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Hi, 

I have a 6 day single country Spain interail ticket and I am planning to check out northern spain.  I am flying into Barcelona, then a long train journey to Madrid, and after that id like to head north, ending up in Bilbao where i will be getting my flight home.   Does anyone have any suggestions of routes, places to visit/avoid  tips for traveling?   in fact any advice at all.  FYI i am a 50 yr old gay guy traveling alone. not done an interail trip before. 

I just asked copilot (AI) and it came up with what looks like a good route:
 

Here’s a suggested itinerary for your holiday in Northern Spain by train, starting in Barcelona and ending in Bilbao, with your first stop in Madrid. Since you have a 6-day Interrail train ticket, we’ll make sure to use those travel days wisely.

Day 1: August 14 - Barcelona

  • Arrival in Barcelona: Spend the day exploring this vibrant city. Visit La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and stroll down La Rambla.
  • Overnight in Barcelona.

Day 2: August 15 - Barcelona to Madrid

  • Train to Madrid: Use your first travel day to take a high-speed train from Barcelona to Madrid (approx. 2.5-3 hours).
  • Explore Madrid: Visit the Royal Palace, Prado Museum, and Retiro Park.
  • Overnight in Madrid.

Day 3: August 16 - Madrid

  • Full day in Madrid: Continue exploring the city’s attractions, such as Plaza Mayor and Gran Vía.
  • Overnight in Madrid.

Day 4: August 17 - Madrid to León

  • Train to León: Use your second travel day to travel from Madrid to León (approx. 2-3 hours).
  • Explore León: Visit the León Cathedral and the Basilica of San Isidoro.
  • Overnight in León.

Day 5: August 18 - León to Oviedo

  • Train to Oviedo: Use your third travel day to travel from León to Oviedo (approx. 1.5-2 hours).
  • Explore Oviedo: Visit the Oviedo Cathedral and the Archaeological Museum of Asturias.
  • Overnight in Oviedo.

Day 6: August 19 - Oviedo to Santander

  • Train to Santander: Use your fourth travel day to travel from Oviedo to Santander (approx. 2-3 hours).
  • Explore Santander: Visit the Magdalena Peninsula and the Santander Cathedral.
  • Overnight in Santander.

Day 7: August 20 - Santander to San Sebastián

  • Train to San Sebastián: Use your fifth travel day to travel from Santander to San Sebastián (approx. 3-4 hours).
  • Explore San Sebastián: Enjoy the beautiful beaches, such as La Concha, and try some pintxos in the Old Town.
  • Overnight in San Sebastián.

Day 8: August 21 - San Sebastián

  • Full day in San Sebastián: Continue exploring the city and its surroundings.
  • Overnight in San Sebastián.

Day 9: August 22 - San Sebastián to Bilbao

  • Train to Bilbao: Use your sixth and final travel day to travel from San Sebastián to Bilbao (approx. 1-2 hours).
  • Explore Bilbao: Visit the Guggenheim Museum and the Casco Viejo (Old Town).
  • Overnight in Bilbao.

Day 10-12: August 23-25 - Bilbao

  • Explore Bilbao: Spend the remaining days exploring Bilbao and its surroundings. You can take day trips to nearby places like Getxo or the Basque Coast.
  • Departure from Bilbao on August 25.

This itinerary allows you to make the most of your 6-day Interrail train ticket while exploring some of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities in Northern Spain. Enjoy your trip! 🚄✨

Is there anything specific you’d like to know more about or any adjustments you’d like to make to this plan?


It’s a way off your route, but I loved Seville, and of course Granada for the Alhambra. BTW, Barcelona to Madrid is not long at all - only 2.5-3 hours.

Sitges near Barcelona is a well-known gay-friendly resort, and hosts a massive Pride, if that’s your thing. I’ve never been though. There are some good LGBT and LGBT-friendly bars in the Eixemple neighbourhood of Barcelona, and Spain itself is pretty gay-friendly as far as I know.

Both Bilbao and San Sebastián-Donosti are great cities. There’s narrow-gauge railway that links the two (not included in the pass, but not expensive).

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Bear in mind most trains in Spain will require seat reservations. That makes a pass not as useful in Spain as it is in other countries. Details of reservation costs and how to make them on the Seat61 website.

https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm#Spain

You’ll also need to leave a little time at stations to pass through security. It’s nothing like airport-style, but many long distance / high speed trains have luggage x-ray before boarding.

I don’t know if you have a first or second class pass - if first class, it’s well worth paying the extra for an inclusive meal on the AVEs.


Hi ​@ralderton , 

Thanks for the great reply.  I have been to Barcelona and Sitges a few times as well as malaga & torramolinos.  I will probably explore more of southen Spain another time, but this time i want to explore the north a bit.

I know i had to get reservations, but the link you shared has helped me understand how this works, and that it is not as simple as i was hoping.   Thanks for the advice about the security… i had no idea.

I am going second class, so no inclusive meal option for me..

Thanks again :-)


Once you're in Spain, the reservations get easier: if you can't do it online, you can always do it at a station. (Barcelona Sants is often very busy, try another station if you're near one)


@ralderton ooh thank you 

 


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