What are the best areas to explore on the first day in Barcelona before starting the Northern Spain tour?

Barcelona's city center offers several key sites worth visiting before your Northern Spain tour begins. The Gothic Quarter's medieval streets lead to Las Ramblas a busy pedestrian boulevard and Passeig de Gracia where Gaudi's architectural works stand. Most visitors spend time at La Sagrada Familia and Plaza Catalunya. Hotels like NH Collection Barcelona Constanza or Catalonia Barcelona Plaza put you close to these locations. As a TourRadar traveler noted "The lively port of Barcelona boasts an impressive Old Town although it's the daring architecture of the Catalan Art Nouveau that really sets it apart."

What is the typical cost per day for Northern Spain tours starting from Barcelona?

Northern Spain tours from Barcelona cost between USD 250-450 per day with luxury options reaching USD 475. The price covers accommodations transportation some meals and guided activities. The 8-day North Spain Discovery tour costs around USD 336 daily including stays at properties like NH Collection Barcelona. TourRadar travelers often mention these tours offer "great value with excellent food and locations" along with quality lodging and knowledgeable guides.

What are the most popular destinations included in Northern Spain tours from Barcelona?

After Barcelona the route typically covers San Sebastian's food scene Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum Santiago de Compostela's pilgrim sites and Oviedo's pre-Romanesque buildings. One TourRadar traveler shared: "The food and drink in this region is excellent. Before I arrived I thought my highlights would be Barcelona and San Sebastian but honestly I enjoyed every moment visiting these unique northern cities."

What's the best time of year to take a Northern Spain tour starting in Barcelona?

The most popular time runs from May through September. June and September offer pleasant temperatures and smaller crowds than peak summer months. May leads with 7 tour departures while September follows with 6 options. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The weather was perfect for exploring in September not too hot like summer months but still sunny enough for enjoying the beaches in San Sebastian and coastal towns."

What type of accommodation can I expect on Northern Spain tours from Barcelona?

Tours typically use 3-4 star central hotels including Catalonia Barcelona Plaza Silken Amara Plaza in San Sebastian and NH Collection properties throughout the route. Rooms come with private bathrooms and breakfast is included. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Hotels were well-located in city centers making it easy to explore during free time though room sizes can vary between European cities."

What meals are typically included in Northern Spain tours from Barcelona?

The tours include hotel breakfasts and selected group dinners that showcase local cuisine. San Sebastian tours often feature pintxos (tapas) crawls while the Rioja region offers wine tastings paired with regional dishes. A TourRadar traveler shares: "The food was excellent throughout the tour especially the included pintxos evening in San Sebastian and the wine tasting experiences in La Rioja."

Northern Spain Tours from Barcelona

Something about visiting Northern Spain just hits different, from exploring Zaragoza's Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar with its stunning frescoes, and strolling through San Sebastián's elegant Old Town with pintxo bars everywhere. You'll visit La Coruña's UNESCO-listed Tower of Hercules, tour Santiago de Compostela's historic Cathedral where pilgrims end their journey, and taste fresh mussels on a catamaran in O Grove. Northern Spain is calling.

