Transcantábrico: From Santiago de Compostela to San Sebastián 2024

Itinerary

Santiago de Compostela - Viveiro (Saturday)

Meeting point at the Parador Nacional de los Reyes Católicos in Santiago de Compostela at 12:00 hrs. After the reception, visit to the historic center of this city, a destination for pilgrims for a thousand years, which treasures countless artistic jewels headed by its splendid Cathedral. After lunch, our bus will take us to Ferrol, where the Transcantábrico train awaits. Upon arrival, the crew will offer us a welcome toast while the train travels to Viveiro. A tour of the beautiful old town of Viveiro, where we will have dinner and spend the night on board.

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

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

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 - Ribadeo - Luarca - Oviedo (Sunday)

We will start the morning, as every day, enjoying our delicious breakfast a la carte and buffet. The Transcantábrico will take us to Ribadeo, a historic Galician town bordering the Principality of Asturias. From here we will travel by bus along the coast of Lugo to Las Catedrales Beach, one of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Panoramic visit of Ribadeo and lunch. With the train, we enter Asturian lands. Arrival and visit to Luarca, the White Village of the Costa Verde, to return to the train and head to Oviedo. Overnight in the city.

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

Las Catedrales Beach, Galicia

Beach of extraordinary dimensions. The different buttresses, sculpted by the sea, allow spectacular and impressive views of the sea and arches within arches. The Cantabrian rasa reaches the category of geological monument. It forms numerous architectural elements such as arches, columns and vaults. That is why it is called the Beach of the Cathedrals: the feet feel in the sand but the head, in the sky. A real cathedral of the sea. 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

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 - Llanes (Monday)

Start of the day with a visit to Gijón, a city as open to the Cantabrian Sea as it is full of cultural events. Lunch. Afterwards, we will travel to the capital of the Principality of Asturias, Oviedo. Visit of the city before returning to the train. Dinner on board during the trip to Llanes, where we will spend the night.

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

Llanes - Picos de Europa - Cangas de Onís - Llanes (Tuesday)

With our bus we will ascend to the heart of the Principality of Asturias, to reach the magnificent Picos de Europa National Park. We will visit the Enol Lake and then we will go to the Sanctuary of Covadonga, a sacred place full of tradition and legend. Afterwards, we will visit Cangas de Onís, where we will have lunch. After lunch, arrival to Llanes, wonderful fishing village of the Asturian East. Visit and free time. Dinner and night in the town.

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

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

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

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 - Potes - Cabezón de la Sal (Wednesday)

After breakfast, we will ascend to Potes in our bus, crossing the impressive Gorge of La Hermida. Visit of this charming Cantabrian village, after which we will enjoy a thermal circuit at the Spa La Hermida. After lunch, visit of El Capricho, in Comillas, a brilliant and colorful 19th century palace, work of Antonio Gaudí. Dinner and overnight in Cabezón de la Sal.

Potes (Cantabria)

Potes, a place surrounded by mountains, has several monuments of interest, such as the Church of San Vicente or the Infantado Tower, located in its historic center. Its historic center is very picturesque with colorful narrow streets and mansions with coats of arms, which take the visitor to times of yesteryear. Potes offers possibilities to practice various activities such as hiking and mountain biking, fishing and hunting. One of its typical dishes is the lebaniego stew. Read more

El Capricho de Gaudi (Comillas)

The Villa Quijano, popularly known as "El Capricho", is a modernist building located in the Cantabrian town of Comillas. It was commissioned by Máximo Día de Quijano also called indiano for being a Spanish emigrant in America and built by Antoni Gaudí, built between 1883 and 1885, is one of the few works of Gaudi outside Catalonia. It is a creation of Gaudi's oriental stage, with oriental and Islamic-Hispanic (Mudejar and Nasrid) influences. Read more

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

Cabezón de la Sal - Santillana del Mar - Santander (Thursday)

Our first visit today will be to the Neocave of Altamira, museum and faithful reproduction of this maximum exponent of Upper Paleolithic cave art. Afterwards, we will visit Santillana del Mar, a town with its magnificently preserved medieval old town. After lunch, we will take the Transcantábrico to Santander, the elegant capital of Cantabria, where we will have a guided tour and free time. Dinner and overnight in the city.

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

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

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 - Bilbao - Carranza (Friday)

The Transcantábrico sets sail for Bilbao, a city full of dynamism that has managed to reinvent itself after the decline of its traditional heavy industry. The visit to the city includes the entrance to the famous Guggenheim Museum, symbol of this new Bilbao. After lunch, free time before taking the train back. Dinner and overnight in Carranza.

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

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao (Basque Country)

Considered one of the best buildings of the twentieth century and a work of art by Frank Gehry, it has managed to transform and modify the image of the city of Bilbao, as a reference in world art. In addition to the spectacular nature of the building, it is joined by the majesty of the banks of the Nervion River as it passes by, the promenades and green spaces. In the museum you will find works of art by Louise Bourgeois or Yves Klein, among others. Read more

Carranza (Basque Country)

Carranza has a remarkable civil and religious architectural legacy, as well as samples of Indian heritage (Chalet Hernaiz). Its palaces are some of baroque style and other late Gothic or Renaissance. Among them are the Palace of Prieto de Ahedo, the Palace of Trevilla and its churches of San Esteban and San Miguel. The Pozalagua Cave and the Armañón Park are two must-see places for their great natural beauty. Read more

Carranza - San Sebastián (Saturday)

Enjoying our last breakfast on board, we will return to Bilbao, where the Transcantábrico train bus will be waiting to take us to San Sebastián. Visit of this city of elegant beauty and venue of important cultural events. End of the trip around 13:00 hrs. at the Barceló Costa Vasca hotel in San Sebastián.

San Sebastián (Basque Country)

San Sebastian, a modern and dynamic city known for its beautiful beaches and its famous Film Festival, has several buildings such as the School of Arts and Crafts, the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the Victoria Eugenia Theater and its churches of San Vicente and Santa Maria that give a cosmopolitan air to the city. The Plaza Easo with its bars and restaurants, is an ideal place to taste the marmitako and other typical dishes. Read more