Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela by Train: Spain's Most Underrated Rail Journey

6 days ago
6 min read

Why this journey?

Most visitors arrive in Spain and head south.

Madrid.

Barcelona.

Seville.

Perhaps Granada.

Few ever explore the country's northern coast.

That is a mistake.

Stretching from the Basque Country to Galicia, northern Spain offers some of the most dramatic scenery, distinctive cultures and rewarding food experiences in Europe.

And one of the best ways to discover it is by train.

The journey from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela is not Spain's fastest railway.

Nor is it Spain's most famous.

But it may well be its most interesting.

Over several days, the route passes through four distinct regions — the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia — each with its own identity, cuisine, traditions and landscapes.

You travel beside the Atlantic Ocean, through green mountains, fishing villages, cider country and pilgrimage routes before finally arriving in Santiago, one of Europe's great historic cities.

This is Spain at its most authentic.

Why Do This Journey?

Many of Spain's high-speed rail routes are about efficiency.

This one is about discovery.

The landscapes feel entirely different from the Spain of guidebooks and postcards.

Instead of olive groves and white villages, you'll find emerald hillsides, rugged coastlines and fishing harbours.

Instead of flamenco and tapas, you'll encounter Basque pintxos, Asturian cider and Galician seafood.

The journey reveals a side of Spain that many international visitors never experience.

And because relatively few tourists travel this route, it retains a genuine sense of place.

The History Behind the Railway

Much of northern Spain's rail network developed during the industrial age, when iron, coal, shipbuilding and heavy industry dominated the region.

Railways were built to connect ports, mines and factories, linking communities that were often separated by mountains and difficult terrain.

The result is a railway that frequently follows natural contours rather than cutting directly across them.

For travellers, that is excellent news.

The line winds through valleys, skirts coastlines and passes landscapes that would be invisible from a motorway or aircraft.

It may not be the quickest way to travel.

But it is certainly one of the most rewarding.

Starting in Bilbao

Bilbao is one of Europe's great reinvention stories.

Once a gritty industrial city, it has transformed itself into one of Spain's most creative urban destinations.

Most visitors begin at the spectacular Guggenheim Museum, whose titanium curves helped redefine the city when it opened in 1997.

But Bilbao rewards wandering.

The Casco Viejo remains full of character, while the riverfront reveals a city that has successfully blended tradition with modernity.

Where to Stay

For a stylish stay, The Artist Grand Hotel of Art sits directly opposite the Guggenheim and remains one of Bilbao's most recognisable hotels. @theartistbilbao

A more contemporary option is NYX Hotel Bilbao, located beside the old town and ideal for travellers arriving by rail. @nyxhotelbilbao

Where to Eat

No visit to Bilbao is complete without experiencing pintxos culture.

El Globo remains one of the city's most respected pintxos bars and a perfect introduction to Basque food. @elglobo.bilbao

For creative and contemporary, La Viña del Ensanche combines traditional Basque cooking with one of the city's finest wine selections. @lavinadelensanche

Santander and Cantabria: Spain's Elegant Northern Coast

The first major stop after Bilbao is Santander, a city that often surprises visitors.

Unlike the industrial energy of Bilbao, Santander feels refined and understated. The city wraps itself around one of Spain's most beautiful natural bays, where grand 19th-century buildings overlook beaches, promenades and sailing clubs.

Its modern identity was shaped after a devastating fire in 1941 destroyed much of the medieval centre. The city that emerged was more spacious and elegant, helping create the sophisticated atmosphere visitors find today.

Spend time walking the waterfront, exploring the gardens of the Magdalena Peninsula and watching local life unfold around the harbour. Santander feels wealthy without being flashy and remains one of northern Spain's most liveable cities.

Where to Stay

For travellers looking for something special, Eurostars Hotel Real remains Santander's grand dame. Perched above the bay in a former royal summer residence, the hotel combines old-world elegance with some of the finest views in northern Spain. The terraces overlook the water, the gardens feel wonderfully secluded, and the atmosphere reflects the city's aristocratic past. @eurostarshotels

For something more contemporary, Soho Boutique Palacio de Pombo occupies a beautifully restored historic building directly on Plaza Pombo, placing you within walking distance of both the old town and waterfront. @sohoboutiquehotels

Where to Eat

One of Santander's most exciting dining addresses is Cadelo.

The restaurant has helped redefine modern Cantabrian cuisine, combining exceptional local seafood and regional produce with contemporary techniques. It feels creative without becoming pretentious and has become a favourite among local food lovers.

