A week in Green Spain

Our starting point is Paseo del Arenal, next to the river. On one side you can see the City Hall, and on the other, the Arriaga Theatre. After that, you’ll head to the old town. This is one of the busiest areas, brimming with small bars with counters full of pinchos, small pedestrian cobblestone streets and squares, such as Plaza de Unamuno and Plaza Nueva.You simply must walk along the so-called “Seven Streets” (Somera, Artecalle, Tendería, Belosticalle, Carnicería Vieja, Barrenkale and Barrenkale Barrena). They are the origins of the city (even though there were only three initially: Somera, Artecalle and Tendería) and their medieval layout has hardly changed at all over the centuries. At one end they lead to the Cathedral of Santiago and at the other, to La Ribera Market.A large part of the route is within the former walled area of Bilbao, which you can still see remains of on Calle Ronda. For lunch, you can choose between the bars in the old town, try Basque cuisine in La Ribera Market or cross Ayuntamiento Bridge to eat in the Ensanche neighbourhood, near the Albia gardens.

Many people describe Bilbao as an open-air laboratory of contemporary architecture. To see what they mean, we suggest exploring the triangle formed by the Albia gardens, the Guggenheim Museum and the Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall and the surrounding areas. For example, in a route of barely one kilometre you will see buildings by four Pritzker Prize winners: Frank O. Gehry (Guggenheim Museum Bilbao), Rafael Moneo (Deusto Library), Álvaro Siza (University assembly hall) and Norman Foster (entrances to the metro stations). If you head to the river, you will also see the set of sculptures surrounding the Guggenheim, with works by Louise Bourgeois, Jeff Koons and Anish Kapoor.Finally, reserve some time to visit the Guggenheim Museum. It is the symbol of the city and one of the world's best-known contemporary art museums. You will also find the Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao nearby, with around 30 other art galleries in the area.

Boat rides. Take a boat trip along the river and discover the new architecture on the river bank as you go.Going on the cable car. Take the cable car up Mount Artxanda for one of the best panoramic views of the city.Vizcaya transporter bridge. Visit the first iron transporter bridge constructed in the world, which remains in operation today. It is located in Portugalete (some of the boat trips along the river will take you there, about 15 kilometres from Bilbao) and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Go for pinchos. Go out for tapas, or pinchos (or “ir de potes”, as they say in the Basque Country) to taste Bilbao's cuisine in bite-sized servings. Popular areas include around the “Siete Calles”, and Calle Diputación, Calle Ledesma and Calle Ercilla in Ensanche.

You can spend the morning discovering the city from the heights of Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo. The former is closer to the centre and you can enjoy the views after walking about a kilometre from the Basilica of Santa María. You can see the city’s three beaches from the viewpoint. For Monte Igueldo, we recommend taking the funicular up (just three kilometres from the Basilica of Santa María). The view from here is also spectacular and there is a small amusement park.

It is at the foot of Monte Urgull and is one of the liveliest areas in the city. Why? Its cobbled streets are home to many of the best pinchos places. First, you can walk through the area and visit the Church of San Vicente, the oldest in San Sebastián, and the Basilica of Santa María. When it's time for lunch, make a note of these streets: Pescadería, 31 de agosto, Puerto, Fermín Calbetón, Nagusia, San Jerónimo and Plaza de la Constitución, and remember that the tradition of eating pinchos involves going from bar to bar to try different ones. The most popular pinchos include ones with anchovies, seafood or mushrooms, skewers, and creative cuisine.

Walking along the seafront promenade at La Concha beach, taking a break with a view of the sea or having a coffee on a terrace are all good ideas after lunch. The City Hall is on the seafront promenade, and plenty of sights are near La Concha, such as the Cathedral of El Buen Pastor and the Victoria Eugenia Theatre. This area is known as the romantic city and is a good place to walk and discover its elegant 19th-century architecture. It also has several pedestrian streets full of shops. If you are looking for a good photo to remember the city by, great spots include María Cristina bridge and Plaza Bilbao.In the evening, one of the easiest local pleasures to enjoy as a tourist is the sunset. Any of the three beaches are good options: La Concha, leaning on its iconic balustrade; Zurriola, with the Kursaal Congress Centre and Auditorium floodlit to the side; or Ondarreta, where you can also see Chillida’s “Wind Comb”.

