Across Spain from North to South over the silver route

Silver route across Spain

The Silver route is a must for Spain aficionados. It leads you across Spain, from north to south, or vice versa. Traversing eight hundred kilometres of beautiful nature, UNESCO world heritage sites, silver and gold.

Ruta de la Plata

The route starts in southern Seville in Spain and winds to northern Gijon. The road continues west from this coastal city as a pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela (+350 kilometres). The trail follows a two-thousand-year-old path of Roman origin. Along the way, one crosses four regions. Andalusia, Extremadura, Castilla y Leon, Galicia and seven provinces. 

Silver Route Spain

Large stretches of the original Roman road are preserved along the motorway (A-66). It is an ideal long-distance route for cycling or walking as it is relatively flat. Some attractions along the way are listed below.

Castrillo de los Polvazares

Castrillo de los Polvazares is probably the best-kept secret hideaway in Spain. A hamlet with only 81 inhabitants in the North of Spain. Yet, despite its post stamp size, it is probably one of the most charming villages in the country.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a university city, the capital of Galicia, and has had UNESCO World Heritage status since 1985. The city is located in the northwest of Spain. This is the crossroad where all the pilgrimage routes from France, Portugal and Spain come together at the cathedral, located in the city centre. Besides the imposing cathedral, it has different (religious) sites. For more about the tourist attractions, visit the website of the town.

Pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela

The scallop is widely recognised as the sign of a pilgrim. Santiago’s pilgrims get offered a place to sleep or offered a meal, sometimes a good conversation. So walk at least 100 kilometres, bike or go two hundred to three hundred kilometres on horseback, and you are in the eye of the (Catholic) God as good as new.

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Hotels in Santiago de Compostela

If your budget allows you to do so, book a night in the Parador hotel, also known as Hostal dos Reis Católicos. The hotel is located in the middle of the city centre, next to the cathedral. The fifteenth-century building is one of the finest in the Parador Chain.

Gijon

This coastal city is located on the Atlantic Ocean in the autonomous province of Asturias. I should add that I have never been to Gijon and thus know little about the town. But since this city is the official endpoint, or if you want the start of the Silver Route, I have to mention it anyway. Luckily, the Tourist Board of Gijon website is packed with helpful information in Spanish, English, French, and German.

Picos de Europa

When in the area, then make a trip to the Picos de Europa, a beautiful mountainous place that I did visit. After spending a couple of days in these mountains, I loved it so much that I decided to come back in my next life as an Asturian cow. You have to experience it to understand why.

Image © tourist office Gijon

Salamanca

The next stop on the itinerary should be Salamanca, halfway down (or up) the route. This is a city where the sandstone monuments turn into gold with sunset. It is also a city with a unique history and a small but pretty old centre. Finally, of course, it has been a UNESCO heritage site, since 1988 in fact.

Here, you will find the oldest university in Spain. Today, it is one of the leading language centres in the country. Every year, thousands of international students flock to the city to learn Spanish.

Hotels in Salamanca

The Parador hotel in Salamanca is located just outside the city. It has a breathtaking view overlooking the Roman bridge and the cathedral. The hotel has comfortable rooms, a swimming pool and an amiable staff. This is the ideal location to wine and dine al fresco, even if you decide not to stay overnight.

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