The Real Spain | Hidden History

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The Real Spain

10 days

from £2675 per person

A rugged coast and spectacular mountains provide the backdrop, as two experts from Oxford University guide you through the prehistory and history of Cantabria and Asturias in northern Spain.

Highlights:

The World Heritage Palaeolithic cave art of Cantabria.
The impressive Iron Age sites of the Castro Culture.
Some of the finest pre-Romanesque early-medieval buildings in Europe.
Discover the spectacular scenery and authentic culture of northern Spain.
A dedicated itinerary led by two specialists in their field, supported by a local Asturian guide.

Dates & Prices:

06 – 15 May 2026. Only £2675. Booking open.

Single supplement only £295.

Early booking is recommended.

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What’s Included:

Nine nights hotel accommodation (2 in Santillana del Mar, 4 in Navia and 3 in Oviedo).
All breakfasts and four evening meals.
Daily excursions with all transport, entrances and guiding.
Flexible travel arrangements.
100% TTA financial guarantee.
Overview

As the sole patch of Spain never to be conquered by the Muslims, it can be claimed that Asturias and Cantabria are the real Spain, a term which refers not only to the region’s deep Hispanic heritage but also its more authentic character in a country known today for its tourist hotspots. Situated on the Atlantic northern coast, it is often also called Green Spain, on account of its lushness compared to the hotter, drier south. The region is, in short, a hidden gem, a natural paradise of wild coastline, majestic mountains, colourful towns, and rustic villages with traditional ways.

Our tour travels chronologically through both the prehistory and the history of the region, beginning with the World Heritage cave art of Cantabria, and ending with the origins of the Spanish nation in early Medieval Asturias. Along the way we explore the emergence of human abstract thought in Europe’s best preserved Palaeolithic art, the impressive stone-built settlements of the Iron Age Castro Culture, and the accomplished pre-Romanesque art and architecture of a post-Visigothic Kingdom which initiated the Christian reconquista of all Spain from the Islamic Moors.

Travelling both along the coast and into the mountainous interior, we enjoy the genuine local culture of towns known for their ciders and gastronomy, and we get off the beaten track into the remoter areas and spectacular wilder landscapes of this truly beautiful, unspoilt part of Spain.

See the ‘Itinerary’ tab above for full itinerary details.

: Altamira [1]

: Gijon [2]

: Castro de Coaña [3]

Your Tour Directors

Emeritus Professor Gary Lock

Gary is Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at the University of Oxford, where he has taught and researched for many years. He is an acknowledged authority on Iron Age hillforts, and co-directed the recent ‘Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland’ project. He has directed fieldwork and led tours in the UK, Spain and Italy, and has encouraged much community involvement in his excavations and post-excavation work.

Travels through Prehistoric Spain: A Guide

Travels Through Prehistoric Spain: A Guide

Gary has recently published ‘Travels through Prehistoric Spain: A Guide’, co-authored with his wife Jude. It includes a background to Spanish prehistory and details over 200 sites, from Palaeolithic cave art to Iron Age castros, many of which get you off the beaten track into the Real Spain. It’s an ideal companion to the tour, and can be bought with a 20% discount using promo code 090020.

Available from Archaeopress

Mike Sibly

Mike graduated in history from Cambridge University and became Deputy Registrar at Oxford University, where he is now an Emeritus Fellow of St Anne’s College. He specialises in medieval history, especially the Crusades, has published translations of medieval accounts of the Albigensian Crusade, and has walked the pilgrimage route across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela.

Activity Level

Some of the castro archaeological sites on the first half of this tour are in mountainous terrain, but they simply require some gentle uphill and downhill walking in order to get around them. There are no hikes or long walks, the pace is always gentle, and most of the sites on the tour will present little challenge for those with a reasonable level of mobility and independence. Please feel free to ask us for more details.

Getting There

You have complete freedom to choose when and how you travel, whether by air, sea or rail. Choose your preferred departure point, times, length of stay etc.

Why not extend your stay in the region, and why not travel to Spain by sea or train? It makes the journey part of your holiday, and reduces your carbon footprint

We will be happy to help, and if you book your flights with us you will be fully ATOL protected. See the ‘Getting There’ tab above for more details.

Sail Overnight from England

We recommend sailing overnight from Portsmouth to Santander. Depart in the evening of 4th May and arrive 33 hours later on the morning of 6th May, having enjoyed a cruise experience with two relaxing nights on board the ferry. You are then just 30 minutes away from our hotel, and we will meet you at the ferry and transfer you. Your journey really will feel like part of your holiday, and you’ll also create a significantly lower carbon footprint than if you fly. Portsmouth harbour is easy to get to by train too, less than 1.5 hours from London.

