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10-Day Road Trip: Antwerp to Northern Spain (San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santiago) and Back via La Rochelle & Paris

Viewed by 415 travelers

Day 1: Long Drive

Antwerp, Belgium → Bordeaux, France on March 22, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at Caffènation (Antwerp)

Speciality coffee and fresh pastries to set you up for a long driving day; the café opens early and is ideal for takeaway if you prefer to eat on the road.
EUR12, 0h45m

9:00AM

Depart Antwerp for Bordeaux

Start the long drive southwest; expect about 9h driving time including short fuel/rest stops — route via A1/A10 is the most direct. Aim to break the drive with a comfort stop and a lunch town roughly halfway.
EUR0, 9h0m

1:00PM

Lunch stop (on-route — Tours/Le Mans area)

Stop in a motorway town or a local brasserie en route for a quick three-course lunch (many restaurants serve from 12:00–14:00); a shorter stop keeps you on schedule for an evening arrival in Bordeaux.
EUR20, 1h0m

6:00PM

Arrive and check in (Bordeaux)

Check into your accommodation and stretch your legs after the long drive; most hotels have late check-in but confirm with your property.
EUR0, 0h45m

7:30PM

Dinner at Le Chapon Fin (Bordeaux)

Classic Bordeaux dining in an atmospheric restaurant—open for dinner from around 19:00; a great first-night welcome to the region's cuisine.
EUR45, 1h30m

Day 2: Bordeaux Sightseeing

Bordeaux, France on March 23, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at Marché des Capucins

Local market with stalls offering coffee, pastries and regional specialities; open from early morning (typically around 7:30–14:00).
EUR12, 1h0m

9:30AM

Half-day wine tour (Médoc or Saint-Émilion)

Guided winery visit and tastings in one of Bordeaux's famous appellations — tours commonly run in the morning and last about 4h; check availability and pre-book as weekends fill fast.
EUR120, 4h0m

2:00PM

Lunch at La Cité du Vin Restaurant

Lunch with views over the Garonne at La Cité du Vin's restaurant; the cultural centre is open roughly 10:00–18:00 (times vary seasonally) and is worth a short visit after lunch.
EUR30, 1h30m

4:00PM

Walk Place de la Bourse and Miroir d'eau

Stroll the UNESCO riverside square and the reflecting pool — public space, open all day and especially beautiful late afternoon.
EUR0, 1h0m

7:30PM

Dinner at Le Bouchon Bordelais

Regional French cuisine in a popular local bistro — typical dinner service 19:00–22:30.
EUR35, 1h30m

Day 3: To the Basque Coast

Bordeaux, France → San Sebastián, Spain on March 24, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at your hotel or café nearby

Light breakfast to fuel a 3–3.5 hour coastal drive; cafés in Bordeaux typically open from 07:30–09:00 onward.
EUR10, 0h45m

9:00AM

Depart for San Sebastián

Scenic drive along the A63/AP-8 toward the Basque coast; expect about 3–3.5 hours depending on traffic and any detours.
EUR0, 3h30m

12:30PM

Arrive & check in (San Sebastián)

Check in and relax briefly before sampling pintxos — note hotel check-in varied but many accept early arrivals if rooms available.
EUR0, 0h30m

1:15PM

Lunch — pintxos crawl at La Cuchara de San Telmo (Old Town)

Sample several pintxos (small Basque dishes) in the lively old town; many bars open for lunch from around 13:00 and later for evening service.
EUR20, 1h30m

3:00PM

La Concha beach promenade

Walk the famous bay (public access all day) and enjoy the shell-shaped beach and views of Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo.
EUR0, 1h30m

6:00PM

Dinner at Bodegón Alejandro

A Michelin-starred local favourite showcasing refined Basque cooking — dinner service usually from 19:00 but check for earlier sittings or reservations.
EUR60, 2h0m

Day 4: San Sebastián to Bilbao

San Sebastián, Spain → Bilbao, Spain on March 25, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at Café de la Concha or local pastelería

Enjoy coffee and a sweet or savoury pastry before a short coastal drive; most cafés open by 08:00.
EUR8, 0h45m

