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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City & Culture
Barcelona, Santiago & Madrid - 8 days
4.8 (4 reviews)
"Hotels and food were amazing. Great stop-off places along the way."
Rhona, traveled in June
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
35% Off
From $1,910
US$1,242per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
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
35% Off
From
US$2,276per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
North Spain Discovery
4.2 (14 reviews)
"The tour was GREAT! I felt very safe and our guide Ricardo Carzola was amazing with all of us."
Fiorella, traveled in May
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
20% Off
From $2,795
US$2,236per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
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
20% Off
From
US$4,175per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
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
30% Off
From $2,289
US$1,602per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Barcelona and the North of 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
Destination Services Spain
10% Off
From $5,221
US$4,699per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
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$4,610per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
11-Day Barcelona & North of Spain
Duration
11 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, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
15% Off
From $1,934
US$1,644per person
+$86 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Barcelona to San Vino Wine Fight Return Bus
4.5 (3 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
15% Off
From
US$626per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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City & Culture
7-Day Barcelona & Green Spain
Duration
7 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, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
15% Off
From $1,261
US$1,072per person
+$51 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
8-Day North of Spain from Barcelona
4.1 (18 reviews)
"This 8 day tour would be amongst our top five. The visit to the mussel farm was a highlight extra and should not be missed."
Harry, traveled in June
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
15% Off
From $1,461
US$1,242per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
From Barcelona: 4-Day Green Spain
4.3 (9 reviews)
"His knowledge, his experience, his dedication even when raining was amazing. All the Hotels were five stars."
maricela, traveled in May
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, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
15% Off
From $742
US$630per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Food & Wine
Northern Spain Real Food Adventure
4.4 (13 reviews)
"The choices of excursions and food was superb. The guest chefs were excellent."
Diana, traveled in May
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Logrono, San Sebastian,Picos de Europa National Park,Oviedo,Santiago de Compostela,Cambados+4 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Northern Spain
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
25% Off
From $5,560
US$4,170per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Easy Pace Spain (Classic)
5.0 (1 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, Pamplona, San Sebastián, Bilbao, San Sebastian,Saint-Jean-de-Luz,Burgos,Madrid,Segovia+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern Spain
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
10% Off
From $3,675
US$3,308per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
San Fermin Running of the Bulls: Weekender from Barcelona
5.0 (1 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
10% Off
From
US$512per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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