Costa Verde Express: Bilbao-Santiago Luxury Train
Overview
The Highlights
- Five nights onboard the luxurious Costa Verde Express train
- All meals and excursions included
- Explore the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (*tours beginning in Bilbao only)
- Visit to the Cabrales Cheese Cave-Museum and the town of Arenas de Cabrales.
- Discover vibrant coastal cities including Santander, Gijón and Llanes
- Visit fishing villages such as Luarca, Ribadeo and Viveiro
- Enjoy a guided tour of Santiago de Compostela
Book 2026 journey before September 30, 2025, and save €500 per person.
The Tour
Journey between Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela aboard the Costa Verde Express luxury train, showcasing northern Spain’s lush landscapes, rich culture, and fine cuisine.
Visit cultural landmarks such as the Guggenheim Museum, Altamira neo-cave and the Picos de Europa. This journey also highlights the coastal gems of Santander, Llanes, and Luarca.
With gourmet dining, elegant accommodations, and guided tours, this journey offers an unforgettable way to experience the charm and beauty of Northern Spain.
Countries Visited
- Spain
Itinerary
Day 1: Bilbao–Laredo–Santoña–Santander
Welcome reception for passengers at Bilbao La Concordia Station at 10 a.m. While the crew transfers your luggage to the train, enjoy a guided panoramic tour of Bilbao and visit to the Guggenheim Museum.
Then, transfer to Costa Verde Express train for lunch as the train departs for Treto*. Upon arrival in Treto, you will visit the old town of Laredo by coach. Here, enjoy a boat ride through the bay to Santoña, where you will visit an anchovy canning factory.
Rejoin the train as you head to Santander for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Santander.
*Note the visit to Treto is only applicable to 2026 travelers. For travelers in 2025, you will board the train and depart for Santander for free time to explore on your own.
Day 2: Santander–Santillana del Mar–Llanes
Following breakfast on board, arrive in arrive at Cabezón de la Sal, where you will travel by coach to the medieval town of Santillana del Mar and the neo-cave of Altamira.
After lunch, rejoin the train as you travel through Asturia towards Llanes, where you will stop for the night, enjoying dinner on board.
Day 3: Llanes–Arenas de Cabrales–Oviedo
After breakfast, disembark to visit Arenas de Cabrales.
Enjoy a tour of the Cabrales Cheese Cave-Museum and the town of Arenas de Cabrales, in the heart of the Picos de Europa mountains.
Lunch is served on board while the train arrives in Oviedo, followed by a visit to Oviedo.
Dinner and overnight in Oviedo.
*For travelers booked for 2025, you will transfer by coach to the Picos de Europa and visit the Sanctuary of Covadonga instead of visiting the Cabrales Cheese Cave-Museum and the town of Arenas de Cabrales.
Day 4: Oviedo–Gijón–Luarca
After breakfast, spend your day with a visit to Gijón, a city open to the sea. Enjoy free time to explore on your own.
In the afternoon, board the train and travel to Luarca, where you will stable for the night.
Dinner is served on board.
Day 5: Luarca–Ribadeo–Taramundi–Viveiro
Enjoy your morning at leisure as the train arrives in Ribadeo, from where you will take a coach to the Oscos area to visit the ethnographic complex of “Os Teixois,” Castro de Taramundi and the knife museum. Lunch in Taramundi.*
In the afternoon, board the train to head towards Viveiro to explore the city.
Dinner and overnight in Viveiro.
*For travelers booked in 2025, you will visit the Playa de las Catedrales, and enjoy free time and lunch in a restaurant in Ribadeo instead of taking a coach to Taramundi.
Day 6: Viveiro–Ferrol–Santiago de Compostela
This morning, savor your final breakfast on board as you arrive in Ferrol, where you will say farewell to the Costa Verde Express and its crew before departing for Santiago de Compostela for lunch and a city tour.
Your journey ends in Santiago around 4:30 p.m.
Day 1: Santiago de Compostela–Ferrol–Viveiro
Welcome reception for passengers in Santiago de Compostela at 10 a.m. Join your fellow guests for a panoramic tour of Santiago and lunch.
