What after San Sebastian?

[DUH CAR]

After Barcelona and Girona area, we are going to San Sebastian for 2 nights. Where should we go after that? I am thinking westward towards Santiago de Compostela, but it seems like a long way over then back. What is the driving time there from San Sebastian?
And what/where is Asturias?

Are there any other "must see" places on the way over as well? Please don't base you response on cathedrals as I will no doubt be starting to suffer cathedral overload by then. :-)

John

[osvaldo]

Definitely check out the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao.

[Steve W]

I found the Guggenheim a bit underwhelming, apart from an amazing touring Aztec art show over from Mexico. Bilboa itself was nice enough for a day, and some good food. I think it helped that it was sunny.

On the coast there is a cool monastery (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stvcr/43967063/in/set-1802737)on a sort of island. Sorry, can't remember the name. And near the French border, the town of Hondarribia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stvcr/43967060/in/set-1802737/)was very pretty and, well, French.

[osvaldo]

Well, I have to say that I wasn't completely blown away by the collection either, but the building itself is incredible -- like it or not, it's an architectural masterpiece, and worth seeing. In addition, I found the city very interesting. I thought the casco viejo was really cool, I enjoyed the food, and the people were really nice. Would I go back? Most definitely!

[neskadebilbao]

I would definitely agree. The museum's collection is not worth much, but the building makes it worth the trip. I think that Bilbao just implemented a tour bus a few months ago. That would be great if you were up to see what the beautiful city of Bilbao has to offer.

http://www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/index_ingles.htm

This is a great site.

[osvaldo]

Thanks I bookmarked the site. I can't wait to go back to Bilbao.

[Ben]

The Gugenheim is definitely worth seeing from the outside, even more so due to its contrasting back drop of old industrial Bilbao. From there it is a big drive to Asturias, but you could stop for a night in Santander on the way. Asturias itself has the incredible Picos de Europa moutains, stunning beaches that are a million miles from the Mediteranean version, great food, kind people... highly recommended. If you aren't convinced, you could always turn away from the coast after San Sab and head up into the Pyrenees...

[Marina]

Or down to La Rioja. Again great food + great wine. La Guardia is a great option.

Going to Galicia is a big journey from San Sebastian. It would be worth it if then you have a few days to sepend in Galicia. Otherwise better focus in a smaller area and enjoy it!!!

[DUH CAR]

Or down to La Rioja. Again great food + great wine. La Guardia is a great option.

Going to Galicia is a big journey from San Sebastian. It would be worth it if then you have a few days to sepend in Galicia. Otherwise better focus in a smaller area and enjoy it!!!

I have 2 or 3 days before we head down to bottom of Spain. Will go to Bilbao and maybe along the coastal road for a bit, then ??

Are there any great villages to the west?

[Ben]

Llanes and Ribadesella in Asturias are lovely little fishing ports with excelent nearby beaches and amazing food and drink. Gijon, which has a Parador has a nice old town that might do for a night too.

[DUH CAR]

Llanes and Ribadesella in Asturias are lovely little fishing ports with excelent nearby beaches and amazing food and drink. Gijon, which has a Parador has a nice old town that might do for a night too.

Thanks Ben. Llanes looks good and am now trying to book a night in town there.

[parubin]

Must See List of Cantabria (depending on your time schedule, of course) :

From East to West on the coast :
- Bilbao (of course this is not Cantabria, but it is a must see, anyway).
- Castro Urdiales (last fishing port in Cantabria, before entering the Basque Country. Class sea food, marisco, and pinchos)
- Laredo and Santoña (big beaches and lovely old quarter, great sea food, and anchovies, bonito...)
- Santander (very nice open sea city, very similar to San Sebastian).
- Santillana del Mar (amazing medieval town in perfect shape, repeatedly considered spain's most beautiful small village in betwen green fields and very close to the Altamira Caves)
- Comillas (amazing fishing port in Cantabria with great works by catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and many other catalan disciples of modernist architecture).
- San Vicente de la Barquera (last big village of Cantabria, before entering Asturias : Great seafood restaurants, lovely huge beach with impresive views of the bay and the Picos de Europa mountain range).

- The Interior : The impresive National Park of the Picos de Europa Mountain Range (Potes, Fuente Dé...)


- Beaches of Cantabria (I think it is the autonomous region of Sapin with more beaches, all very diverse, of all kinds, some of them semi-virgin beauties away from the crowds) the list is quite long but I would consider Laredo, Berria (Santoña), Noja, Arnuero, Ajo, Langre, La Canal, Somo, El Puntal, all 12 beaches within the city limits of Santander (some urban, some virgin), Liencres, Oyambre, San Vicente, El Pedrero...

[DUH CAR]

Great list. Time will be a factor but we are going from San Se to LLanes and will be going to Bilbao. Will see how these fit in too.

[DUH CAR]

I finally got through to a hotel in the town of LLanes that I'd like to stay at (Gran Paraiso), but they said that they are closed in October because there are few people.

I know that it is a low season then, but I start to worry that shops and restos in the town may close as well, thus presenting a less optimal tourist experience.

The question is: is this just a phenomenom of a small town like Llanes, or does it apply to larger towns along the coast. We obviously want to be a tourist and stroll, shop, eat, etc., but do we need to stick to a larger town?

[Marina]

No problem about finding places to eat in Llanes, the only thing is that you'd have less choice because some restaurants only open for the turism season.
However Llanes area is nice for the beaches and the food. In October beaches might be off the list so maybe you want to stay somewhere with other interesting things like Picos de Europa, Comillas or Santillana del Mar.

[koki142]

I think I'm a little late but maybe this information can be used by other travellers. Why come to Bilbao directly from San Sebastian? There are a lot of incredible fisherman's towns like Bermeo or Lekeitio. And also you must taste the "Txakoli" of Getaria.
Eating some pintxos in any bar of any of these towns is a must!