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?

Aside from the obvious (Bilbao, San Sebastian, the Cave of Altamira replica, etc.) San Juan de la Peńa 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

Thank you!

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 Rķas Baixas and the Rķas 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:

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.
Four Awesome Weeks in the North of Spain and Catalunya

IMDonehere, why would you need TWO pair of glasses?

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.

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!

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 Rķas Baixas and the Rķas 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

This is photo is Costa de Morte.

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