5-Day Spain Road Trip from Santander to Bilbao and Leon and surrounding area

Your road trip adventure in Spain begins as soon as you reach the incredible city of Santander. You’ll stay in Santander for 2 nights, experiencing all the best things to do and see in the city.

Santander has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible Llamas Park. This attraction is a park and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,849 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best hotels or places to stay in the city. Your stay promises to be a delightful continuation of your exploration, providing comfort and tranquility to recharge for the adventures that lie ahead.

When you’re ready for dinner, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Santander, Cadelo Restaurante. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 855 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Santander is Casa Lita. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 6,651 customers.

Locals recommend Cañadío as one of the best restaurants in the city of Santander. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 5,193 customers.

Santander also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Santander is La Magnolia. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,129 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Santander is Little Bobby. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 920 customers.

Locals also enjoy Kings Pub. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 857 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 5-day vacation in Spain!

As you rise to greet the dawn on day 2 of your epic road trip in Spain, you'll awaken to the bustling city of Santander. Today, you'll hit the road once again, setting off on a journey towards the stunning city of Bilbao. You’ll stay in Bilbao for 1 night. But before you begin your drive, we recommend taking the time to explore some of Santander’s must-see attractions and local hotspots.

If you’re curious to see more of Santander, start your day with a visit to the amazing Plaza Porticada. This much-appreciated square and attraction is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 5,395 visitors.

You could also stop at another of the best local travel destinations in the area, the fascinating Mercado del Este. This best-rated sightseeing destination and spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars from 7,680 visitors.

We also recommend you spend some time at the popular Centro Botin to make the most of your road trip across Spain. The spectacular Centro Botin is an art museum that has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 14,508 visitors. Every year, around 111,096 travelers include this attraction on their travel itinerary.

After soaking up all the sights and sounds that Santander has to offer, you'll be ready to hit the open road and continue your unforgettable road trip towards the city of Bilbao. Bilbao offers plenty of options for top-rated hotels and other places to stay that fit all travel budgets.

After you’ve settled into your accommodation, we recommend a dinner at the popular El Globo taberna. This popular restaurant is one of the locals’ most recommended restaurants in the city, with ratings of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 5,994 reviews.

The remarkable La Viña del Ensanche is another top restaurant in Bilbao we recommend. This restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,499 customers.

If you would rather go somewhere else, the famous Kafe Antzokia is also an excellent choice. This well-loved restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,751 customers.

After your meal, we recommend you drink at one of the best bars in Bilbao, the fantastic Stromboli taberna. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,133 customers.

To end your night the best way possible, we recommend going to the wonderful Mugi taberna. This bar offers a great variety of drinks and has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 986 customers.

Another bar with a great atmosphere is Arpiku. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 571 customers, so don’t forget to check this one out as well!

Celebrate another amazing vacation day filled with adventure in Spain!

Rise and shine on day 3 of your road trip in Spain. Today, you'll wake up in Bilbao and embark on a scenic drive to Leon, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Bilbao before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Bilbao. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Federiko Moiua enparantza. This attraction is a top-tier point of interest that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 9,235 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Guggenheim Museum. This attraction, a beloved museum building, has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 64,815 visitors. Guggenheim Museum welcomes around 530,967 yearly visitors.

If you have time, another site you could explore in Bilbao is the stunning Doña Casilda Iturrizar park. This park and travel destination has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 9,643 visitors.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Vizcaya Bridge. This attraction is a suspension bridge that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 28,202 visitors.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Restaurante Cenador Rua Nova. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,072 customers.

Locals also recommend Restaurante Asiático - Kamado Asian Food, another of the best restaurants in Leon. Restaurante Asiático - Kamado Asian Food is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,620 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Casa Mando. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,288 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Clandestino Gastrobar to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Leon, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,610 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Bar Chelsea. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. Bar Chelsea has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 911 customers.

Taxman Beatles Bar is another bar locals often recommend. This bar offers a great variety of snacks and drinks and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 834 customers.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in Spain, and look forward to more great days to come!

Day 4 of your road trip through Spain is your chance to discover two places in one day, the city of Leon and the hamlet of Covadonga. Get ready to experience some of the most famous attractions in the area!

One of the best places to visit in the city of Leon is the amazing León Cathedra. This attraction is a catholic cathedral and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 30,058 visitors.

Joining a top-rated tour in Leon is another excellent way to spend your new day in Spain. The best tours in this travel destination will take you on an exploration to some of Spain’s most well-known attractions and best-kept secrets.

With this tour, you’ll set out on a journey to Spain’s most interesting sights. As you go along this remarkable tour, you’ll also have the unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of Spain’s scenic spots.

You could then travel to the amazing Roman bridge in Cangas de Onis in the hamlet of Covadonga for some sightseeing. This popular attraction is a best-rated sightseeing destination and has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 21,965 visitors.

You’ll also have your choice of the best hotels and places to stay in the city of Santander.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Restaurante Los Peñucas, one of the best restaurants in the city of Santander. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 4,136 customers.

Locals also recommend Bodega del Riojano as one of the best restaurants in the city of Santander. Bodega del Riojano is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,195 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Santander is Taberna La Radio. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 3,408 customers.

After dinner, visit Santa & Co, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Santander. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 887 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like La Barruca de Calderón. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,014 customers.

Alternatively, Cantabria Restaurant is one of the best bars that locals recommend in the city of Santander. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,226 customers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through Spain!

Day 5 of your road trip in Spain is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Santander before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. When you have time to explore the area before you make your way home, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Paseo Marítimo de Santander is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Santander. This best-rated sightseeing destination and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,078 visitors.

Take a stroll along the main shopping streets of Santander and find some souvenirs to remind you of your road trip in Spain.

You could then enjoy your last meal in the city of Santander at La Bombi before you travel home. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,500 customers.

Alternatively, we also recommend Restaurante Posada Del Mar for your last chance at a meal in the city of Santander. The Restaurante Posada Del Mar restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 993 customers.

If you'd prefer a popular restaurant that locals enjoy, try Restaurante la Mayor. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 921 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Santander. We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in Spain!