@cadelosantander

For a meal that celebrates the city's connection to the sea, El Serbal remains one of Santander's most respected restaurants. Refined yet approachable, its tasting menus showcase the best ingredients from Cantabria's coastline and countryside.

@elserbal

Asturias: Spain's Green Coast

For many travellers, Asturias becomes the unexpected highlight of the entire journey.

The railway enters a landscape that feels very different from the Spain most visitors imagine.

Green hills roll towards the sea. Mountains rise dramatically inland. Small villages cling to valleys and riverbanks. The Atlantic crashes against rugged cliffs while ancient pilgrimage routes thread their way through the countryside.

The scenery is often compared to Ireland or northern Italy rather than southern Spain.

Oviedo makes an excellent base for exploring the region.

Elegant and compact, it combines handsome architecture, pedestrianised streets and one of the strongest food cultures in Spain. Unlike some of the country's larger cities, Oviedo feels manageable and deeply local. The old town rewards wandering, while the surrounding countryside lies only minutes away.

Asturias is also famous for its cider culture. Here, pouring cider is almost a ritual, with waiters theatrically pouring from above shoulder height to aerate the drink before serving it immediately. It is a tradition you will encounter everywhere from city bars to mountain villages.

Where to Stay

For travellers arriving by train, Barceló Oviedo Cervantes offers one of the city's best combinations of comfort, style and location.

Occupying a beautifully restored early 20th-century mansion alongside a contemporary wing, the hotel blends Asturian heritage with modern design. It sits within easy walking distance of both the station and the historic centre, making it ideal for rail travellers wanting to explore on foot. @barcelooviedocervantes

For something more boutique, Nuvo Hotel Boutique occupies a beautifully renovated historic building in the heart of the old town. The interiors are elegant and understated, with a strong sense of place that reflects Asturias rather than international hotel design trends. @nuvohotelboutique

Where to Eat

No restaurant captures modern Asturias better than Casa Gerardo.

Located just outside Oviedo and run by the same family for generations, it has become one of northern Spain's great culinary institutions. The cooking celebrates Asturian traditions while introducing contemporary techniques, and many visitors come specifically to experience its famous fabada — the region's iconic bean stew — reimagined at the highest level. @casagerardo1882

For something more central and accessible after a day exploring the city, Gloria Oviedo has quickly become one of the most talked-about restaurants in Asturias. Created by renowned chef Nacho Manzano, it offers a more relaxed introduction to the region's exceptional ingredients, from seafood and artisan cheeses to local meats and seasonal produce. @estasengloria

And no visit to Asturias would be complete without spending an evening in one of the traditional cider houses. Here, locals gather over shared plates, fresh seafood and endlessly poured cider, creating the kind of atmosphere that makes Asturias feel so welcoming and authentic.

Arrival in Santiago de Compostela

After crossing Galicia, the journey finally reaches Santiago.

For over a thousand years, pilgrims have arrived here on foot.

Arriving by train feels no less satisfying.

The city possesses a remarkable atmosphere.

Granite streets wind through the old town. Church bells echo across squares. Pilgrims gather beneath the towers of the cathedral having completed journeys that often began hundreds of miles away.

Even for non-religious visitors, Santiago feels special.

The historic centre is one of the finest in Europe.

Where to Stay

Parador de Santiago de Compostela occupies a former royal hospital beside the cathedral and is often considered one of Spain's most extraordinary historic hotels.

@paradores

Where to Eat

For contemporary Galician cooking, Abastos 2.0 remains one of Santiago's most respected restaurants, sourcing produce directly from the nearby market.

@abastosdouspuntocero

Insider Tips

Don't attempt the journey in a single day.

The route works best over three to five days with stops along the way.

Travel on the left-hand side heading west for some of the best coastal views.

Bring time rather than a checklist.

The appeal lies in experiencing how the landscapes, accents, food and culture gradually change as you move across northern Spain.

And don't skip Asturias.

Many travellers end up wishing they had spent longer there.

Why This Journey Matters

What makes this railway special is not speed.

It is continuity.

You watch Spain transform region by region, coast by coast, culture by culture.

You arrive understanding the country more deeply than if you had simply flown between cities.

And that is what great train journeys do.

Exploring Spain by Train

The Bilbao to Santiago route is just one of many journeys featured in Touring Spain by Train.

The guide includes scenic rail routes, practical booking advice, independent itineraries, hidden destinations and local recommendations designed to help travellers experience Spain beyond the obvious highlights.

Find the guide here: https://mybook.to/TouringSpainByTrain