Luxury Northern Spain Road Trip: La Rioja & Basque Country - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid, Drive to La Rioja

Welcome to Spain! Touch down in the vibrant capital, Madrid, where you'll pick up a rental car to begin your self-drive adventure. Drive 3.5 hours north to the lush La Rioja region, a patchwork quilt of rolling countryside grooved with vineyards that produce some of Spain's best red wines. 

Along the way, visit some of northern Spain's heritage sites and ancient towns. Marvel at the UNESCO-listed Roman aqueduct in Segovia, wander cobbled streets in Sepúlveda and tour the showstopping Burgos Cathedral. Take a break for tapas in Miranda de Ebro, a town beloved for its castle and historic center.

Your final destination is the medieval town of Elciego, where you'll check into the chic Hotel Marqués de Riscal. Set on the region's oldest winery, this 21st-century castillo was designed by the Guggenheim Museum architect Frank Gehry. The avant-garde, steel and titanium exterior contains neoclassical interiors with cathedral-like ceilings, Italian marble baths, and vineyard views. Check into your arty room, sip wine in the rooftop lounge, or head to the spa for grape-infused treatments. 

Day 2: Explore La Rioja's History & Landscapes

Today is yours to explore La Rioja's history, vineyards, and landscapes. The 10th-century walled town of Laguardia is a highlight, set on a hilltop surrounded by a carpet of vineyards set against the Cantabrian Mountains. Get lost in the mazelike streets and open plazas of Haro, which lies on the banks of the Ebro River and hosts an annual wine festival.

Have lunch in the regional capital, Logroño, where many bars specialize in a particular type of tapas, from grilled garlicky mushrooms to spider crab fishcakes. Get a taste of it all, hopping from bar to bar on Calle Laurel in the Old Town. Spend the afternoon touring one of the area's stellar vineyards and return to your hotel for a meal at 1860 Tradición or Restaurante Marqués de Riscal, both run by Michelin-starred chef Francis Paniego.

Day 3: Drive to Bilbao, Pintxos Walking Tour

Say goodbye to La Rioja this morning and drive 1.5 hours north to Bilbao in the beautiful Basque Country. Surrounded by green-hued mountains, the city features innovative architecture, art museums, and a venerable dining scene. On your way to Bilbao, visit Atapuerca. On this UNESCO-listed archaeological site, the bones of what is believed to be the oldest European human were discovered, dating back 1.2 million years. 

Continue to Bilbao and check into the luxurious Hotel Ercilla de Bilbao near the city's bustling Plaza Moyúa. Founded in 1972, the family-owned hotel has hosted prominent artists, matadors, movie stars, and politicians. Settle into your elegantly restored room, which retains the hotel's original '70s vibe, then head to the rooftop for drinks accompanied by 360-degree city views. 

Finish the day by indulging in Bilbao's finest pintxos (pronounced "peen-chos"), a type of tapas prevalent in the Basque region, served in most bars, cafés, and restaurants. An expert guide will take you on a private gourmet walking tour, stopping at the city's top food spots and teaching you about the local cuisine. Taste everything from lamb skewers to oxtail croquettes and cheese and mushroom pancakes.

Day 4: Bilbao & Guggenheim Museum Tour

Uncover Bilbao's history and architecture today on a private guided city tour. Stroll along the banks of the Nervión River, passing Frank Gehry's iconic Guggenheim Museum. Learn about Basque culture and the city's transformation as you navigate the streets, stopping to browse Ribera Market, the largest covered market in Europe. End with a walk through the Casco Viejo (Old Town) area with its 700-year-old buildings. 

After lunch, take a private tour of the Guggenheim, a glimmering titanium structure that's an artwork in itself. You'll explore the 260,000 square-foot (24,000 sq m) museum, which houses a treasure trove of works from great artists such as Andy Warhol, Anish Kapoor, Jeff Koons, Louise Bourgeois, and Eduardo Chillida. End the day by feasting on more of Bilbao's traditional cuisine at a streetside eatery.

Day 5: Scenic Coastal Drive to San Sebastián & Michelin-Star Lunch 

Set off for a jaw-dropping coastal drive to San Sebastián today, winding along the northern Atlantic coast with views of the sparkling Bay of Biscay. Stretch your legs with a stop at the quaint beach towns of Zumaia and Getaria, where you can wander on golden beaches, around buzzing ports, and through historic centers with neoclassical, Baroque, and Gothic architecture. 

Pause for lunch at Michelin-starred Elkano in Getaria, a family-run restaurant that's been serving fresh fish from the Atlantic since 1964 and is renowned for its grilled turbot. Roasted whole, skin and all, and served with a simple dressing, the dish is one of the best examples of Basque Country cuisine. Afterward, continue to San Sebastián, the sought-after resort city where Spanish royals once vacationed. The seaside haunt is famous for its beaches, Old Town town, and eclectic pintxos scene. 

You'll stay at the Hotel Akelarre just outside the city, carved into a hillside that overlooks the Bay of Biscay. Having started life as a 3 Michelin-starred restaurant run by chef Pedro Subijana, an ambassador of new Basque cuisine, Akelarre now offers modern rooms and suites. Highlights include panoramic windows and a slate terrace where you can soak up bay views, as well as local artwork and a decadent spa.

Day 6: San Sebastián Walking Tour, Free Afternoon

Delve beneath the surface of San Sebastián today on a private walking tour. Begin at Mount Igueldo on the west side of the city, where you'll enjoy views of the coast, learning how San Sebastián played an essential role in Spanish, Basque, and maritime history. Discover how wool trading made some locals uber-wealthy and which ships were considered the Ferraris of their time in the 16th century.

Descend via the city's 100-year-old wooden funicular for more incredible views and visit the famous El Peine del Viento by Eduardo Chillida, a set of steel sculptures known as the Wind Comb. Head east next to the surfing meccas of Sagüés and La Zurriola, stopping to admire the Belle Epoch-style Miramar Palace. Your guide will highlight San Sebastián's stately architecture, taking you to plazas, parks, cathedrals, and the 12th-century Castillo Motako Gaztelua.

After lunch, spend the rest of the day as you please. Ramble through the cobblestone streets and pop into ornate cathedrals and coffee shops, then stroll along the promenade to the crescent-shaped Playa La Concha. You can also embark upon an optional Basque cider house experience, exploring the long-standing tradition of sidrerias (cider houses) in the Basque country.

Day 7: Fly to Madrid, Depart

Today your Spanish adventure comes to an end. Drop off your rental car at San Sebastián Airport and fly to Madrid in time to catch your homebound flight. Safe travels!

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