Our most lavish Camino tour takes you through the spectacular coastlines of the Cantabrian Sea, rugged mountain ranges, picturesque fishing villages and iconic cities.
TRIP DETAILS
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 17 nights’ accommodation in high-end hotels, extravagant “casas rurales” and typical “pazos” – historical manor home accommodation
- All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 9 dinners, including wine
- Water and snacks along the way
- Private, guided tour of the Guggenheim Museum with official city tour guide
- Private, guided tour of Oviedo Cathedral
- The Pilgrim Credencial or Pilgrim´s Passport and scallop shell
- All baggage transport and van support if your legs need a break…
- English and Spanish speaking guide/s
- Daily Maps of the Camino
- Camino guide book
THE COMPOSTELA
At the end of the Best of the Camino del Norte Tour, all walkers are presented with a Compostela certificate issued by the Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela and the Pilgrim’s Office. This is true about all of the walks that complete at least the last 100 km of any Camino de Santiago.
TRIP DESCRIPTION
The Best of the Camino del Norte follows the most spectacular coastline Spain has to offer. With the Cantabrian Sea to your right and mountain ranges to your left, you will be walking through picturesque fishing villages and fascinating cities.
We will pass through the Basque Country, famous for its tapas or pinxos and of course, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. On to Cantabria where we will find perfectly preserved villages and awe-inspiring cave systems; then to Asturias, renowned for its astounding landscapes and food including artisan cheeses, cider and chorizo.
In the 8th Century, Asturias was a Kingdom and was fundamental in the development of the pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago. King Alfonso II of Asturias was the first pilgrim to walk to Santiago de Compostela to visit the tomb of St. James.
Shortly after, the Camino del Norte became one of the early pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, favoured by pilgrims attempting to avoid the potential dangers of traversing the southern routes in what was then a troubled land. Nowadays, the Camino del Norte is chosen because of its outstanding beauty and tranquility.
Highlights:
- The beautiful city of San Sebastián, famed for its great food and beaches.
- Visit to one of the most photographed features of the Basque coast – the small island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe that overlooks the Bay of Biscay.
- The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao designed by Frank Gehry.
- Stunning views of the Cantabrian Mountains and the Bay of Biscay.
- A visit to the dazzling Cave of Soplao, considered one of the great wonders of geology.
- Visit to the Basilica de Covadonga and the nearby Santa Cueva, or Holy Cave.
- Beautiful examples of Casas Indianas, the magnificent villas built by the many Asturians who emigrated to the Americas in the 19th Century.
- Guided visit to Oviedo Cathedral and Santa Maria del Naranco, a masterpiece of the Asturian art world.
- The beaches of Asturias – picturesque coves, mountain backdrops and if you are lucky, spectacular blowholes.
- A stay in the famous city of Lugo, with its 1700-year-old Roman wall that borders the original settlement, deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Arriving at the Plaza de Obradoiro to see the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela!
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
ITINERARY
The Best of the Camino del Norte is walked during an 18 day period. We follow typical etapas or stages of the Camino. We shorten some of the walking days to give us time to enjoy the surrounding landscape, culture and highlights along the Way!
Below is the city to city itinerary, but please note that specific hotels vary between dates and are therefore not published here. They are provided at the time of booking, along with a more detailed schedule that you can share with your friends and family.
Day 1: Arrival in San Sebastián. Welcome meeting and dinner. – Accommodation in San Sebastián
Day 2: Buztintxuri to Getaria – 20.4km : 12.7m – Accommodation in Bilbao
Day 3: Route of San Juan de Gatzelugatxe – 3km : 1.8m – Accommodation in Bilbao
Day 4: Pobeña to Castro-Urdiales via Otañes longer official camino –22km : 13.7m – Accommodation in Santillana del Mar
Day 5: Santillana del Mar to Cobreces – 12.3km : 7.6m – Accommodation in Santillana del Mar
Day 6: Comillas to San Vicente de la Barquera – 11.5km : 7m – Accommodation in Llanes
Day 7: Pendueles to Llanes – 15km : 9.3m – Accommodation in Cangas de Onis
Day 8: Walk through the Picos de Europa – 8km : 5m – Accommodation in Cangas de Onis
Day 9: Llanes to Nueva – 17.3km : 10.7m – Accommodation in Ribadesella
Day 10: Nueva to Ribadesella– 17.8km : 11m – Accommodation in Ribadesella
Day 11: Ribadesella to La Isla – 11km : 6.8m – Accommodation in Oviedo
Day 12: Barayo to Puerto de Vega – 8km : 5m – Accommodation in Lugo
Day 13: Lugo to San Román da Retorta – 19km : 11.8m – Accommodation in Lugo
Day 14: San Román da Retorta to Hospital das Seixes – 19km : 11.8m – Accommodation in Hospital das Seixes
Day 15: Hospital das Seixes to Arzua– 24km : 15m – Accommodation in Arzua
Day 16: Arzua to Arca – 22km : 13.7m – Accommodation in Arzua
Day 17: Arca to Santiago de Compostela– 20km : 12.4m – Accommodation in Santiago de Compostela
Day 18: Tour ends.
