This is the year to discover Spain by rail
There is something especially delightful about being on a train beside the sea, particularly if that sea is the Bay of Biscay en route to Oviedo in northern Spain. For about 60 miles, the railway skirts underexplored, lonely beaches ribboned with surf and sweeps across estuaries on lofty viaducts.
It is these less-visited shores that are in the spotlight for 2023, due in no small part to the newly launched Costa Verde Express (from £7,036 for a double cabin). Tracing the region’s narrow-gauge tracks, it is a new incarnation of the iconic El Transcantabrico – Spain’s first tourist train in 1983, and still hailed as one of the world’s finest.
The six-day journey between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao uses more modern coaches than its predecessor and, as on El Transcantabrico, there is a strong focus on gastronomy, with sumptuous breakfasts on board and most dinners enjoyed in restaurants that provide insights into the different culinary traditions of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country. A good choice of wines from northern Spain is included, too.
But it is also a special year for El Transcantabrico itself, which is marking its 40th anniversary and still stands as the most luxurious way to experience northern Spain by rail.
Interestingly, though, its origins are far from refined: the name comes from the title of a book by Spanish novelist Juan Pedro Aparicio, who wrote about travelling on the coal train known as the Hullero, from his native Leon to the blast furnaces of Bilbao.
Though Bilbao still makes steel today, the city has undergone an extraordinary makeover since El Transcantabrico’s first run back in July 1983. So, too, have the train’s coaches – the day carriages are the very same ones ordered from the Leeds Forge company for a luxury train from Bilbao to San Sebastian in 1927, but restored to emulate the Orient Express-style decadence of the 1920s, with sumptuous interiors and plenty of space for lounge areas, dining and even dancing.
The sleeping cars are converted railcar trailers, made completely unrecognisable by the insertion of four generous-sized ensuite rooms. (The shower is a mini masterpiece, by the way, made luxurious with the addition of sauna and hydromassage features.)
As for the route, the eight-day El Transcantabrico (from £13,193 for two sharing a double cabin) takes passengers from Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, to San Sebastian (or vice versa), close to the French border, with no movement at night, to please those who struggle to sleep on the move.
The itinerary begins with lunch in the city’s monumental parador (one of the grand state-owned hotels), which was once the guesthouse for poor pilgrims visiting Santiago’s cathedral. As it winds along the coast, the train often weaves inland through eucalyptus forests, each day punctuated with excursions by coach and boat.
Sights include the beach of Las Catedrales, with its rock formations; the Picos de Europa National Park; a 9th-century church in Oviedo; and the extraordinary cave paintings of Altamira.
Together with Al Andalus – the classic itinerary that takes in the urban highlights of Andalucia – these are the tourist trains of the Spanish national railway, Renfe (renfe.com). However, Renfe’s new flagship trains are no less impressive, benefiting hugely from Spain’s investment in its high-speed rail network, now Europe’s largest at over 2,600 miles.
This year will see a flowering of new services following the liberalisation of train operations, which allows new rivals to dilute Renfe’s monopoly, so there are now four operators between Madrid and Barcelona.
France’s Ouigo budget high-speed trains, meanwhile, serve Madrid, Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia and Zaragoza, and Renfe’s Avlo high-speed trains offer lower-cost fares than its flagship Ave trains.
Last year also saw the launch of new Iryo high-speed services from Madrid to Barcelona and Valencia, and during 2023 it is expected that Iryo trains will link Madrid with Cordoba, Malaga, Seville and Alicante.
Another reason to use Spanish trains in 2023 is that the government is addressing both climate change and the cost of living crisis by making short- and medium-distance trains free.
It requires a nominal deposit of €10-€20 (£9-£18), refundable once 16 trips are made, and is of particular use to leisure travellers who want to explore from a single base, staying for a week in one of the principal cities.
Though a tourist is unlikely to use a pass enough to earn a refund, the saving on just two journeys alone can justify losing the deposit.
You will hardly be short of inspiration for places to go, either. Looking at Madrid alone, the line to Avila is worth two days: first to El Escorial, which is reached as the railway climbs into the Sierra de Guadarrama to offer a fabulous view of Philip II’s palace and 16th-century monastery.
The line continues through wild countryside to Avila, home to immense city walls with their 88 semicircular towers. Also, to the west of the Spanish capital is the line to Segovia, well worth a visit for its Roman aqueduct and fairy-tale castle.
And if you are keen to explore more of the world from the comfort of a luxurious carriage, it might be worth considering joining the Luxury Train Club, which offers members 2.5 per cent off any of its journeys, with no booking fees. Buen viaje.
Four to try: Spain on a train
A modern pilgrimage
New for 2023, this tour from Inntravel starts in Bilbao with a visit to Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum, which this year focuses on the museum’s own collections with a 25-year retrospective. From there, it’s a train ride to historic Burgos – don’t miss the tomb of medieval knight El Cid in the Gothic cathedral, or the 16th-century Arco de Santa María gateway.
The journey continues across the interior to León. The city is known for the stained glass in its cathedral and also for Gaudí’s Modernist Casa Botines. Santiago de Compostela, the terminus, is reached by train via Monforte de Lemos with a night in a 17th-century parador.
Inntravel (01653 617001) offers the Journey Along the Camino de Santiago trip from £1,095pp, based on two sharing, including nine nights’ B&B in mostly four- and three-star hotels
A peaceful retreat
A favourite destination for day-trippers from Barcelona is Núria, reached by a narrow-gauge rack railway from Ribes-Enllaç station at Ribes de Freser, which is served by trains from Barcelona-Sants.
There are no roads to the large mountain and ski resort where the complex includes an exhibition about El Cremallera (“The Zip”), which climbs over 3,000ft over seven miles. Go in spring and explore the Núria Valley, full of waterfalls and blooming with flowers.
Return local fares from Ribes de Freser to Núria start at €27 (£24)
A grand tour
Using Eurostar and TGVs to reach Spain, this 11-day tour begins in Madrid before continuing by train to the cultural and architectural jewels of Andalucia: Seville with its hulking cathedral; Granada with the Alhambra, and Córdoba, where the synthesis of Roman and Moorish styles fuse in the iconic Mosque-Cathedral (known as La Mezquita).
Afterwards, there are two days in Barcelona before taking the train home.
Trips with Great Rail Journeys (01904 521936) start at £2,895pp, based on two sharing, including 10 nights’ B&B and five dinners in mostly four- and three-star hotels
A two-nation treat
This 12-day journey begins with the train from London to San Sebastián before continuing across northern Spain for a full day in Santiago de Compostela. The tip of Spain at Vigo is reached by local train, and a full day allows exploration of the city’s many museums and galleries before moving on to Porto.
After three days in the Portuguese city, the train to Pinhão along the beautiful Douro Valley begins the return to Spain, with nights in Salamanca and Girona.
Tailor Made Rail (020 3322 7741) specialises in bespoke independent journeys, and can offer a similar itinerary from around £1,549
