Northern Spain Picos de Europa and Portugal Tour
Tour at a Glance
📍 Duration:
13 days / 11 riding days
🏍️ Total Distance:
1,800 miles (2,900 km)
🗺️ Countries:
Spain, Portugal
🏔️ Highlights:
Picos de Europa, Douro Valley, Santiago de Compostela
🛣️ Iconic Roads:
AS14 Asturias, N621 Pots & Pans Road, N221 Douro National Park,
🏛️ UNESCO Sites:
2 World Heritage Sites
Why Choose Our Northern Spain Picos de Europa and Portugal Tour?
Our Northern Spain Picos de Europa and Portugal Tour stands out as a premier 13-day motorcycle adventure for all riders. With carefully curated routes including the legendary N621 Pots & Pans Road, stunning Douro Valley wine region, and the mystical pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela, this isn’t just another tour—it’s the ultimate Iberian riding experience. You’ll benefit from years of route expertise, premium motorcycle-friendly accommodation, small group sizes ensuring personalized attention, and the camaraderie of fellow adventure riders who share your passion for epic journeys through some of Europe’s most spectacular landscapes.
Experience the ultimate riding adventure on our Northern Spain Picos de Europa and Portugal Tour
A breathtaking 13-day motorcycle journey through legendary mountain passes and stunning landscapes. This tour offers a perfect combination of twisty roads, superb tarmac, and stunning scenery, making it a must for motorcycle enthusiasts. Along the way, you’ll ride through picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and rolling hills, all while enjoying incredible local cuisine.
Whether you’re seeking thrilling curves, scenic routes, or delicious regional food, this tour has it all. Join us for an unforgettable motorcycle journey across Northern Spain and Portugal and make memories on some of the best roads in Europe.
**Tour Dates **
**10/05/2026 – 22/05/2026**
**Guide:- Simon Whelan**
Motorcycle Preparation for Touring
After leaving Plymouth the previous day we dock in the town of Santander. Once disembarked we get straight into the action, leaving the port behind we head south through the Cantabria region before turning west with a coffee stop in the heart of the Sierras del Cordel National Park. After well earnt refreshments, we head towards our first overnight stop via the fabulous Picos de Europa.
The next day we head further west through the quiet Spanish towns and villages of the Asturias region, known for its rugged coastline, mountains and medieval architecture. Due to its lush vegetation it’s part of “Green Spain” which is very different to what most of us come to expect from Spain. We travel via more sweeping bends and smooth tarmac and up to our second night on tour.
We continue across the lush Asturias region the following day, past Puerto del Palo and on into the autonomous region of Galicia and onto our final destination of Santiago de Compostela. Which is the reputed burial place of the biblical apostle Saint James the Great which makes it a very popular pilgrimage destination. We often see pilgrims on our route along the Camino way some of who will have walked many miles to reach their final destination of Santiago de Compostela. This is a stunning city steeped in history and of course with many a tapas bar within the narrow streets it’s a fantastic place to try the local cuisine, be it the vast range of different seafood that’s available or locally produced meats. It really is a foody destination not to be missed.
Day 5 and there is a choice of a ride out planned around the Costa Del Mort or Coast of Death so called due to the huge number of ships that have sunk in the treacherous seas off this Northwestern corner of Spain. Alternatively, you can have a day off the bike in Santiago de Compostela, visit the cathedral or many of the other sights the city has to offer.
Following our second night’s stay in Santiago de Compostela we head south towards Portugal, heading down between the Serra do Candán and Serra do Cando National Parks in Southern Galicia and then crossing the border into Portugal via the Braga region. Finally, onto our next overnight stop in a medieval town which was once the capital of Portugal, where we stay close to the old town.
On our 6th day our route takes us down to the banks of the Douro River region which is one of Portugal’s most famous wine growing areas, the road follows the curving path of the river and the scenery is just amazing. Heading further south after lunch through the Viseu District with many curving roads we arrive at our next two-night stop in the Serra da Estrela National Park, site of the disused NATO radar station used during the Cold War and the highest point in mainland Portugal.
Following either a rest day or an optional ride out around the Serra da Estrela which offers some of the quietest and best riding roads in Europe. We head north rejoining the Douro River again and the surrounding rolling hills before we cross back into Spain via the Montesinho Natural Park, to our hotel on the edge of Sierras Segundera National Park.
Our next day’s ride leads us back towards the Golden Triangle of the Picos du Europa and the wonderful roads of the area. We have 2 nights in the Picos and on our last full day we search out the Bear and Deer statues on our ride out and travel the famous N621 also known as the Pots & Pans Road.
We spend our last day riding more of the stunning roads of the Picos de Europa which is a fitting finale to a fantastic tour, full of great roads, stunning scenery and wonderful food. Before arriving back at Santander for the overnight ferry by to the UK.