A MAP OF YOUR JOURNEY
ITINERARY
The Best of the Camino del Norte is walked during an 18 day period. We follow typical etapas or stages of the Camino. We shorten some of the walking days to give us time to enjoy the surrounding landscape, culture and highlights along the Way!
Below is the city to city itinerary, but please note that specific hotels vary between dates and are therefore not published here. They are provided at the time of booking, along with a more detailed schedule that you can share with your friends and family.
Day 1: Arrival in San Sebastián. Welcome meeting and dinner. – Accommodation in San Sebastián
Day 2: Buztintxuri to Getaria – 20.4km : 12.7m – Accommodation in Bilbao
Day 3: Route of San Juan de Gatzelugatxe – 3km : 1.8m – Accommodation in Bilbao
Day 4: Pobeña to Castro-Urdiales via Otañes longer official camino –22km : 13.7m – Accommodation in Santillana del Mar
Day 5: Santillana del Mar to Cobreces – 12.3km : 7.6m – Accommodation in Santillana del Mar
Day 6: Comillas to San Vicente de la Barquera – 11.5km : 7m – Accommodation in Llanes
Day 7: Pendueles to Llanes – 15km : 9.3m – Accommodation in Cangas de Onis
Day 8: Walk through the Picos de Europa – 8km : 5m – Accommodation in Cangas de Onis
Day 9: Llanes to Nueva – 17.3km : 10.7m – Accommodation in Ribadesella
Day 10: Nueva to Ribadesella– 17.8km : 11m – Accommodation in Ribadesella
Day 11: Ribadesella to La Isla – 11km : 6.8m – Accommodation in Oviedo
Day 12: Barayo to Puerto de Vega – 8km : 5m – Accommodation in Lugo
Day 13: Lugo to San Román da Retorta – 19km : 11.8m – Accommodation in Lugo
Day 14: San Román da Retorta to Hospital das Seixes – 19km : 11.8m – Accommodation in Hospital das Seixes
Day 15: Hospital das Seixes to Arzua– 24km : 15m – Accommodation in Arzua
Day 16: Arzua to Arca – 22km : 13.7m – Accommodation in Arzua
Day 17: Arca to Santiago de Compostela– 20km : 12.4m – Accommodation in Santiago de Compostela
Day 18: Tour ends.
A MAP OF YOUR JOURNEY
ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation is carefully chosen for its proximity to the Camino, for its charm and for the quality of service provided. We try to use rural farmhouses or manor houses wherever possible. These are similar to bed and breakfasts and are usually traditional houses typical of the region, full of character and run by local people.
In the larger cities, we use boutique high-end hotels so you will experience a mix, always of good quality!
EXTRA DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER
If you are traveling at a busy time of year it´s best to reserve. For hotels in San Sebastián and Santiago de Compostela it´s certainly better to reserve in advance. We can help if you need advice or assistance booking a room – just let us know.
FOOD
The Best of the Camino del Norte is walked through the Basque Country, famous for its tapas or pinxos; in Cantabria with its fresh local seafood; and in Asturias which is famed for artisan cheeses, cider and chorizo. You can count on enjoying all of these things along this diverse tour. For meals not included, we provide recommendations for our favourite local restaurants.
INCLUDED IN THE BEST OF THE CAMINO DEL NORTE:
- All Breakfasts
- 7 Lunches with wine
- 9 Dinners with wine & water
- snacks & water throughout the day
LUGGAGE
From the starting point in San Sebastián to the ending point in Santiago de Compostela, we take care of all luggage handling and transportation.
