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PTG Tours · Escorted tour

Scenic Railways of Asturias and the Basque Country

Nine-day escorted rail tour of Basque Country and Asturias from Bilbao to Madrid

Illustration of Scenic Railways of Asturias and the Basque Country

PTG Tours operates this nine-day escorted tour through the rail heritage of northern Spain, based first in Bilbao and then moving to Oviedo before a final high-speed leg to Madrid. Tour Manager David guides the group throughout, from the moment you arrive in Bilbao until you board trains to the airport from Madrid. The itinerary balances museum visits and heritage operations with scenic main-line journeys: Day 2 brings a ride on a steam-hauled train at the Basque Railway Museum and a cable car above the city; Days 4 to 5 traverse the scenic Bilbao-León line with an overnight break at Cistierna; Day 6 climbs the old mountain route to Oviedo; and Days 7 to 8 explore Asturias's unique metre-gauge FEVE lines and visit the railway museum at Gijón. Guided walks in León and Oviedo showcase medieval cathedrals and historic streets. The tour suits repeat rail travellers who appreciate heritage operations, history enthusiasts drawn to Spain's railway past, and those who value an escorted pace with included meals and expert guidance.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is listed: June 2026.
  • Day 3 is unguided; you may explore Bilbao independently or join an optional out-and-back to Santander with the tour manager.
  • The from-price of £1,650 is for the tour and rail fares only; flights are booked separately (£700 deposit for flights included with booking, or £400 if you arrange your own).

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Bilbao

    Fly to Bilbao

    Flights from Gatwick or Manchester to Bilbao, transfer to the city-centre hotel. Overland option available departing London St Pancras; it may also be possible to sail from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Bilbao or Santander. Evening free to settle in.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Bilbao

    Basque Railway Museum

    Coach to the Basque Railway Museum at Azpeitia, with narrow-gauge locomotives, carriages, trams and an ex-London Transport trolleybus, plus a working steam crane and a tram ride. A steam-hauled train runs the 5km line to Lasao station and back, with views of the River Urola. Lunch included, then back to Bilbao via the La Reineta Cable Car (400m above sea level) for spectacular city views.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Bilbao

    Free day in Bilbao or Santander

    Choice of exploring Bilbao's museums and transport system, or joining Tour Manager David on an out-and-back train ride to Santander.

  4. Day 4overnight: Cistierna

    Bilbao to Cistierna

    The scenic Bilbao to León line passes through beautiful, at times unusual, mountain scenery. Afternoon departure from Bilbao, travelling as far as Cistierna, with an evening arrival in time for dinner at the small hotel next to the station.

  5. Day 5overnight: León

    On to León

    Finish the journey to León this morning. Walk to Plaza San Marcelo with David, then a guided walking tour of the historic centre, including the cathedral (with some of the best stained glass in the world) and the modernist Casa Botines, designed by Antoni Gaudí, finishing in the Barrio Húmedo.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Oviedo

    León to Oviedo over the mountains

    Morning train over the old mountain route from León to Oviedo, with breath-taking scenery, arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon guided walk of the Asturian capital, including the Cathedral of San Salvador (erected 1388) and the 9th-century La Foncalada fountain.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Oviedo

    Oviedo's suburban rail networks

    A day experiencing both of Oviedo's suburban rail networks: the broad-gauge Cercanías lines and the metre-gauge former FEVE lines. Travel out to El Entrego on the FEVE lines to visit the MUMI mining and industrial museum, with its own railway used daily by miners. Return to Oviedo on the Cercanías line.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Oviedo

    Gijón railway museum

    FEVE line trip to the coastal town of Gijón and its railway museum, with more than 1,000 objects including 140 items of rolling stock. Option to wander Gijón's Old Town or relax at Playa de Poniente beach. Return direct to Oviedo, or on a scenic circuitous route via Pravia. Farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

  9. Day 9rail

    Oviedo to Madrid; fly home

    High-speed train from Oviedo south to Madrid, this time through the new tunnel. Suburban train from Chamartín station to the airport for flights home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A steam-hauled train runs the 5km Basque Railway Museum line to Lasao station with views of the River Urola; the La Reineta Cable Car ascends 400 metres for views of Bilbao.
  • Day 4The scenic Bilbao to León line passes through mountain scenery, with an overnight stop at Cistierna beside the hotel.
  • Day 6The old mountain route train climbs from León to Oviedo over the mountains, arriving in time for lunch.
  • Day 7A day on Oviedo's suburban rail networks: travel on FEVE metre-gauge lines to El Entrego to visit the MUMI mining and industrial museum, then return on the Cercanías broad-gauge line.
  • Day 8The FEVE line reaches the coastal town of Gijón to explore its railway museum, which houses more than 1,000 objects including 140 items of rolling stock.

Questions travellers ask

Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. PTG Tours provides Tour Manager David throughout, fully escorting the group from arrival in Bilbao until the departure from Madrid.
Which trains are included?
A steam-hauled heritage train at the Basque Railway Museum; the scenic Bilbao-Cistierna-León main line; the old mountain route from León to Oviedo; FEVE metre-gauge lines from Oviedo to El Entrego and Oviedo to Gijón; and a high-speed train from Oviedo to Madrid.
What are the hotels?
Hotel NYX Bilbao (three nights), Hotel Spa Puerta Vadinia in Cistierna (one night), Hotel My Palace in León (one night), and Hotel AC Oviedo Forum (three nights).
How much walking is involved?
There is a fair bit of walking, including hills and steps. You need to be able to walk around locations with steep hills, stairs and cobbled streets, keeping up with the main group, and walk between hotels and railway stations carrying luggage on certain days.
What meals are included?
Lunch is included on Day 2 at the Basque Railway Museum. A farewell dinner in a local restaurant is included on Day 8.
How do I get to Bilbao?
Flights depart from Gatwick, Manchester, or Bristol (with a pre-tour night option). An overland option is available departing London St Pancras. Rail-and-sail options may be possible from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Bilbao or Santander.

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