Green Spain Coast-to-Coast Road Trip

Drive west from San Sebastián along the Bay of Biscay to Santiago de Compostela, connecting the coasts and mountains of four major regions.

An in-depth version of the Green Spain route, covering Basque gastronomy, the Guggenheim, Altamira, the Picos de Europa, Pre-Romanesque churches, and the Galician coast. This is a one-way road trip with stays of about two nights in each city and mountain area, offering a moderate pace. Perfect for first-time visitors with plenty of time; it skips the inland Ribeira Sacra and the Rías Baixas, which are left for a dedicated Galicia route.

Private cars are restricted at the Lakes of Covadonga during peak season; Playa de las Catedrales requires reservations from July to September.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in San Sebastián Old Town

San Sebastián（Monte Urgull、Parte Vieja, San Sebastián）

After arrival, explore the Old Town on foot and climb Mount Urgull in the evening. The entire walk takes about 2 to 3 hours.

Stay: Old Town (Parte Vieja)

Day 2 · La Concha Bay & Mount Igueldo

San Sebastián（San Telmo Museum、La Concha Beach、Peine del Viento (Comb of the Wind)、Monte Igueldo）

Walk along the seafront to the Comb of the Wind, then take the vintage funicular up Mount Igueldo. Walking time is about 1 hour.

Stay: Old Town (Parte Vieja)

Day 3 · Basque Coast Westbound to Bilbao

San Sebastián（Getaria、Zumaia Flysch & Itzurun Beach） → Bilbao（San Juan de Gaztelugatxe）

Pick up your rental car and drive west along the coastal road, passing through Getaria, Zumaia, and San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (approx. 180 km, 3 hours of driving).

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe requires free timed-entry tickets during peak season and weekends; check the calendar before departing.

Stay: Casco Viejo (Siete Calles)

Day 4 · Old Town Market & Guggenheim

Bilbao（Mercado de la Ribera、Casco Viejo, Bilbao、Guggenheim Museum Bilbao）

Leave your car at the hotel and walk along the Nervión River from the Old Town to the Guggenheim Museum (approx. 30 mins).

The Guggenheim is usually closed on Mondays; adjust your dates if your visit falls on a Monday.

Stay: Casco Viejo (Siete Calles)

Day 5 · Vizcaya Bridge to Medieval Town

Bilbao（Vizcaya Bridge） → Santander & Cantabria（Magdalena Palace、Centro Botín、Santillana del Mar）

Drive via Portugalete to Santander (approx. 1 hour), then continue to Santillana del Mar (approx. 40 mins).

Stay: Santillana del Mar

Day 6 · Cave Paintings & Gaudí's El Capricho

Santander & Cantabria（Museum of Altamira、El Capricho de Gaudí） → Picos de Europa（Desfiladero de La Hermida）

Drive from Altamira to Comillas (approx. 30 mins), then pass through the La Hermida Gorge to Potes (approx. 1.5 hours).

The Altamira Museum is closed on Mondays; the visit is to the replica cave (Neocave).

Stay: Potes

Day 7 · Fuente Dé Cable Car to High Mountains

Picos de Europa（Fuente Dé Cable Car、Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana、Potes）

Drive from Potes to Fuente Dé (approx. 30 mins). After descending, return to town via the monastery.

Strong winds often cause the cable car to close, so arrive early during peak season; check the official website for operational status.

Stay: Potes

Day 8 · Cares Gorge & Cheese Caves

Picos de Europa（Cares Gorge Trail (Ruta del Cares)、Cabrales Cheese Cave）

Drive around the mountains from Potes to Poncebos (approx. 1.5 hours). After the hike, drive to Cangas de Onís (approx. 40 mins).

The full round-trip hike is about 24 km, but you can just walk the first section; parking is limited, so arrive before 9:00 AM.

Stay: Cangas de Onís

Day 9 · Lakes of Covadonga to Oviedo

Picos de Europa（Holy Cave of Covadonga、Lakes of Covadonga (Enol & Ercina)） → Oviedo（Calle Gascona (Bulevar de la Sidra)）

Take an early public bus from Cangas de Onís up to the lake area. In the afternoon, pick up your car and drive to Oviedo (approx. 1 hour).

Private cars are banned on the lake road during peak season; buy your bus tickets online in advance.

Stay: Casco Antiguo (Old Town)

Day 10 · Oviedo & Gijón Old Town

Oviedo（Santa María del Naranco、San Miguel de Lillo、Oviedo Cathedral、Cimadevilla, Gijón、Elogio del Horizonte）

In the morning, drive up Mount Naranco (approx. 15 mins). In the afternoon, drive to Gijón (approx. 30 mins) and return to Oviedo in the evening.

The Naranco churches must be visited with a guided tour and opening hours are limited; check schedules beforehand.

Stay: Casco Antiguo (Old Town)

Day 11 · Fishing Villages Coastline Westbound to Ribadeo

Oviedo（Cudillero、Playa del Silencio） → Ribadeo & Playa de las Catedrales（Luarca、Ribadeo Old Town & Torre dos Moreno）

Drive west along the A-8 via Cudillero, Playa de Silencio, and Luarca (approx. 190 km, 2.5 hours of driving).

Stay: Ribadeo

Day 12 · Cathedrals Beach to A Coruña

Ribadeo & Playa de las Catedrales（Playa de las Catedrales、Mondoñedo Cathedral） → A Coruña Downtown（Tower of Hercules）

Drive to Playa de las Catedrales (approx. 15 mins), then take the A-8 and A-6 to A Coruña (approx. 2 hours).

You must enter the beach at low tide; check the tide tables first and adjust your departure time accordingly.

Stay: Seafront Promenade and City Center

Day 13 · Glass Galleries Southbound to Santiago

A Coruña Downtown（Plaza de María Pita、Galerías de la Marina） → Santiago de Compostela（Praza do Obradoiro、Santiago de Compostela Cathedral）

After exploring the city center in the morning, take the AP-9 south to Santiago de Compostela (approx. 1 hour).

Stay: Cathedral Old Town

Day 14 · Cathedral Rooftop & Market

Santiago de Compostela（Cathedral Museum & Rooftop Tour、Mercado de Abastos）

Explore the Old Town on foot. After midday, take a taxi or the airport bus to the airport (approx. 20 mins).

Spaces for the cathedral rooftop tour are limited; booking in advance is highly recommended.