E.g. 13-day train journey from Bilbao through lush green mountains, breathtaking scenery, and authentic villages – returning along the charming Spanish north coast
Embark on an unforgettable train journey through Northern Spain’s picturesque landscapes, rich history, and authentic towns. It’s “interrail-slow-travel” at its finest: a chance to savor the journey itself, the natural surroundings, and the local culture—without worrying about car rentals or traffic.
This trip begins in Bilbao, leading you shortly afterward into one of Spain’s most beautiful and unspoiled regions.
Traveling along the southern slopes of the Cantabrian Mountains and the Picos de Europa, you’ll encounter a rural, almost untouched Spain. Few places are as authentic, pristine, and breathtaking. The coast and the central Picos de Europa draw most thrill-seeking tourists, leaving behind a vast area that remains so underdeveloped for tourism that it’s utterly charming. Taking the train along this route can feel like an expedition—sometimes replaced by a series of taxis or a minibus—but you’ll still reach your destination. Before the route takes you back to Bilbao, you’ll experience the “Green Coast” (La Costa Verde), with roaring seas, dreamy sandy beaches, raw natural beauty, delightful fishing villages, and vibrant cities.
This journey is not one of our luxury train tours, yet it travels the same tracks. (Click here to learn more about Transcantábrico and Al-Andalus train journeys.)
Northern Spain’s narrow-gauge rail network
Northern Spain benefits from a narrow-gauge railway boasting nearly 300 stations, originally built to move minerals from the mountains to the ports and to transport workers from surrounding villages to the mines. Today, most mines have closed, and the railway has long served as both public transport and a lifeline for the often-isolated mountain communities.
The tracks wind through landscapes where narrow-gauge lines could naturally be laid—lush valleys, small unspoiled villages, forests, and areas right by the coast. You’ll meet locals along the way and gain insights into everyday life.
Figuring out the myriad timetables and departures can be tricky without local knowledge, which is why we plan the trip for you, letting you relax and enjoy Northern Spain at your own pace.
Charming hotels along the way
We’ve selected the most beautiful towns on the route, offering lovely hotels within walking distance of the station.* If the hotels lie a bit farther away, we arrange transport to and from.
You’ll stay in style, including a delightful Parador hotel set in nature, along with several cozy 3- and 4-star hotels in central locations. We place great importance on charm, atmosphere, and high service standards—see the photos above.
Our guide materials describe every stop in detail so you can make the most of each stay. The towns, natural surroundings, culture, and cuisine are remarkably varied, and you’ll travel through four of Spain’s most stunning regions: the Basque Country, Castilla y León, Asturias, and Cantabria.
This is a self-guided journey:
The train takes you from one hotel—and one experience—to the next, while you carry your own luggage. In our guide materials, you’ll find a wealth of tips, recommendations, and information that ensure you get the absolute most out of your trip, along with practical advice about train travel. You can arrange this tour any time of year, and shorten or extend it as you wish.
Spice up your holiday with special experiences
You’ll discover villages among Spain’s most beautiful, landscapes that surpass expectations, opportunities for fantastic hikes, museum visits, pristine white-sand beaches, and dramatic rocky coastlines. Not least, you’ll experience world-class gastronomy, which varies greatly across these four historic regions. In many places, you can add special activities like bike rentals, guided tours, or unique excursions. (See suggestions in the itinerary below.) Check the complete program in the day-by-day schedule, and remember you can also modify the tour’s length and route as you like.
Train vs. car
Traveling by train often sparks conversations with local residents, giving you a unique glimpse into the areas you pass through. You’ll encounter small communities and hidden spots you’d likely never find by car. Expect a truly genuine travel experience, gaining fascinating perspectives on life in Northern Spain and getting up close to local culture.
In short: riding Northern Spain’s narrow-gauge trains brings you close to nature, culture, and authentic daily life—while we make sure there’s always a comfortable hotel and exciting adventures waiting for you.
This trip is for you if you...
✔ want to explore Northern Spain in depth without driving
✔ prefer traveling independently but with guaranteed great experiences, pleasant accommodations, reliable planning, and peace of mind
✔ want to sample the famous northern Spanish cuisine—from gourmet to rustic country cooking
✔ love nature, charming villages, and are curious about local customs and traditions
✔ wish to explore areas of Spain rarely visited by foreign travelers
Practical information
- Trains are clean and well-maintained, though simple, so comfort is limited. Think of them as a mode of transportation offering extraordinary views.
- It’s important to pack your luggage in a way that lets you walk up to 1 km between the station and your hotel.
- This is an individual trip, so you’re free to add or remove nights as you wish, making the journey shorter or longer.
- In some places, you’ll need to buy tickets at the station because they’re not available online; in those cases, Spain is More provides timetables and detailed guidance, at an additional cost of about €30 per person.
- We reserve the right to switch the planned hotels for ones in a similar category if there’s no availability or if prices change significantly.
