We’d love to follow along with the photos and videos from your fabulous bike tour!
Follow us on Instagram at @bikespaintours and on Facebook at BikeSpainTours, and don’t forget to tag us in your travel posts.
Be sure to join our Strava club so we can give you kudos for all your amazing rides!
Please leave your luggage in the hotel reception each morning (by 10am at the latest) so that it can be transferred to your next hotel. Make sure that your luggage is clearly labelled with the nametag provided. In case of any issues with the luggage transfers, call (+34) 619 68 34 44
Your bike fitting is scheduled for Friday July 3, when you arrive in Santillana del Mar.
In case of any issue please call Iberocycle on (+34) 619 68 34 44.
Call the Bike Spain Tours office on +34 915 590 653, or out of office hours call +34 677 356 586. We will get you where you need to be and get you the help you need.
Please be aware that Spaniards follow a very particular routine in terms of their daily meals, and this is often strictly enforced by restaurant opening hours, especially in small towns!
You can expect restaurants to be open for lunch from approximately 1:30pm – 4pm. Many places will offer a menú del día: a set menu with 2/3 options for each course, usually including a drink, bread and dessert or coffee. Remember that lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain.
Dinnertime in Spain is any time from 8pm onwards. Dinner in Spain is typically a lighter meal.
Cantabria, like Asturias, is known for its rich culinary traditions. The cuisine is heavily influenced by its coastal location, offering a variety of fresh seafood such as anchovies (some of the best are from Santoña), clams, and squid. A local favorite is “sopa de pescado”, a fish soup that highlights the region’s maritime flavors. “Rabas”, battered and fried squid rings, are a popular tapa. Meat dishes, particularly “cocido montañés”, a hearty stew made with beans, cabbage, and pork, reflect the mountainous landscape. “Queso de Cantabria”, a creamy, mild cheese, is also widely enjoyed. For drinks, Cantabria is famous for its “sidra” (hard cider), often poured from a height to aerate it, and locally produced wines complement the food perfectly.
Sorropotún de bonito is a traditional Cantabrian fish stew made with bonito (a type of tuna), potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and peppers. It’s a flavorful, hearty dish typically cooked in one pot, where the ingredients are slowly simmered together, allowing the fish to absorb the rich flavors of the vegetables. It’s a popular, comforting dish along the northern coast of Spain.
Asturian beans, or “fabes de Asturias”, are a key ingredient in many dishes, notably “fabada asturiana”, a rich bean stew with chorizo, morcilla, and pork. Another popular dish from Asturias is cachopo, a hearty meal made by stuffing two large breaded and fried beef fillets with cheese and ham. Verdinas con almejas is a traditional Asturian dish featuring tender verdina beans cooked with fresh clams in a flavorful broth. The region’s cuisine also features fresh, potent cheeses like Cabrales.
If you’ve heard of the famous Basque cheesecake you should try quesada: a traditional Cantabrian dessert made with fresh cheese, eggs, sugar, flour, and often flavored with lemon zest or cinnamon. It has a smooth, creamy texture and is baked until golden on top. It reflects Cantabria’s strong dairy heritage and offers a simple yet delicious taste of the region.
Click here for our packing suggestions for a self-guided bike tour.
Click here for our recommendations for cycling safely and legally in Spain.
Click here for our recommendations on what to do if you experience mechanical issues with your bike during your tour.
Tuesday June 30: Bilbao
Accommodation: Hotel Barcelo Bilbao Nervion
Arrival day
Denny and Elaine arrive in Bilbao today. Welcome to the start of your tri-generational bike, and adventure, tour!
Click here for our google maps link!
At leisure in Bilbao
Football fans will love the museum and stadium tour at San Mamés, the brand-new home of Athletic Bilbao, the world’s only all-Basque football team!
Check out our google maps list here!
