well as the emblematic Convent of Santa Clara. Its most representative construction is perhaps, the City of Moreno Tower and the "pazos", stately homes, such as Cedofeita. The "Fiesta de la Carne" of Caldeiro is one of those that attracts more people annually. Read more

Viveiro, Galicia

Viveiro combines its natural beauty with the cultural, "gems" as the Gate of Charles V, the Bridge of Mercy, the House of Lions and the Franciscan convent, along with the Church of Santiago, declared a National Monument. Easter Week is its most important festival. The "Rapa das Bestas de Candaoso" and "La Romería de Naseiro" are festivals of national tourist interest. It is also known for its gastronomy of fish and seafood. Read more

Viveiro - Santiago de Compostela (Thursday)

On our last day, while having breakfast we will arrive in Ferrol, a beautiful town of seafaring origin reflected in its streets and traditions, where we will say goodbye to the crew and depart with our bus to the Galician capital, Santiago de Compostela. City declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, for its monumentality and urban beauty, with special significance as a destination for the pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago. Lunch at the Parador Nacional de los Reyes Católicos, where we will say goodbye around 16:00 hrs.

Ferrol (Galicia)

Ferrol is a unique city, historic for being the starting point of the English pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela for pilgrims from Northern Europe. Its heritage, Ferrol of the Enlightenment (Magdalena neighborhood), is an aspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also has the Route of the Meninas, in the neighborhood of Canido, and the Route of Modernism. Some beaches have the Blue Flag distinction. Read more

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia

Santiago de Compostela, a World Heritage City and famous for the Camino de Santiago, with its Cathedral and its surrounding squares such as Obradoiro, Inmaculada, Praterías and Quintana, owners of great artistic and religious value. The Coro Pétreo and the Pórtico de la Gloria are the true gems of the city, as well as the convents of San Francisco and Santo Domingo. Read more

May	June	July*	September	October*
18;	1, 15, 29;	13*;	7, 21;	5*;

Cabin	6 days / 5 nights
Room Suite Grand Class (High season)	4.500 €
Individual Supplement (High season)	3.500 €
Room Suite Grand Class (Low season)	3.600 €
Individual Supplement (Low season)	2.800 €

Included

ACCOMMODATION

On board the train in Grand Class Room

FULL BOARD IN TRAIN

Dinners and meals on board the train

TRIPS AND VISITS

Trips and guided visits

Train “Costa Verde Express” include:

Accommodation on board the trains in selected suite/room.
All suites/rooms have their own complete bathroom.
All the train’s lounges are open to passengers 24 hrs a day.
All breakfasts with free buffet.
Dinner and lunches on board the train or in first-class restaurants (including drinks, wine, and coffee).
Welcome Drink and Aperitif.
Toilet bag with toiletries and slippers.
Mineral water.
Onboard activities, such as live music and performances, parties in the club car, dance, etc.
End-of-trip party.
Tickets for museums, monuments, and shows.
Programmed and guided trips and tours.
Luxury coach accompanying the train throughout the itinerary.
Free train transfers to/from the train station nearest to your origin, and to/from your origin/end of trip. Only in Spanish national territory.
Access to “Sala Club Renfe”, start or end station of the trip.
Fees and services.
Daily newspapers and magazines.
Security service.
Accompanying multilingual guide throughout the itinerary.
An excellent team of professionals at your service.

The Grand Luxury Suite and Deluxe Suite also include:

Non-alcoholic drinks available in the suite’s minibar.
Possibility of the crew picking up and unpacking your luggage, placing its contents in the suite’s wardrobe, both on arrival and at the end of your trip, at the client’s request.
Setting up the bed in the evening or the sofa in the morning, at the client’s request. Deluxe Suite.

In 2024 include:

Accident insurance on board the Trains or in Stations through Renfe's Compulsory Traveler Insurance (SOV).
Accident, sickness and baggage insurance for passengers outside the rail sector through the IRIS Global insurance company.

All reservations are governed by the RENFE / Passengers General Terms and Conditions for Luxury Trains.

Other services available on behalf of the client:

Laundry service. Bar service.

Grand Class Room:

More info about The Rooms

Grand Class Room Measures:
6 m2 cabins.
Double bed cabin: 1 bed 1.20 wide x 1.85 long.
Triple cabin: 1 bed of 1.20 wide x 1.85 long.

	Itineraries “Costa Verde Express”
	The Train
	Train Lounges
	Grand Class Room

	Gastronomy
	The Crew
	Frequent questions
	General information

Bilbao - Santiago de Compostela 2024