9 Great Reasons to Visit the North of Spain

You want to add Northern Spain to your list for many reasons – pristine beaches, less crowded places, lush green landscapes with hills and mountains, and food culture, among other incredible things.

Northern Spain is often overlooked, and you’ll be surprised by everything you can do in this part of Spain. So if you’re looking for a less touristy and tranquil destination, you’ll love visiting one of the cities or towns in the north of Spain.

You’ve probably heard of San Sebastián or Bilbao, but you’ll also be amazed by smaller cities and towns in Northern Spain that aren’t often mentioned in travel guides and articles.

If you’re ready to discover whether Northern Spain is worth visiting or not and find useful tips to travel around this beautiful part of Spain, keep reading this travel guide.

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Reasons to visit the north of Spain – Is it worth visiting it?

1. The summer is mild

Southern Spain is very well-known for its beaches. However, Northern Spain has equally incredible beaches you want to visit. I was surprised by how beautiful the beaches in Santander are!

The temperatures are milder in the north of Spain, meaning you can still swim in the sea, sightsee and do any other activities there. Meanwhile, Southern Spain’s temperatures are too high (average of 35ºC degrees, 95°F) to sightsee and be outside in the afternoon.

If you aren’t a big fan of the warm weather, the north of Spain is your best option.

2. Its beautiful coastline

Whilst Southern Spain and the islands have incredible beaches, the Northern Spain coastline really impressed me – the golden sand, crystal clear sea and fewer crowds make it worth exploring.

Some of the most popular beaches in the north are Playa de la Concha in San Sebastián, Playa el Sardinero and Playa de la Magdalena in Santander and Playa del Silencio in Asturias.

Also, many of these beaches are perfect for surfing and doing other water sports activities, so if you’re a fan of any watersport, you want to check them out.

3. It has the best hiking trails in Spain

Are you an adventurous traveller who prefers the mountains to the beach? If so, Northern Spain is the perfect destination for you.

The most famous hiking trail is the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) which consists of a group of pilgrim routes that lead you to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.

Some of my family members have done this hiking trail and loved their experience. Unfortunately, I couldn’t join them, but it’s on my list!

Apart from Camino de Santiago, there are many other hiking trails, such as the Sendero Histórico, Picos de Europa, Ruta del Cares and Covadonga.

Covadonga is one of my favourites because you get the chance to visit the impressive Basilica and Cave of Covandoga, which are rich in history and spirituality. Exploring Covadonga is magical!

4. The food is mouthwatering

Pintxos, hearty stews, fresh fish and cider are some of the highlights of Nothern Spain gastronomy.

You’ve heard of tapas before, as they’re known everywhere, but what about pintxos? Pintxos are small snacks served in bars across the north of Spain. They often consist of a slice of bread topped with egg, fish, meat or vegetables.

They’re especially popular in places like Bilbao in the Basque Country, so there’s no visit to Bilbao without having a pintxo! And if you’re looking for the best place to have pintxos in Bilbao, La Ribera Market is excellent.

The market has a gastropub section with plenty of pintxo stalls to choose from and desserts. I can confirm the food is very good there!

5. Its incredible cities

There is something about Northern Spain cities which is difficult to explain.

Its relaxing atmosphere makes you want to explore it more and more, and while the atmosphere is relaxing, this doesn’t mean there aren’t enough things to do.

Each city has something to offer. If you want to immerse yourself in an art experience, go to Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao; if you want to taste award-winning restaurant food, go to San Sebastian; if you want to surf at the beach, go to El Sardinero Beach in Santander.

The options are endless, and no matter what type of traveller you are, you’ll find an activity for you.

6. It is less crowded

Madrid, Barcelona and Seville are the most visited cities in Spain, and whilst they’re unique and beautiful in their own way, they’re crowded and touristy.

If you’re looking for a place to experience Spanish culture at your own pace without needing to worry about crowds, you’ll fall in love with Northern Spain. Even if you visit bigger cities like Bilbao and Santander, you won’t feel they’re touristy at all.

7. It is rich in culture

The north of Spain is unique in its own way – traditions, dances, food and language. It’s good to know that Spanish isn’t the only language spoken in this region, but Basque, Galician and Aranese too!

On top of this, the region has numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Cave of Altamira, Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias and the Pyrénées, so you’ll discover about previous cultural influences and the history behind these places.