9:30AM

Depart for Bilbao

A relaxed drive of roughly 1–1.5 hours along the coast to Bilbao — consider a stop at the coastal viewpoint near Getaria if time allows.
EUR0, 1h30m

11:15AM

Visit Museo Guggenheim Bilbao

Iconic contemporary-art museum and architectural landmark; typical opening hours are 10:00–19:00 (check seasonal hours) — allow 2–3 hours for galleries and exterior sculptures.
EUR16, 2h30m

2:00PM

Lunch at Mercado de la Ribera

Bustling market with tapas-style stalls and fresh seafood — great for a relaxed, varied midday meal; most stalls are open midday (around 12:00–15:00).
EUR20, 1h30m

4:00PM

Stroll Casco Viejo (Old Town)

Explore narrow streets, local shops and pintxo bars — the quarter is open all day and comes alive in the early evening.
EUR0, 1h30m

8:00PM

Dinner at Restaurante Mina (Bilbao)

Contemporary tasting menu focused on local produce—booking required; service generally starts around 20:00.
EUR65, 2h0m

Day 5: Bilbao to Santander

Bilbao, Spain → Santander, Spain on March 26, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at Café Bilbao

Simple coffee and tostada to start the day; cafés typically open early for commuters and tourists.
EUR8, 0h45m

9:30AM

Depart for Santander

Short scenic drive along the coast, approximately 1–1.5 hours depending on stops.
EUR0, 1h30m

11:00AM

Playa del Sardinero and Paseo Marítimo

Relax or walk along Santander’s most famous beach and promenade; public spaces are open all day and are pleasant year-round.
EUR0, 1h30m

1:00PM

Lunch at El Machi (seafood)

Seaside restaurant known locally for grilled fish and seafood dishes; lunchtime service usually 13:00–15:30.
EUR25, 1h30m

3:00PM

Palacio de la Magdalena

Historic palace with gardens and coastal views — grounds open daily (internal tours may have set times) so check times before you go.
EUR6, 1h30m

8:00PM

Dinner at La Casona

Comfortable restaurant serving regional cuisine — good for tasting Cantabrian specialities; dinner service typically from 20:00.
EUR30, 1h30m

Day 6: Coastal Drive to Oviedo

Santander, Spain → Oviedo, Spain on March 27, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at Café de la Palmera (Santander)

Light breakfast before the inland stretch to Asturias; cafés usually open by 08:00.
EUR10, 0h45m

9:30AM

Depart for Oviedo

Drive east along the Cantabrian coast and inland to Oviedo — around 2.5 hours depending on stops and traffic.
EUR0, 2h30m

12:15PM

Arrive & check in (Oviedo)

Settle into your hotel and get ready to explore the city centre.
EUR0, 0h30m

1:00PM

Lunch at Casa Conrado (typical Asturian food)

Try fabada or cider-accompanied dishes — traditional restaurants serve lunch from about 13:00.
EUR22, 1h30m

3:00PM

Catedral de San Salvador

Admire Oviedo’s Gothic cathedral and its cloisters; visiting hours commonly 10:00–19:00 for the cathedral and museum (confirm locally).
EUR4, 1h0m

5:00PM

Stroll Campo de San Francisco

Relax in Oviedo’s main park — a popular spot for locals that’s open all day and lovely in late afternoon.
EUR0, 0h45m

8:00PM

Dinner at El Restaurante del Hotel

Comfortable hotel restaurant offering regional and international dishes—useful after a day of sightseeing.
EUR28, 1h30m

Day 7: To Galicia

Oviedo, Spain → Santiago de Compostela, Spain on March 28, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at local pastelería

Quick coffee and pastry before the drive west to Galicia; most bakeries open by 08:00–09:00.
EUR8, 0h30m

9:00AM

Depart for Santiago de Compostela

Drive of approximately 3.5–4 hours through Asturias into Galicia; plan for a short rest stop en route.
EUR0, 4h0m

1:30PM

Arrive & check in (Santiago de Compostela)

