Self-Guided Northern Spain, Picos de Europa & Portugal Tour
A 12-day self-guided motorcycle tour of Northern Spain, the Picos de Europa and Portugal on dates you choose. Ferry, hotels and GPS routes all arranged, so you just ride.
Self-Guided Northern Spain, Picos de Europa & Portugal Tour
A 12-day self-guided motorcycle tour of Northern Spain, the Picos de Europa and Portugal on dates you choose. Ferry, hotels and GPS routes all arranged, so you just ride.
Why Choose Our Self-Guided Northern Spain & Portugal Motorcycle Tour?
This self-guided Northern Spain and Portugal motorcycle tour combines smooth tarmac, twisting mountain roads, stunning scenery and some of the best food in Europe. Over 12 days you’ll ride the gorges and passes of the Picos de Europa, the green hills of Asturias and Galicia, the vineyard-lined roads of the Douro Valley and the quiet mountain roads of Portugal’s Serra da Estrela. You choose the dates, we plan the route and book your ferry and every hotel, and you ride it at your own pace.
Everything is paid for in advance, so there are no vouchers to juggle and nothing to sort out on the road. Before you leave, we email GPS files for every day and post you a printed daily guide that matches them, complete with coffee stops, lunch suggestions and the sights worth stopping for. With two-night stops in Santiago de Compostela and the Serra da Estrela, and two optional rest days, you can ride every day or take time off the bike whenever you like.
How Your Self-Guided Tour Works
1
Choose your dates Pick any start date between April and October and complete the booking form.
2
We book everything Your return Plymouth–Santander ferry and all your hotels are booked and paid for in advance.
3
Receive your tour pack GPS files are emailed and your printed daily guide and packing list are posted before departure.
4
Ride with backup Call us or message your tour WhatsApp group if you need advice while you’re away.
TOUR DATES
Choose Your Own Dates – April to October
Northern Spain and Portugal offer a long riding season, from the fresh green landscapes of spring to the warm, golden days of autumn in the Douro Valley. Tell us your preferred start date on the booking form and we’ll confirm availability and book your ferry and hotels.
Your tour starts with the overnight ferry from Plymouth across the Bay of Biscay to Santander. Roll off the ferry and ride south through Cantabria, with a coffee stop in the hills of the Sierra del Cordel, before heading into the dramatic gorges and peaks of the Picos de Europa for your first night in Spain.
The Magical Picos de Europa
Next you ride west through Asturias, known as Green Spain, on sweeping bends through quiet villages and lush valleys, before crossing into Galicia. Your destination is Santiago de Compostela for two nights, the historic end point of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, with a UNESCO-listed old town full of tapas bars and seafood restaurants. Spend your free day exploring the city, or ride out to the wild Atlantic headlands of the Costa da Morte.
Leaving Galicia, you ride south through the Serra do Candán and cross into Portugal near Braga to Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal, with its UNESCO-listed medieval centre, for your overnight stop. Next morning you follow the curves of the Douro River through its famous terraced vineyards, then ride through the Viseu District to two nights in the Serra da Estrela, home to the highest point in mainland Portugal.
Your second free day is yours to fill: ride the suggested loop on some of the quietest and most enjoyable roads in Europe, or relax and enjoy the mountain views. Then head north along the Douro once more and through the Montesinho Natural Park to your hotel near the Spanish border.
The Douro Valley
Crossing back into Spain, you ride across the open Spanish plains to the Picos de Europa for one more night, in the heart of the region’s Golden Triangle. Your final day’s ride takes in the famous bear and deer statues and the N621, the Pots and Pans Road, as it winds through the spectacular La Hermida gorge, before you head to Santander for the overnight ferry back to Plymouth.
Tour Highlights Summary
Two Countries: Spain, Portugal Iconic Roads: N621 Pots & Pans Road, AS14 Asturias, N221 Douro, Serra da Estrela passes Mountains & National Parks: Picos de Europa, Serra da Estrela, Montesinho Natural Park UNESCO Sites: Santiago de Compostela, Guimarães, Douro wine region Food & Culture: Tapas and seafood in Galicia, Douro wines, medieval Guimarães Two-Night Stops: Santiago de Compostela, Serra da Estrela Flexibility: Choose your own dates, ride at your own pace, two optional rest days Perfect For: Riders, couples and small groups of friends who love great roads, great food and quiet mountain riding
Guided or Self-Guided?
