Bilbao to Santander or Santander to llanes

[Gemclare]

We are planning on walking for 5 days and would love to hear thoughts on which route to take. We will either walk Bilbao to santander or Santander to llanes which looks to be a bit longer.
I like the thoughts of starting in Bilbao and exploring the city first then arriving in Santander to relax a day or two before flying home from there.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Gemma

 

[Tom Cartwright]

We are planning on walking for 5 days and would love to hear thoughts on which route to take. We will either walk Bilbao to santander or Santander to llanes which looks to be a bit longer.
I like the thoughts of starting in Bilbao and exploring the city first then arriving in Santander to relax a day or two before flying home from there.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Gemma

Avoid the big cities. You spend all day walking in big modern cities. Start 1 or 2 stages before Llanes and do what you can.

 

[Maggie Y]

I agree. Llanes us a lovely place . Santiallana del Mar could be a good starting place if my memory serves me well. Buen Camino

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

I liked Bilbao for the museum there. It is worth seeing, but as others said it is a big city. You can always walk to Portugelete as well from Bilbao, then head to Santander

 

[nickpellatt]

Having recently completed my Camino del Norte, I'd say go from Bilbao. It isn't much fun walking out of Bilbao, and as you are only looking at 5 days, I'd be tempted to bus / taxi to leave the city.

Castro Urdiales is very beautiful, and my day walking to Bezana was possibly the most beautiful of my entire Camino.