The Route of The Costa Verde Express
Bilbao, Vasco Country
Bilbao, Guggenheim Museum, Vasco Country
Santander, Cantabria
Neo-cave of Altamira, Cantabria
Santillana del Mar, Cantabria
Llanes, Asturias
Picos de Europa National Park, Asturias
Covadonga Santuary (Asturias)
Lake Enol, Picos de Europa National Park
Oviedo, cathedral, Asturias
Gijón, Asturias
Luarca, Asturias
Ribadeo, Galicia
Viveiro, Galicia
Santiago de Compostela, Galicia
Welcome to our page about the Costa Verde Express route through Green Spain 2025!
On this page, you will find all the necessary information to plan your journey on this luxury train that traverses the natural beauties of northern Spain.
The route of the Costa Verde Express train offers us the opportunity to delve into the region known as Green Spain, providing passengers with a unique and unforgettable experience. The route starts in Bilbao and ends in Santiago de Compostela, featuring itineraries for both outbound and return trips, passing through some spectacular landscapes and the most significant cities of this northern region of Spain.
During this train journey, you can enjoy spectacular landscapes of the Picos de Europa. You will also visit historic cities like Oviedo, Gijón, Bilbao, Santander, and Santiago de Compostela, as well as other charming towns where you can discover their rich history and culture.
In addition to the breathtaking views, we also offer a variety of on-board services and amenities, such as gourmet dining in the train’s dining car, a bar, a library… Additionally, we provide a professional tour guide service, whose explanations will immerse you in the history and culture of this rich northern region of Spain.
In summary, the Costa Verde Express train route is a unique opportunity to discover the natural beauty, history, and culture of Spain on a luxury train journey. Book now and join us on this exciting adventure!
You will discover the stops and points of interest along the route, as well as the available itineraries and booking options. Don’t miss the chance to experience a unique and unforgettable journey aboard the Costa Verde Express train!
Discovering Spain’s Green Coast on a Luxury Train
The Costa Verde Express, formerly known as the Transcantabrico Clásico, offers train journeys through one of the most beautiful and interesting areas of Spain, “Green Spain”, crossing four regions: Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia.
And in 2025, from Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao and from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela (6 days/5 nights); from Santiago de Compostela to Oviedo (3 days/2 nights).
A gastronomic and cultural journey through Green Spain aboard a luxury train, aimed at exploring this northern area of Spain, its landscapes, and cultural wealth, with stops at the most interesting sites accompanied by expert tourist guides who will teach and reveal all these beautiful places. A luxury bus will be waiting at the train station to carry out the various scheduled excursions. Gastronomy also plays a special role in this journey, whether in selected restaurants or on the train itself.
Itineraries 2025
The Route of The Costa Verde Express through its Destinations
Spectacular Natural Landscapes Along the Costa Verde Express Route
Picos de Europa National Park (Asturias) 6 and 3 day itineraries
The Picos de Europa National Park is a mountain range located in the central part of the Cantabrian Mountains, which has formed over 300 million years to present its current appearance. It is a combination of nature, ethnography, and culture, spanning Asturias, León, and Cantabria, reaching heights of over 2,500 meters, and in places, it is very close to the Cantabrian Sea.
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao 2025
Lake Enol (Asturias) 6 day itinerary
Lake Enol is the most famous lake in the Picos de Europa National Park for its beauty and location. It is a glacial lake situated in the Principality of Asturias. Its capacity can vary depending on the season and snowfall or rainfall, with an altitude of around 1100 meters and covering approximately 13.5 hectares.
In the lake is submerged an image of the Virgin of Covadonga, which is raised every September 8th to participate in the procession.
