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-   -   Road trip Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona (https://www.fodors.com/community/road-trips/road-trip-santiago-de-compostela-to-barcelona-1671464/)

magdalen Sep 5th, 2019 06:06 AM

Road trip Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona
 
We're planning to drive from Santiago to Barcelona in early October, taking about four days to complete the trip. Any recommendations for must-sees and good places to stop along the way?

Michael Sep 5th, 2019 07:41 AM

Aside from the obvious (Bilbao, San Sebastian, the Cave of Altamira replica, etc.) San Juan de la Peña and Taüll are two highlights that I would recommend.


And here is a photo album that might give you some ideas:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjppbMBs

magdalen Sep 5th, 2019 08:12 AM

Thank you!

IMDonehere Sep 5th, 2019 10:05 AM

The most direct route from Barcelona to Santiago avoids many of the major sites. Why are you driving? Like for most Spanish cities, a car is a more of a PITA, than a help. Is there something you want to see in particular? Personally, I would fly from Barcelona to San Sebastian/Donostia and then rent a car when you are ready to leave. SS is most walkable town and the car will just sit there. And Bilbao is an hour by bus from SS and once again a car will he of little assistance once in Blibao.

When driving in Spain be sure to get an International Drivers Permit and if you wear glasses, have a second pair nearby. If stopped by police, they will ask for both and if you do not have them, they can get cranky.

After Bilbao there is also Lugo and past Santiago is the Costa da Morte, (Death Coast in Gallego) which is beautiful as is the Rías Baixas and the Rías Altas. And a rarely visited by tourist beach is Praia de Augas Santas or Cathedral Beach which is spectacular. Here is the google search which will show what it looks like.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cath...7QJMe3b18RpmM:

kja Sep 5th, 2019 06:48 PM

That's not much time for that journey! Of course, you can see some wonderful things, but you will need to be selective. You might find some useful information in my trip report, although I didn't go as far west as Santiago de Compostela.
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...lunya-1047395/

Sberg Sep 6th, 2019 05:07 AM

IMDonehere, why would you need TWO pair of glasses?

IMDonehere Sep 6th, 2019 05:40 AM

IMDonehere, why would you need TWO pair of glasses?

Unfortunately that is the Spanish law. If you need glasses for driving, they require a second pair at hand. I have never investigated the logic or the circumstances under which it became a necessity. If it was the US, I would assume the Eyeglass Lobby, but I do not think that exists in Spain.

magdalen Sep 6th, 2019 06:22 AM

Change of plans!
 
We're now going to spend three days in the Santiago area and fly on from there. So, recommendations for that area -- should we go east or south? Thanks all!

IMDonehere Sep 6th, 2019 11:47 AM

As noted above there are many natural settings that are wonderful. Lugo, a walled city and the Costa da Morte, (Death Coast in Gallego) which is beautifu. There are the Rías Baixas and the Rías Altas. And a rarely visited by tourist beach is Praia de Augas Santas or Cathedral Beach which is spectacular. Here is the google search which will show what it looks like. The charms of A Coruna elude me.

Be sure to spend a few hours in the main Square in Santiago as the pilgrims from the Camino enter town. Try pulpo gallego which is octopus with paprika. There are very expensive and very phallic looking seafood called percebes, look for them.

The photo is of the countryside about 12 miles from Santiago.

We like a hotel called A Tafona do Santiago.
A TAFONA DO PEREGRINO
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...614d770d08.jpg

IMDonehere Sep 6th, 2019 11:50 AM

This is photo is Costa de Morte.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d5be463752.jpg

chapla Sep 7th, 2019 08:44 AM

I also like the hotel A Tafona, lovely rooms but make sure you get a room away from the super busy road.


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