Summary
Cities and Towns in North-West Spain
Major cities and towns in North-West Spain, in order of ‘importance’ to the tourist:
- Santiago de Compostela
- Fisterra
- A Coruña
- Oviedo
- Leon
Highlights
- Enjoy the fabulous green countryside as you are surrounded by rolling hills and lush pastures.
- Visit the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of those on the Camino de Santiago.
- Experience Sidra (Spanish cider) in Oviedo, particularly on the Boulevard of Cider.
- Explore Fisterra, the most western point of the Roman Empire, where it was believed the sun extinguished each night in the sea.
- Taste Pulpo a la Gallega, a traditional dish of boiled octopus with paprika.
- Visit the Torre de Hércules in A Coruña for breathtaking coastal views.
- Enjoy Free Tapas in Leon while visiting the city’s iconic cathedral.
North-West Spain Itinerary
This suggested itinerary caters to those seeking the diverse cultural experiences of Spain, journeying through old Castilla to Galicia and Asturias, where traditions differ significantly from the more recognized aspects of Spanish culture.
This itinerary is self-guided:
- Day 1-4: Madrid
- Day 5-6: Segovia
- Day 6: Avila (half a day)
- Day 7-8: Salamanca
- Day 9-10: Santiago de Compostela
- Day 11-12: A Coruña
- Day 13-14: Oviedo
- Day 15: Leon (half a day – or even just for lunch)
- Day 15: Madrid
Travel Details
Below are the times and prices for traveling by bus and train. All train tickets can be accessed through Rail Europe. Not much of this itinerary is served by trains, making buses a suitable alternative.
Typically, buses can be half the price of the train, with journey times approximately 30% longer; however, on the itinerary route, the times are similar. The bus offers better value but booking can be challenging. The Spanish bus network comprises various companies, and it is advisable to check which company to book with. For most bus schedules, see Movelia.
- Madrid – Segovia
- By Bus: 1h15 (6€ with La Sepulvedana)
- By Train: 1h15 (5.50€)
- Segovia – Avila
- By Bus: 1h with Auto-Res (price: 5.30€)
- By Train: No train
- Avila – Salamanca
- By Bus: 1h30 with Auto-Res (price: 6€)
- By Train: 1h (8€)
- Salamanca – Santiago de Compostela
- By Bus: 6h (22€ with Dainco)
- By Train: No train
- Santiago de Compostela – A Coruña
- By Bus: 1h (4€ – use local buses)
- By Train: 1h (3.50-5€)
- A Coruña – Oviedo
- By Bus: 6h (19€ with Alsa)
- By Train: No train
- Oviedo – Leon
- By Bus: 1h45 (7.50€ with Alsa)
- By Train: 2h30 (6.50€ – note: there are some quicker trains (saving 40 minutes) that are three times the price)
- Leon – Madrid
- By Bus: 3h30 (19.50€ with Alsa)
- By Train: 4h (22€ – note: there are some slower trains that are oddly more expensive)
Longest Journey Time
- By Bus: Salamanca to Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña to Oviedo are both six hours; there are no trains on these routes.
- By Train: Leon to Madrid takes four hours; however, the bus is slightly quicker.
