From the Basque Country to Madrid

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From the Basque Country to Madrid

This journey blends the historic character and avant-garde energy of northern Spain with the elegance and artistic legacy of the capital. From Bilbao’s industrial transformation and the landscapes of La Rioja and Bardenas Reales, to medieval towns like Sigüenza and the vibrant streets of Madrid, this tour offers a rich mix of culture, architecture, and gastronomy. A route that highlights both the old and the new, in some of Spain’s most emblematic regions.

Duration

7 days / 6 nights

Destination

Northern and Central Spain

Dates

Available all year round

Accommodation

3 and 4 star hotels

Highlights

Bilbao & Guggenheim – Discover how a city reinvented itself through art and design.

La Rioja – Taste wine at a traditional bodega and explore the medieval town of Laguardia.

Bardenas Reales – Explore desert-like landscapes in a unique natural park.

Zaragoza – Admire the city’s key monuments, including the Basilica del Pilar.

Sigüenza Parador – Dine in a 12th-century castle with medieval charm.

Madrid's historic core – Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol, and the Paseo del Arte.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Bilbao

Arrival in Bilbao. Check-in at the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: Bilbao

Breakfast at the hotel. Guided tour of the old and new parts of the city: visit the medieval quarter including Santiago Cathedral, Plaza Nueva and the Church of San Antón. Then explore the modern neighborhoods of Ensanche and Abandoibarra, home to striking architecture such as the Guggenheim Museum. Lunch at a restaurant and free afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: La Rioja & Laguardia

Breakfast and departure to La Rioja. Visit a traditional winery with wine tasting and lunch near Haro. Continue to Laguardia, a beautifully preserved hilltop village surrounded by vineyards. Check-in and dinner near Castejón–Tudela. Overnight stay.

Day 4: Bardenas Reales – Zaragoza

After breakfast, guided visit to Bardenas Reales Natural Park, a semi-desert area with unique formations shaped by erosion. Later, travel to Zaragoza and enjoy lunch. Orientation tour of the city, including exterior views of the Basilica Cathedral of El Pilar. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Sigüenza – Madrid

Breakfast and departure to Sigüenza. Visit the medieval castle (12th century), now converted into a Parador hotel, where lunch will be served. Continue to Madrid. Check-in, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Madrid

After breakfast, guided panoramic tour of Madrid. See the Royal Palace, Oriente Square, Opera House and Almudena Cathedral. Walk around Puerta del Sol and explore the “Paseo del Arte,” home to the city’s top museums and historic gardens. Lunch in a restaurant. Free afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.