Northern Spain Photo Tour
The Cantabrian Photo Tour is our most comprehensive photography experience in Spain. The Costa Cantábrica has become one of the most sought-after locations for landscape and seascape photographers. This stunning region in Northern Spain, with its beautiful beaches, dramatic cliffs, rocky formations, and the majestic Picos de Europa mountains so close to the sea, offers a treasure trove for landscape photography enthusiasts.
This photography workshop will take us through the provinces of Basque Country, Cantabria, and Asturias. We will focus on capturing the beauty of this remarkable coastline, visiting iconic locations such as the dramatic Gaztelugatxe Island, Barrika, Arnia, and El Silencio, as well as the breathtaking cliffs and coastal scenery of Costa Quebrada.
Along the way, we will also explore picturesque villages and charming small towns, including Cudillero, San Vicente de la Barquera, Llanes, Lastres, Ribadesella, and Luarca. We will even visit the famous city of Bilbao, where we will start the day with a sunrise session at its iconic Guggenheim Museum.
In addition to these villages and seascapes, we will delve into some incredible mountain landscapes and forests. Notable stops include the lush forests around Vega de Pas and the stunning Picos de Europa National Park.
This tour will also include at least one post-processing session, where you will learn valuable tips and techniques for processing some of the images captured during the trip. With a diverse array of locations, stunning seascapes, charming villages, and towering mountains, this is the ultimate photography tour for those looking to capture the full beauty of Northern Spain.
Itinerary North Spain Photo Tour
Day 1 & 2: Arrival in Bilbao – Exploring the City and Nature
We’ll meet at Bilbao Airport to begin our Spain Photo Tour. During the first two days, we’ll immerse ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Bilbao, one of Spain’s most iconic cities. The highlight of our time in the city will be a photography session at the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, a masterpiece of modern architecture and one of the most photographed buildings in the world.
Beyond the city, we’ll explore the natural wonders that surround it. Our first stop will be the striking Barrika Beach, where we’ll capture the dramatic flysch formations and rugged coastal landscape. From there, we’ll head to the legendary San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a picturesque island topped with a small church, famously featured in the TV series Game of Thrones.
To conclude the day, we’ll visit the serene Gorbeia Forest, where ancient beech trees and enchanting waterfalls provide the perfect setting for some captivating landscape shots.
Day 3 & 4: Exploring the Stunning Coast of Asturias
Next, we’ll head down to the Asturias coast to photograph its wild, stunning beaches and dramatic cliffs. This region is home to some of the most breathtaking locations in Spain and Europe for landscape and seascape photography. We’ll visit iconic spots like El Castro de las Gaviotas, Gueirua Beach, El Silencio, and Portizuelo Beaches, each offering unique rock formations and the perfect backdrop for stunning photographs.
Our journey will also take us through the picturesque fishing villages of Luarca and Cudillero, renowned for their rich maritime history. These charming towns still boast fresh seafood and cozy, welcoming restaurants. As we explore, we’ll find countless opportunities to capture compositions of jagged rocks, hidden coves, and serene coastal views, especially at Playa Portizuelo, Playa de Toro, and many other secluded gems along the coast.
In addition to these awe-inspiring landscapes, we’ll have the chance to visit other beautiful villages like Llanes, Ribadesella, and Lastres, where we’ll not only enjoy more photographic opportunities but also immerse ourselves in local life and savor the region’s famous seafood dishes.
Day 5 & 6: Discovering the Mountains – Picos de Europa National Park
After immersing ourselves in the seascapes, we’ll shift our focus to the Picos de Europa National Park, a majestic mountain range offering a completely different photography experience. Over the next two days, we’ll explore abandoned villages, hidden waterfalls, and mist-covered mountain vistas, each more enchanting than the last.
The lush green forests, tranquil streams, and the remnants of old mills will also provide the perfect backdrop for a morning hike, where we can capture the serene beauty of the mountains.
For the first time on the trip, we’ll focus on sunset photography in this stunning mountainous landscape. But we won’t stop there — as night falls, we’ll take advantage of the clear skies for a night photography session at Covadonga Lakes. This will be a fantastic opportunity to photograph the Milky Way, surrounded by the dramatic peaks of Picos de Europa.
Day 7 & 8: Exploring the Cantabria Coast
Next, we’ll make our way to the stunning Cantabria region, where we’ll spend the next two days capturing some of the most picturesque seascapes in Spain. Known for its beautiful beaches, dramatic cliffs, and impressive rock formations, Cantabria offers an abundance of photographic opportunities.
We’ll visit iconic spots like Arnia Beach, La Costa Quebrada, and Los Urros during both sunrise and sunset, ensuring we capture the best light and atmosphere at these remarkable locations.
Throughout the day, we’ll also explore charming villages in the area, including Comillas, Suances, and San Vicente de la Barquera. These quaint towns will not only provide unique photographic subjects but also offer a chance to immerse ourselves in the local culture and enjoy the region’s culinary delights.
Day 9: Return to Bilbao – Conclusion of the Tour
On our final day, we’ll drive back to Bilbao, where our Spain Photo Tour will come to an end. Along the way, if time allows, we’ll make a few stops at additional locations, ensuring that our journey concludes with some final photographic opportunities. It’s the perfect way to reflect on the incredible landscapes, villages, and moments we’ve experienced throughout this unforgettable tour.
Map North Spain Photo Tour
Photographer Guide
Jabi Sanz is a landscape photographer from northern Spain. He grew up in Pamplona, a small city in the North of Spain. Jabi believes that photography makes him connect to nature in a unique way, different from what he’s ever experienced before. Nature is his inspiration, and he’s endlessly fascinated with all the beauty, variety of colors, sounds and compositions it has to offer.
Nature has also made Jabi travel and discover places he didn’t think he would visit. Even though Jabi now travels a lot around the world, some of the locations he visited have particularly touched his soul: Bali in Indonesia and Koh Lipe Island in Thailand. That’s why these two islands are where Jabi resides the most.
Landscape and night photography are Jabi’s primary sources of work. Since he discovered them a few years ago, Jabi has dedicated all this time to studying and improving these types of photography, trying to find the “perfect technique” both when taking the picture and when processing it. Currently, Jabi teaches capturing and editing photos, and also guides photo tours around the world.
More Info about this Photo Tour
Departure & Return Location
Bilbao, Spain
Price Excludes
- Flights to & from Bilbao
- Any Private Expenses including meals
- Tips
- Visa, check if you need it
- Anything not mention in “Price includes”
Complementaries
- DSLR or mirrorless camera, tripod and remote shutter
- Wide angle lens (14-24mm as example)
- Standard lens (24-70mm as example)
- Telephoto lens (70-200mm as example)
Photographic lessons
- Composition
- Digital Workflow
- Panoramic Photography
- Depth of Field calculation
- Focal Blending
- Blue Hour Photography
- Night photography
- Filters, Neutral Density and Neutral Density Grads
- Photoshop and Lightroom post-processing workflow