10 best Northern Spain tours from Barcelona

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Food & Culinary
Northern Spain Real Food Adventure
4.4 (13 traveler reviews)
"The locations and activities were interesting. Good balance between activities and free time."
Emma, traveled in May
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Logrono, Oviedo, Santiago de Compostela
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Northern Spain
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
35% Off
From $5,200
US$3,380per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Northern Spain 10 Days
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Barcelona, San Sebastian, Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz,Bilbao,Castro Urdiales,Santander,Santillana del Mar,Covadonga,Oviedo,Mondonedo,Lugo,Santiago de Compostela,Salamanca,Madrid+11 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern Spain
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Julia Travel
10% Off
From $2,327
US$2,094per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
North Spain Discovery
4.2 (14 traveler reviews)
"The food and drink in this region is excellent and relatively cheap compared to the UK."
Carl, traveled in October
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Logrono,Laguardia,Madrid+2 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Northern Spain
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
25% Off
From $2,585
US$1,939per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
10D Barcelona & Nothern Spain
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Zaragoza, Pamplona, Bilbao, San Sebastian,Castro Urdiales,Santander,Santillana del Mar,Covadonga,Oviedo,Mondonedo,Lugo,Santiago de Compostela,Madrid+9 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern Spain
Operated in
English
Operator
Julia Travel
10% Off
From $4,269
US$3,842per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Best of Northern Spain Small Group Tour
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Zaragoza, Pamplona, Bilbao, San Sebastian,Castro Urdiales,Santander,Santillana del Mar,Covadonga,Oviedo,Mondonedo,Lugo,Santiago de Compostela,Madrid+9 more
Age Range
Ages 13+
Country Region
Northern Spain
Operated in
English
Operator
Omega Tours
10% Off
From
US$4,708per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Highlights of Northern Spain
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Logrono, San Sebastian, Bilbao
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Northern Spain
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
20% Off
From $2,179
US$1,743per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Festival & Events
Barcelona to San Vino Wine Fight Return Bus
4.5 (3 traveler reviews)
"The actual wine fight was brilliant! On the mountainside next to the vineyards people are spraying wine, throwing wine and launching wine all over everybody."
Michael, traveled in July
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Haro
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Northern SpainLa RiojaBasque Country+2 more
Operated in
English, Italian,French,Spanish,Dutch+3 more
Operator
Stoke Travel
20% Off
From
US$640per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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Explorer
Classic Northern Spain - 4 days (11 destinations)
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Zaragoza, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Bilbao,Santander,Santillana del Mar,Covadonga,Oviedo,Salamanca,Madrid+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern Spain
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
30% Off
From $1,020
US$714per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Festival & Events
San Fermin Running of the Bulls: Closing Ceremony from Barcelona
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Pamplona
Age Range
Ages 18+
Regions
Northern SpainNavarrePyrenees+2 more
Operated in
English, German,Italian,Portuguese,French,Spanish,Dutch+5 more
Operator
Stoke Travel
30% Off
From
US$524per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Barcelona, Northern Spain & Madrid - 10 days
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Biarritz,Saint-Jean-de-Luz,Bilbao,Castro Urdiales,Santander,Santillana del Mar,Covadonga,Oviedo,Mondonedo,Lugo,Santiago de Compostela,Salamanca,Madrid+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern Spain
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
20% Off
From $3,170
US$2,536per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Barcelona, Santiago & Madrid - 8 days
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"The tour was GREAT, the hotels were good."
Roland, traveled in April
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Zaragoza, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Bilbao,Santander,Santillana del Mar,Covadonga,Oviedo,A Coruña,Santiago de Compostela,Fisterra,Da Toxa Island,O Grove,Vigo,Leon,Salamanca,Madrid+13 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern Spain
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
30% Off
From $1,945
US$1,362per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
8-Day North of Spain from Barcelona
4.4 (14 traveler reviews)
"I am impressed with all I saw and all of the experiences the tour offered. I would definitely consider another tour with your company."
Amy, traveled in May
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Zaragoza, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Bilbao,Santander,Santillana del Mar,Covadonga,Oviedo,A Coruña,Santiago de Compostela,Vigo,Leon,Salamanca,Madrid+10 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern Spain
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
30% Off
From
US$1,405per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Easy Pace Spain (Classic)
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The 3 nights in each city allowed for both group and independent time to explore. San Sebastian is truly a gem and their pintxos were delicious."
BradGibson, traveled in May
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Montserrat, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Bilbao,Saint-Jean-de-Luz,Burgos,Madrid,Segovia+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern Spain
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
30% Off
From
US$4,195per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Festival & Events
San Fermin Running of the Bulls: Opening Ceremony from Barcelona
4.0 (3 traveler reviews)
"If you're cool with the campsite lifestyle, you're bound to enjoy this agency. I have made some of the best international friendships camping with Stoke."
Gabby, traveled in July
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Pamplona
Age Range
Ages 18+
Regions
Northern SpainNavarrePyrenees+2 more
Operated in
English, German,Italian,Portuguese,French,Spanish,Dutch+5 more
Operator
Stoke Travel
30% Off
From
US$652per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Festival & Events
San Fermin Running of the Bulls: Weekender from Barcelona
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"Best group of staff who were always there to help out and sling me a beer when I needed it (unlimited for €10 a day!!!!)"
gabby, traveled in September
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Pamplona
Age Range
Ages 18+
Regions
Northern SpainNavarrePyrenees+2 more
Operated in
English, German,Italian,Portuguese,French,Spanish,Dutch+5 more
Operator
Stoke Travel
30% Off
From
US$524per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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