There are endless dining options in Bilbao: if you’re looking for a Michelin star experience to celebrate your achievement, you can find a list of restaurants here; alternatively, if you haven’t yet had a Basque cider house experience you can enjoy steak and unlimited cider at Bilbao Urban Sagardotegi (open daily from 10:30am) or Galtzagorri Sagardotegia (open daily from 11am).
Another fantastic dining option is the Mercado de la Ribeira (open daily from 8am), a historic market building converted into a modern gastromarket with an impressive range of eateries.
If you’d prefer a more relaxed dinner, you can enjoy the many pintxos bars of Bilbao’s old quarter! Some of our favourites are Gure Toki, Café Bar Bilbao, Irrintzi, Bar Charly and Victor Montés.
Wednesday July 1: Bilbao
Accommodation: Hotel Barcelo Bilbao Nervion
Meals included: breakfast
Arrival day
The youngsters arrive today! Hope your days in Bilbao go very smoothly.
Click here for our google maps link!
At leisure in Bilbao
Football fans will love the museum and stadium tour at San Mamés, the brand-new home of Athletic Bilbao, the world’s only all-Basque football team!
Check out our google maps list here!
There are endless dining options in Bilbao: if you’re looking for a Michelin star experience to celebrate your achievement, you can find a list of restaurants here; alternatively, if you haven’t yet had a Basque cider house experience you can enjoy steak and unlimited cider at Bilbao Urban Sagardotegi (open daily from 10:30am) or Galtzagorri Sagardotegia (open daily from 11am).
Another fantastic dining option is the Mercado de la Ribeira (open daily from 8am), a historic market building converted into a modern gastromarket with an impressive range of eateries.
If you’d prefer a more relaxed dinner, you can enjoy the many pintxos bars of Bilbao’s old quarter! Some of our favourites are Gure Toki, Café Bar Bilbao, Irrintzi, Bar Charly and Victor Montés.
Thursday July 2: Bilbao
Accommodation: Hotel Barcelo Bilbao Nervion
Meals included: breakfast
Free day in Bilbao!
Click here for our google maps link!
At leisure in Bilbao
Football fans will love the museum and stadium tour at San Mamés, the brand-new home of Athletic Bilbao, the world’s only all-Basque football team!
Check out our google maps list here!
There are endless dining options in Bilbao: if you’re looking for a Michelin star experience to celebrate your achievement, you can find a list of restaurants here; alternatively, if you haven’t yet had a Basque cider house experience you can enjoy steak and unlimited cider at Bilbao Urban Sagardotegi (open daily from 10:30am) or Galtzagorri Sagardotegia (open daily from 11am).
Another fantastic dining option is the Mercado de la Ribeira (open daily from 8am), a historic market building converted into a modern gastromarket with an impressive range of eateries.
If you’d prefer a more relaxed dinner, you can enjoy the many pintxos bars of Bilbao’s old quarter! Some of our favourites are Gure Toki, Café Bar Bilbao, Irrintzi, Bar Charly and Victor Montés.
Friday July 3: Santillana del Mar
Accommodation: Hotel Museo los Infantes
Meals included: breakfast
Arrival day
You will be picked up in Barcelo Bilbao Nervion at 10am by IBEROCYCLE and you will be transferred to Santillana. Upon arrival you will have your bike-fitting and then you’ll be free to visit this beautiful town. Welcome to your bike tour!
Click here for our google maps link!
According to a Spanish saying, Santillana is known as the “town of the three lies”: “ni es santa, ni es llana, ni tiene mar” (it’s neither holy, nor flat, nor by the sea!) However, the town is one of the most beautiful in Cantabria, and offers many other attractions for visitors to enjoy.
Santillana is well-known for various desserts, made with locally-produced milk, including quesadas and tableta. We also recommend trying the local cocido moñtanés, a stew made with white beans and meat.