Prefer to ride with a tour leader, enjoy group evening meals and have someone else handle the navigation? The same route is also available as a guided Northern Spain, Picos de Europa and Portugal motorcycle tour on set dates. Choose self-guided if you’d rather pick your own dates and travel independently.
Choose your dates and ride this unforgettable 12-day self-guided Northern Spain and Portugal motorcycle tour.
TOUR MAP / ITINERARY
12-Day Self-Guided Northern Spain, Picos de Europa & Portugal Motorcycle Tour Itinerary
Discover the day-by-day route through Northern Spain’s Picos de Europa, the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela and Portugal’s stunning Douro Valley. This self-guided motorcycle tour covers approximately 1,800 miles over 12 days, combining world-class riding roads with rich culture and food. Every riding day has its own GPS file and a matching page in your printed daily guide, with coffee stops, lunch suggestions and the sights worth stopping for.
Complete route map for the 12-day Northern Spain and Portugal motorcycle tour
Day 1: Plymouth to Santander Ferry Crossing
Begin your Northern Spain motorcycle adventure with a relaxing overnight ferry crossing from Plymouth to Santander across the Bay of Biscay. Settle into your cabin and get ready for the journey ahead.
Distance: Ferry crossing
Highlights: Overnight ferry, Bay of Biscay crossing
Roll off the ferry in Santander and head straight for the magnificent Picos de Europa. Your first taste of Spain’s legendary motorcycle roads awaits, with twisting mountain passes, dramatic limestone peaks and smooth tarmac through the Cantabrian Mountains.
Distance: 120 miles (190 km)
Highlights: First ride in the Picos de Europa, Cantabrian Mountains
Day 3: Picos de Europa to Green Spain – Asturias
Ride west through Asturias, part of “Green Spain”, with its lush landscapes and medieval villages. Enjoy sweeping bends on smooth tarmac through quiet Spanish towns, discovering a side of Spain most tourists never see.
Day 4: Asturias to Santiago de Compostela, Galicia
Ride into Galicia, known as the “land of a thousand rivers”, and on to Santiago de Compostela for two nights. The legendary end point of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is the reputed burial place of Saint James the Great.
Distance: 190 miles (300 km)
Highlights: Galicia, Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Camino de Santiago, UNESCO World Heritage city, two-night stop
Day 5: Free Day – Santiago de Compostela or Costa da Morte Ride-Out
Explore the magnificent Santiago de Compostela Cathedral and historic old town on foot, or take the ride-out along the dramatic Costa da Morte (Coast of Death), where rugged Atlantic cliffs meet centuries of maritime history. In the evening, enjoy the city’s tapas bars and seafood restaurants.
Distance: 0 miles (rest day) or up to 160 miles (260 km) ride-out
Highlights: Santiago Cathedral, old town, Costa da Morte coastal roads, Galician tapas and seafood
Day 6: Galicia to Guimarães, Portugal
Head south through the Serra do Candán in southern Galicia and cross the border into Portugal. Your overnight stop is the medieval town of Guimarães, birthplace of Portugal and its first capital, whose historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Distance: 160 miles (260 km)
Highlights: Serra do Candán, Spain–Portugal border, UNESCO-listed Guimarães, medieval architecture
Day 7: Guimarães to Serra da Estrela via the Douro Valley
One of the tour’s most spectacular days takes you through the legendary Douro Valley. Follow the winding Douro River past terraced vineyards producing world-famous port wine, then continue south to the Serra da Estrela for two nights. It’s home to mainland Portugal’s highest point, Torre, at 1,993m.
Distance: 180 miles (290 km)
Highlights: Douro Valley, terraced vineyards, port wine country, Serra da Estrela, two-night stop
Day 8: Free Day – Serra da Estrela Ride-Out
Ride the suggested loop through the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, on some of the quietest and most scenic motorcycle roads in Europe, with sweeping mountain passes, granite peaks and traditional mountain villages. Or take a well-earned day off the bike.
Distance: 0 miles (rest day) or up to 145 miles (230 km) ride-out
Highlights: Serra da Estrela mountain passes, Portugal’s highest roads, traditional villages, quiet riding roads
Day 9: Serra da Estrela to the Spanish Border via the Douro
Head north on the N221 alongside the Douro River once more, then ride through the Montesinho Natural Park, one of Portugal’s most remote protected areas. Cross back into Spain, where Portugal’s green river valleys give way to Spain’s high plateau, to your overnight stop near the Portuguese border.
Ride north across the plains and back to the Golden Triangle of the Picos de Europa, one of Europe’s most celebrated motorcycling regions, for your last night in Spain.