Five-star cuisine. Fine dining is always a hit. The city has several Michelin stars. The Akelarre and Arzak restaurants stand out with top honours, as does the Martín Berasategui restaurant, located in the region, only 10 kilometres from the centre of San Sebastian.Boat rides. Take to the sea, with a trip on a catamaran with glass floors, or boat trips around the bay.Nightlife. San Sebastián has great nightlife with bars open until two or three in the morning. The best known areas are: La Parte Vieja (bars and pubs); Calle Reyes Católicos (alternative music and modern bars); El Gros neighbourhood (younger crowds and more scattered bars); and Egia (with microtheatres and live music).

Sardinero beach is a stunning first contact with Santander. You can walk along the beach, enjoying a peaceful stroll in the sand or the surf while heading to the Magdalena Peninsula. The area around the Magdalena Palace is a must-see, with a surprise: penguins playing in the open air in Santander, in a small marine park.Continue walking along the Paseo de Pereda until you reach the other end, where you will see the modern Centro Botín. In this 3.5 kilometre stroll you can discover the essence of the city, with several mansions and historic landmarks, such as the central headquarters of Banco Santander. This area also hosts markets and fairs, especially on Sundays. The cathedral is also very close. If you fancy a break, head to the nearby Barrio Pesquero (around Avenida Sotileza) and try the fish of the day or a plate of the local rabas (calamari).

The Altamira Cave is unique and its cave paintings are considered among the most important in the world. The tour includes an extremely detailed reconstruction of the original cave in the Altamira National Museum and Visitor Centre to ensure the original cave is preserved. The Neocave and the museum are in Santillana del Mar, around 35 kilometres from Santander. At the end of the day, take the opportunity to explore Santillana del Mar, one of the most beautiful villages in Cantabria. A good way to do this is to go along Calle Río and Calle Carrera, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de las Arenas.

Remember to buy your ticket in advance on the website for the Altamira National Museum and bear in mind the closing times (May to October at 8 pm, rest of the year at 6 pm, and all Sundays and holidays at 3 pm).Visit to the Altamira Cave: controlled access and very limited public tours. The waiting list is currently closed to new applications; only five people per week (260 people per year) who signed up years ago can get in.

Fishing villages. Feel the sea in seaside villages, such as Laredo, Santoña and San Vicente de la Barquera (a route of about 100 kilometres)Art Nouveau in Comillas. Go to the Art Nouveau town of Comillas and visit El Capricho by Gaudí and the Sobrellano Palace. It is about 50 kilometres from Santander.Travel in nature. Spend a day surrounded by nature in special places, such as the Picos de Europa National Park (for example, going up in the Fuente Dé cable car) and the Cabárceno Wildlife Park (highly recommended for children, because they can see animals, such as bears and lynxes, in semi-captivity).

This is a day to enjoy the defining feature of Green Spain: nature. The entire setting is stunning and we recommend spending some time doing a bit of walking. By car, you can easily reach the two main points of interest: the Shrine and the Lakes of Covadonga (Enol and La Ercina).There is also a bus service from Cangas de Onís. Bear in mind that private vehicle access is usually restricted in summer and for a few weeks around Easter.One of the most popular viewing points in the national park is very close if you have time. It is called Mirador del Fito, located less than 20 kilometres from Cangas de Onís and has spectacular panoramic views.

This could be the most popular route in the national park. It is around 22 kilometres and has spectacular views as you pass through the gorge. The route can be completed in just over six hours and goes from Poncebos (Asturias) to Caín (León).

Fishing villages. The fishing villages of Asturias. In one day you can visit Llanes, Ribadesella, Cudillero and Luarca, which is a journey of around 175 kilometres.Visit Avilés. Discover the transformation of Avilés, which has one of the best-preserved historic quarters in Asturias and the avant-garde architecture of the Niemeyer Centre. About 30 kilometres from Gijón.La Cuevona. Visit La Cuevona, a large natural cave, which is the only point of access to the village of Cuevas.

