Every great journey begins only with dreaming about it.
Sea and mountains define this Camino de Santiago from Bilbao to Santander. Coastal cities with rich cultural heritage and history, such as Portugalete with its Hanging Bridge (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site) as its main landmark, the fishing town of Castro Urdiales, Laredo with its fantastic historic center and extensive beach, and Santander, which we will reach by boat with the Magdalena Palace as a witness, are the main attractions of this beautiful route on the Camino de Santiago del Norte.
This route runs between the regions of the Basque Country and Cantabria, both of which meet at the end of La Arena beach and the town of Pobeña.
In the Cantabrian part, we will find numerous valleys dedicated to pastures, thanks to the immense cattle population in this region, and the fishing villages that dot its coastline.
This route offers the “luck” of being able to take two boat transfers; one from the tip of Laredo to Santoña, a city famous for its renowned anchovies, and another from the Somo pier to the monumental Cantabrian capital, Santander.
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Remember that the cost of the optional services chosen will be added to the base price of your route. We are committed to making your pilgrimage an unforgettable and carefree experience. Welcome to the Wey!
Discover the Wey of Santiago towards the majestic Santiago de Compostela.
Welcome to the beginning of your journey. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Breakfast and start of the first stage of the Wey of Santiago from Bilbao.
This stage runs along the Bilbao estuary, along the right bank of the river Nervión, if we decide not to take the Official Way.
O Caminho Oficial passa por numerosas ruas de Bilbao, Baracaldo e Sestao, por bairros industriais, com numerosos declives, antes de chegar ao nosso destino. We leave this decision for our pilgrims.
We highlight in this stage, all the Old Town of Bilbao, with its Plaza Nueva, the Cathedral of Santiago, the Basilica of Begoña, the Town Hall and the Guggenheim Museum.
In Portugalete, the symbol of the city – the Hanging Bridge – World Heritage Site.
Arrival in Portugalete. Lodging.
Breakfast and start of the stage.
In this stage we meet the Cantabrian Sea again, at the Playa de la Arena, at the end of the cycle path, which has brought us from Portugalete. We enter Cantabria, with Ontón, as the first Cantabrian town, to head towards the beautiful Castro Urdiales, before having enjoyed some magnificent views of the same, from the distance.
We highlight the Church of Santa Maria, the Castle-Lighthouse and the hermitage of Santa Ana, in this locality.
Arrival in Castro Urdiales. Lodging.
Breakfast and start of the stage.
This stage of the Pilgrims’ Route to Santiago from Bilbao runs in its first half close to the sea, with continuous views of cliffs and wooded areas, between Cerdido and Islares, to later go inland, where, to a large extent, we will walk along quite a long asphalted stretch until we finish in Laredo, which in its day was the “Puerto de Castilla”, with its excellent beaches and splendid church.
We highlight in this stage the Church of San Vicente de la Maza (Guriezo), the Church of San Martin (Islares), Churches of Santa Maria (Liendo and Rioseco).
In Laredo, we can see the Church of Santa María de la Asunción, Casas de Nobles and the town hall building.
Arrival in Laredo. Lodging.
Breakfast and start of the stage.
The stage begins at Puntal de Laredo, where a boat will take us to Santoña, famous for its canning industry, especially its famous anchovies.
The route of this Way of St. James from Bilbao passes through many areas where the views of the sea are constant. We will cross the beach of Berria and Noja, where we will cross the hill of El Brusco, which will give us beautiful views of wide green areas with scattered population centres and flat terrain.
In this stage we highlight the Church of Santa Maria del Puerto, in Santoña and the Church of Santa Maria de Bareyo.
Arrival at Guemes. End of the stage.
Breakfast and start of the stage.
We are facing the shortest stage of the entire route of the Wey of Santiago from Bilbao, a completely flat stretch, where we will also have to take the ferry (Pedreñeras) which from Somo, will help us to reach Santander, crossing its bay.
As an option, we can take the coastal variant that, from Galizano, Langre, and Loredo, leads us to Somo.
The points of interest of this stage are: Church of Our Lady of Latas, in Somo, as well as the Cathedral of Santander, Plaza Porticada, and Palace of the Magdalena, in the same city.
