2022 & 2023 Guided Tours - Cosmos® Affordable Tours

North of Spain Discovery (6810)

10 Day Tour from Madrid to Madrid

2025 Tour Details View 2026 Tour Details »

If you have a passion for Spain, the northern regions cannot be missed! On this affordable North Spain tour, discover the hidden treasures of Galicia, Cantabria, Castilla & León, Asturias, and the Basque Countries, starting and ending your trip in Madrid. Start and end your adventure in the capital city of Spain, elegant Madrid. In between, explore some of the smaller, nonetheless charming towns of these regions, among them: Salamanca, with its lively Plaza Mayor; Santiago de Compostela, the ending point of the Camino pilgrimage; Lugo, boasting a Roman wall with 10 gates; A Coruña and its Trajan Tower; Santander, spectacularly set between mountains and coastline; Burgos, showcasing a magnificent Cathedral; Medina del Campo with the castle of La Mota, and Segovia, known for the Roman Aqueduct and the fairy-tale castle, source of inspiration for Walt Disney’s cartoons. Discover the highlights of Madrid with a Local Guide and enjoy views, flavors, people and sounds of these undiscovered provinces of mainland Spain.

The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.268.3636
Fireworks Flash Sale! Save an additional $150 per couple on select 2025 Cosmos Tours*
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Save up to $600 per couple on select 2025 Cosmos tours worldwide*
North of Spain Discovery map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

9 Breakfasts, 1 Dinners

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN

Welcome to Spain! Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Spain’s capital using your CosmosGO app. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions at the welcome meeting.

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Day 2 MADRID

Discover Madrid on the guided orientation tour with a Local Guide who will help you discover the city with some insider information.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 3 MADRID–SALAMANCA–LEÓN

Leave Madrid to explore the pearls of Castilla & León, Salamanca. Take a walk through centuries of history, art, knowledge, and landmarks such as the famous University, one of the oldest in Europe, and the Plaza Mayor, crowned with 88 arches. Continue to León. Perhaps tonight you may wish to try the local cuisine or taste the Duero region wines with tapas in the ancient streets of "Barrio Húmedo".
Today’s Distance: 260 mi/ 419 km


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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4 LEÓN–LUGO–SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

The day starts with the visit of Lugo, a town known for the Roman wall, exceptionally well preserved and continuing to be the city's most distinctive architectural feature, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight’s host city is Santiago de Compostela, the completion point of the Saint James’ Way. Thousands of pilgrims, every year walk the Camino to reach the capital of Galicia and enter the iconic Cathedral. But Santiago de Compostela is a living city, with countless restaurants and bars to enjoy delicious Galician seafood, the old town centre, contemporary art... There's plenty to do in this city which combines history and tradition with a modern, younger side.
Today’s distance: 203 mi /327 km


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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5 SANTIAGO–A CORUÑA–OVIEDO

A Coruña’s distinctive landmark is the oldest Roman working lighthouse in the world, called Hercules Tower, but the town also boasts a rich historical centre and a scenic promenade along the Atlantic shores. Spend some time exploring and taking advantage of the Galician seafood dishes. The most famous one is Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega). Overnight in Oviedo, closely linked to the Asturian monarchy since its foundation. Former capital of the Kingdom, it boasts a medieval historic quarter, transformed in modern times into a pleasant pedestrian area. Oviedo is famous for its natural cider production, one of Asturias’ specialities!
Today’s Distance: 224 mi/ 360 km


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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 6 OVIEDO–SANTANDER–BILBAO

Visit Santander, capital of the Cantabria region. Santander was the destination par excellence for royalty at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. A stroll through the old quarters, with its majestic buildings, takes us back to a distinguished past. Continue to Bilbao, in the Basque Countries.
Today’s Distance: 180 mi/ 293 km

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7 BILBAO

Spend the day at leisure in Bilbao. Whilst it may be famous for the Frank Gehry designed Guggenheim Museum, featuring an important private collection of modern and contemporary art, there is much more to see and experience. Discover the contrast of the avant-garde with the traditional feel of the city, with charming streets and bars offering “pintxos”, or explore the La Ribera Market, a beautiful building where you can have the produce that you purchase cooked for you.