Saturday July 4 (Happy USA Independence day!): Santillana – San Vicente de la Barquera
Route: 35.4 km/22 miles
Elevation: +637 m/+2,089 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Faro de San Vicente
Leaving Santillana, your route heads westwards through green meadows and the hills and valleys of Cantabria, enjoying fabulous views of the unspoilt coastline and beaches. You’ll soon arrive at the charming village of Novales, a fine example of traditional rural architecture, set amidst lemon groves.
A short while later, in the town of Cóbreces, we recommend a stop to buy traditional cheese hand-made by the monks of the Cistercian Abbey de Santa María de Viaceli (open Mon – Wed 9:30am – 1pm, Thu – Sat 9:30am – 1pm/4:30pm – 6:15pm).
If you fancy lunch with a view, just beyond the village of Liandres you’ll find clifftop restaurant El Remedio (open Tue – Sun 1pm – 3:30pm).
Your next stop is the seaside village of Comillas, whose popularity in the 19th century as a summer retreat of the aristocratic elite is clear in extensive legacy of modernist architecture. The most famous of these are Gaudí’s El Capricho (open daily 10:30am – 8pm), the Palacio de Sobrellano (open Mon – Sat 10am – 2:30pm/3:30pm – 6:30pm, Sun 10am – 4pm), the majestic Universidad Pontificia (open Mon – Fri 9am – 8pm) and the cemetery, particularly the famous Angel of Destruction sculpture. If you decide to have lunch in Comillas, we recommend Restaurante El Carel (open daily 1pm – 4pm).
Leaving Comillas behind, you’ll cycle through the Parque Natural de Oyambre, a protected wetland area home to a wide variety of fish, molluscs and migratory birds. You’ll catch glimpses of the sea as you pass by the beautiful beaches of Oyambre and Merón. Finally, you’ll cross the bay via Puente de la Maza, a 15th century bridge made up of 28 stone arches, and into the beautiful town of San Vicente, enjoying views of the Picos de Europa mountain range in the distance.
Click here for our google maps link!
The pictureque seafront village of San Vincente de la Barquera owes its name to the small boat that used to ferry pilgrims across the estuary before the construction of the Puente de la Maza. Known for its well-preserved old town, bustling fishing port and beautiful beaches, and set against the backdrop of the snowy peaks of the Picos de Europa, San Vicente is one of the most attractive towns on the Cantabrian coast.
Take a stroll up to the hilltop church of Santa María de los Ángeles (open daily 10am – 1pm/4:30pm – 6:30pm), a spectacular example of Gothic architecture with fabulous views over the town and the estuary.
Next to the church, you’ll find the 12th century Castillo del Rey (open Tue – Sun 11am – 2pm/5:30pm – 8pm), which houses its own small museum.
San Vicente de la Barquera is well-known for its oysters, which are farmed in the town’s estuary. We recommend that you try them at La Ostrería de San Vicente (open Sun – Wed 12pm – 8pm and Thu – Sat 12pm – 12am), a clifftop spot with fabulous views, specialising in oysters.
Sunday July 5: San Vicente de la Barquera
Optional Loop: 38.9 km/24.1 miles
Elevation: +719/+2359 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Faro de San Vicente
Enjoy a day at leisure in the pretty fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera. Spend the day on the beach and eating seafood fresh from the Cantabrian Sea.
We are happy to help you find other activities if you’re interested in visiting a cave, going kayaking or exploring the nearby mountains.
Alternatively, you can enjoy a lovely green loop ride through the foothills of the Picos de Europa mountain range.
Monday July 6: San Vicente de la Barquera – Llanes
Route: 47 km/29 miles
Elevation: +802 m/+2,632 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Hacienda de San Juan
Leaving San Vicente behind, today’s route heads westwards along the coast. You’ll cycle around the beautiful headland of Pechón, enjoying magnificent views of the coastline, before crossing the River Deva into the region of Asturias. Asturias is well known for its cider (always aerated by pouring from a height) and fabada (a stew made with white beans and chorizo).
