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On the road to Santiago de Compostela, through northern Spain
4 stops
4 nights
552 miles
This legendary itinerary taken by pilgrims for centuries unveils priceless treasures. After visiting Bilbao and its museum with its daring architecture, let yourself be won over by the emotion that embraces all those who discover the sublime landscapes of Cantabria. Wild beaches, monasteries, flower-filled villages, and Romanesque churches follow one another before giving way to the captivating panoramas of Asturias. Visit the capital of Galicia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With no less than 46 churches, 114 bell towers, and a majestic cathedral, the mystical atmosphere of the city invites contemplation.
01
Departure
Recommended duration : 1 night
San Sebastián
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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Visit the San Sebastian Aquarium
The beautiful San Sebastian Aquarium offers a truly immersive experience among sharks, turtles and fluorescent jellyfish. Gaze through glass as large as a movie screen and pass through the oceanarium, a 360-degree tunnel filled with thousands of fish. This breathtaking experience in a century-old site also features exhibitions on the rich history of maritime trade, fishing and Basque whalers.
During your stay
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Visit the Museo Chillida Leku, Hernani
Basque artist Eduardo Chillida dreamed of finding a site where visitors could walk around his sculptures 'as if in a forest.' On the edge of Hernani, the artist finally found refuge in the heart of a superb 2.5-acre park. Some 40 impressive sculptures of steel and granite stand out against the beech, oak and magnolia trees. These works of art create a wonderful dialogue with surrounding nature.
02
112 milesCar
Recommended duration : 1 night
Ezcaray
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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San Fermin Festival
What would Pampelune be without its festivals of San Fermin? In July, the whole town and the region come alive to the rhythm of this unique tradition made famous by the American Writer Ernest Hemingway. Bull races in the village are exceptional events, at the same time traditional and popular.
On the road
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The Guggenheim Museum
The opening of the museum designed by Frank Gehry brightened Bilbao's landscape. It opened up Bilbao to the outside world and vice versa. The capital of Biscay has become a place for heritage and culture.
On the road
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The road between Pampelune and Bilbao
We could call it the Romanesque road. Between these two cities of Navarre and the Basque Country is an enormous amount of Romanesque churches some of which date from the 13th century. It's worthwhile stopping in San Sebastian to enjoy La Concha beach and its old town.
03
142 milesCar
Recommended duration : 1 night
Las Presillas
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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Santillana del Mar
The pilgrims who take the Camino del Norte (the northern road) will have the chance to stop in Santillana del Mar. This medieval village was considered by the French writer Jean-Paul Sartre to be the prettiest of all Spain. Above the country houses and palaces emerges the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, a Roman building dating from the 12th century. Not far from the village you will find the splendid Altamira caves which conceal some of the most extraordinary paintings from prehistoric times.
04
299 milesCar
Recommended duration : 1 night
Santiago de Compostela
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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The Wonders of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
For an astounding panoramic view, make the effort to ascend to the roofs of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. The site of a ceaseless flow of pilgrims, the cathedral is a monument unlike any other, a fascinating Baroque masterpiece that is the subject of both devotion and fervor. At the heart of a city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, everything seems to begin and end here. All around it are houses, temples, monasteries, and palaces united in exquisite architectural harmony. Compostela is much more than the end of a journey.
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