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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Northern Spain: Catalonia, Rioja & Basque Country

Eight-day escorted rail journey from London to Biarritz via Barcelona and San Sebastián

Illustration of Northern Spain: Catalonia, Rioja & Basque Country

Great Rail Journeys' eight-day escorted tour travels from London to Biarritz by Eurostar, high-speed TGV, and regional train, pausing for two to three nights in Barcelona, Laguardia, and San Sebastián. A UK Tour Manager guides the group through Barcelona's Gothic Quarter and Gaudí's Sagrada Família, the medieval wine town of Laguardia with a tasting at Marqués de Riscal, and San Sebastián's pintxos food scene and golden beaches. A standout moment comes on day seven aboard the vintage Petit Train de la Rhune, a historic mountain railway that climbs to panoramic Pyrenean views. All breakfasts are included, along with four dinners and lunch during the San Sebastián food tour, plus all rail and coach transport. This tour suits food-and-wine enthusiasts, history lovers drawn to Barcelona's modernism and Zaragoza's Mudéjar architecture, and first-time or repeat rail travellers who value guided structure with moments of independent time.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour includes coach transport alongside rail; days 3-5 use coaches for travel between Zaragoza, Laguardia, Pamplona, and San Sebastián
  • Most lunches are not included; only one guided lunch is provided (the pintxos tour on day six). Independent lunches on other days are at your own cost

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Barcelona

    London to Barcelona by rail

    Meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London St Pancras, before journeying in style on the Eurostar to Paris. Continue south by high-speed TGV to Barcelona. Arriving late evening, settle into the central hotel for a two-night stay.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal

  2. Day 2overnight: Barcelona

    Touring enchanting Barcelona

    Join a local guide for a stroll along the flower stalls and musicians of Las Ramblas, winding through the cobbled labyrinth of the Gothic Quarter to grand Plaça de la Catedral. Take in sweeping city panoramas from Montjuïc Hill before marvelling at the intricate towers of Gaudí's iconic Sagrada Família. This evening, head to a 17th-century farmhouse set amid the Catalan countryside for a traditional dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Laguardia

    Uncovering Roman legacy in Zaragoza

    Board a high-speed train westwards to Zaragoza, the historic capital of Aragon. A guided tour reveals the Plaza of Our Lady of the Pillar and the cathedral, dating back to the 1st or 2nd century. Explore the evocative Old Town with significant Mudéjar architecture in this UNESCO World Heritage site. Travel by coach to the medieval walled town of Laguardia – the gateway to Rioja wine country.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Laguardia

    Laguardia & Rioja wine-tasting

    Uncover Laguardia's medieval streets on a guided tour, dotted with Romanesque churches and bustling squares with views of the Ebro Valley. In the afternoon, travel by coach to nearby Eltziego and the world-famous Marqués de Riscal winery for a tour and wine tasting.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: San Sebastián

    Uncovering the spirit of Pamplona

    Journey north to Pamplona, the capital of Navarre. Trace the route of the Running of the Bulls, part of the week-long San Fermín Festival, and uncover the city's historic and literary legacy including the Hemingway trail. This evening, reach the Atlantic coast and check in to the hotel in San Sebastián.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: San Sebastián

    Experiencing the flavours of San Sebastián

    Embark on a guided walking tour of San Sebastián, strolling along the golden sweep of La Concha Bay and through the narrow alleys of the Old Town. At lunchtime, immerse in Basque culture with a pintxos food tour, sampling a number of the region's small bites. The afternoon is free for independent exploration or a relaxing stroll along the beach.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  7. Day 7railovernight: San Sebastián

    Journeying on the charming Petit Train de La Rhune

    Cross into France for a memorable ride on the historic Petit Train de la Rhune to the summit of La Rhune, the symbolic mountain of the Basque Country. Enjoy panoramic views across the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean from vintage carriages. Continue to the charming fishing town of St-Jean-de-Luz for a guided walk and independent lunch. Return to the hotel for a farewell dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    Travel by coach across the French border to Biarritz, where the high-speed TGV is boarded to Paris. In the French capital, switch to the Eurostar and continue to London St Pancras, where the holiday concludes.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided walking tour of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas, then panoramic views from Montjuïc Hill and a tour of Gaudí's Sagrada Família
  • Day 3High-speed train journey to Zaragoza to explore its Plaza of Our Lady of the Pillar and UNESCO-listed Mudéjar architecture
  • Day 4Guided tour of medieval Laguardia followed by a wine tasting at the world-famous Marqués de Riscal winery in Eltziego
  • Day 6Pintxos food tour through San Sebastián's Old Town alleys, sampling traditional Basque small bites
  • Day 7Ride on the vintage Petit Train de la Rhune to the summit for panoramic views across the Pyrenees and Atlantic Ocean

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus First & Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch
  • 4 dinners
  • Eurostar Light Meals
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Flight upgrades (available at extra cost)
  • London hotel stays (available at extra cost)
  • UK rail connections (available at extra cost)
  • Independent lunches where not specified
  • Personal expenses

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Eurostar (London to Paris and return), high-speed TGV (Paris to Barcelona and Biarritz to Paris), and a heritage mountain railway (Petit Train de la Rhune) are all included. Coach transport fills the gaps between rail journeys.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. A UK Tour Manager leads the entire tour, and all city tours and excursions are guided. Day six afternoon in San Sebastián is free for independent exploration.
What hotels are included?
Great Rail Journeys books 4-star hotels: two nights in Barcelona, two in Laguardia, and three in San Sebastián. All seven nights are included.
What meals are covered?
Breakfast every day, one lunch (pintxos tour in San Sebastián), four dinners, and Eurostar light meals. Other lunches are independent and at your own cost.
How much walking is involved?
Expect guided walking tours in Barcelona, Zaragoza, San Sebastián, and Laguardia, with strolls along Las Ramblas and through medieval streets. Day six afternoon is free; day seven includes a walk in St-Jean-de-Luz. A vintage mountain railway ride on day seven requires walking at the summit.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys publishes no departures or season restrictions in the details provided. Contact the operator directly to confirm available dates.

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