Distance: 195 miles (315 km)
Highlights: Return to the Picos de Europa, Golden Triangle, mountain road network
Day 11: The N621 Pots & Pans Road to the Santander Ferry
Your final riding day features the iconic N621 “Pots and Pans Road”, one of Spain’s most famous motorcycle roads, winding through the La Hermida gorge. Stop at the famous bear and deer statues for photos, enjoy the best roads the Picos has to offer, then head to Santander for your overnight ferry back to the UK.
Arrive back in Plymouth after your overnight crossing from Santander, with memories of the Picos de Europa, Santiago de Compostela, the Douro Valley and countless great riding roads. You’ll probably already be planning your return to Iberia.
Distance: Ferry crossing
Highlights: Tour complete
Total Tour Statistics
Total Distance: Approx. 1,800 miles (2,900 km) including optional ride-outs
Countries Visited: Spain, Portugal
Regions Explored: Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia, Northern Portugal, Castile and León
Riding Days: 10, including 2 optional rest days
Ferry: Plymouth–Santander overnight, both ways
Accommodation: 11 nights – 9 hotel nights plus 2 nights on board the ferry
UNESCO Sites: Santiago de Compostela, Guimarães
Mountains & National Parks: Picos de Europa, Serra da Estrela, Serra do Candán, Montesinho Natural Park
Return Ferry Crossing: Plymouth to Santander ferry (return journey included)
12 Nights Accommodation: Premium motorcycle-friendly hotels throughout the Tour (includes 2 nights on ferry)
Daily Breakfast: Full breakfast each morning at all hotels to fuel your riding day
Motorcycle Parking: Some hotels charge for parking but this is included in your package
Hotel Leisure Facilities: Full access to swimming pools, spas, and fitness facilities at all hotels
Detailed Route Maps: Comprehensive route plans covering all passes and scenic roads
GPS Navigation Files: Pre-loaded GPS routes compatible with Garmin, TomTom, and smartphone apps
Daily Itinerary Guide: Detailed daily plans with sightseeing highlights, coffee stops, and lunch recommendations
What’s Not Included in Your Motorcycle Tour
Motorcycle Fuel Costs:
Road Tolls & Pass Charges:
Attraction Entry Fees:
Meals & Drinks not specified as included:
Travel Insurance & Breakdown Cover: Comprehensive motorcycle travel insurance including breakdown recovery and UK repatriation is mandatory but not included. We strongly recommend European breakdown cover from providers like RAC, AA, or specialist motorcycle insurers.
Self-Guided Northern Spain & Portugal Motorcycle Tour – Frequently Asked Questions
How does a self-guided motorcycle tour work?
You choose your dates and we do the planning. We book and pay for your return ferry and all your hotels in advance, so there are no vouchers to carry and nothing to arrange on the road. Before you leave, we email your GPS route files for every day, and a printed daily guide that matches them is posted to you, which includes a suggested packing list. Then you ride the route at your own pace, stopping wherever you like.
When can I do the tour?
You can start the tour on any date from April to October. Spring brings fresh green landscapes and quieter roads, summer offers the longest days, and autumn is a lovely time to ride the Douro Valley as the vineyards turn gold. Add your preferred start date to the booking form and we’ll confirm availability and book your ferry and hotels, subject to the Brittany Ferries sailing schedule.
Which ferry is included?
Your return overnight crossing between Plymouth and Santander is booked and paid for in advance, including a cabin on both crossings. If you book a single room, you’ll have a private cabin too. Your two nights on board count as part of your 11 nights’ accommodation.
Are there toll roads on the route?
No. The route avoids motorways completely in Portugal, so you won’t need to worry about Portugal’s electronic motorway tolls. There’s a short stretch of motorway in Spain, but it isn’t a toll road.
What standard are the hotels?
You’ll stay in the same carefully selected motorcycle-friendly hotels used on our guided tour, chosen for their comfort and location. Breakfast is included every morning, and hotel parking is included throughout the tour.
What’s in the tour pack?
Your tour pack is the same one our guided riders receive. It includes GPS files for each day’s route, a printed daily guide that corresponds to those files with coffee stops, lunch suggestions and sights along the way, and a suggested packing list. It’s sent to you before departure so you have time to load the routes and get familiar with them.
Do I need to be good with a sat nav?
You’ll need to be comfortable loading routes and following them. The GPS files work with Garmin and TomTom devices and with smartphone navigation apps. If you’re new to route files, our sat nav set up guide walks you through the process, and we’re happy to help before you leave. The daily guide also describes each day’s route, so you’re never relying on the screen alone.
