Camino de Santiago del Norte from San Sebastian to Santander

Tour the capital of the province of Gipuzkoa, 20 km from the border with France. Walk its French-influenced streets that gave it, despite its small size, the title in 2006 of European capital of Culture, next to the Polish city of Wroclaw.

Enjoy its fine, sandy urban beaches on the shores of the Cantabrian Sea: La Concha, Ondarreta in the Bay of La Concha and Zurriola on the other side of the River Urumea. Try the gastronomic range in which it is said, it is the city of the world with the highest number of Michelin stars per square metre, and the only one in the world, along with Paris, which houses 3 restaurants with 3 stars. 

Overnight in San Sebastian

Start the route along Paseo de la Concha and Ondarreta Gardens and head to Mount Igueldo at 181 m, one of the 3 peaks visible from the Bay of La Concha. Visit the San Martin Chapel and then descend to the old town of Orio. 

Climb stairs to the Chapel of San Pablo and then walk to Oribarzar Beach. Deviate to the right across the River Oria to enter the town of Zarautz, perfect for some surfing. Then continue between meadows and hamlets, to the Askizu district, where you will find the municipal hostel in Getaria.

Getaria is a coastal town known for being the birthplace of 2 celebrities: one being the sailor Juan Sebastian Elcano, the first man to navigate around the world. 

Overnight in Getaria

Start this tour through coastal mountains on ascents and descents, while admiring the views of the Cantabrian Sea and the ports of Getaria and Zumaia. 

Walk through the most rural area in the Basque Country to Itziar, where you can visit the sanctuary of worship of the black virgin from the early Middle Ages. Descend down a demanding path to the beach and the famous Deba park area.

Visit Ekain Cave, An Archaeological Heritage of Humanity site and its cave paintings from the Upper Paleolithic era. Walk through the Geopark, with more than 13 km of cliffs and admire the Flysch, cliffs with soft rocky layers (friable) and other hard rocks (cohesive).

Overnight in Deba

Say goodbye to the Basque coast leaving the Cantabrian Sea and the River Deba, to enter the Arnoate Mountains. Walk the beautiful mountainous and wooded part of the Basque Country, taking the road to the El Calvario Chapel, and then cross the paths of the valley to the Olatz Chapel.

Discover interior landscapes amid tupid pine forest and solitary paths, away from civilization in rural Biscay to Markina-Xemein.

Tour this village founded in the mid-14th century, its old town, the convent and the church dedicated to Maria del Carmen, the Sortalekua palaces (present-day town hall) Andonegi and Ansotegi, and the Antxia Tower.

Overnight in Markina

Walk to the idyllic village of Cenarrusa-Bolivar, named after the fifth grandfather of the liberator Simon Bolivar, known as Simon de Bolibar, the Elder. Visit the former Collegiate Church of Ziortza, witness for more than 9 centuries to pilgrims on their way to Santiago. 

Cross the Gorontzugaral forests before passing through the small villages of Munitibar or Zarra. Arrive at the historic town of Guernica, in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.

Explore the streets of the historic capital city of Euskal Herria that inspired Pablo Picasso to paint his famous work, Guernica. 

Overnight in Gernika

Say goodbye to the mountain landscape by walking through the picturesque villages of rural Biscay, where the Juradera Route formerly completed by the Lords of Bizkaia passed through. Leave the beautiful Urdaibai landscape and climb the Bilikario path to cross the municipalities of Muxika and Morga.

Walk the same route of ancient kings on the old route that descends to the Asua Valley. Reach the so-called "Gran Bilbao" and head towards the Txorierri Valley to the municipality of Lezama.

Overnight in Lezama

Start the most challenging stretch of the route ascending Mount Avril, also called Iturritxualde, located along the River Nervion. Ascend on the Zamudianos path, an ancient royal road from Bermeo to Mount Avril.

 Walk up a slope of almost 300 m until you descend and reach the Basilica of Our Lady of Begona from the 16th century, patron saint of Biscay. Take Calle Andra Mari street, and walk along the steps on the Mallona pathways that lead to the busy Plaza Miguel de Unamuno square.

Visit the Gothic Cathedral of Santiago, the old town of the Biscay capital, multi-awarded by different urban planning academies and the symbolic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

Overnight in Bilbao

Cross through the industrial area of Bilbao, on the outskirts of the city, until reaching a further stretch and surrounded by nature. The route continues along the Bilbao Estuary or River Nervion, which you must cross over the famous Vizcaya Bridge, also known as the Hanging Bridge or Palace Bridge, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. 

Portugalete is a small fishing municipality of medieval origin in the province of Biscay, where you can visit the Basilica of Santa Maria, or Torre Salazar built in the 14th century and Plaza de la Rancheria.

Overnight in Portugalete

On this day of walking, you will walk some wooded sections and others along the coast and cliffs, with gentle ascents and descents. Delight in the beautiful views of the Cantabrian Sea on Arena Beach before reaching the town of Pobena. 

Continue your way to Onton, where you will leave the Basque Country to enter the Autonomous Community of Cantabria. Following the official Camino de Santiago, you will get to know the villages of Baltezana, Otanes and Santullan, until finally reaching the coastal town of Castro Urdiales.

There, you can visit the Castro Urdiales Castle-Lighthouse, the Church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion, the Medieval Bridge, the Santa Ana Castle Lighthouse or relax on Ostend Beach.

Overnight in Castro Urdiales

You will be accompanied throughout this day by the beautiful coastal landscape of the Cantabrian Sea, with steep cliffs and estuaries, and with magnificent sea views. 

On this stage that runs along the coast, you will find several historical religious buildings, such as the Chapel of Santa Isabel and also the Church of the Magdalene on the way to Liendo.

To get to Laredo, your destination for today, you have two alternatives: you can choose whether to take the route through the valley or climb up to the Chapel of San Julian. Both will take you to Laredo, a picturesque village with an extensive beach that attracts many tourists every summer.

Overnight in Laredo

Today's stage presents a path without any slopes, surrounded by an emblematic landscape. You will pass through Colindres, where you will have the possibility to take a boat to cross to Santona.

The Santona marshes will be on your route today. On this journey, you will come across a wide variety of species that take refuge there at different times of the year and are a part of the National Tourist Heritage Interest site.

The Cantabrian landscape will continue to accompany you until your arrival in Escalante.

Overnight in Escalante

Today the Camino will take you along some of the best beaches in the north of the peninsula. On the way to Noja, you will pass along the beaches of Berria and Helgueras.

This time, you'll have two alternatives to choose from. You can go north, bordering the coast until you reach Isla, or to the south, to San Miguel de Meruelo. Both routes will take you to Bareyo. You will continue along the path to Somo, where you can take a 'Pedrenera', a traditional boat, to reach your destination today: the city of Santander.

*The distance indicated is from Escalante to Somo.

Overnight in Santander

If you wish, you can continue exploring this beautiful city or follow the Camino de Santiago del Norte from Santander to Gijon. 

If, on the other hand, you wish to return home, check on domestic and international flights from Santander Airport.

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