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The Historic La Robla Route: León - Bilbao aboard the El Expreso de la Robla
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The Historic La Robla Route: León - Bilbao
A refined three-day cultural journey from León to Bilbao, travelling through dramatic mountain landscapes, ancient caves and the Romanesque treasures of Palencia aboard the historic Expreso de La Robla.
Day 1: León – San Feliz – Valporquero – Cistierna
The journey begins in León, where guests are welcomed before transferring to San Feliz to board the Expreso de La Robla. After meeting the crew and settling into your private cabin, the train sets its rhythm as it heads towards Matallana.
By coach, you travel through the dramatic Vegacervera Gorge, a striking natural corridor leading to Valporquero. Here, a visit to the Valporquero Caves reveals an extraordinary subterranean world of stalactites, stalagmites and sculpted rock formations, culminating in the vast and impressive Great Rotunda.
Returning on board, the Expreso de La Robla continues towards Cistierna. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay on board, with the train stationary to ensure a peaceful night’s rest.
Day 2: Cistierna – Romanesque Palencia – Espinosa de los Monteros
While enjoying breakfast on board, the train advances into the lands of Palencia. From Guardo, the journey continues by coach to the Roman Villa of La Olmeda, whose exceptionally preserved mosaics represent one of the finest examples of Roman heritage in Spain.
The day then unfolds through the Romanesque treasures of Palencia, considered among the most significant in Europe. Saldaña, Carrión de los Condes and Frómista reveal churches, historic squares and landmarks closely linked to the Camino de Santiago. A visit to the Church of San Martín and the Canal de Castilla completes this culturally rich stage.
In the afternoon, the train resumes its journey towards Espinosa de los Monteros in the Burgos region of Las Merindades. Dinner and overnight stay on board, with the train stationary in a serene setting.
Day 3: Espinosa de los Monteros – Bilbao
Your final breakfast on board accompanies the scenic passage through the Valley of Mena, one of the most beautiful landscapes in northern Spain. Arrival in Bilbao marks the beginning of a guided city visit, where tradition, contemporary architecture and cultural dynamism blend seamlessly.
The Guggenheim Museum stands as one of the defining highlights of the journey. After free time and lunch, the experience concludes at approximately 14:00.
For you, however, Bilbao can simply be the beginning. Teovian can design a tailored extension featuring carefully selected hotels, private experiences and exceptional gastronomy, accompanying you before, during and after your rail journey with the same level of excellence.
El Expreso de la Robla
Railway charm and a true spirit of travel through northern Spain
El Expreso de La Robla: travelling with authenticity and character
El Expreso de La Robla is an invitation to rediscover northern Spain from an intimate and authentic perspective. It is not an ostentatious luxury train, but a carefully designed experience for travellers who value landscape, local culture and the pleasure of unhurried travel.
As the train moves through mountains, valleys and historic towns, time seems to adjust to a different rhythm. Wide windows transform the journey into a moving panorama, where the landscapes of the north unfold naturally and without artifice. Here, true luxury lies in calm, shared conversations and the quiet satisfaction of being fully present.
El Expreso de La Robla does not seek to impress through excess, but to captivate through coherence and genuine travel spirit.
Classic inspiration, contemporary essence
Launched in 2009, El Expreso de La Robla takes its name from the historic railway line that once connected industrial regions across northern Spain. Today, that legacy is reimagined as a cultural and scenic journey that honours railway tradition while offering modern comfort.
Its classic-inspired décor evokes the elegance of earlier rail travel, yet its conception is fully contemporary. It is not a restored historical train, but a modern tourist train with an evocative soul, designed to explore the north through a cultural and landscape-driven lens.
Travelling aboard El Expreso de La Robla is about connecting railway heritage with present-day sensibility.
What is included: a balanced and thoughtfully curated experience
The itinerary is designed to provide a seamless journey, where each stage naturally flows into the next.
-Accommodation in a double cabin with private bathroom
-Welcome drink and aperitif
-Complimentary amenity kit with toiletries and slippers
-Mineral water during the journey
-Buffet breakfasts served on board
-Lunches and dinners in selected local restaurants, including beverages
-Scheduled excursions and guided visits
-Entrance fees to museums and monuments as per itinerary
-Support coach for transfers and excursions
-Onboard crew and accompanying guide throughout the journey
Each night, the train remains stationary in the station to ensure restful sleep without movement, allowing you to fully unwind.
Services may vary depending on the selected route. Your Teovian proposal will clearly outline everything included in your journey.
