13-Day Self-Launched Northern Spain & Portugal Adventure
13 days · Northern Spain & Portugal
Julia Travel charges £1,920
No-markup version: ~£825 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Julia Travel's 13-day Northern Spain & Portugal coach tour, done independently by public transport (Renfe and CP trains, ALSA coaches, metro and trams). Same arc — Madrid, Zaragoza, San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander, the Asturian coast, Santiago de Compostela, Porto, Coimbra, Fátima, Nazaré, Lisbon — but with hostel/guesthouse stays in central locations, self-booked walking tours and wine experiences, and full freedom to linger at the places you love. Costs are realistic backpacker/budget estimates in GBP and are approximate.
Day-by-day
Madrid → Zaragoza → San Sebastián
San Sebastián
Start in Madrid and take the morning AVE or Alvia train to Zaragoza (1h20, ~£25-35 booked ahead). Stash your bag, walk the old town, and visit the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar and the Aljafería Palace. In the afternoon take the Renfe train or ALSA coach on to San Sebastián (Zaragoza–San Sebastián ~3h, ~£20-28). Check into a hostel in the Parte Vieja (Old Town) or Gros, then sample pintxos on Calle 31 de Agosto.
🚌Madrid–Zaragoza AVE/Alvia (~£25-35); Zaragoza–San Sebastián Renfe/ALSA (~£20-28)
🛏Hostel or pension in San Sebastián Old Town / Gros (~£25-35/night dorm or simple private)
- →AVE train Madrid–Zaragoza
- →Basilica del Pilar & old town Zaragoza
- →Train/coach Zaragoza–San Sebastián
- →Pintxos crawl in Parte Vieja
San Sebastián & Monte Igueldo
San Sebastián
Do the classic panoramic loop on your own: walk La Concha beach promenade, then ride the 1912 funicular up Monte Igueldo for the best bay views (~£3.50 return). Optional half-day bus to Hondarribia or across the border to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France (Euskotren/Transdev ~£4-6 each way). Back in town, swim at La Zurriola and eat your way through the Gros neighbourhood.
🚌Local bus/funicular (~£5); optional cross-border bus (~£8-12 return)
🛏Hostel or pension in San Sebastián (~£25-35/night)
- →La Concha beach walk
- →Monte Igueldo funicular
- →Optional day trip to Hondarribia or Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- →La Zurriola beach
San Sebastián → Bilbao → Castro Urdiales → Santander
Santander
Take the early Pesa/ALSA coach to Bilbao (~1h15, ~£8). Walk the Guggenheim esplanade (free outside; interior ticket ~£15 if you want it) and the Casco Viejo. Then continue by ALSA coach along the coast, stopping at the fishing port of Castro Urdiales before arriving in Santander (~2h total from Bilbao). Evening stroll along El Sardinero beach and the Magdalena peninsula.
🚌San Sebastián–Bilbao coach (~£8); Bilbao–Castro Urdiales–Santander coach (~£10)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in central Santander (~£20-30/night)
- →Guggenheim Museum esplanade (optional interior ~£15)
- →Bilbao Casco Viejo
- →Castro Urdiales harbour
- →El Sardinero beach and Magdalena peninsula
Santander → Santillana del Mar → Covadonga → Oviedo
Oviedo
Catch an early ALSA coach to Santillana del Mar (~40 min) to see the medieval lanes and the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana. Continue to Covadonga for the Sanctuary and the Santa Cueva grotto (coaches run from Cangas de Onís, ~£3 local shuttle). Finish the day by coach to Oviedo (~2h). Wander the old quarter and get a cider poured Asturian-style at a sidrería.
🚌ALSA coaches Santander–Santillana–Cangas de Onís–Oviedo (~£15-20 total)
🛏Hostel or pensión in Oviedo centre (~£22-30/night)
- →Santillana del Mar Collegiate Church
- →Covadonga Sanctuary & grotto
- →Oviedo old town and Cathedral exterior
- →Asturian cider house
Oviedo → Mondoñedo → Lugo → Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela
Long travel day by ALSA coach through Galicia: Oviedo to Mondoñedo (~3h), where you can see the Cathedral and try the town's famous Mondoñedo cake. Continue to Lugo (~1h) to walk the complete Roman walls (a UNESCO site, free). Then a coach or Renfe train on to Santiago de Compostela (~2h). Arrive, check in, and get your first sight of the Cathedral from Plaza del Obradoiro at dusk.
🚌ALSA coaches Oviedo–Mondoñedo–Lugo–Santiago (~£28-35 total)
🛏Albergue or hostel in Santiago old town (~£18-28/night)
- →Mondoñedo Cathedral and local cake
- →Lugo Roman walls (free)
- →Evening at Plaza del Obradoiro
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela
Join a free (tip-based) walking tour of the old town in the morning, then visit the Cathedral and, if open, the Portico de la Gloria and roof tour (cathedral museum ~£10, roof ~£12, book online). Explore the food market at Mercado de Abastos for a cheap seafood lunch. Afternoon: Alameda Park and the two-sided views of the city, plus the pilgrims' arrival square.
🚌On foot / local bus (~£3)
🛏Albergue or hostel in Santiago old town (~£18-28/night)
- →Free walking tour of Santiago
- →Cathedral and museum (roof tour optional)
- →Mercado de Abastos lunch
- →Alameda Park viewpoints
Santiago de Compostela → Rías Bajas / La Toja or Salamanca
Salamanca (or Rías Bajas)
Choose your route. From April, take the Renfe/Alsa to Salamanca (~5-6h, ~£35-45) for the golden-stone Plaza Mayor, two cathedrals, and the university. Alternatively, in the low season do a Rías Bajas day: bus from Santiago to O Grove/Pontevedra and a self-booked mussel-farm boat trip, then overnight around Pontevedra or Vigo. Both options break the journey nicely before crossing into Portugal.
