Green Spain

7-Night Itinerary

From the French border heading west and taking in the Picos de Europa, this route takes you through some of the most stunning scenery of northern Spain.

Suggested access airports: Bilbao/Biaritz

Parador de Argómaniz - Night 1

The Parador of Argómaniz is only in a few miles from Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country and a lovely city full of interesting things to see and do. There are a number of museums to visit such as Artium (the Basque Museum of Contemporary Art), the Fine Arts Museum , the Museum of Sacred Arts and even the Fournier Museum of Playing Cards which covers the history of playing cards and how they have been manufactured over the years. For those looking to enjoy a country escape, the Parador de Argómaniz is nestled on the Alavese plains with a number of wineries and bodegas in the region.

Parador de Limpias - Night 2 & Night 3

Located just south of Laredo is Limpias and its Parador which enjoys a peaceful location surrounded by lovely gardens and close to several hiking trails. When staying here we recommend a visit into the town to visit Church of San Pedro, home to a life-size figure of Jesus on the Cross which was the focus of a number of alleged apparitions and miracles in the early 20th century. Surrounding Limpias you can find many small interesting coastal villages, such as Laredo, Castro Urdiales and Santoña. Limpias is also within an easy drive of both Santander and Bilbao (with its wonderful Guggenheim Museum), so is a great base for visiting these lovely cities.

Parador de Fuente De - Night 4

We recommend planning a scenic route to Fuente Dé, snaking around the wonderful mountain roads so that you can take in the beauty of the Picos de Europa. This majestic mountain range is located north of the Cordillera Cantábrica, and it is one of the most spectacular and beautiful mountain ranges of the whole Peninsula. The Parador offers fantastic views of the landscape and, thanks to a cable car located close to the Parador, you can ascend in a very comfortable way to the heart of the central massif (also called “Urrieles”) or to the “Puertos de Áliva” mountain pass. The Parador staff can recommend many routes to make the most of your stay in this beautiful location.

Parador de Cangas de Onis - Night 5

Asturias perfectly encapsulates the idea of 'Green Spain' with its natural beauty and wildlife (including its brown bear population). In the village of Cangas de Onís we suggest visiting the Old Roman Bridge, the Chapel of Santa Cruz and the Cortés Palace. The Parador and the town enjoy proximity to the Picos de Europa National Park with its wonderful mountains and nature trails. The Royal Site of Covadonga is another spot of special interest in this area, together with the Covadonga Lakes (Enol and La Ercina) and the Cares River Trail.

Parador de Ribadeo - Night 6

As we cross into Galicia you will enjoy a night in the Parador de Ribadeo, situated on the banks of the River Eo, the Parador enjoys wonderful views of the estuary. This is the perfect location to enjoy some stunning coastal views, we recommend a visit to the O Cargadoiro wooden bridge, the picturesque Isla de la Plancha Lighthouse and the spectacular Cathedral Beach with its dramatic sea arches (do check opening hours).

Parador de Vilalba - Night 7

Your last night will be spent in Vilalba and nearby highlights include the natural areas along the Magdalena and Ladra rivers and the Alligal Medicinal Pool (Charca Medicinal), with its thermal waters. We also recommend visiting the Museum of Prehistory and Archeology, Cospeito (10 km.), Lagunas de Valverde (10 km.), and Mondoñedo (25 km.), as well as the cathedral and Diocesan Museum.