Backpacking Spain: four cultural routes to discover
Spain can also be discovered at a slow pace, along paths that cross coastal landscapes, medieval villages, ancient spiritual routes and rural territories rich in history. For spring, Vueling offers four cultural routes in the Iberian Peninsula, ideal for those who want to go backpacking and experience a more authentic journey, through nature, traditions and local heritage.
The suggested destinations are Bilbao, Valencia, Valladolid and Seville, cities that become gateways to very different routes: from the Northern Way of Santiago to the Camino del Cid, from the Canal of Castile to the Way of the Passion in Andalusia.
The Northern Way of St. James, also known as the Camino del Norte, follows the coast of the Cantabrian Sea from Irún to Galicia, passing through the Basque Country, Cantabria and Asturias. Less traveled than other itineraries to Compostela, it offers Atlantic landscapes, seaside villages and stretches surrounded by nature.
Among the most interesting stops is Bilbao, a city capable of combining the charm of the historic center, with its Siete Calles and the famous pintxos, with the contemporaneity of the Guggenheim Museum. From Italy, Bilbao can be reached by Vueling from Milan Malpensa and, during the summer season, also from Rome Fiumicino.
For those who love the Middle Ages and great epic tales, the Camino del Cid leads in the footsteps of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, protagonist of the Cantar de Mio Cid. The route crosses eight provinces and four autonomous communities, from Vivar del Cid to the Mediterranean coast, alternating castles, historic villages, protected natural areas and cities of art.
The ideal final destination is Valencia, symbolically linked to the conclusion of the Cid feat and perfect for combining culture, sea and gastronomy, with Valencian paella as an experience not to be missed. From Italy, Valencia can be reached by Vueling via connecting flights from Barcelona.
More unusual and surprising is the route along the Canal de Castile, an engineering work built between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries for the transport of cereals from the Meseta to the northern ports. Today the route, over 200 kilometers long, can be covered on foot, by bicycle or by boat, between locks, bridges, mills, aqueducts and rural landscapes. The route crosses the provinces of Palencia, Burgos and especially Valladolid, with Medina de Rioseco among the most significant stops. It is a trip suitable for those looking for nature, birdwatching and local flavors, from lechazo asado to local wines. Valladolid can be reached from Italy with Vueling connecting from Barcelona.
In the south of Spain, the Camino de la Passione tells the story of the most authentic soul of Andalusia. The route connects ten cities in the provinces of Jaén, Córdoba and Seville, passing through historic centres, baroque churches, convents, museums of popular devotion, centuries-old olive groves and rural landscapes. From Priego de Córdoba to Osuna, from Écija to Carmona and Utrera, the route combines spirituality, architecture, traditions and gastronomy, with dishes such as migas, bacalao, garlic soups and conventual sweets. The final destination is Seville, which can be reached from Italy with Vueling via connecting flights from Barcelona.
The four routes offered by Vueling invite you to experience Spain beyond the most popular routes, choosing a slower and more conscious way of travelling. Walking, cycling or sailing along historical itineraries allows you to discover less crowded territories, meet local traditions to live a complete cultural experience.