Arrival in Santander. End of our Wey of Santiago from Bilbao. If you have more days, you can extend your Wey of Santiago from Santander.
We’re coming to the last day of your trip! Enjoy breakfast and conclude this unforgettable experience with us.
Thank you for being part of this adventure!
This itinerary will take you through the most popular stages, allowing you to experience the beauty and culture of the Wey of Santiago. Be sure to book accommodation in advance, as it can get crowded, especially in the high season.
Safe travels and buen Wey!
In our constant effort to provide the best experience to our customers, we want to assure you that we are committed to your rest and comfort. The accommodations we offer have been carefully selected and provide private rooms with private bathrooms, along with all the necessary services to make the most of your stay. It is important to note that we will never put you up in hostels.
Since these accommodations have a limited capacity, we will provide you with the exact name once you confirm your reservation and we verify availability on the dates of your choice. Your satisfaction is our priority!
It is no secret that the gastronomy of northern Spain is as rich as its landscapes. If you are or are going to do the Northern Way, it is a crime not to delight in all the palate delights that this area offers.
In this small gastronomic guide, we will talk about some of the best restaurants where to eat on the Northern Way from Bilbao to Santander. Additionally, we take the opportunity to suggest some of the most traditional dishes of this stretch.
A region is known as much for its landscapes as for its typical dishes, as with every bite you will be enjoying a bit of history. These preparations are undoubtedly the best choice. Apart from being delicious, they always turn out to be much more budget-friendly.
Among the typical dishes of this stretch that for no reason you can miss trying, it is worth highlighting the following:
Cod is one of the most popular fish on the Basque coast, as this is its habitat, hence its prominence in the cuisine. In the case of preparation “a la vizcaína,” we could say that the secret lies in the “pimiento choricero,” typical of these lands.
To prepare it, it is necessary to confit the fresh cod loins in a mixture of garlic and oil for a few minutes. Then, a chopped onion is sautéed in the same oil, and then the peppers are added. After a few minutes, all of this is processed, and the sauce will be ready. Finally, it is added to the fish and cooked for a few minutes.
If you don’t know what squids are, we could describe them as small squids. Like any type of squid, they have an internal bone and tentacles. These cephalopods are highly prized in Basque cuisine In fact, the most valued are those caught artisanally, one by one.
To prepare them, a sauté of peppers and onions is made, and then the ink is added. Then, the squids, previously filled with the tentacles, are added and cooked. They are usually served with white rice.
First of all, we must make it clear that this is not a complete dish, but rather a side dish for other recipes. In the Basque Country, peppers are highly valued in cooking, hence the name of this recipe, although other vegetables are used in its preparation.
This garnish is made with onion, red and green peppers, which are fried until the onion is poached. Then add tomatoes and let it cook for a few minutes, and that’s it.
Of course, desserts could not be missing in this selection. This is a delicious and very colourful cake made in layers, typical in Alava especially.
The sponge cake is made with liqueur. It is then placed on a layer of whipped cream. On top of the sponge goes a new layer, but this time of custard and finally it is covered with liquid caramel or burnt sugar.
It is especially common at breakfast time.
Now, going into the stretch from Bilbao to Santander there are some establishments. These should definitely be an obligatory stop for you and any other traveller or pilgrim.
Such is the case of:
Located at number 27 Egaña Kalea in the heart of Bilbao, Egurra is a traditional steakhouse. Here, the typical Basque cuisine is perfectly combined with the famous roasts of the Castilian culture, a real marvel.
Egurra in Spanish translates as firewood and it plays a very important role in this establishment. Its marvellous oven works with selected holm oak wood, where most of the meat and fish, fresh and seasonal, is prepared.
A bar-restaurant, but with a lot of style. Here, the pintxos are the stars, but without a doubt, the cazuelitas are the jewel in the crown. It is located on Calle Mayor Kalea in Getxo, close to one of the most popular areas and with a wonderful service from the people who work here.
It has a wide and varied menu with traditional options, portions and a special menu for weekends. No matter what day or time you come, you will always find options to suit your taste and budget.
