Cool Spain
For Saturday, September 5, 2026
Michael MacKuen

We go to the coolest part of Spain. At the end of a very hot European summer, we want our Spanish holiday to be as cool as possible. Accordingly, we shall fly along the northern coastline to enjoy “Green Spain.” Here the Atlantic Ocean winds are trapped by the Cantabrian mountains with a resulting climate that is oceanic, relatively wet and cool, similar to that of Ireland or the Pacific Northwest. We start at the old French resort town Biarritz and travel to the corner of the peninsula at A Coruña.


Bilbao’s Calatrava-designed terminal

We begin our journey at Biarritz, the historic resort city in the French Basque Country. For centuries the town was a whaling center, but in the mid-nineteenth century it became a glamorous destination when Empress Eugenie built a palace on the beach. For the years of the Belle Epoque it attracted noble-born aristocrats and the nouveau riche from all around Europe as well as North and South America. The town has remained a favorite over the years. In the 1950s, an American filmmaker and his Californian friends started surfing these waters – which became a center for European surf culture. We depart from the tourist airport Bayonne-Anglet [LFBZ] and pop over to the coast to see the classic seafront with its Biarritz Lighthouse, the Hȏtel du Palais (the grand historic palace refreshed), the Art Deco Casino, the old fishing port, and the surfing beaches along the Cȏte des Basques.

We fly south to cross the Spanish border into Spain’s fiercely independent Basque region. We shall execute a touch-and-go at the airport San Sebastian [LESO] before proceeding to the city center of San Sebastián (or Donostia in Basque). This is a newly popular resort city famous for its beaches, taverns, music, and nightlife with both an International Flim Festival and Jazz Festival. (In comparison, Biarritz is seen as more quirky with a laid-back “surfer” vibe.) San Sebastián is renowned for its Basque cuisine, with many Michelin-starred restaurants (the second-highest per capita in the world). And in addition, it is especially known for pintxos ([PEEN CHOS] tiny bite-sized dishes served with drinks, smaller than tapas common in traditional Spain). These are especially bountiful in the bars of the Old Quarter. We pass over beautiful La Concha Bay before proceeding to the west.

Along the coast we pass over El Flysch Zumaia, the vertical cliffs of sedimentary rock layers that are of geologic interest as one of the best exposed outcrops of deep marine sediments in the world. (Best seen from the west.) For a different crowd, these are famous as a filming location for Dragonstone in the Game of Thrones. Further along, we see the San Juan de Gaztelugatxeko hermitage. The islet is connected to the mainland by a narrow stone bridge with a winding staircase of 241 steps. The original building dates from the nineth century. The setting was the inspiration for Dragonstone in the Game of Thrones with the islet being topped by a digitally created castle.

A few miles on, we descend and slow down to enter the harbor at Bilbao. This is the Basque Country’s biggest city (about 1 million) and de facto capital. The historic port became heavily industrialized in the twentieth century right through the Francoist era. Since the 1990s the city has been in the process of deindustrialization and transition to the service economy. The key was the 1997 opening of the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum and the associated infrastructure development and urban renewal. This sustained effort has led to international recognition and awards for its sustained planning and innovative architecture.

The photogrammetry of Bilbao is really good and it is worth the effort to make a slow circle along the Nervion River. (We’ll get an overview. To do this properly requires a helicopter excursion.) Sights include the Vizcaya Bridge (the world’s oldest transporter bridge), Athletic Club San Mames stadium (Basque-only players, Football), Iberdrola Tower (tallest in the region), Guggenheim Museum (famed for stunning architecture as well as modernist collection), Zubizuri Bridge (white structure and glass bricks), Casco Viejo (Old Town with pintxo bars and a cathedral), Bilbo Arena (Basketball), Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre (Bull fights). Then back over the Guggenheim for a different look and then the top of the Artxanda Funicular (view of city). We land at Bilbao [LEBB] with its dramatic Santiago Calatrava-designed terminal building opened in 2000. The scheme, with two symmetrical wings and a sharp tip at the center, is certainly beautiful. However, it may not gracefully handle the current passenger flow that is already twice the intended capacity.

Our next destination, leaving the Basque Country and entering Cantabria, is Santander. This is another old port city with a thriving fishing industry and a busy ferry service to the UK. The central city was destroyed in the 1941 fire: much of the city is relatively new. This is the founding location of the multinational Bank of Santander (4^th largest in Europe) and it retains a nominal headquarters. The city is now a service center. We approach at the north to see the Palacio de la Magdalena, a lovely palace gifted by the people of Santander to the royal family in 1909. (Since 1931 it has served as a public building, a conference center, and a popular tourist attraction.) Then we swing south past the small football stadium and the interesting Palacio de Deportes (Basketball). We land at Seve Ballesteros Santander [LEXJ]. This is an expansion of an earlier airport and is now designed for about two million passengers annually (twice current traffic). The airport is working (with Ryan Air) to increase flights.

