Northern Spain Tours from Madrid
4.5 stars on(8,109 reviews)- Choose from 22 Madrid tours
- 150+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
10 best Northern Spain tours from Madrid
Compiled by
MelissaMadrid travel expert at TourRadar
- Northern Spain Explorer
- Green Spain (Northwest)
- 10-Day Tour Northern Spain from Madrid
- Landscapes of Northern Spain & Portugal - 13 Days (Small Group)
- Basque Country from Madrid
- Madrid and North of Spain
- Northern Spain (Small Groups, End Madrid)
- The Camino, a Walking Journey for the Soul
- North of Spain Discovery
- Camino de Santiago Experience
Northern Spain Explorer
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent food to sample. We love Spain, a good sample of cities and small towns to experience the culture and history.”
Linda, traveled in September
The tour rolls north from Madrid to Bilbao's Guggenheim, then east to San Sebastian's beaches. Visitors pass through Laguardia's medieval streets and Pamplona's historic center before arriving in Barcelona via scenic Northern Spanish countryside.
Duration 8 days Destinations Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Laguardia, Pamplona, Zaragoza, Barcelona Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From $4,100
6% Off- NZ$3,840You save $260
The route stretches 590km from Madrid's VPT office to San Sebastian via Zaragoza. The path winds through Bilbao, Santander, and medieval Santillana del Mar, before returning through Salamanca. Total route covers 1,561km of Northern Spain.
Duration 4 days Destinations Madrid, Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Santillana del Mar, Oviedo, Salamanca Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator VPT Tours From $1,151
10% Off- NZ$1,036You save $115
10-Day Tour Northern Spain from Madrid
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The tour was good, but more information prior to departure would have been helpful.”
Matthew, traveled in April
Beginning in Madrid, the tour travels north to Zaragoza's Basilica, then San Sebastian. Journey continues through Bilbao, Santander, and Santiago de Compostela, before heading to Porto. Returns via Salamanca and Ávila, covering major Northern Spain landmarks over 10 days in luxury coach transport.
Duration 10 days Destinations Madrid, Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Santillana del Mar, Covadonga, Oviedo, Mondonedo, LugoSee all destinations Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Julia Travel From
10% Off- NZ$3,171
A welcome tapas dinner in Madrid kicks off this northern adventure through La Rioja's vineyards to Bilbao. The route includes San Sebastian's La Concha beach, Santillana del Mar's medieval streets, and Covadonga's sanctuary. The path continues through Oviedo and Santiago de Compostela before reaching Northern Portugal.
Duration 13 days Destinations Madrid, La Rioja, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Santillana del Mar, Covadonga, Oviedo, Lugo, Santiago de Compostela, PortoSee all destinations Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operator Click Tours From $9,743
21% Off- NZ$7,697You save $2,046
A spectacular route from Madrid leads through Northern Spain, featuring Segovia's UNESCO Aqueduct and medieval Pedraza to Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum. The route continues via San Sebastián's Mount Igueldo before passing through Burgos Cathedral.
Duration 3 days Destinations Madrid, Segovia, Bilbao, Portugalete, San Sebastian, Burgos Age Range up to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
21% Off- NZ$871
The grand tour takes you from Madrid's center to Bilbao's Guggenheim district. Along the way, marvel at León's Gothic cathedral, visit Oviedo's Congress Palace, take in Santander's coastal beauty, and wander Bilbao's old quarter before heading back to Madrid.
Duration 5 days Destinations Madrid, Leon, Oviedo, Covadonga, Santander, Bilbao Age Range up to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
21% Off- NZ$1,001
This 11-day adventure starts in Madrid with Prado Museum tour and concludes with transfer from Barcelona. The route crosses Guadarrama Mountains to Santiago de Compostela, follows Costa Verde to Oviedo, then to Santander via Picos de Europa. Final leg includes Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum before reaching Barcelona's Sagrada Família.
Duration 11 days Destinations Madrid, Museo del Prado, Guadarrama, Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Asturias, Miraz, Santillana del Mar, Santander, CovadongaSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Insight Vacations From $7,895
15% Off- NZ$6,711You save $1,184
The Camino, a Walking Journey for the Soul
53 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very well organized. Everything went according to instructions.”
James, traveled in October
The 313-mile rail route connects Madrid to Sarria, where your path leads through medieval villages like Barbadelo and Ferreiros. The 71-mile northern Spanish trail weaves through eucalyptus forests and past ancient bridges in Leboreiro and Furelos, culminating with a train journey from Santiago back to Madrid.