In the centre of Castro Urdiales. Here they offer traditional cuisine of the highest quality, with generous portions and wonderful value for money. This is a place that any pilgrim should visit. In addition to their exquisite choices, all the staff go out of their way to make you feel at home from the moment you arrive.
Here you can find a daily menu and a special menu for the weekend, always adapted to the season. We can assure you that the products are fresh and prepared in a traditional way, so that in every bite you can enjoy a real explosion of flavour.
It is located next to the famous Puerto Chico on the famous Sardinero beach, one of the most popular beaches in the city of Santander. Restaurante Zacarias is a true reference point for Cantabrian gastronomy. It was inaugurated in 1989 with the sole intention of paying homage to its wonderful history.
This establishment has passed through two generations, who have always strived to maintain a place with a family essence at its best.
Currently, you have two atmospheres, the bodega which is a much more casual alternative. Here they offer daily set menus, raciones and tapas, of course accompanied by local wines, but at very good prices.
While the restaurant is the bet for the market cuisine. Here, fish, seafood and meat are the protagonists, although rice dishes and stews also have a strong presence and exquisite flavour.
STAGES FROM BILBAO TO PORTUGALETE AND CASTRO URDIALES
Portugalete, a town founded by Doña María de Haro. The old town was declared a historic-artistic site. The 14th century Church of Santa Maria is of particular interest. Nearby is the Salazar Tower.
Portugalete is famous for its suspension bridge, built in 1893, which is the most representative architectural element of the city.
In Somorrostro we can see the Church of San Julián de Muskiz. The Castle of Muñatones, which together with the Palace and the Hermitage is a Historic-Artistic Monument.
Otañes, the parish church of Santa María de Llovera. The Noble Houses such as those of Sierralta and Helguera. s Casas Nobles como las de Sierralta y de los Helguera.
In our what to see on the Way of St. James from Bilbao, the town of Castro Urdiales is one of the four coastal towns of Cantabria, together with Laredo, Santander, and San Vicente de la Barquera. One of the main monuments is the Church of Santa María. This gothic temple is one of the most important in the north of the peninsula. It houses a canvas attributed to Zurbarán. We also find the medieval castle. It should be remembered that the Puebla Vieja has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site.
STAGES FROM CASTRO URDIALES TO LAREDO AND GUEMES
In Hazas, the Church of Nuestra Señora de Liendo, in Baroque style. Also the Arboretum and the Forest Interpretation Centre.
In Laredo, the Church of Santa María de la Asunción, in Gothic style, whose interior houses a Flemish altarpiece of Our Lady of Bethlehem. The Hermitage of San Martín and Santa Catalina from the 13th century.
In Santoña, the Church of Santa María del Puerto, in Gothic and Renaissance style, in which the baptismal font and the 16th century altarpiece of San Bartolomé are outstanding.
On the promenade, the monument to Juan de la Cosa, the famous Cantabrian navigator.
The defensive fortifications of the city stand out. The old Hospital for pilgrims and the Marshes.
STAGE FROM GUEMES TO SANTANDER
And we conclude this section of what to see on the organized trip to the Way of Santiago from Bilbao with the city of Santander and its Cathedral, in Gothic style. Inside, we can see the Crypt of Christ as well as the Main Altarpiece and the Gothic Cloister. The Church of the Annunciation. The Magdalena Palace, which was a gift from the people of Santander to the King and is currently the venue for numerous activities of the Menéndez Pelayo University. The Menéndez Pelayo Library, a historical and artistic monument, and La Plaza Porticada, in the Herrerian style.
We show you the different options of How to get to Bilbao
Option 1: Private car and leave the vehicle parked in Bilbao. You can park in the vicinity of the accommodation where you stay. Another option is to request private parking.
Option 2: Bus
Madrid – Irún with the company Alsa, with frequent departures from Avda. de America Station in Madrid, and from Madrid Airport (Terminal 4)
Option 3: Train (Renfe). Direct trains every day from Madrid and Barcelona.
Option 4: Airplane
To get to Bilbao by plane, you have numerous airlines from Madrid and Barcelona and, to a lesser extent, from other cities.