Next we turn to a bit of fun in the Cantabrian mountains. We climb up into the Picos de Europa, a striking mountain subrange that is formed from limestone. Erosion has produced the dramatic karst formations that will catch our eyes. We shall take advantage of the opportunity by flying an embedded circle through the highest reaches of the range – needing something like 7,000 feet to clear the designated flightpath (the nearby highest peaks are over 8,000ft). Then on to the port town of Aviles and it new (2011) Oscar Niemeyer International Culture Center. The Brazilian Niemeyer, one of the world’s most acclaimed modernist architects, donated the project to the region of Asturias. Dedicated to education, culture and peace, the Center is Niemeyer’s most important project in Europe. Local planners hope to use the project as a catalyst for the town’s transition from an industrial to a service economy. After a quick look, we turn to land at the nearby international airport Asturias [LEAS].

We fly west along the Cantabrian coast to make a brief stop at a small airfield Villaframil [LEVF] near Ribadeo. Then, just after departure, we remain low and slow along the coast to see the playa de las Catedrales (or Beach of the Cathedrals), a name derived from its cliff formations. At low tide, the size of the cliffs, natural arches, and sea caves is apparent – with many big caves whose roofs have collapsed due to the erosion of the waves. The 100ft high arches may resemble a cathedral’s flying buttresses…hence the “tourist” name.  (Do not fly low directly over the cliffs!) Afterwards we fly west toward A Coruña. On the way, we pass over As Pontes de Garcia Rodriguez. The small town hosts Spain’s largest natural gas plant. Notably, its chimney (1200ft) is the country’s highest structure and is Europe’s second highest chimney.

When we finally approach A Coruña. At the city’s northern tip is the Tower of Hercules, the oldest known Roman lighthouse stemming from the first century. This has become the iconic symbol of the city. A Coruña had long been an important port but, by the mid-twentieth century, it had become a backwater. Happily in the 1970s and 1980s the city experienced a dramatic recovery, part of the “Spanish Miracle.” Success has continued into the twenty-first century and the city is now Galicia’s main industrial and financial powerhouse. We land at A Coruña Airport [LECO], located on a small mesa 4 miles south of the city center.

Documentation
The flightplan can be found here.

Aircraft
This Saturday flight traverses the northern coast of Spain. With a length of 385nm, we want aircraft that can sustain a fast cruise of 190kts. Many aircraft may be suitable for this mission. Some popular choices might include the Beech Baron B58, Beech Duke, Cessna 404, Cessna 414AW, Lancair Legacy, Piper Aerostar, and maybe the Beech Bonanza A36TC. I’ll choose the Duke. As ever, please fly what you like.

Scenery
All of the airports are in the simulator. We have a few enhancements that will help a bit. Thanks to these talented authors.

Biarritz Bayonne-Anglet [LFBZ].  BMW freeware
San Sebastian [LESO].  SrTeam
Seve Ballesteros-Santander [LEXJ].  CapitanTan
Aeropuerto de Asturias [LEAS].  EdelSim

In addition to the airports, I would also recommend this light photogrammetry – which is relatively small in size.
Biarritz City Photogrammetry (Waterfront only).  Troglodytus

Temporarily, you can get the freeware package here. The package may also include freeware creations that are difficult to find. (Please check for duplicates of previously installed packages.)

Note that Bilbao [LEBB] and A Coruna [LECO] are good Asobo-enhanced airports. There are payware renditions of Biarritz Bayonne-Anglet [LFBR], San Sebastian [LESO], Bilbao [LEBB], Santander [LEXJ], Asturias [LEAS]. These are not necessary. If you have them, use them.

Time and Weather
For takeoff on Saturday, set the simulator at 3:00pm local for September 5, 2026. We typically prefer real weather.

Multiplayer Particulars
Date and time: Saturday, September 5, 2026. 1800 UTC (2000CEST, 1400EDT, 1100PDT)
Where: RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel
Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: South-East Asia server.

If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

I think you pulled a Josh No Flight Plan. Link goes to scenery

Yes, a “double whammy”. I got the Flightplan and Scenery URLs mixed up. The correct entries are:
Flightplan and Scenery.

(I have also corrected the entries in the original post above.)

Thanks!

Sorry, but not a member of the Round the World Race Club, but had to add that I've been to most of these places you described.My sister, brother-in-law and I did 2 Rick Steves tours this last fall. We landed at Biarritz Airport and took the bus to Beyonne where the first tour started. Went to San Sebastian and Bilbao as part of the trip. Just some quick pics of the area.

The first is San Sebastian beach and walkway and the second was walking across the bridge in Beyonne
from the train station to the city center and capturing the morning sun.

Apologies for the intrusion!