What happens if I have a problem while I’m away?
You can call us, and every tour has its own WhatsApp group so you can get advice quickly while you’re on the road. We don’t run a dedicated 24-hour helpline, so you must have your own European breakdown cover and motorcycle travel insurance. This is a requirement of our terms and conditions, and our insurance and breakdown guide explains what to look for.
Do I need a Green Card for Spain and Portugal?
No. UK riders don’t need an insurance Green Card for Spain or Portugal. You do still need valid motorcycle insurance, so check with your insurer and breakdown provider that your full cover applies abroad. Carry your passport, driving licence, insurance documents and V5C logbook.
What is the N621 Pots and Pans Road?
The N621 is one of Spain’s most famous motorcycle roads, winding through the Picos de Europa and the dramatic La Hermida gorge, with bend after bend and towering limestone cliffs on either side. You’ll ride it on your final day, along with a stop at the famous bear and deer statues, before heading to Santander for the ferry home.
What’s the riding like in the Douro Valley?
The Douro Valley is one of the highlights of the tour. The roads follow the curves of the Douro River past steep terraced vineyards, the home of port wine, with beautiful views around every bend. You’ll ride through the valley on Day 7 and again on Day 9, when the N221 takes you north alongside the river towards the Spanish border.
What’s the difference between this and the guided tour?
The route and hotels are the same, but on the guided Northern Spain, Picos de Europa and Portugal tour you ride with a tour leader on set dates and three evening meals are included. The self-guided tour costs less, lets you pick your own dates and gives you complete freedom over when you set off.
Are meals included?
Breakfast is included every morning at all hotels. Lunches and evening meals aren’t included on the self-guided tour, which leaves you free to eat wherever you like, from tapas bars in Santiago de Compostela to riverside restaurants in the Douro. Your daily guide includes lunch suggestions along each day’s route.
How much riding is there each day?
Riding days are between 120 and 195 miles, so there’s plenty of time to stop for photos, coffee and long lunches. Days 5 and 8 are free days in Santiago de Compostela and the Serra da Estrela, so you can ride the suggested ride-outs or take time off the bike. And because it’s self-guided, you can set off as early or as late as you like and take as many breaks as you want along the way.
What weather should I expect?
Northern Spain is known as Green Spain for a reason, so rain is possible at any time of year in Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia, and the mountains can be cool in spring and autumn. Inland Portugal is usually warmer and drier, and can be hot in high summer. Pack waterproofs, warm layers and vented kit, and you’ll be ready for anything.
Can I ride the tour as a couple or with friends?
Yes. The self-guided format suits couples and small groups of friends particularly well, as you can set your own pace and plans. We offer rider and pillion pricing, and pricing for two riders on separate bikes sharing a room. If you’re planning a larger group, get in touch and we’ll check availability.
Can I do the tour as a solo rider?
Absolutely. You can choose a single room, which includes a private ferry cabin, or a twin room option. Riding solo on a self-guided tour means you set the pace entirely, and the WhatsApp group means help and advice are only a message away.
What type of motorcycle do I need?
Any reliable, well-maintained motorcycle is suitable. We generally suggest 500cc or above, although modern adventure scooters such as the Honda ADV350 are also capable. Your bike should be roadworthy, recently serviced and fitted with luggage for a trip of nearly two weeks. Our bike preparation guide covers tyres, brakes, chain and fluid checks before departure.
More Questions About Self-Guided Touring in Spain and Portugal
What currency do I need? Euros in both Spain and Portugal. Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for coffee stops.
Is there a time difference? Yes. Portugal is on UK time, one hour behind Spain, so remember to adjust your watch when you cross the border.
Is motorcycle parking included? Yes, hotel parking is included.
Do I need to carry hotel vouchers? No. Everything is booked and paid for in advance.
Do I have to ride the free-day ride-outs? No. Days 5 and 8 are completely optional.
Will I meet livestock on the road? Quite possibly. Cows, sheep and goats often wander across the mountain roads in the Picos, so ride with care – it’s the classic Spanish traffic jam!
Is fuel readily available? Yes, though stations can be further apart in the mountains and remote parts of Portugal, so fill up when you get the chance.
Will I have phone signal? Generally good, though limited in some remote mountain areas. Check your mobile roaming charges before you travel.
Can I extend the tour? Yes. Contact us to discuss adding extra nights before or after the tour.
Can pillions join? Yes. With relaxed daily distances, great food and two-night stops, it’s a fantastic tour for pillions too.
