Travelling by Train through the North
A train journey through the north: sea, mountains, and cities full of life
Travelling by train through the north of Spain is one of the most beautiful and relaxing experiences one can have. The tracks cross green valleys, forest-covered mountains, cliffs over the Cantabrian Sea, and cities full of history, gastronomy, and culture. Unlike driving, the train allows you to enjoy the landscape calmly, without rushing, and with a comfort that makes the journey an essential part of the trip.
This route covers six essential cities: Bilbao, San Sebastián, Santander, Oviedo, A Coruña, and Santiago de Compostela. All of them are connected by railway lines that cross some of the most spectacular landscapes of the green north.
➤ Bilbao: starting point between art and modernity
Starting the route in Bilbao is starting strong. The city combines avant-garde architecture, urban design, and an important industrial tradition that has been transformed into contemporary culture.
- Abando Station, with its monumental stained-glass window.
- Guggenheim Museum and strolls along the river.
- Casco Viejo (Old Town) and the Seven Streets, perfect for having pintxos.
Comfortable lines depart from Bilbao towards Donostia/San Sebastián, with trains that travel along the Gipuzkoa coast.
➤ San Sebastián: perfect bay view from the track
The journey towards San Sebastián is one of the most beautiful in the north, bordering sea areas, mountains, and small fishing villages.
- La Concha Beach, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.
- Mount Igueldo, accessible by funicular, for a spectacular view.
- Parte Vieja (Old Quarter) and streets full of unique pintxos bars.
A perfect stop to enjoy Basque gastronomy and maritime elegance.
➤ Santander: bay, beaches, and Cantabrian tranquility
From San Sebastián or Bilbao, the train route takes you to Santander, a luminous city with one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
- Magdalena Palace and its green peninsula.
- El Sardinero Beaches, wide and scenic.
- Centro Botín, modern architecture over the sea.
The railway journey between Cantabria and Asturias is especially picturesque, with passages between mountains and the coast.
➤ Oviedo: elegance, Pre-Romanesque art, and quiet life
The train advances towards Oviedo, the capital of Asturias and one of the most well-kept cities in the north. The journey crosses green landscapes, rivers, and mountains that define inland Asturias.
- Oviedo Cathedral and Holy Chamber (World Heritage Site).
- Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo, Pre-Romanesque jewels.
- Old Town full of cafés, cider houses (sidrerías), and urban sculptures.
Oviedo is culture, history, and a cosy atmosphere, ideal for a gastronomic break in a traditional cider house.
➤ A Coruña: open sea, Roman lighthouse, and Atlantic life
The route continues towards Galicia, where the train arrives at A Coruña, a vibrant city bathed by the Atlantic.
- Tower of Hercules (Torre de Hércules), the oldest functioning Roman lighthouse in the world.
- Promenade, one of the longest in Europe.
- Riazor Beach and the Old City quarter.
- Tapas areas such as Calle de la Estrella.
A perfect destination to mix sea, gastronomy, and urban culture.
➤ Santiago de Compostela: end of the journey between stone and spirituality
The last stretch of the train journey takes you to Santiago de Compostela, one of the most beautiful and special cities in Spain. Arriving by train adds a touch of excitement similar to that of the pilgrim entering the city on foot.
- Santiago Cathedral, the goal of the Camino and a Romanesque and Baroque masterpiece.
- Plaza del Obradoiro, one of the most symbolic spaces in the country.
- Historic centre, full of arcades, churches, squares, and a university atmosphere.
- Mercado de Abastos (Market), perfect for ending the trip by tasting Galician products.
Santiago is art, spirituality, and tradition, a perfect finale for a railway route through the north.
➤ A train journey full of landscapes, culture, and flavour
Touring the north by train is a unique way to experience the journey: it allows you to see cliffs from the window, cross forests, enter historic cities without worries, and enjoy a calm pace. In a single itinerary, you can combine:
- Bilbao: modern architecture.
- San Sebastián: beaches and pintxos.
- Santander: bay and serenity.
- Oviedo: Pre-Romanesque art.
- A Coruña: Atlantic and Roman lighthouse.
- Santiago: spirituality and tradition.
A trip full of contrasts, nature, and emotions that leaves a mark on any traveller.