World Heritage Sites
Vizcaya Bridge (Bilbao – Basque Country)
Designed by the Biscayan architect Alberto de Palacio y Elissague, this monumental transporter bridge spans the Nervión River. The bridge is 160 meters long and 45 meters high and was completed in 1893. Crafted using the traditional metal construction techniques of the 19th century, it is honored as the world’s first bridge that allowed simultaneous crossing for passengers, vehicles, and ships from one side to the other. It is considered a magnificent work from the industrial revolution of metal architecture and served as a model for the construction of other bridges in Europe, Africa, and America. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2006.
Altamira Cave and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain (Neocave of Altamira) Cantabria 6 and 3 day itineraries
In 1985, the Altamira Cave was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Due to its significant historical and artistic value and for the purpose of its preservation in the best condition, access to the Altamira Cave has been restricted to scientists and for research purposes for some years now, thus entry for visitors is prohibited.
Very close to the original cave, the Neocave of Altamira was created to allow visitors to experience it. This is a rigorous and faithful three-dimensional reproduction of what it was like between 35,000 and 13,000 years ago, when it was inhabited by the then societies of gatherers and hunters, as well as the beauty of the cave art represented there.
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao 2025
Oviedo (Asturias) 6, 4, and 3 day itineraries
Capital of the ancient Kingdom of Asturias. The old Ovetum was founded in the 8th century. It features a historic center of undeniable medieval charm and is easy to navigate due to its layout. There are many picturesque places and monuments in this beautiful city: palaces, universities, churches, statues, museums, squares, and small squares. The city of Oviedo has its ancient pre-Romanesque monuments, which have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. San Julián de los Prados, the Holy Chamber of the Cathedral, and the Foncalada fountain, in 1998. Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo, in 1985.
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Oviedo 2025 (3 days)
Santiago de Compostela (Galicia) 6 and 4 day itineraries
Santiago de Compostela, the current capital of Galicia, was declared a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1985 and is considered by many to be one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the world due to its urban beauty and monumental character. It holds special significance as the destination of the pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago. Its cathedral, a major attraction, deserves special attention; moreover, a stroll through its old town will transport you back in time, with monumental places and corners.
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Tourist Cities Along the Costa Verde Express Route
Bilbao (Basque Country) 6 and 3 day itineraries
The Nervión river estuary is the central artery of Bilbao and a reference point for visiting the city, crossed by several bridges representing its past. The blend of traditional and avant-garde, epitomized by its old quarter, is what gives this city its unique character. Today, the iconic symbol of Bilbao is the Guggenheim Museum. The Vizcaya Bridge, a gem of industrial architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006, is also notable.
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao 2025
Santander (Cantabria) 6 and 3 day itineraries
The capital of Cantabria features a large bay, considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Santander is a city that combines elements of history and culture with a modern urban environment, not forgetting the natural beauty of its lovely beaches and green spaces. It was the main port for Castilian exports during the 18th and 19th centuries and retains grand streets and emblematic buildings that identify it as a distinguished city.
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao 2025
Gijón (Asturias) 6 and 4 day itineraries
From its origins in Roman times, the development of the urban core of Gijón has been closely linked to its port, which remains important today. Gijón is a stately city located along a bay in the center of the Cantabrian coast. It is also known as “The Capital of the Green Coast.” A city to walk and discover its most emblematic places like its Main Square, the Cimavilla neighborhood, Plaza del Marqués, Plaza Arturo Arias, and the Revillagigedo Palace, among others.
Charming Villages Along the Costa Verde Express Route
Santillana del Mar (Cantabria) Itineraries 6 and 3 days
Although Santillana del Mar has much to offer by itself, its cultural activity is intense, and a stroll through its beautiful, cobblestoned medieval streets reveals multiple artisans and the beauty of the place. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most charming villages in Spain, due to its historical and artistic value. It is popularly said about this town that it is the town of the three lies, since it is neither holy, nor flat, nor by the sea. Its tourism is also closely linked to the Altamira Cave, considered the “Sistine Chapel” of cave art.
