El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo crosses the whole of 'Green Spain' — the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia — in 8 days and 7 nights, between San Sebastián and Santiago de Compostela. Having arranged this journey for guests over many years, we have walked every excursion on this route. This guide maps the whole of it, day by day.
The Basque Country: San Sebastián and Bilbao
The journey opens (or closes, on the westbound run) in San Sebastián, Spain's great belle-époque resort. Day two brings Bilbao and the Guggenheim — see our full Bilbao & Guggenheim excursion guide.
Cantabria: Santander, Santillana del Mar and Altamira
Cantabria delivers the route's medieval jewel, Santillana del Mar, and the prehistoric art of Altamira — covered in our Santillana del Mar guide. Comillas adds Gaudí's El Capricho, one of the architectural wonders of the route.
Asturias: the Picos de Europa and Covadonga
The train's most dramatic inland day climbs into the Picos de Europa and the sanctuary of Covadonga — our Picos de Europa guide walks you through it. Fishing towns such as Luarca and Ribadesella frame the days at sea level.
Galicia: the Cathedrals Beach and Santiago
Galicia begins with Playa de las Catedrales, its rock arches carved by the Cantabrian Sea, and ends beneath the towers of Santiago de Compostela — see our Santiago guide and our ideas for extending your trip at either end.
Practicalities
The train runs in both directions — San Sebastián → Santiago and Santiago → San Sebastián — with live departure dates on each page. For what to bring, read the packing guide; for when to go, the season guide; and for how reservations work, how to book. As the official authorized booking and information source for El Transcantábrico, we confirm every reservation against live availability.
