Northern Spain – Town & Culture Escape (Shell Bay & Art Landmarks)

4-Day Tour

4-Day Tour

Northern Spain – Town & Culture Escape (Shell Bay & Art Landmarks)

(Mini Group | 5–9 seat Business Van | Door-to-door pick-up with Driver-Guide)

Tour Dates
  • Depart Madrid every Saturday & Tuesday.
  • Guaranteed departure from 2 guests, max 6 guests. (Perfect add-on to Yellow Line in-depth tour).
Tour Highlights
  • Historic towns & local flavors: Segovia (famous roast suckling pig), Valladolid (home of notable historical figures), Logroño (pintxos culture).
  • Modern art & Basque coastal charm: Bilbao (Guggenheim Museum), Getaria (seafood fishing village), San Sebastián (La Concha Bay).
  • Film-location pilgrimage & unique festivals: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (featured in *Game of Thrones*), Pamplona (San Fermín Running of the Bulls).
  • Wine route & fairytale palace: Ribera del Duero wine country, Olite (storybook royal palace).
4D Northern Spain

Itinerary

Day 1: Madrid → Segovia → Valladolid (210 km)

In the morning, our driver-guide will meet you at the pre-arranged time and location to begin the journey. Segovia – a historic city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Roman Aqueduct: Segovia’s iconic landmark and an engineering marvel of ancient Rome, built around the late 1st to early 2nd century. The aqueduct brought water from the Frío River into the city; its towering granite arches have stood for nearly 2,000 years without mortar. Alcázar of Segovia: One of Spain’s most fairytale-like castles—often said to have inspired the castle in Disney’s *Snow White*. Originally a Roman fortification, it later served as a royal palace and state prison. Climb the Tower of Juan II for sweeping views over the city and surrounding valleys. Segovia Cathedral: Built in the 16th century and known as the “Lady of Cathedrals”. One of the last Gothic cathedrals constructed in Spain, featuring exquisite choir stalls, stained-glass windows and chapels. Segovia’s roast suckling pig: A signature local specialty. The century-old Mesón de Cándido is the most famous spot to try it, renowned for its theatrical carving tradition and notable guests.

Day 2: Valladolid → Ribera del Duero (Wine Route) → Bilbao (330 km)

Ribera del Duero – often called Spain’s “Napa Valley”, celebrated for rich, aromatic red wines. Ribera del Duero Wine Route: A scenic route stretching roughly 115 km along both banks of the Duero River—ideal for experiencing Spanish wine culture, history and gastronomy. Many wineries (e.g., Bodegas Protos, PradoRey) offer guided tours and tastings (advance booking recommended). Local roast lamb pairs perfectly with the region’s wines. Bilbao – transformed from an industrial port into a vibrant hub for contemporary art, culture and cuisine. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: Designed by Frank Gehry, the museum itself is a landmark of deconstructivist architecture, clad in thousands of titanium panels. Inside are modern and contemporary artworks; outside are iconic installations such as the giant “Puppy” and Louise Bourgeois’ spider *Maman*. Casco Viejo (Old Town): Explore the “Seven Streets” district filled with boutiques, pintxos bars and restaurants. The Central New Square is a great place to relax and sample local tapas.

Day 3: Bilbao → San Juan de Gaztelugatxe → Getaria → San Sebastián → Pamplona (260 km)

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe – a dramatic islet connected by a stone bridge, famous as a filming location for *Game of Thrones*. Coastal cliff views & hermitage: Climb the 241 steps to the small hermitage on top for breathtaking ocean scenery. A local tradition is to ring the bell three times and make a wish. Getaria – a charming fishing village known for its maritime heritage, coastline, cuisine and famous natives. Basque seafood kitchen: Known for fresh seafood such as baby squid and turbot. The harbour-side grills are perfect for authentic charcoal-grilled fish. Pair with local Txakoli white wine for a classic match. Balenciaga’s hometown: Birthplace of legendary fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. Visit the Balenciaga Museum to learn about his works and creative legacy. San Sebastián – renowned for its beautiful shell-shaped bay and one of Europe’s highest densities of Michelin-starred restaurants. La Concha Beach: A graceful arc of golden sand and a famous seaside promenade. Nearby you can also visit quieter Ondarreta Beach or surf-friendly Zurriola Beach. A paradise for food lovers: Book Michelin-star dining in advance or go “pintxos hopping” in the Old Town—traditionally one signature pintxo and one drink per bar before moving to the next (Txakoli or Rioja are popular choices).

Day 4: Pamplona → Olite (Erriberri) → Logroño → Madrid (450 km)

Pamplona – a medieval city famous for the San Fermín Running of the Bulls festival. San Fermín Festival: Held each year from July 6 (opening ceremony at 12:00) through July 14. The bull run takes place daily at 08:00. Hemingway’s footsteps: Ernest Hemingway featured the festival in *The Sun Also Rises*. You’ ll find his statue in the city and many bars he once visited, including the well-known Café Iruña.
Olite – once the capital of the Kingdom of Navarre, famed for its magnificent royal palace. Royal Palace of Olite: A romantic, fairytale-like palace with towers and courtyards reflecting medieval royal life. Walk the ramparts for panoramic views over the town. Medieval Old Town: Stroll cobblestone lanes with remnants of ancient walls and a classic medieval street layout. Logroño – a top Rioja wine region hub known for outstanding pintxos culture. Stone bridges over the Ebro: Including Puente de Piedra and Puente de Hierro—important crossings and a traditional entry route for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda: A key landmark and Camino stop, recognized by its twin Baroque towers. Calle Laurel: Logroño’s most famous food street lined with pintxos bars—try local favorites such as mushroom skewers with shrimp, grilled pork skewers and meatballs. Arrive back in Madrid in the evening. Our driver-guide will drop you off at your designated location. End of service.

Tour Price
Adult Price EUR 840
Child Price EUR 740 (2-11 yrs, no extra bed)
Single Supplement EUR 75 / pax / night
Tips EUR 10 / pax / day

Price Includes:

  • 5–9 Seat business van
  • 4⭐️ Hotels with breakfast + professional driver-guide (10 hours/day)
  • Includes driver’s meals & accommodation, fuel and parking.
  • Door-to-door pick-up & drop-off for joining/leaving the tour (city centre only).

Price Excludes:

  • Airfare & visas.
  • Lunch and dinner.
  • Attraction tickets.
  • Driver-guide.
  • Tips (EUR/GBP 10 per person per day).
  • Themed activities (e.g., winery visits, truffle hunting).
  • Other transport (trains/boats), city taxes, insurance, and driver-guide overtime (EUR/GBP 50 per hour).

Reference Hotels

City Hotel (or similar)
Valladolid NH Valladolid Bálago 4⭐️ or similar
Bilbao NYX Hotel Bilbao by Leonardo Hotels 4⭐️ or similar
Pamplona NH Pamplona Iruña Park 4⭐️ or similar

(Hotels are subject to final arrangement.)

Reference Entrance Fees & Signature Meal Costs
(Prices are for reference only. Final prices are subject to official websites or restaurant announcements.)

Item Reference Price
Alcázar of Segovia EUR 10
Segovia Cathedral EUR 05
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao EUR 10
Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum EUR 10
Signature Meal: Approx. EUR 30 per person.
Recommended Restaurant: Restaurante Casares (roast pork, Spanish & Mediterranean cuisine).
Address: Avenida Padre Claret 2, Segovia, Spain.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 10:00 – 01:00