🚌Renfe/ALSA Santiago–Salamanca (~£35-45) or coach to Rías Bajas (~£15-22)
🛏Hostel in Salamanca (~£18-25/night) or Pontevedra/Vigo (~£20-28/night)
- →Salamanca Plaza Mayor and cathedrals OR Rías Bajas boat trip
- →University of Salamanca (optional ~£10)
- →Local tapas evening
Salamanca/Rías Bajas → Porto
Porto
Cross into Portugal. From Salamanca, take the ALSA/Rede Expressos coach to Porto (~5h, ~£30-40); from Vigo you can take a direct coach (~2h, ~£15) or the scenic CP train along the Minho. Arrive in Porto, settle into a Ribeira or Bolhão guesthouse, and take an evening stroll across the Dom Luís I Bridge as the lights come on. Dinner of francesinha or grilled sardines.
🚌International coach Salamanca–Porto (~£30-40) or Vigo–Porto (~£15)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Porto Ribeira / Bolhão (~£20-30/night)
- →Cross-border coach to Porto
- →Dom Luís I Bridge sunset walk
- →Ribeira riverside dinner
Porto — river cruise and port wine
Porto
Free walking tour of Porto's historic centre in the morning (tip-based). Book a 50-minute Douro six-bridges river cruise independently via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£12-16), then do a port cellar visit with tasting in Gaia — Sandeman, Taylor's or Croft typically £12-20. The rest of the day: Clérigos Tower, São Bento station azulejos, the Cathedral and the Palácio da Bolsa (tours ~£10).
🚌Tram/metro and walk (~£4)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Porto (~£20-30/night)
- →Free walking tour of Porto
- →Douro River six-bridges cruise (~£14)
- →Port wine cellar tour with tasting (~£15)
- →Clérigos Tower and São Bento station
Porto → Coimbra → Fátima
Fátima
Morning CP train to Coimbra (~1h, ~£10), home of one of Europe's oldest universities — tour the Joanina Library and the old campus (~£12). Continue by Rede Expressos or train to Fátima (~1h30, ~£10). In the evening visit the Basilica, the Chapel of the Apparitions and Cova da Iria, and join the candlelight rosary procession (most nights, free).
🚌CP train Porto–Coimbra (~£10); coach/train Coimbra–Fátima (~£10)
🛏Guesthouse or pilgrim hostel in Fátima (~£18-28/night)
- →Coimbra University and Joanina Library
- →Fátima Basilica & Chapel of the Apparitions
- →Evening candlelight procession
Fátima → Batalha → Nazaré → Alcobaça → Lisbon
Lisbon
Coach to Batalha to see the magnificent Monastery (~£10 entry), then on to Nazaré — ride the funicular up to Sítio and check out the giant-wave surf spots. Stop at Alcobaça's monastery, then take the evening bus to Lisbon (~2h, ~£10). If you're there in autumn/winter you may catch the famous Nazaré big-wave season.
🚌Rede Expressos coaches Fátima–Batalha–Nazaré–Alcobaça–Lisbon (~£20-28 total)
🛏Hostel in Lisbon Alfama or Baixa-Chiado (~£20-32/night)
- →Batalha Monastery
- →Nazaré beach and Sítio funicular
- →Alcobaça Monastery
- →Coach to Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon
Free walking tour of Baixa and Alfama (tip-based), then tram 28 or metro to Belém to see the Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery exterior (interior ~£10) and the Monument to the Discoveries. Treat yourself to a pastel de nata at the original Pastéis de Belém. Optional half-day self-booked excursion to Sintra (CP train from Rossio, ~£4 return, ~£10-20 entry to Pena Palace) or Cascais.
🚌Tram/metro/train (~£8-12 incl. optional Sintra)
🛏Hostel in Lisbon (~£20-32/night)
- →Free walking tour of Lisbon
- →Belém Tower, Jerónimos & Monument to the Discoveries
- →Optional Sintra or Cascais day trip
Lisbon → Mérida → Madrid
Madrid
Long travel day back east. Take an early bus or train toward Badajoz (Rede Expressos/CP, ~£20-30), then connect to Mérida to see the Roman theatre, amphitheatre and bridge (theatre ~£12). Continue by ALSA coach or Renfe to Madrid (~4h, ~£25-35), arriving in the evening. Or fly Lisbon–Madrid if you prefer speed (Ryanair/easyJet from ~£25 if booked ahead). Tour ends in Madrid.
🚌Lisbon–Badajoz–Mérida–Madrid bus/train (~£45-60) or flight option (~£25-45)
🛏Not included — hostel in Madrid if you stay overnight (~£25-35)
- →Mérida Roman theatre, amphitheatre and bridge
- →Coach/train Mérida–Madrid
- →Trip ends in Madrid
Self-launched vs. Julia Travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Julia Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£825 | £1,920 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,095 per person (57%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Julia Travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£825
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does 13-Day Self-Launched Northern Spain & Portugal Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £825 per person for 13 days in Northern Spain & Portugal. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Julia Travel?+
Yes — Julia Travel charges around £1,920 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £825 — a saving of roughly £1,095 (57%) per person.
How long is the Northern Spain & Portugal trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 day-by-day stops through Northern Spain & Portugal.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, foodie trip through Northern Spain & Portugal, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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