By Car in Bilbao and the Basque Country

Even the remotest points are an easy one-day drive from Madrid, and northern Spain is superbly covered by freeways. From the capital, it's 240 km (149 mi) on the N1 or the A1 toll road to Burgos, after which you can take the N623 to complete the 390 km (242 mi) to Santander. The drive from Madrid to Bilbao is 397 km (247 mi); follow the A1 past Burgos to Miranda del Ebro, where you pick up the AP68. Car rentals are available in the major cities: Bilbao, Pamplona, San Sebastián, Santander, and Vitoria. Cars can also be rented at Hondarribia (Fuenterrabía), the San Sebastián (Donostia) airport.

Local Agencies

Alquibilbo (General Eguía 20, Bilbao. 94/441-2012). A-Rental (C. Pérez Galdos 24, Bilbao. 94/427-0781). Europcar (Av. Pio XII 43, Pamplona. 948/172523.)