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao 2025
Cabezón de la Sal (Cantabria) Itinerary 6 days
The origin of its name comes from the Roman era, “cabezón” was a measure of commerce for salt, since there were salt mines here, and the place was called “Cabezón de la Sal”. Its strategic location also influenced its historical role, leaving its mark on the representative buildings that we can see today of mountain architecture, palaces, churches, hermitages, manor houses…
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao 2025
Llanes (Asturias) Itineraries 6 and 3 days
This seaside town is one of the most beautiful in northern Spain. Located on the shores of the Cantabrian Sea and close to the Picos de Europa (a national park of great beauty), it stands out for the excellent preservation of its monumental heritage with a historic center that gathers a large number of blazoned houses and palaces, in addition to its Basilica, the casino, medieval tower, beautiful promenades, the lighthouse, beaches… Llanes is a vibrant town with shops, cider houses, restaurants…
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao 2025
Cangas de Onís (Asturias) Itinerary 6 days
This is another charming town and an open gateway to the natural beauty of the surroundings in a place full of history, as it was here that King Don Pelayo established himself and began his conquest of Spanish territories. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Asturias until the year 774. The Roman Bridge with the Victory Cross is very famous and photographed here.
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao 2025
Luarca (Asturias) Itineraries 6 and 4 days
“White Town of the Green Coast”. This charming town is also internationally known as the birthplace of one of the most illustrious men: Severo Ochoa, Nobel Prize in Medicine. Its old town of medieval origin houses emblematic places and buildings such as El Camboral, La Carril, La Pescadería, near the church and the port.
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Oviedo 2025 (3 days)
Ribadeo (Galicia) Itineraries 6 and 4 days
This beautiful manorial town, declared of Touristic Interest, is located at the estuary of Ribadeo, a dividing point between Asturias and Galicia. The estuary is part of the Biosphere Reserve, rich in trout, salmon, and crabs. The surroundings are abundant with eucalyptus, pines, and laurel. Additionally, it is a refuge for herons, ducks, and coots, making it an outstanding place for nature lovers. The city features a series of manorial buildings forming a beautiful historic center.
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Oviedo 2025 (3 days)
Viveiro (Galicia) Itineraries 6 and 4 days
In addition to its beautiful beaches and spectacular landscapes, this lovely town holds an important artistic heritage, starting with the remains of its ancient medieval walls, its Romanesque church of Santa María, blazoned houses, and the church and convent of San Francisco, declared a Historic-Artistic Group. Its popular architecture with glazed galleries and houses with corridors and balconies gives it a very special beauty.
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Oviedo 2025 (3 days)
Ferrol (Galicia) Itineraries 6 and 4 days
Ferrol has a top-level cultural and industrial heritage, an old town known as Ferrol Vello, where this town originated in the early 13th century. Here, we find ornate glass windows, narrow cobblestoned streets, and typical houses with wooden railings. It’s a beautiful seafaring town reflected in its streets and traditions. Other attractions include the walls of La Cortina, and the castles of San Felipe and La Palma.
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Tourist and Cultural Attractions Along the Costa Verde Express Route
Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao) Itinerary 6 days
The Guggenheim Museum boasts a unique collection of its own and is complemented by the collections from other Guggenheim institutions. It is one of the most ambitious cultural projects of the 20th century and has brought renown to the city of Bilbao. This contemporary art museum, designed by Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry and inaugurated in 1997, is particularly notable for its innovative building, characterized by curvilinear and twisted shapes covered in limestone, glass curtains, and titanium plates.
Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela 2025
Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao 2025
Covadonga Sanctuary (Asturias) Itinerary 6 days
This neo-Romanesque style basilica is a place of worship and pilgrimage, located next to the cave where the image of La Santina (The Virgin of Covadonga) is venerated. It features two tall towers flanking the main entrance and inside the basilica is an altar with a gold panel depicting the Battle of Covadonga, as well as the tombs of King Pelayo and Alfonso I. In the square next to the basilica stands a statue of King Pelayo. A waterfall emerging from the cave adds special beauty to the site.