Private, on your own dates · Europe, Spain
Barcelona, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Logrono - 9 nights
Drive through Northern Spain on a 9-night self-drive holiday from Barcelona to San Sebastián, Bilbao and Logroño, with breakfast and hotel stays included.
The journey
5 cities.
Starts Barcelona, ends Barcelona. Rental car collection and return are arranged in Barcelona. Airport references have been omitted from the location details as requested.
Discover Northern Spain at an easy pace on this 9-night self-drive holiday linking Barcelona, San Sebastián, Bilbao and Logroño. The route brings together Catalan city life, Basque coastal scenery and the wine country of La Rioja, with time in each stop to enjoy the character of the region rather than just pass through it.
Start in Barcelona, where broad avenues, modernist architecture and the historic centre create a lively first chapter for the journey. From there, continue west along a scenic overland route to San Sebastián, a city known for its elegant bay, promenades and celebrated food culture. The drive itself adds to the trip, giving you a fuller sense of how the landscapes change across northern Spain.
In Bilbao, the itinerary balances the city’s old quarter with its contemporary side, including one of Spain’s best-known modern landmarks. The final stay in Logroño introduces a different rhythm again, with medieval streets, historic architecture and a strong wine tradition that gives La Rioja its appeal. Each destination adds a distinct layer to the trip, making it a rewarding choice for travellers who want variety without long-haul transfers between every stop.
With hotel stays and daily breakfast included, this Spain itinerary works well for travellers who prefer flexibility and the freedom of their own vehicle. It is a practical way to combine culture, coastline, gastronomy and wine in one Northern Spain holiday, ending back in Barcelona after a memorable circuit through four very different cities.
- 01Travel across four of northern Spain’s most distinctive cities in one route
- 02Enjoy two nights in each stop for a balanced and unhurried pace
- 03Use your included rental car to connect the cities at your own rhythm
- 04Combine Barcelona’s city landmarks with the Basque Coast’s seaside setting
- 05Experience San Sebastián’s bay, promenades and renowned pintxos culture
- 06See Bilbao’s historic quarter and its modern architectural landmark
- 07Finish in Logroño, where medieval streets and Rioja wine culture take centre stage
- 08Daily breakfast and hotel stays are included throughout the journey
Day by day
Open a day for the written plan, then switch to the hour-by-hour breakdown.
Arrival in Barcelona and collection of the rental car.
Settle into your hotel and enjoy time to begin exploring the city at an easy pace.
- Arrive in Barcelona and begin your northern Spain journey
- Settle into your hotel before sightseeing on the following day
- Enjoy the flexibility of your included rental car
Airport references omitted from the location details.
Overnight in Barcelona.
Start of the tour
What the fare covers
And what it does not. Read the right-hand column before you budget.
- Hotels9 nights in hotels in Barcelona, San Sebastián, Bilbao and Logroño
- TransfersStandard-class rental car for the full program
- TransfersVehicle delivered with a full tank and returned with a full tank
- MealsDaily breakfast
- FlightsInternational air travel is not part of this fare. The record lists no air component.
- VisaVisa fees
- InsuranceTravel insurance
- MealsMeals not mentioned in the inclusions
- Personal ExpensesFuel for the rental car
- Personal ExpensesPersonal expenses
- Optional ToursOptional tours and activities
- TipsTips, porterage and tourist taxes
- TaxesTourist taxes
Hotels are named on your confirmation — all are of the stated category.
Rental car collection and return are arranged in Barcelona. Airport references have been omitted from the location details as requested.
Want this trip a little different?
Tell Tulli what you'd change — hotels, dates, an extra city — and she'll price it with our team and come back to you.
Where you go in
Not every landmark on the list is one you walk into — this separates them.
When to Go
Weather by month for the places this trip actually visits.
Spain
Spring and autumn are ideal. Coastal areas peak in summer. Madrid and Seville are hot Jul–Aug.
Before you go
The essentials first — they are also the ones that can stop a booking.
Valid travel documents are required
- Guests are responsible for carrying a valid passport and obtaining any visa needed for entry into Spain.
- Visa fees are not included in the package.
- Please check passport validity well before departure.
Travel insurance is mandatory
- Insurance must be purchased before travel.
- The policy should cover the full duration of the trip and any planned activities.
- Proof of insurance may be requested before departure.
Plan for extras not included in the package
- Fuel, monument entrance fees, tourist taxes, tips and personal expenses are not included.
- Some attractions may require separate admission on arrival.
- Keep a payment card handy for incidental travel costs.
Self-drive arrangements
- A standard-class rental car is included for the full program.
- The car is supplied with a full tank and must be returned with a full tank.
- Driving times are approximate and may vary with traffic and road conditions.
Hotel arrangements may vary
- The package includes 9 nights in hotels across the route.
- Check-in and check-out times follow each hotel’s own policy.
- Equivalent accommodation may be used if required operationally.
Pack for a city-and-coast itinerary
- Northern Spain can bring changing weather between the coast and inland Rioja.
- Comfortable walking shoes are useful for old quarters, promenades and sightseeing stops.
- A light layer is advisable even in warmer months.
Enjoy the local food culture respectfully
- Pintxos bars and wine regions have their own dining rhythm, especially in the evening.
- Reservations are recommended for popular restaurants and high-demand attractions.
- A relaxed, respectful pace is part of the local travel experience.
Keep your booking details accessible
- Carry your confirmation details and emergency contact numbers during the trip.
- Report any operational issues to the local service team or supplier as soon as possible.
- Prompt communication helps resolve hotel or vehicle concerns faster.
Is this holiday suitable for travellers who prefer flexibility?
Yes. The included rental car makes this a good option for travellers who want to set their own pace while following a fixed route and hotel plan.
How many nights are spent in each city?
The program is based on hotel stays in Barcelona, San Sebastián, Bilbao and Logroño, with the itinerary allowing two nights in each city before returning to Barcelona.
Are entrance tickets included?
No. Entrance fees for monuments and attractions are excluded, so any ticketed visits such as museums or major sights are paid separately.
What style of trip is this?
This is a FIT self-drive holiday with hotels, breakfast and a rental car included, designed for independent travellers who want a Northern Spain route with practical support.
Do I need to arrange travel insurance?
Yes. Travel insurance is mandatory and must be arranged before departure.
Policies & booking terms
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
50% refund between 30-15 days before departure.
No refund within 15 days of departure.
TripClub standing booking terms
- Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
- All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
- Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
- Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
- Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
- Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
- The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
- All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
- No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
- The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
- All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
- Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
- Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
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