Drop bags and head into the historic centre — many guesthouses are within walking distance of the cathedral.
EUR0, 0h30m

2:00PM

Lunch at O Pazo

Enjoy Galician seafood specialities in a welcoming setting — lunchtime typically 13:00–15:00.
EUR28, 1h30m

3:30PM

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

Explore the famous pilgrimage cathedral; visiting hours vary but the cathedral is usually open to visitors throughout the day with services at set times — check the official schedule.
EUR0, 2h0m

6:00PM

Parque da Alameda viewpoint

Short walk to the park for panoramic views of the cathedral at sunset; open public space year-round.
EUR0, 0h45m

8:30PM

Dinner at Casa de Xantar

Traditional Galician cooking in the old town—great for local stews, octopus and empanadas.
EUR30, 1h30m

Day 8: Long Drive to France

Santiago de Compostela, Spain → La Rochelle, France on March 29, 2025

7:30AM

Early breakfast and coffee

Eat early to maximise driving daylight—cafés open from around 07:30 in the city centre.
EUR10, 0h30m

8:00AM

Depart for La Rochelle

A longer driving day (~6.5–7h) heading east along A-55/AP-9 and then north into France — allow time for fuel and short scenic stops.
EUR0, 7h0m

2:00PM

Lunch en route (Brest/Quimper area or motorway service)

Stop for a straightforward lunch at a town or service area on the route — many restaurants serve midday from 12:00–14:30.
EUR18, 1h0m

4:00PM

Arrive & check in (La Rochelle)

Settle into your hotel and take a short walk in the harbour area; La Rochelle's Vieux Port is lively until evening.
EUR0, 0h30m

6:00PM

Walk the Old Port and Towers

Visit the medieval towers that guard the harbour and stroll the arcaded streets — towers may have limited visiting hours (check 10:00–18:00 in low season).
EUR8, 1h0m

8:00PM

Dinner at one of the harbour-side restaurants

Fresh seafood and regional Charente-Maritime cuisine; dinner service commonly from 19:00 onwards.
EUR35, 1h30m

Day 9: La Rochelle to Paris

La Rochelle, France → Paris, France on March 30, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at a café on the Vieux Port

Relaxed café breakfast before the journey east to Paris; cafés open early and offer takeaway if needed.
EUR10, 0h45m

9:00AM

Depart for Paris

Drive north-east to Paris — expect roughly 4.5–5 hours on the A10 depending on traffic; plan a lunch stop en route.
EUR0, 5h0m

2:00PM

Lunch stop (Chartres or Tours area)

Comfortable mid-route stop with regional brasserie options; many restaurants serve lunch 12:00–14:30.
EUR18, 1h0m

6:00PM

Arrive and check in (Paris)

Check into your Paris hotel; central arrivals give you an evening to stroll the city.
EUR0, 0h30m

7:30PM

Dinner at Le Relais de l'Entrecôte or similar bistro

Classic Parisian steak-frites or a cosy bistro meal; dinner service usually from 19:00–22:30. Make reservations where possible.
EUR35, 1h30m

9:30PM

Evening stroll by the Seine

Enjoy the illuminated monuments and bridges — public spaces open all night and provide a lovely end to the day.
EUR0, 1h0m

Day 10: Return to Antwerp

Paris, France → Antwerp, Belgium on March 31, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at Café de Flore (Paris)

Iconic Parisian café for a final breakfast in France; cafes open early and are lively in the morning.
EUR15, 0h45m

9:00AM

Depart for Antwerp

Drive north to Antwerp — allow around 3.5–4 hours depending on traffic; you can stop in Lille for a coffee/stretch break if needed.
EUR0, 3h30m

1:30PM

Arrive in Antwerp

Return to your start point and conclude the road trip — use the afternoon to relax, return rental equipment or catch any onward travel.
EUR0, N/A

2:00PM

Optional late lunch at Zuiderterras or local bistro

If you have time and appetite, enjoy a final Belgian meal in Antwerp — many restaurants serve lunch until mid-afternoon.
EUR20, 1h0m
0
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