Duration 11 days Destinations Madrid, Sarria, Portomarin, Lestedo, Melide, Arzua, Santiago de Compostela, Muxia Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Cosmos From
15% Off- NZ$5,379
The circular route starts and ends in Madrid, visiting Northern Spain's 11 cities over 1,195 miles. A private coach carries visitors through Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela, and Bilbao. The tour includes UNESCO sites like Burgos Cathedral and Lugo's Roman walls.
Duration 10 days Destinations Madrid, Salamanca, Leon, Lugo, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Oviedo, Santander, Bilbao, BurgosSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Cosmos From
15% Off- NZ$3,429
Your northern Spanish adventure launches from Madrid's Plaza Mayor by train to Sarria. The path leads through Ferreira, Portomarín, and Palas de Rei on the way to Santiago de Compostela, covering 115km of historic pilgrimage routes.
Duration 10 days Destinations Madrid, Sarria, Portomarin, Palas de Rei, Arzua, Pedrouzo, Santiago de Compostela, Cape Finisterre Age Range 5 to 50 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator UniTrips From
15% Off- NZ$3,254
What people love about Northern Spain Tours from Madrid
- North of Spain & Portugal, 8 days
Overall great experience had a wonderful experience and guide
- Walking the Camino de Santiago
Great walk great small group walkers and great guide. Overall really enjoyed. Thankyou
- 13-Day Tour Madrid & Northern & Galicia
Hotel in Madrid was very bad although I asked the high fare available. Would have been nice more excursions through the day
What our customers ask about Northern Spain Tours from Madrid
What are typical tour lengths for Northern Spain tours starting in Madrid?
Northern Spain tours from Madrid range from quick 3-day getaways to expansive 12-day explorations. The most sought-after options are 4 and 11-day itineraries. Companies like Insight Vacations structure their 11-day tours to begin with two full days in Madrid before venturing north to coastal gems like San Sebastian vibrant Bilbao and the rugged Picos de Europa National Park. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The tour was a relaxed pace not too rushed which was nice & the start times in the morning were not too early which makes the tour feel more like a vacation."
What regions and highlights are typically covered on Northern Spain tours from Madrid?
Tours wind through the distinct regions of Basque Country Galicia Asturias and Cantabria. Travelers can explore Bilbao's modernist Guggenheim Museum take in San Sebastian's crescent-shaped La Concha beach walk the cobblestone streets of Santillana del Mar and visit the historic Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "Northern Spain was a great experience. Beautiful countryside. Diverse people. Interesting and wonderful food experiences. We totally appreciated how different North Spain is from the south."
What type of accommodations can I expect on Northern Spain tours from Madrid?
Accommodations focus on centrally located 3-4 star hotels that blend comfort with convenience. Madrid options include the refined Hesperia Madrid and NH Collection. San Sebastian features properties like the contemporary Silken Amara Plaza while Santander offers luxury stays at the clifftop Eurostars Hotel Real with its bay views. As confirmed by a TourRadar traveler: "The hotels were lovely and close to everything in each city."
What's the best time of year to take a Northern Spain tour starting in Madrid?
The prime travel window spans May through September when mild temperatures create ideal exploring conditions. May and September bring pleasant weather and thinner crowds while July and August buzz with festivals and peak-season energy. Spring and early fall provide comfortable conditions for walking tours. Tour operators like Insight Vacations and Cosmos increase their departures during these months with consistently positive reviews during the shoulder seasons.
What unique culinary experiences are offered on Northern Spain tours starting in Madrid?
The food experiences reflect the region's rich culinary heritage. Tours often include Rioja wine tastings traditional pintxos (tapas) crawls in San Sebastian and cider house visits in Asturias. Local specialties range from Mondoñedo's signature cake to authentic Galician dinners in Santiago de Compostela. One TourRadar reviewer highlighted the quality of regional dishes served throughout the journey making food a standout element of the experience.
How do I get to the starting point in Madrid for Northern Spain tours?
Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) connects to central Madrid where most tours begin through a 20-30 minute taxi ride or direct Metro service. Tour operators like Insight Vacations include airport transfers when booking international flights through their service. Popular starting hotels such as the Hesperia Madrid and NH Collection offer easy access to public transportation. Plan to arrive a day before the tour starts to adjust to local time and meet your group.
More about Madrid
Coach / Bus from Madrid