For the luggage, this means leaving your bags with your guide in the morning. We handle the details of getting them into the next hotel room.
We have our support vehicle which means being able to take a rest by shuttling ahead to the lunch spot, or if the need arises to get you straight to your room. We also find it handy to keep a small bag in the van with stuff you might need throughout the day whether this be a change of jacket or picking up your walking sticks.
ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation is carefully chosen for its proximity to the Camino, for its charm and for the quality of service provided. We try to use rural farmhouses or manor houses wherever possible. These are similar to bed and breakfasts and are usually traditional houses typical of the region, full of character and run by local people.
In the larger cities, we use boutique high-end hotels so you will experience a mix, always of good quality!
EXTRA DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER
If you are traveling at a busy time of year it´s best to reserve. For hotels in San Sebastián and Santiago de Compostela, it´s certainly better to reserve in advance. We can help if you need advice or assistance booking a room – just let us know.
FOOD
The Best of the Camino del Norte is walked through the Basque Country, famous for its tapas or pinxos; in Cantabria with its fresh local seafood; and in Asturias which is famed for artisan cheeses, cider and chorizo. You can count on enjoying all of these things along this diverse tour. For meals not included, we provide recommendations for our favourite local restaurants.
INCLUDED IN THE BEST OF THE CAMINO DEL NORTE:
- All Breakfasts
- 7 Lunches with wine
- 9 Dinners with wine & water
- snacks & water throughout the day
LUGGAGE
From the starting point in San Sebastián to the ending point in Santiago de Compostela, we take care of all luggage handling and transportation.
For the luggage, this means leaving your bags with your guide in the morning. We handle the details of getting them into the next hotel room.
We have our support vehicle which means being able to take a rest by shuttling ahead to the lunch spot, or if the need arises to get you straight to your room. We also find it handy to keep a small bag in the van with stuff you might need throughout the day whether this be a change of jacket or picking up your walking sticks.
OUR BOOKING PROCESS
STEP 1
Complete the form to schedule a phone call. We’re kind of sticklers about this step and promise to make it the best phone call you ever had.
STEP 2
After we’ve gotten to know each other, we will email you a link to our top-secret and very secure booking page. That, of course, is why we are asking for your email address in step 1. By the end of this step, you will have confirmed your place on your chosen trip, and the places of anybody that will be joining you. This is done by means of a deposit of 300€ or 600€ per person (depending on trip length).
STEP 3
Once your booking is confirmed you will immediately be presented with step 3, which can be completed at any time but at least 1 month prior to the departure date. You will get this link in your booking confirmation in case you are a procrastinator. In step 3 we collect a bit more personal information to make sure that everything on the trip goes smoothly. This includes any medical allergies, old injuries that might give you grief, and lastly your passport number for the sake of expediting our hotel check-ins.
BEFORE THE WALK, WE TALK
This is STEP 1
The journey to Santiago de Compostela is one of many steps. We feel strongly that learning more about your expectations should be the first. To make sure that Andaspain is an ideal fit for the adventure ahead tell us when you can be reached by phone and we will call you up. If you prefer to contact us, scroll all the way to the bottom of this page to find our number and email address.
GUIDANCE
Preparing for a walk of this magnitude can be a daunting task. Part of our booking process involves ensuring that all of the details are considered. We’ll discuss transportation to and from the starting point too. You do the walking, we’ll take care of the rest. The Best of the Camino del Norte is a fully supported walking tour along the Camino de Santiago. That means that from beginning to end we will be there to make sure everything goes smoothly.
OUR GUIDES
Everyone at Andaspain was a pilgrim before they became a guide, in fact, most of us spent a few years returning to the Camino before setting out to help others do the same. For all of us, the Camino de Santiago was a life-changing experience and we consider the act of walking purposefully to be one of our most cherished activities. The Best of the Camino del Norte and every other fully guided walking tour we offer is always led by a qualified and bilingual guide.
OUR OTHER BEST OF THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO TOURS
If you would prefer to walk the Best of the Camino on the French route, check out our Best of the Camino de Santiago Tour. .
Or if you would prefer to walk the full Camino del Norte, please view our Self-Guided Tour page.