Explore Spain by Train: A Guide to Northern and Southern Regions

In this series, GoTravelDaily’s team of writers and editors answers your travel problems and provides tips and hacks to help you plan a hassle-free trip. The train in Spain? That’s one for travel expert Isabella Noble.

Question:

I want to visit a city, an off-the-beaten-track destination, and a beach in Spain by train, all in one trip. How can I do it?

Isabella Noble:

With a raft of new routes launching, it’s a bumper year for train travel in Spain – and there’s never been a better time to explore the country by rail. Here are two itineraries, in two regions, that will let you see the best of this magical country by train.

A Slow-Paced Northern Journey

A lesser-known pocket of Spain with divine beaches? Head to the wonderfully green north coast. There’s a go-slow beauty to traveling through this region on the narrow-gauge FEVE railway, hopping off and on as you make your way east from Oviedo. Buy tickets at stations or on board; at the smallest stops you might have to flag trains down, bus-style.

Start with a couple of days in elegant Oviedo, capital of Asturias, whose charms include spectacular pre-Romanesque churches, lively markets, graceful plazas, and a thriving food scene. It’s a great place to savor blue cheeses and crisp ciders. Local favorites include restaurants on the famous Bulevar de la Sidra and fine dining spots. Adding to the appeal is a brand-new high-speed AVE train line, expected to link Oviedo with Madrid later this year.

Next, hop on the FEVE to Arriondas (90 minutes), a peaceful little town in the foothills of the Asturian Picos de Europa mountains. It’s a great base for hiking, with serene rural accommodations that offer organic farm experiences.

Next, it’s beach time, via a 50-minute train to Ribadesella on Asturias’ cliff-edged coast. Set on an estuary, Ribadesella is known for its golden beach and wonderful seafood restaurants. Come evening, enjoy accommodations in a thoughtfully converted 20th-century mansion. There’s a similar feel in nearby Llanes, a buzzing beach town 40 minutes further east. Numerous gorgeous, remote beaches are nestled along this stretch of coast, perfect for exploration.

From Ribadesella or Llanes, take the FEVE east to San Vicente de la Barquera, Cantabria’s prettiest fishing town. The route stays close to the coast and offers scenic views before moving inland to reach Cantabria’s capital, Santander, known for its sweeping beaches and cultural attractions.

South from Seville

For a taste of magical Andalucia, combine the soulful regional capital Seville with Cádiz Province’s wildly beautiful Costa de la Luz, with most of your travel on Renfe’s media distancia trains or cercanías (local commuter trains). These train routes provide easy access across the scenic landscape.

Three days is sufficient to soak up Seville’s urban delights – the Moorish-origin Real Alcázar, flamenco-filled Triana, the magnificent cathedral, and the exciting Andalucian tapas scene. In Seville, various stylish accommodations are available to enhance your stay. Time permitting, little-visited Carmona makes a wonderful side trip, easily reached by bus.

Heading south to Cádiz from Seville, don’t miss a night or two in lively Jerez de la Frontera, the center of sherry and flamenco. It’s a quick train ride from Seville, where you can enjoy luxurious accommodations and tour the ancient bodegas.

From Jerez, cercanías and media distancia trains zip onwards to Cádiz, one of Europe’s oldest cities, with its lively historic center perched on a wind-lashed headland. Cádiz boasts fabulous golden-white beaches and a vibrant culinary scene. Experience the city’s renowned tapas culture and enjoy a stay at a charming boutique hotel.

However, the Cádiz region’s dreamiest beaches lie southeast of the city, along the blissfully undeveloped Costa de la Luz, which stretches all the way to Tarifa on the southern tip of mainland Europe. Although no trains run here, it’s a scenic one-to-two-hour bus trip to the picturesque hubs of Vejer, Conil, and Tarifa – offering irresistible coastal experiences with stunning sands, delightful gastronomy, and opportunities for kitesurfing.