What to Expect

All our tours include a full programme of expertly guided excursions and interesting talks to create an enriching travel experience. The emphasis is on both the cultural interest and the nature of the experience—focused but with time to relax and absorb it all.

We like to explore and get off the beaten track for special access to hidden gems and better integration with the local culture and economy. We keep our group sizes small (8–18 people) which enhances your experience and minimises adverse impacts on local communities. It is very relaxed and informal with no prior knowledge expected.

Click HERE for more about what to expect.

How To Book

Tours have minimum and maximum numbers of participants, so you will benefit from booking early; it secures your place and enables us to confirm your tour earlier. We keep our group sizes small, so tours can quickly fill but it is always worth checking for late availability.

Reservations & Enquiries: To reserve your place or enquire further simply click the “Book This Tour Now” button on the relevant tour page, and submit your details. You can also call us on (UK) 0121 444 1854, or email enquiries@hiddenhistory.co.uk.

There is no commitment and no payment at this stage; reservations are purely provisional until we have confirmed availability and proceeded with booking and payment.

Booking & Payment: Once we have checked availability, a deposit is required to secure your booking (£100 for UK tours, £250 for non-UK tours). We will email you a payment link which enables payment by credit card, debit card or bank transfer. Card payment can also be made by telephone (UK) 0121 444 1854.

Places and prices are guaranteed only with a deposit. Full payment is usually required 2 or 3 months ahead of the tour.

Financial Protection: Hidden History Travel is a member of the Travel Trust Association with membership number Q2398. This means that we provide you with the strongest consumer protection available in the travel industry. Any payments you make are 100% protected by the association to pay for your holiday or to reimburse you if we fail to provide it. Hidden History Travel also holds ATOL licence number 12463. This means that if you book your flights with us you will be protected if we or your airline cease trading.

See our booking conditions for further details.

BOOK THIS TOUR NOW

Image Attributes

[1] Museo de Altamira y D. Rodríguez, CC BY-SA 3.0, Source

[2] Adobe Stock (Free) Source

[3] Markus Braun, Public Domain, Source

[Hero image] Adobe Stock (Free), Source

Day 1: Arrival

We begin in Cantabria in Northern Spain, at our hotel in the picturesque historic town of Santillana del Mar. Known for its medieval towers, Renaissance palaces, cobbled streets and wooden balconies adorned with flowers, the town grew up around the Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana. Meet your tour directors for a tour of the church followed by an included evening meal.

Day 2: Altamira, Cueva del Castillo and Cueva de Las Monedas

Today we explore the World Heritage Palaeolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain. Dating from 35,000 to 11,000 BC, this is the oldest art in Europe, linked to the very first appearance of Homo sapiens and the origins of symbolic thought, the abstract mind, and artistic expression. They are in a remarkable state of preservation, amongst the best in the world. A variety of animals, human hands and mysterious symbols are depicted in red, black and yellow using a diverse technical repertoire of drawings, paintings, engravings and sculptures.

The most famous cave is Altamira, the first to be discovered of 18 caves which now comprise the World Heritage site. To ensure their conservation, only some of the caves are open to the public, and we visit the two best examples of these; Cueva del Castillo and Cueva de Las Monedas. Of course, we also visit the replica “Neo-Cave” at Atlamira, painstakingly reproduced using the same painting techniques.

Day 3: Transfer to Navia via Gijon and Campa Torres

Heading west along the Atlantic coast we cross from Cantabria into Asturias, where we stop in the vibrant city of Gijon, an attractive combination of maritime tradition, historic architecture, pedestrianised streets and seafront promenades. At its core, the old fishing village of Cimadevilla juts out into the sea on a narrow headland between two curving sandy beaches. This area is filled with tall houses painted in yellows, oranges and reds, overlooking a yacht-filled marina and threaded by narrow, winding streets leading you between charming plazas.

We are reminded of the city’s Roman origins by the bronze statue of Augustus which stands next to the Campo Valdés Roman Baths Museum. Here we see the largest and best-preserved Roman baths in northern Spain, whose paintings deserve special mention, along with numerous artefacts relating to everyday life here in Roman times.

At the Campa Torres Archaeological Park on a headland just outside Gijon we discover the even earlier occupation which pre-dated the founding of the Roman city. With its origins in the 6th and 5th centuries BC, the castro here is the largest maritime fortified enclosure on the entire Asturian coast. We see an impressive array of stone-built defensive structures, a rock-cut moat, and houses paved with cobblestones, along with a very good site museum and reconstructions.

