The northern coast of Spain has a distinctly different feel to that of its southern or eastern counterparts. The north is greener, quieter and has some amazing untouched places to visit. If you are planning a trip to Spain, be sure to check out the North and in particular San Sebastian. If you love a bit of glamour and incredible beaches then this is the place for you. There are also amazing locations just a short drive away, so we decided we’d give you Economy Car Hire’s suggested one day scenic drive between San Sebastian and Santander on Spain’s less travelled roads.
Driving around Spain can be an expensive past-time as there are many toll roads. In order to keep the costs down, we have planned our route to avoid the tolls. This is not the quickest route but definitely the most scenic.
Enjoy San Sebastian
We’re starting our trip in San Sebastian. The city is part of the Basque Country of Spain and is known as Donostia locally. The best time to visit is June, July or August as it is considerably drier at this time of year.
La Concha Beach is certainly the jewel in San Sebastian’s crown. The sheltered bay has beautiful golden beaches and is up there with the best beaches in Europe. If surfing is your thing then you should head over to La Zurriola Beach and check out the waves. There’s a great atmosphere in San Sebastian and the beaches are a big part of its identity.
If you are not bowled over by sand then there are plenty of alternatives on offer in the city. The selection of fantastic pintxo bars (tapas bars) and local seafood will satisfy even the pickiest of foodies.
The Road to Bilbao
Your next stop is Bilbao which is a beautiful journey. Travelling thorough the rolling countryside you get to appreciate how green this area really is. There are many opportunities to stop for some food and some great picnic locations along the way. From San Sebastian, travel for 2 hours and take the A-1 south until the GI-632. Travel west until the junction with the AP-1 and N-636, then take the N-636 until the E-70 and follow the signs for Bilbao.
What to do in Bilbao
Once you have arrived in Bilbao, whilst it’s not as aesthetically pleasing as San Sebastian, it does have its merits. The views of the surrounding countryside make the city feel a lot less imposing than its size would suggest. There are a multitude of incredible places to eat in which can rival what’s on offer in San Sebastian. They range from incredible Michelin star winning restaurants to small and humble bars serving the famous local cod.
The single biggest reason that we think you should visit Bilbao, however, is the Guggenheim Museum. The museum of modern and contemporary art was designed by an American named Frank Gehry. The building itself is a magnificent spectacle and the experience from the outside can be as incredible as the one inside. There are several viewing platforms that provide a panoramic view of this iconic building. Free guided tours of the gallery are on offer, which are well worth it if you aren’t a regular at art galleries.
Destination Santander
The drive to Santander is slightly simpler than the San Sebastian to Bilbao route. The route takes just over an hour and requires no turn offs. The road names do change though from the E-70 to the A-8 and then into S-10. There’s more fantastic scenery during the drive and as you enter Santander you will get a great view of the harbour.
As you arrive in Santander you’ll notice that the town has the feel of a glamorous beach resort very similar to San Sebastian. It’s a very popular holiday destination for residents of Madrid and has a laid back atmosphere.
If you are a beach person then you’re in luck. The beaches here are just as impressive as anywhere else along the coast and there are numerous water-sports that you can have a go at. Although the town centre is not the most glamorous in the world, a stroll round the streets and a visit to the cathedral should be on your list of things to do here.
Why not have a look at our prices for renting a car and start planning your trip. You could also take a look at our driving guide in Spain and get some tips for the journey ahead.
