Spain & Portugal Motorcycle Tour
May 2025 | 13 Days | Two Countries
Our May 2025 journey through Northern Spain and Portugal delivered an unforgettable 11-day adventure through some of Europe’s most spectacular and underrated motorcycling destinations. From the Picos de Europa’s dramatic mountain passes to Portugal’s highest peaks in Serra da Estrela, from the historic pilgrimage routes of Santiago de Compostela to the stunning Douro Valley wine country, this tour showcased exceptional riding on deserted roads, world-class cuisine, and the warmth of Iberian hospitality. Perfect weather, fabulous hotels, and a wonderful group made this tour truly special!
Day 1: Plymouth to Santander – Arriving in Cantabrian Spain
Plymouth to Santander crossing completed! After regrouping past passport control, we headed off into the beautiful Cantabrian countryside. Our first photo opportunity at one of the famous Picos deer statues set the tone for what would become an incredible journey. We reached our hotel for the evening where a lovely meal awaited, giving everyone a chance for a proper catch-up—many of us having toured together last year on our Dolomites tour. The camaraderie was immediate, and excitement for the days ahead was palpable.
Day 2: Across the Rolling Hills of Asturias
A lovely day’s ride across the rolling hills of Asturias greeted us on our first full day in Spain. We managed to miss the rain for most of the day—a good omen! The countryside was lush and green, with traditional Asturian villages dotting the landscape. The roads flowed beautifully through this less-traveled region of Spain, giving us a taste of what was to come. Off to Santiago tomorrow, with clear weather forecast and more amazing roads on the menu as we cross into Galicia and continue to follow the Camino pilgrimage route.
Day 3: Into Galicia – Destination Santiago de Compostela
Today our ride took us further across Asturias and then on into Galicia, with more stunning scenery and fabulous roads. Northern Spain, as always, just keeps giving when you’re on a bike. We passed many dedicated pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela—our final destination for the day—where we’d enjoy a 2-night stay in this wonderful historic city. The evening brought our first taste of Santiago’s excellent tapas scene, setting a high bar for the culinary experiences to come throughout our tour.
Day 4: Rest Day at Santiago – Ride to Costa da Morte
Choices, choices! Ride out or rest day? Some of the gang decided to have a day off the bikes and wander around Santiago de Compostela to take in the sights of this beautiful city, while the rest of us plumped for the ride out. Excellent riding weather greeted us as we headed to the Costa da Morte (Coast of Death), with a stop at Santuario de la Virgen de Barca and then on to Fisterra for an amazing lunch on the harbourside.
Back to Santiago by early afternoon, with time to use our hotel’s pool and sauna before we headed out to town for what was described as the best steak meal some had ever had. The food really is amazing in this part of Spain! Off to Portugal tomorrow and some more amazing roads.
Day 5: Crossing into Portugal – The Ancient Capital
Our route today took us south toward Portugal, and with glorious weather for riding greeting us as we left Santiago, we had a great start to the day—a theme that stayed with us all day as the temperature gradually rose the further south we went. Clear blue skies, 25 degrees, and virtually deserted roads—what more could you want?
A photo stop at an abandoned border crossing marked our entry into Portugal, then on to our last coffee stop of the day before arriving at our hotel in the ancient capital of Portugal. Another great day’s riding finished off with a lovely meal in the hotel restaurant.
Day 6: To Serra da Estrela – Portugal’s Highest Mountain Range
We continued our journey to the southernmost point of the tour—the Serra da Estrela, the highest place in mainland Portugal. But before we arrived, we had some more great roads to ride in, again, brilliant weather. Our first coffee stop on the bank of the Douro River, right in the heart of wine country, was lovely. We continued our ride along its banks with spectacular scenery all around before we turned south and on toward our final destination.
Despite a couple of diversions which kept us on our toes, the final part of the day’s ride took us higher up into the Serra with some breathtaking views to behold. Ride out or rest day tomorrow—what will the group choose? We think we know the answer to that one!
Day 7: Rest Day at Serra da Estrela – Fabulous Mountain Roads
Today there was a choice of a ride-out on the fabulous roads of the Serra da Estrela or a rest day. Guess which everyone chose? Not a difficult choice really, considering the amazing scenery and deserted roads, which made it feel like we had the place all to ourselves with almost zero traffic all day.
A brilliant place to ride a motorcycle—the pictures really don’t do it justice. The sweeping mountain roads, dramatic granite peaks, and crisp mountain air created perfect motorcycling conditions. A great day had by all, and tomorrow we head northwards back to Spain.
Day 8: Back to Spain – Through Montesinho National Park
Our journey today took us northeast across Portugal with our final destination being back in Spain. Our route headed back toward the Douro Valley for a fabulous ride along its banks on superb tarmac and, again, deserted roads. Coffee and lunch stops done, we continued on and through Montesinho National Park, crossing into Spain at the end of our day.
Lots of smiling faces during our evening meal with stories of the amazing roads ridden during the day. Off to the Picos tomorrow as our tour gradually reaches its final days, but still plenty of great roads to be ridden and scenery to be seen!
Day 9: Journey to the Picos de Europa
Today’s route took us further across Spain on our journey toward the Picos. We seem to be in a continuous loop of riding excellent deserted roads—surely they must run out soon? But no, this part of Spain just keeps giving and giving, with today’s morning road theme being more sweeping bends rather than twisty hairpins.
This reversed as we reached the fabulous Picos de Europa and our equally fabulous hotel, where we’d spend our last two nights on tour before heading to our ferry crossing. Tomorrow again brings an optional ride-out or rest day. Based on the choices made so far, we are fairly confident everyone will be picking the ride-out!
Day 10: Rest Day at the Picos – Spectacular Mountain Riding
Ride out, ride out, and definitely ride out was the choice made by everyone—and what a good choice it was! A little misty to start, but that soon burnt off as we rode up through the trees to our first photo stop. Onward to coffee in a small village with a spectacular backdrop of the Picos mountains. Of course, we did the obligatory visit to the bear statue and then on to the famous deer you’d see in most mentions of biking in the Picos.
Onward to our lunch stop at a lovely out-of-the-way guest house with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. A brilliant day’s riding which ended with a fantastic meal at our hotel and talk of next year’s tours!
Day 11: Final Day in Spain – Ferry to Santander
Our last day in Spain as we took the afternoon ferry back to the UK. However, there was still a little playtime to be had in the Picos on our way to Santander. A few stops for photos and a rural Spanish traffic jam courtesy of some cows with rather large horns provided entertainment before our last coffee stop on tour.
Even with the bovine delay, we made it in good time to check in at Santander. Unfortunately, a couple of hours’ delay with boarding due to an issue with a ramp on the boat, but we were soon on our way, leaving Spain behind. What a pleasure it was to guide this group of wonderful people—many laughs, many stories new and old! And of course, fabulous roads, great food, and brilliant hotels. What more could you want from a motorcycle holiday?
Interested in joining us on a future Spain & Portugal tour? Get in touch or view our upcoming guided tours.