Your first recommended stop in Asturias is the village of Colombres, where you can admire the sumptuous villas built by the indianos: local residents who went to the Americas to make their fortune before returning home to show it off. One of the most striking of these has been converted into the Museum of Emigration (open Tue – Sun 10am – 2pm/4pm – 7pm).
From here the route continues between the coast and the dramatic mountain backdrop of the Sierra de Cuera, foothills of the magnificent Picos de Europa. Shortly after the village of La Borbolla, you’ll come across Quesería Picurriellu (open Mon – Fri 9:30am – 1:30pm/4pm–7:30pm, Sat 9:30am – 1:30pm), where you can pick up some traditional Asturan cheese.
Just before reaching Puertas de Vidiago, you can take a short detour to visit the Idol of Peña Tú, a huge monolith decotated with paintings and carvings dating back to the Bronze Age.
A beautiful descent through eucalyptus forests brings you back to the coast where you’ll cycle past beautiful and unspoilt beaches, so typical of Asturias, to arrive at the charming fishing village of Llanes.
Click here for our google maps link!
The charming coastal village of Llanes grew up around the fishing and whaling industries, reaching its peak in the medieval era. A number of structures from this time can still be visited today.
If you haven’t yet tried Asturian cider, we recommend stopping by Bar-Sidrería La Amistad (open Tue – Sat 8:30am – 10:30pm).
Your hotel has its own excellent restaurant, set in the dining room of the old convent. However, if you would like to explore the town further, we recommend Restaurante Le Bistro (open Tue – Sun 8pm – 1pm).
Tuesday July 7: Free day in Llanes or Optional Loop ride
Accommodation:Hotel Hacienda de San Juan
Today, you can choose between many wonderful options!
Wednesday July 8: Llanes – Miera Valley Descent – Somo
Route: 43.1 km/26.8 mi
Elevation: +381 m/+1,249 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Torres de Somo
FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS ROSE- HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSE!
9:30am: Private transfer to the Alto del Caracol in the Miera Valley, the starting point of today’s ride.
From the Alto del Caracol, you’ll enjoy a marvellous ride through the stunning limestone valley of the River Miera, descending into the farmland around Somo and the Bay of Santander.
Along the way, you can visit the spectacular mountain village of San Roque de Riomiera. Further along the route, we recommend a stop at the spa village of Liérganes, which flourished in the 17th and 18th centuury thanks to a nearby artillery factory (now an interesting museum, open Tue – Sun, 11am – 2pm/5pm – 8pm). The town still retains a number of elegant buildings from this era, and it’s well worth taking a break here to explore the charming old qaurter. If you fancy stopping for lunch in Liérganes, we recommend Restaurante El Ojo del Ábrego (open Wed – Mon, 10am – 4:30pm).
As you leave Entrambasaguas, we recommend a diversion to Restaurante La Bicicleta (open Wed – Sun 1:30pm – 3:30pm), a luxury restaurant run by a former pro cyclist turned chef! Another option for a special lunch is the triple Michelin star restaurant El Cenador de Amós, situated in an elegant 18th century palace (open Wed – Sun 1:15pm – 2:30pm, prior reservation essential).
Click here for our google maps link!
The seafront town of Somo is a surfer haven, situated right on the Bay of Santander. Take a stroll across the sand dunes and relax on the fabulous Puntal beach, or enjoy a beautiful cliff walk from Loredo beach across to Galizano beach.
The Cantabrian capital of Santander is located a short boat ride across the bay. The boats depart from the Embarcadero de Somo every 30 minutes Monday – Friday, and every hour at the weekend (timetables here).
