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15 Days: Central & Northern Spain
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Tristina Oppliger
Austin, TX Travel Agent· 7 Years of Experience
Love at First Adventure, an independent agent with Tropical Sails Corp, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
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We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on a wonderful solar eclipse trip to Spain in August 2026. Tristina did a great job and planned out... Read More >
DESTINATIONS VISITED:Spain
PLACES VISITED:Barcelona, Bilbao, Covadonga, Madrid, Montserrat, Oviedo, Salamanca, San Sebastian, Santiago De Compostela, Santillana del Mar, Segovia, Toledo, Zamora, Zaragoza
SUGGESTED DURATION:15 Days
Explore Central and Northern Spain on a 15 day/14 night journey from Madrid to Barcelona. Visit historic cities including Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza, and Barcelona, while also discovering the landscapes and culture of Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country. Along the way, enjoy guided city tours, historic landmarks, local restaurants, and free time to experience each destination at your own pace.
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DAY1
Madrid
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Arrive in Madrid
Arrive in Madrid and meet your driver and assistant at the airport. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a panoramic introduction to the city before checking into your hotel and settling in for your first night in Spain.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Madrid city tour
Madrid welcome dinner
Madrid airport transfer
DAY2
Madrid
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Madrid: Royal Palace & Flamenco
Explore Madrid's historic center with a local guide, including Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Austrias Quarter, and the Royal Palace. After some free time, enjoy a traditional flamenco show with dinner.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Royal Palace of Madrid
Madrid flamenco show
Madrid walking tour
DAY3
Toledo
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Toledo Day Trip
Travel to Toledo, one of Spain's great historic cities. Visit its Gothic cathedral and spend time wandering the medieval streets, where Christian, Jewish, and Islamic influences have shaped the city's distinctive character.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Toledo walking tour
Toledo Cathedral
DAY4
Segovia
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Salamanca
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Segovia & Salamanca
Leave Madrid behind and travel toward Salamanca, stopping in Segovia along the way. Explore the Old Town and see the Roman aqueduct, Gothic cathedral, and famous Alcázar before continuing to Salamanca.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Segovia walking tour
Alcázar of Segovia
DAY5
Salamanca
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Salamanca
Discover Salamanca on a guided walking tour through its historic center. See Plaza Mayor, the University, Casa de las Conchas, and the city's cathedrals, then enjoy a free afternoon to experience this lively university city on your own.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Salamanca walking tour
DAY6
Zamora
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Santiago De Compostela
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Zamora & Santiago de Compostela
Travel north from Salamanca with a stop in Zamora, known for its Romanesque architecture and historic center. Continue through northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela, your home for the next two nights.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Zamora historic tour
Romanesque architecture
DAY7
Santiago De Compostela
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Santiago de Compostela
Explore Santiago's historic center on foot, including the Cathedral, Praza do Obradoiro, historic squares, and the Market of Abastos. After your guided tour, enjoy a free afternoon to experience the city at your own pace.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Santiago de Compostela walking tour
Santiago Cathedral
Camino de Santiago
DAY8
Oviedo
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Asturias: Luarca & Oviedo
Head west through Asturias with stops in Luarca and Oviedo. Stroll through Luarca's fishing harbor and clifftop viewpoints before exploring the historic center of Oviedo and continuing to Cangas de Onís.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Asturias
Luarca walking tour
Oviedo walking tour
Cangas de Onís, entryway to the Picos de Europa
DAY9
Covadonga
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Santillana del Mar
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Covadonga & Santillana del Mar
Visit the Sanctuary of Covadonga before continuing west through Cantabria. Explore the medieval town of Santillana del Mar and visit the Altamira Museum before continuing to Bilbao.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Covadonga tour
Picos de Europa
Cantabria
DAY10
Bilbao
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Bilbao & the Guggenheim
Discover Bilbao's historic Old Town and its traditional markets and taverns before visiting the Guggenheim Museum. Spend the afternoon exploring more of the city independently. Enjoy a traditional pintxos tour and tasting in the evening.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Guggenheim Museum
Bilbao pintxos tour
Bilbao tour
DAY11
San Sebastian
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San Sebastián
Travel along the Basque coast to San Sebastián. Take in views of La Concha Bay before exploring the historic Old Town and Basilica of Santa María del Coro with a local guide.
HIGHLIGHTS:
San Sebastián walking tour
La Concha Bay
San Sebastián pintxos
DAY12
Zaragoza
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Barcelona
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Zaragoza & Barcelona
Stop in Zaragoza on the journey to Barcelona. Explore Plaza del Pilar, the Basilica del Pilar, the Seo Cathedral, Roman Forum, and Aljafería Palace before continuing to Barcelona.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Basilica del Pilar
Aljafería Palace
Zaragoza historic tour
DAY13
Barcelona
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Barcelona & Gaudí
Explore Barcelona with a guide and driver, from Montjuïc and the Olympic Ring to the Gothic Quarter. Visit Gaudí's Sagrada Familia before enjoying a free afternoon in the city.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Barcelona panoramic city tour
Sagrada Familia
Gothic Quarter
Montjuïc cable car
DAY14
Barcelona
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Montserrat
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Montserrat Day Tour
Escape the city for a day in the mountains at Montserrat. Ride the cogwheel train to the Benedictine monastery, visit the basilica, and take in the surrounding landscape before returning to Barcelona for a farewell dinner.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Montserrat monastery
DAY15
Barcelona
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Departure from Barcelona
Enjoy breakfast before checking out and transferring to the airport for your flight home.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Flight home
FINAL THOUGHTS
From Madrid's grand boulevards to the green landscapes of northern Spain, the Basque coast, and Barcelona, this itinerary offers a broad look at Spain beyond the usual. Want to create a similar trip? Get in touch to customize it.