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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 8 BILBAO–BURGOS–VALLADOLID

Burgos preserves distinct signs of its medieval splendor. It was the capital city of the unified kingdom of Castile and Leon for five centuries, and boasts one of the masterpieces of Spanish Gothic, its Cathedral, declared a World Heritage Site. Castile & Leon is a region of fine wines, and a visit to a Ribera del Duero wine cellar visit is included today. Continue to Valladolid, built on the banks of the Pisuerga River.
Today’s Distance: 176 mi/ 284 km

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 9 VALLADOLID–MEDINA DEL CAMPO–SEGOVIA–MADRID

Medina del Campo’s most outstanding feature is the castle of La Mota, from the 15th century, whose silhouette dominates the town's skyline. Segovia boasts an impressive aqueduct from the days of the Roman Empire and a fortress that inspired Snow White’s Castle in Disneyland.
Today’s Distance: 152 mi/ 244 km

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 10 MADRID

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

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Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

ROXANA VELASCO

Escorting tours for more than 10 years

“Being a Tour Director isn't just about traveling; it's about sharing memories, forging unbreakable bonds, and helping dreams come true... it's the most rewarding job in the world! Touring Spain and Portugal is a privilege; each day offers a fresh chance to enrich your life. As I always say, 'To travel is to live.' Are you ready?”

Tour Director - ROXANA VELASCO

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Madrid
Oviedo
Bilbao

Madrid

A Culinary Capital of Tradition and Innovation

A Culinary Capital of Tradition and Innovation

Join us for a culinary tour of Madrid for a unique experience to explore the city's rich culinary heritage.

Price Range: $$$

Panoramic Drive & Dinner

Panoramic Drive & Dinner

Drive through the capital's boulevards, passing beautiful buildings and fountains and dine Spanish style!

Price Range: $$$

Oviedo

Twilight Tastings: Sip & Savor Cider Excursion with visit of Oviedo and Dinner

Twilight Tastings: Sip & Savor Cider Excursion with visit of Oviedo and Dinner

Enjoy a fascinating tour of Oviedo with a cider tasting, followed by a special dinner.

Price Range: $$$

Bilbao

Bilbao's Cultural Delights: Guggenheim Museum & Pintxos Tasting Tour

Bilbao's Cultural Delights: Guggenheim Museum & Pintxos Tasting Tour

Discover awe-inspiring art at the iconic Guggenheim Museum and Bilbao's culinary specialties with a Local Guide.

Price Range: $$$$

Thrones & Wines: A Legendary Basque Adventure

Thrones & Wines: A Legendary Basque Adventure

Explore iconic locales of Itzurun beach in Zumaia and the coastal wine-making town of Getaria for a tasting at a local vineyard and discover the beauty of San Sebastian in Basque Country.

Price Range: $$$$

 Private Touring

Private Touring: Cosmos European Private Touring enables you to experience all of the attractions, sights and highlights of your selected Cosmos tour as a private experience - delivered just for you and your traveling party. With Private Touring, you'll have your own dedicated Tour Director, your own private transportation and driver, and your own professional local guides. All with greater flexibility in pace and your experience. For your selected tour, there will be additional per-person cost for the size of your party - from 1 to 24. This additional supplement is reduced with each traveler you add to your party. Here's a sample of the additional cost:

6 guests in a party: $2,916*
18 guests in a party: $724*

Contact Cosmos or your preferred travel agent for pricing for your specific party size as well as any other information on Cosmos Private Touring.

*Supplement pricing is per person (CA) and will be added to the standard published price for your given departure date and is based on availability. Supplement price is valid for 2021 travel year. Occasionally some included and optional activities & excursions may be operated with other guests. Additional restrictions may apply. Not applicable for custom groups. No Group allowances or promotions are available on Private Touring. Published itineraries only. Note that blackout dates may exist where the Private Touring option is not available.


The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.