A route to travel through northern Spain by car from Galicia to the Basque Country
Spain has an extensive road network that makes traveling by car an excellent and pleasant option for tourists. Thus, we offer a route where you choose the schedule, route, and time you want to dedicate to each destination. You can visit four regions between Ourense and Vitoria-Gasteiz, surrounded by magnificent natural spaces and monuments declared Cultural Heritage.
Day 1: From Ourense to Lugo (Galicia)
The best way to start this route is in northwestern Spain, specifically in the province of Ourense. Its capital is closely linked to the Miño River, with as many as eight bridges spanning its banks. One of its greatest treasures is its hot springs. The thermal waters are approximately four kilometers long, featuring four public pools of hot mineral-medicinal waters ranging from 41 to 72°C. Their waters are recommended for relieving dermatological problems, osteoarthritis, and rheumatism.
To continue your journey, less than 50 kilometers away along the N-120 highway, you can stop in one of Galicia's most important towns: Monforte de Lemos. In addition, just over 70 kilometers from this destination, you can visit the upper basin of the Miño River in the Parga-Ladra-Támoga natural area. Afterwards, you'll be just 10 minutes away from your next stop: Lugo .
Day 2: A walk through Asturias from Lugo to Taramundi
Also on the banks of the Miño River, you can explore the city of Lugo, home to a Roman wall declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site . It also offers many options for sampling the best Galician cuisine. You can end your tour of the area in Castro de Rei, one of the best-preserved ancient Ibero-Roman settlements in Galicia.
Day 3: Between Taramundi and Oviedo
Known for its beautiful landscapes, always accompanied by the sound of running water, Taramundi is a symbol of Spanish rural tourism, known for its artisan traditions, especially the art of cutlery. As you stroll through the picturesque village, you'll find many workshops and shops where you can even order custom pieces. One of the most attractive options in the region is hiking the Water Route, a 14-kilometer circular route that takes you through museums and lush forests of chestnut, oak, and birch trees adorned with waterfalls.
Our next destination is Oviedo . Nearby, you can visit mining towns such as Cudillero, Luarca, and Tapia de Casariego .
Day 4: From Oviedo to Cangas de Onís
Being in the capital of Asturias, you can enjoy more urban and artistic landscapes. Oviedo is considered the capital of Asturian pre-Romanesque art. You can't miss visiting monuments such as San Julián de los Prados, San Miguel de Lilo, Santa María del Naranco, and the Archaeological Museum to understand the importance of this heritage. It also has numerous squares and pedestrian streets that make it an ideal city for strolling and tasting its traditional cider or Cabrales cheese.
Within this section of the itinerary, it's recommended to visit Cangas de Onís, a place with wonderful spots such as a Parador overlooking the Picos de Europa National Park, on the banks of the Sella River.
Day 5: Tour between Arriondas and Covadonga
Just 20 kilometers from the previous destination, we find Covadonga, an area with natural wonders in the form of lakes that you definitely can't miss. To explore these glacial aquifers, there is a 5-kilometer circular route that begins at Buferrera and is of very low difficulty. Afterwards, you can continue to Arriondas, home to the Fitu viewpoint , which offers unforgettable panoramic views of the Cantabrian Sea and the surrounding mountains.
Day 6: Cabuérniga, Bárcena Mayor and Liérganes (Cantabria)
Located in the heart of Saja-Besaya Natural Park , in central Cantabria, the next stop on the tour is the Cabuérniga Valley. It's an ideal destination for exploring small, peaceful villages immersed in lush greenery. Nearby, we'll find another picturesque spot, Bárcena Mayor, where you can try typical regional dishes such as Saja River trout and cocido montañés.
Our next destination is Liérganes. A representative municipality of the Pasiegos Valleys , where you can discover the legend of the "fish man," very famous in the area, as well as his sculpture located on the banks of the Miera River.
Day 7: From Gernika-Lumo to Vitoria-Gasteiz
To conclude the tour, we travel to the Basque town of Gernika-Lumo. Famous for inspiring Pablo Picasso's most universal work: Guernica, the city holds significant historical significance, having been bombed in 1937 during the Civil War. There, you can visit the Peace Museum, which exhibits large sculptures by Eduardo Chillida and Henry Moore, as well as the neoclassical Casa de las Juntas building.
The capital of the Basque Country is the final destination on this route. Vitoria-Gasteiz boasts an interesting urban layout, intertwining wide avenues and gardens that invite you to explore from beginning to end. From the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca and its medieval historic center to the Plaza de los Feuros, these are destinations you can't miss.
20minutos