Local gastronomy: the flavours of the north, served where they belong
One of the defining features of El Expreso de La Robla is its commitment to authentic regional cuisine. Rather than concentrating dining exclusively on board, most lunches and dinners are enjoyed in carefully selected local restaurants along the route, allowing guests to experience each region in its own culinary context.
Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and León, and the Basque Country reveal their identities through seasonal ingredients, traditional recipes and regional wines. This approach turns every meal into a cultural extension of the landscape itself.
Buffet breakfasts are served in the lounge cars, offering a relaxed and light-filled start to the day, with the scenery unfolding just beyond the windows.
Here, gastronomy is not an add-on, it is an essential part of the journey.
Destinations and routes: a green and cultural journey
The itineraries of El Expreso de La Robla explore a lush, mountainous and deeply cultural northern Spain. Whether travelling from Bilbao to León or in reverse, the route connects regions of strong historical identity and ever-changing landscapes.
Seaside towns, monumental cities, natural enclaves and historic villages unfold in a carefully balanced rhythm between nature and heritage. This is not about covering distance, but about understanding each destination with the guidance of knowledgeable experts and at a pace that allows you to truly observe, listen and absorb.
Northern Spain reveals itself here at a human scale.
Cabins: practical comfort for life on the move
The cabins of El Expreso de La Robla are designed to provide comfortable rest after each day of exploration. Compact, well-organised and functional, they reflect the dynamic and cultural spirit of the journey.
Each cabin features:
-Two bunk beds
-Private bathroom with shower
-Adjustable air conditioning
-Wardrobe space
-Reading light
With approximately 3.42 square metres including the bathroom, the space is efficiently designed to ensure privacy and comfort. It is a practical accommodation, aligned with a journey where much of the experience unfolds beyond the cabin itself, in the landscapes and shared spaces.
How to book El Expreso de La Robla with Teovian
El Expreso de La Robla operates with limited capacity and specific departures each season. While it is positioned as a more accessible experience than higher-category luxury trains, popular dates tend to fill quickly.
At Teovian, we advise you on selecting the itinerary that best fits your schedule and travel style. Beyond managing the booking, we can design a complete experience, integrating additional nights, private transfers or tailored extensions before and after the train journey.
Booking through Teovian means benefiting from expert guidance and personalised planning from start to finish.
Frequently asked questions about El Expreso de La Robla
Is it a historic train?
No. It is a modern tourist train inspired by the aesthetic of classic railway travel.
Does the train travel at night?
No. The train remains stationary overnight to ensure restful sleep without movement.
Are meals included?
Yes. Buffet breakfasts are served on board, and lunches and dinners are included in selected restaurants with beverages according to the itinerary.
Is there Wi-Fi on board?
Yes, Wi-Fi is available in the common areas, subject to coverage.
Is it comparable to higher-end luxury trains?
El Expreso de La Robla offers a comfortable, culturally rich and carefully organised experience, with a more intimate and authentic focus than ultra-luxury train journeys.
Cabins & Suites
Discover the cabins of El Expreso de La Robla, functional, comfortable and thoughtfully designed spaces created for restful nights after each day of exploration.
Classic Room
Classic Room
Classic Bedroom aboard El Expreso de La Robla: functional comfort with railway charm
The Classic Bedroom aboard El Expreso de La Robla is designed as a compact, practical and welcoming space, offering genuine comfort after each day of discovery across northern Spain.
Featuring two fold-down bunk beds, the cabin makes intelligent use of every inch, combining functionality with a clean, modern aesthetic. Subtle references to traditional rail travel add character while maintaining a comfortable and well-balanced atmosphere for rest.
Each bedroom includes a fully private bathroom with shower, individually controlled air conditioning, wardrobe storage and a personal reading light, ensuring autonomy and ease throughout the journey.
At night, the train remains stationary in the station, allowing for uninterrupted rest and a comfortable, well-organised experience on board.
Classic Bedroom Features
-Two bunk beds (0.70 m x 1.80 m each)
-Fully private bathroom with shower
-Approximate size of 3.42 m² including bathroom
-Individually controlled air conditioning
-Wardrobe storage
-Reading light
-220V electrical connection
Choosing your cabin aboard El Expreso de La Robla with Teovian
At Teovian, we guide you in selecting the departure that best aligns with your schedule and travel expectations. While cabin configurations remain consistent, we can advise you based on availability, seasonality and how best to combine the journey with pre- or post-train stays.
Booking in advance allows you to secure your place on this authentic journey through northern Spain, with the reassurance of personalised and expert guidance throughout.
El Expreso de la Robla Gallery
Explore the atmosphere of El Expreso de La Robla through images that reveal its classic charm, welcoming lounge cars and the green landscapes that accompany every stretch of the journey.