Day 4: Navia, Castro de Coaña and Castro de Pendia

After breakfast, Professor Lock will present a lecture setting the scene for the first half of our tour in which we explore the cultural and natural heritage of western Asturias, focusing on its magnificent Celtic castros. We then visit Navia’s main archaeological site, Castro de Coana. This large and impressive fortified settlement from Iron Age and Roman times has long been at the heart of archaeological research in the region, and now also has an interesting interpretation centre on the castro culture. Walking through the site, we see a fortified ‘acropolis’ and a lower settlement where some 80 houses are visible, together with a network of streets and squares running between them.

After time for lunch in the town, we follow the valley of the River Navia upstream. The valley has been designated as an historical park and the road passes through mountains cloaked in forests, with views over the Arbón reservoir. We detour to the village of Pendía and take a short walk (500 metres) through evocative woods to reach Castro de Pendia. Here we find examples of Asturian ‘saunas’ and ‘communal buildings’ as well as houses. We then return to our hotel in Navia.

Day 5: Castro de Chao San Martín, Tumulus del Canadeiro and Os Castro Taramundi

Today we head into the wild interior of Asturias, where the landscapes of the Cantabrian Mountains offer spectacular views, traditional villages and a host of myths and legends. We stop at Castro de Chao San Martin, a key site in our understanding of castro culture. Settlement began here in the Bronze Age, around 800 BC, and grew into a major Iron Age and Roman centre for the mining of the region’s gold deposits. We also visit a nearby Neolithic burial tumulus, dating back to c.3500 BC. In the afternoon we see another fine castro at Os Castro Taramundi and we complete our day’s circuit by following the scenic Navia valley down to our hotel.

Day 6: Castro de Cabo Blanco, Ribadeo, Cathedral’s Beach and Castro de Mohías

Heading west along the beautiful Asturian coastline, we stop at two impressive castros; Castro de Mohías and Castro de Cabo Blanco. The first preserves an excellent urban layout of homes and streets while the second is dramatically sited on a coastal promontory. It is one of a group of maritime castros along this stretch of coast and has impressive defences which, by Roman times, enclosed a vast area extending landward from the promontory, making it one of the most important castros of the region.

We break for lunch in the lively port town of Ribadeo, on the border between Asturias and Galicia. The Old Town and harbour are an attractive mix of handsome old galleried and stone houses, and the restaurants and tapas bars are well known for their gastronomy. After lunch we stop at the most famous of the area’s beautiful beaches, Cathedral’s Beach, where constant pounding from the Atlantic Ocean has sculpted the rocks into dramatic formations, including huge natural arches which resemble cathedral architecture.

Returning to our hotel, Mike Sibly will introduce the next theme of our tour, the pre-Romanesque, before we enjoy an included dinner.

Day 7: Transfer to Oviedo via the churches of Santianes de Pravia, Santo Adriano, Santa Cristina de Lena

We move on chronologically and geographically today, transferring to Oviedo, capital of the post-Visigothic kingdom. En-route we begin our exploration of the region’s important pre-Romanesque heritage with a stop at the church of Santianes de Pravia, founded as a chapel for the King of Asturias in the 8th century AD. The foundation stone has an intriguing inscription in the form of a letter labyrinth, which appears to have inspired Salvador Dali’s painting A Propos of the ‘Treatise on Cubic Form‘ by Juan de Herrera. Next we visit the church of St Adriano de Tunon, founded as a monastic church by Asturian King Alfonso III in the 9th century. It survives more or less in its original condition and contains well preserved mural paintings.

We continue into Oviedo, where we break for lunch in the attractive city centre before an afternoon visit to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage site of Santa Cristina de Lena. This is one of the best preserved and beautifully sited of the pre-Romanesque churches of Asturias, dating from around 850 AD. Returning to Oviedo, we settle in to our well-appointed city centre hotel where dinner is included this evening.

Day 8: Oviedo and the Church of Santa Maria de Bendones

Oviedo was the capital of the Asturian kingdom throughout the 9th century, and is today the capital of the modern principality. It contains a very rich architectural history, with many buildings dating back to the early medieval period, and now national monuments of World heritage status. Our tour begins just outside the city in the little hamlet of Bendones whose church of Santa Maria was built around 800 AD and has an unusual design for the time. We continue with a visit to the area of Oviedo known as Monte Naranco. Here Asturian King Ramiro I built his royal palace in the 9th century, a complex of buildings which included Santa Maria de Naranco, originally the main hall of the palace, and the striking basilica of St Miguel de Lilo, with its Visigothic, Byzantine and Carolingian architectural influences.