In Santander, we recommend a stroll along the long seafront promenade, and a visit to the beautiful Palace de la Magdalena for spectacular views across the bay. In the city centre, you can admire the beautiful Catedral de la Asunción (open daily 10am – 1pm/4:30 – 7:30pm), visit the old fishermen’s district to try some delicious seafood and enjoy the belle époque atmosphere of El Sardinero, where Alfonso XIII and his court spent the summer months in the early 20th century. Those interested in local history can also pay a visit to the Maritime Museum (open Tue – Sun, 10am – 7pm) and the Museum of Archaeology and Prehistory (open Tue – Sun 10am – 2pm/5pm – 8pm).
For seafood fresh from the Bay of Santander, we recommend Restaurante las Quebrantas (open Wed – Mon 12pm – 5pm/8pm – 10:30pm
Thursday July 9: Free day in Somo
Route: 43 km/26.6 miles
Elevation: +680 m/+2,232 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Torres de Somo
Today is up to you! You might like to take a day off from cycling to relax on Somo’s beaches, or take a boat across the bay to explore the elegant city of Santander.
Alternatively, enjoy a peaceful ride through green country lanes to the village of Ajo, famous for its paellas. We particularly recommend Restaurante Carlos III.
Visit the Nature Park of Cabárceno with wild animals from all over the world, and bizarre scenery resulting from its one time use as a Roman mine.
Cycle around the bay from Somo and eat freshly grilled sardines in the seaside restaurants of Pedreña, birthplace and home of the famous golfer, Severiano Ballesteros.
Friday July 10: End of tour
Departure day
10.30am: Private transfer for Trevor, Joy & Kids from Hotel Torres de Somo to Inhala Garden Hotel, Madrid.
You have 2 nights (Friday July 10, Saturday, July 11) reserved before your flight on Sunday July 12.
10.30am: Private transfer for Denny and Elaine from Hotel Torres de Somo to LaSala Plaza, San Sebastian. You have 5 nights (Friday July 10, Saturday July 11, Sunday July 12, Monday July 13, Tuesday July 14) reserved before your flight to Madrid on Wednesday July 15.
Click here for our google maps list.
At leisure in San Sebastián
At the other end of the bay, visit the famous Peine del Viento (Wind Comb) statue by Edward Chillida, before taking the funicular up Monte Igueldo for fabulous views over the city and a visit to an old-fashioned mountaintop amusement park. For lunch with a view, we recommend Restaurante Alaia (open Wed – Mon 1:30pm – 4:30pm)
Eating and drinking in San Sebastián
San Sebastián is world-famous for its gastronomy, and with good reason! The city boasts more Michelin stars per person than any other city in Europe. Central to Basque cuisine are pintxos, small finger foods served at bars and taverns throughout the Basque Country. The word pintxo is a ‘Basque-ified’ take on the Spanish word pincho, which itself comes from the verb pinchar, meaning ‘to pierce’. This is because pintxos are very often held together by cocktail sticks, and many bars will bill you by counting how many empty cocktail sticks are left on your plate!
The most famous area to go out for pintxos is the old town. Some of our favourite pintxos bars are Atari (don’t miss the carrilleras or the torrijas), La Txuleta (grilled meat and fish), Bar Sport (foie and sports!) and La Viña (famous for its Basque “burnt” cheesecake). Further towards the city centre, we recommend Bar La Espiga.
If you’re looking for a sit-down meal, why not try one of the city’s ten Michelin-star restaurants?
Alternatively, take a taxi to the nearby village of Astigarraga and enjoy a traditional cider house meal, a very popular activity among Basques! The menu typically consists of cod tortilla and steak followed by cheese and membrillo (quince), plus unlimited cider, brewed in-house and served straight from the enormous barrels that line the walls! Basque cider must be aerated, so try to copy the local technique of catching it mid-stream in your glass!
Click here for our Google Maps list of recommendations in Madrid.
At leisure in Madrid
If you happen to be in Madrid on a Sunday morning, we recommend a trip to El Rastro market (open Sun 9am – 3pm) to hunt for treasures and soak up the lively atmosphere!
Eating and drinking in Madrid
Must try food and drink
