Ferry tours Spain and Portugal

Topped-and-tailed by a relaxing cruise the ferry-drive tour is the perfect antidote for airline-weary travellers. And northern Spain provides an exciting, and ecological, alternative to France for those who would rather not fly.

Ferry direct to Northern Spain for surfy beaches, world-class gastronomy and lofty mountains. Here you’ll find an extraordinarily rich heritage, architecture, both modern and ancient  – and plenty more. There are sleepy fishing villages and vibrant cities yet the region is still predominantly rural and quite unspoilt.

With superb motorway connections Santander and Bilbao open up the whole of Spain and Portugal for wonderful motoring adventures. For a truly epic journey head for Porto, Toledo  or the Mediterranean coast  or stay closer and discover the charms of north-west Spain or the Spanish Pyrenees .

Roads are remarkably good, driving conditions civilised and you’ll find no end of good things, from wines of Rioja and Ribera del Duero to fine Spanish ham, at wonderful prices to bring home with you.

General info about our tours

Eight ferry crossings a week.

Brittany Ferries now offer six crossings a week from the UK and two crossings a week from Ireland to northern Spain. Ferries depart from Portsmouth and Plymouth in the UK and Rosslare in Ireland, and enter Spain via Bilbao or Santander. The Spanish ports are just an hour apart meaning that they can be easily combined to fit your holiday plans.

Bring your own car and cruise down to Spain in style – and stock up with delicious goodies for the return trip!

We’ve designed several circular tours to combine with the ferry routes, staying in delightful small hotels and travelling at your own pace. If you don’t see what you’re looking for here do please give us a call and we’ll happily put together a bespoke itinerary for you.

Timetable - all Spain Ferries from UK and Eire

Choose from our Ferry-drive Touring Holidays

Showing 13 results

Detailed map of NC7 Camino del Norte out-and-back

Camino del Norte – Out and Back NC7

Santander – Santiago – Circular tour

Based on 14 nights self-drive independent tour in Spain

Mid-season from
£1400/pp
Detailed map of NC4 Mar y Montaña Tour

Mar y Montaña NC4

Natural highlights of Cantabria & Asturias

Based on 7 nights self-drive independent tour in Spain

Mid-season from
£675/pp
Detailed map of PC5 Western Pyrenees Circular Tour

Western Pyrenees Circular Tour PC5

Navarra and Aragon – Circular

Based on 10 nights self-drive independent tour in Spain

Mid-season from
£1175/pp
Detailed map of PO7 Santander to Porto Circular Tour

The Porto Run – Santander to Porto PO7

Santander to Porto & back in two weeks

Based on 14 nights self-drive independent tour in Portugal and Spain

Mid-season from
£1625/pp
Map of Heritage Cities Spain

The Toledo Run IC5

Northern Spain to Toledo via the Heritage Cities of Castilla y León

Based on 14 nights self-drive independent tour in Spain

Mid-season from
£2025/pp
Discover the Basque Country Route Map

Discover the Basque Country NC11

Bilbao – Rioja Alavesa – San Sebastian Tour

Based on 7 nights self-drive independent tour in Spain

Mid-season from
1250/pp
Detailed map of NC3 Taste of North Spain Tour

Taste of the North NC3

Bilbao – La Rioja – Coastal Cantabria Tour

Based on 7 nights self-drive independent tour in Spain

Mid-season from
£775/pp
Map of north Spain Grand Tour

Grand Tour of Northern Spain NC6

North coast, Picos de Europa & the interior

Based on 14 nights self-drive independent tour in Spain

Mid-season from
£1375/pp
Map of NC10 Discover Navarra

Discover Navarra NC10

A journey around the Kingdom of Navarra

Based on 7 nights self-drive independent tour in Spain

Mid-season from
£750/pp
Detailed map of PC4 Wine and Mountains Rioja and Pyrenees Tour

Wine & Mountains Tour PC4

Navarra – Aragon – La Rioja – Bilbao

Based on 10 nights self-drive independent tour in Spain

Mid-season from
£1150/pp
Map of Cross Pyrenees trip to Costa Brava

The Costa Brava Run PC6

From Atlantic via Pyrenees to glittering Med

Based on 14 nights self-drive independent tour in Portugal and Spain

Mid-season from
£1900/pp
Map of Discover Asturias Tour

Discover Asturias NC8

Northern Spain’s ‘Natural Paradise’

Based on 7 nights self-drive independent tour in Spain

Mid-season from
£700/pp
Map of Discover Cantabria Tour

Discover Cantabria NC9

Cantabria, the heart of Northern Spain

Based on 7 nights self-drive independent tour in Spain

Mid-season from
£750/pp

Ferry tour northern Spain

Let our experts help you plan your trip – we’ll adapt the route to fit with ferry crossings which suit you, and take into account any driving or parking concerns you may have. We can advise on circular rides, road conditions, the best time to come and driving regulations in Spain and Portugal..

Brittany Ferries services arrive in the Spanish ports of Santander and Bilbao. Our recommended routes head from there into Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia and the Picos de Europa in the Spanish northern region, south into Castilla y León and La Rioja and further afield into Portugal. Please call to ask about options.

If you have particular requirements please do let us know. For example we can advise on classic car touring and motorcycle touring in Spain  – if you have a small group please give us a call – we’d love to hear from you!