We also visit the Cathedral church of San Salvador. Built mostly in the flamboyant Gothic style, it has long guarded the greatest symbols of Asturias, relics also visited by the pilgrims heading for the holy city of Santiago de Compostela. We break for lunch in the city’s Old Quarter, where the tapas bars are highly recommended, and where you can explore the quarter’s pedestrianised streets and enjoy the atmosphere of this elegant, historic city. Dinner is independent this evening.

Day 9: San Julian de los Prados and Salvador de Valdedios

This morning we visit the oldest and largest of Oviedo’s surviving pre-Romanesque buildings, San Julian de los Prados, with its remarkable set of early 9th century murals. We also visit the attractively-sited little church of Salvador de Valdedios, just outside Oviedo and almost certainly part of an Asturian royal estate. Returning to the city centre we break for lunch and a relaxed final afternoon with the chance to visit the city’s archaeological or other museums before an included farewell dinner in one of Oviedo’s typical cider houses – an opportunity to celebrate your week’s experiences, new knowledge and friendships.

Day 10: Departure

You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport/seaport for your journey home. Or why not stay longer and enjoy more of the cultural and natural splendours of northern Spain?

This tour begins in Cantabria and ends in Asturias, staying two nights in Santillana Del Mar, four nights in Navia and three nights in Oviedo.

All three hotels are centrally located in their respective towns, within easy walking distance of local restaurants.

We choose hotels with high standards (4-star or excellent 3-star), and we favour those with local character and charm, well-integrated into their surroundings.

Location: For ease of transfers to and from our hotels in Spain, the most efficient route is outward to Santander and homeward from Oviedo, each with a 30 minute transfer time in Spain. It is also possible to travel outward to Bilbao, c. 1.5 hours from our first hotel, and homeward from Santander or Bilbao, c. 2 hours and 3 hours respectively from our final hotel in Oviedo.

Air and Sea Routes: It is possible to travel to northern Spain from the UK by air or sea. There are seaports available at Santander and Bilbao, and airports available at Santander, Bilbao and Oviedo. Full airline and ferry schedules may not be available until 6-9 months before departure, depending on the operator, but there are usually direct flights every week between Santander/Oviedo and a number of UK airports, and ferry sailings twice a week to/from both Santander and Bilbao.

By Train: It is also possible to reach Santander and Bilbao by train all the way from the UK, via Paris and San Sebastian. We recommend taking a look at an excellent website called “The Man in Seat 61”. Here you will find all the details you need for getting to Spain from the UK by train.

Transfers: If you book one of our recommended flights or sailings, we will include your transfers in Spain between the airport/seaport and the hotel.

Flexibility: You are free to make your own travel arrangements, or you can book them with us. Before booking any travel of your own please ensure we have confirmed your tour and your place on it.

ATOL Protection: If you book your flights with us you will receive full ATOL protection. The ATOL scheme (which stands for Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) is financial protection that protects you when you book a package trip that includes a flight. It protects you and your money if we, or the airline you booked with us, cease trading, before or whilst you’re on holiday. This means you will be able to claim your money back or continue your holiday and be repatriated. It is separate to travel insurance.

Hidden History Travel holds ATOL licence number 12463.

: Altamira [1]

: Gijon [2]

: Castro de Coaña [3]

: Santa María de Bendones, Oviedo [4]

: Altamira [5]

: Castro de Pendía [6]

: Exploring a castro with Professor Lock [7]

: Santa Christina de Lena [8]

: Oviedo [9]

: San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo [10]

: Castro Chao San Martín [11]

: Santa Maria del Naranco, Oviedo [12]

: Castro de Coaña [13]

: Enjoying dinner in a traditional Asturian restaurant [14]

: Lastres [15]

: Santa María del Naranco [16]

: Cantabrian Mountains [17]

Image Attributes

[1] Museo de Altamira y D. Rodríguez, CC BY-SA 3.0, Source

[2] Adobe Stock (Free) Source

[3] Markus Braun, Public Domain, Source

[4] Ángel M. Felicísimo, CC BY-SA 2.0, Source

[5] MatthiasKabel, CC BY 2.5, Source

[6] Ángel M. Felicísimo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Source

[8] Jose Luis Martinez Alvarez – Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, Source

[9] Jorge Franganillo – www.flickr.com/photos/franganillo, CC BY 2.0, Source

[10] Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0, Source

[11] 19Tarrestnom65, CC BY-SA 3.0, Source

[12] Zarateman, CC BY-SA 3.0 es, Source

[13] Jscouso, CC BY-SA 3.0 es, Source

[15] Gun Powder Ma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Source

[16] Alonso de Mendoza, CC BY-SA 4.0, Source

[17] Davidphase, CC BY-SA 2.5, Source

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