If you arrive early in Oviedo, you can use the time to walk around Plaza del Fontán and Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and see the 9th-century Foncalada fountain (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the façade of the Campoamor Theatre (where the prestigious Princess of Asturias Awards are presented). To recharge your batteries, we recommend taking a break in one of the traditional cake shops in the centre and trying some of the popular cakes, such as carbayones or moscovitas. A visit to the city would be incomplete without visiting the Cathedral, which houses the Holy Chamber, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.You can find some of the best examples of pre-Romanesque Asturian art five kilometres from the centre: the churches of San Miguel de Lillo and Santa María del Naranco. You can also enjoy beautiful views of the city, including the Príncipe Felipe Conference Centre-Auditorium, for example.

As you will have only a few hours in Gijón, head straight to the Cimadevilla neighbourhood. It is the former fishing neighbourhood, with charming squares between small streets. Along the walk, you will see the Plaza Mayor, the Town Hall and Revillagigedo Palace, located opposite the marina. The area is full of cider houses and restaurants where you can try the traditional local cuisine of Asturias. If you want to take a beautiful picture of the bay, climb up to the nearby Elogio del Horizonte, a sculpture on Cerro de Santa Catalina. This is also a great place to enjoy the sunset.Depending on how much time you have in Gijon, you can complete your visit by walking along San Lorenzo beach and seeing the Roman baths, the Church of San Pedro and La Laboral, City of Culture. This is a cultural complex that combines artistic creation and an exhibition centre in a majestic Neoclassical building, completely remodelled and equipped with technological innovations.

Monforte de Lemos is the main town in the Ribeira Sacra. Some of the monasteries we recommend visiting are San Pedro de Rocas (dug into the rock); Sant Esteban de Ribas de Sil (completely renovated and turned into a Parador hotel) and Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil. The proximity of these monasteries to the river Sil means you can take in the views from viewpoints such as the Balcones de Madrid and Amandi.The suggested route is: Monforte de Lemos – Mirador de Amandi – Balcones de Madrid – Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil Monastery – Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil Monastery and San Pedro de Rocas Monastery. This covers around 100 kilometres.The area is also very famous for its wine and has several wineries that can be visited. Another way to explore the Ribeira Sacra is by taking a catamaran trip down the Sil and Miño rivers or riding in a hot air balloon (normally in summer).

The thermal baths in Ourense. Visit Ourense and enjoy its famous thermal baths. The most popular is As Burgas, right in the historical centre.Roman walls in Lugo. Explore Lugo and its Roman walls, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is about 60 kilometres from Monforte de Lemos.

Start your visit by strolling around the squares surrounding the cathedral and by exploring the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to take in the atmosphere of the city. The areas to visit include Plaza del Obradoiro, Plaza de la Inmaculada, Plaza de Platerías, Rúa Nova and Rúa do Vilar. You can then go into the cathedral.After this, you can walk down Rúa do Franco and take a seat in any of the numerous restaurants to try Galician delicacies, such as octopus “á feira”, empanadas, pork shoulder and delicious local seafood.

The city has several viewpoints with beautiful views. For example, the parks of San Domingos de Bonaval and Alameda. The former offers unique perspectives for your photos. It is also home to the Museum of the Galician People and the Galician Centre of Contemporary Art. The latter, Alameda, is where you can enjoy one of the best sunsets in Santiago de Compostela.

Cíes Islands. Visit the Islas Atlánticas National Park, which the Romans regarded as “the islands of the Gods”. The regular boat tour service runs during summer. We recommend checking in advance during the rest of the year. You must also request permission before purchasing a boat ticket.Rías Baixas estuary. Walk along the coast of the Rías Baixas and stop in small villages, such as Muros (a typical small Galician fishing village), Cambados (known as the capital of Albariño white wine, which is popular in the area), O Grove (with A Lanzada beach and viewpoints such as Con da Hedra) and Combarro (a unique place to discover the traditional horreos or raised granaries).Tower of Hercules. Head out to a Roman lighthouse that is still in operation. This is the Tower of Hercules, located in A Coruña (75 kilometres from Santiago de Compostela) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Lighthouses route. A route around Galicia’s lighthouses from the world’s end to the beach of the Cathedrals. Cape Fisterra was considered by the Romans to be the world’s end. It is about 85 kilometres from Santiago de Compostela. The landscape next to its lighthouse is spectacular and is a good starting point for heading north on the lighthouses route, crossing the Costa da Morte and reaching the famous A Catedrais beach (Ribadeo). Along the route you can see the lighthouses of Muxía, Laxe, Punta Candelaira and Punta Roncadoira. It takes around six and a half hours in total by car.