In the afternoon, transfer to Ferrol and settle into your cabin onboard Costa Verde Express.
After a welcome toast and introductions to the crew, enjoy your first dinner on board. Overnight in Viveiro.
Day 2: Viveiro–Ribadeo–Taramundi–Luarca
Enjoy your morning at leisure as the train arrives in Ribadeo, from where you will take a coach to the Oscos area to visit the ethnographic complex of “Os Teixois,” Castro de Taramundi and the knife museum. Lunch in Taramundi.*
In the afternoon, board the train to head towards Luarca to explore the city on your own.
Dinner and overnight in Luarca.
*For travelers booked in 2025, you will visit the Playa de las Catedrales, and enjoy free time and lunch in a restaurant in Ribadeo instead of taking a coach to Taramundi.
Day 3: Luarca–Oviedo–Gijón–Llanes
The train departs early in the morning from Luarca to Gijón, where you will spend your day with free time to explore on your own.
In the afternoon, board the train to visit Llanes, where you will stable for the night.
Dinner is served on board.
Day 4: Llanes–Arenas de Cabrales–Cabezón de la Sal
After breakfast, disembark to transfer to Arenas de Cabrales by coach.
Enjoy a tour of the Cabrales Cheese Cave-Museum and the town of Arenas de Cabrales, in the heart of the Picos de Europa mountains. Savor lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, rejoin the train in Llanes to depart for Cabezón de La Sal for the night.
Dinner and overnight in Cabezón de La Sal.
*For travelers booked for 2025, you will transfer by coach to the Picos de Europa and visit the Sanctuary of Covadonga instead of visiting the Cabrales Cheese Cave-Museum and the town of Arenas de Cabrales.
Day 5: Cabezón de La Sal–Santillana del Mar–Santander
Following breakfast on board, travel by coach to the medieval town of Santillana del Mar and the neo-cave of Altamira.
Rejoin the train for lunch and depart for Santander. Free time to explore and dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Santander.
Day 6: Santander–Santoña–Laredo–Bilbao
This morning, savor your final breakfast on board as you arrive in Treto*. Bid farewell to the train and its crew as you travel by coach to visit the old town of Laredo.
Here, enjoy a boat ride through the bay to Santoña, where you will visit an anchovy canning factory.
You will then transfer to Bilbao for lunch at a local restaurant, where your journey ends around 4:30 p.m.
*Note the visit to Treto is only applicable to travelers booked for 2026.
Dates & Prices
2026 Dates
May 9 - 14
May 16 - 21 *
May 23 - 28
May 30 - June 4 *
June 6 - 11
June 13 - 18 *
June 20 - 25
June 27 - July 2 *
July 4 - 9
July 11 - 16 *
September 5 - 10 *
September 12 - 17
September 19 - 24 *
September 26 - October 1
October 3 - 8 *
October 10 - 15
October 17 - 22 *
October 24 - 29
*Starred departures run Santiago to Bilbao.
Book 2026 journey before September 30, 2025, and save €500 per person.
| Accommodation | Double | Single | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Class Suite | €5,000 | €9,000 | 15% |
- Prices are per person.
- Please note: We cannot hold space on this train. A 15% deposit will be required immediately to confirm your cabin.
- Tour is priced in Euro. View approximate exchange rates.
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Reviews From Our Travelers
In a word, wonderful. I am so happy. I have traveled my entire life, but aging has put limits on my mobility. I was beginning to despair--would I be able to make more of my dreams come true? With the help of Rachel Hardy, the IRT team, and their associates at Remote Lands, I was able to see everything I had hoped for--and more--in comfort. Amazing! I am so grateful.
I cannot praise Eleanor Hardy's company highly enough. She took care of all the planning, paying attention to every detail and thus this trip was smooth running and fabulous. I hope to travel with this company again.
Your knowledge, experience, and intuition about what constitutes a trip of a lifetime was a hundred percent on target. Thank you again Eleanor Flagler Hardy for all that you've done for my experience and all you will do for others. You are a Gem.
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