Locals are very proud of their traditions, language, and culture in general!

8. Its unique towns and villages

Northern Spain is home to many quaint and unique towns and villages that can be visited from bigger cities like Bilbao, San Sebastian and Santander.

If you’re after hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path destinations, you’ll find plenty of them in this part of Spain. One of the most popular hidden gems in this area is El Capricho, a stunning villa built by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi in the early years of his career.

This hidden gem is located in Comillas, a small town in Cantabria.

9. Its cider won’t disappoint you

If you love a good cider (sidra in Spanish), Asturias is the best place to drink cider. Most of the ciders are made in this part of the country, and it’s part of the Asturian culture.

You’ll find sidrerías, local bars specifically for cider drinking (you can also have a meal there), and even cider-related festivals.

If you happen to be in Asturias in the middle of the summer, you want to check out the Natural Cider Festival of Nava, a festival that dates back to the 60s of the 20th century!

The festival offers plenty of activities and competitions which involve pouring and drinking cider.

📌 Expert tip: Haro in La Rioja must be on your itinerary if you prefer wine. This town is home to some of the best red wine producers in Spain. Some of the best bodegas (wineries) are Bodegas Muga and Bodegas López de Heredia.

Tips for visiting Northern Spain

The best time to travel to the North of Spain

The best time to visit the north of Spain depends on the type of activity you want to do during your holiday. However, if you don’t mind the weather, you can visit the region anytime.

If you’re looking to relax for long days on the beach, summer is the perfect time to visit Northern Spain. The summer temperatures aren’t as high as in Southern Spain; however, that doesn’t mean you won’t experience hot temperatures in the north.

If you’re after hiking and other outdoor activities, spring and autumn are good times to visit the north. It’s not too cold and not too hot, but be aware that there may be rainy and windy days!

The months of January and February are the coldest months in Spain, but they are even colder in Northern Spain. The advantage of travelling during these months is that you’ll find very cheap flights and accommodations, so if you’re travelling on a budget, you may want to consider travelling during these months.

In addition to this, all the large cities have plenty of incredible museums and indoor activities for you to do when the weather isn’t good.

How to get to the North of Spain

If you’re travelling from outside Spain, the easiest way to get to the north of Spain is by plane. There are a few airports across Northern Spain. However, these airports aren’t as busy as other cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga, so there are fewer routes and times.

In the case that you don’t find a direct flight to a Northern Spain destination, you can travel to Barcelona or Madrid and take public transport (train or coach) or drive.

If you’re travelling from the UK, low-cost airlines like Ryanair offer different routes across the north of Spain, including flights to Bilbao (the main airport in Northern Spain) and Santander.

Alternatively, you can also travel from the UK to Spain by ferry. The UK ports of Portsmouth and Plymouth travel to Santander and Bilbao.

✈️ Check out flights to Northern Spain

What to pack for Northern Spain

Packing for a holiday in Malaga or Tenerife isn’t the same as packing for a trip to the north of Spain. Regardless of the season, it’s a good idea to pack a light jacket and umbrella because the weather is more unpredictable in this part of the country.

If you’re travelling to Northern Spain in winter, make sure to pack some warm clothes with you (jumpers, scarves, raincoats, boots, etc.) Whereas if you’re travelling in summer, don’t forget to pack suncream, swimwear and a hat.

Travelling during the spring and autumn months is all about layers! Early mornings and evenings are cold, but you can experience nice and sunny afternoons, so the best way to dress up for this weather is to wear clothes you can easily put on and off.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Northern Spain

Conclusion: is the north of Spain worth visiting?

The short answer is yes! If you’re looking for a trip packed with delicious food, incredible green landscapes and culture, you’ll love Northern Spain.

Personally, I think Santander is one of the best places to visit in Northern Spain. It’s genuinely underrated, but there are many other fantastic places to explore in this area of the country.

After reading all these good reasons for visiting Northern Spain, have I convinced you to see this region? Let me know in the comments.

Enjoy your Northern Spain holiday!

Cristina

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Are you ready to book your trip to any Northern Spain holiday destination?

• Book flights to Northern Spain here.
• Book accommodation with Booking.com.
• Have a look at popular guided tours and day trips.
• Rent a car to travel with ease around Northern Spain.
• Get travel insurance, it’s a must for any trip.

Other Spain travel guides you want to check out

• 12 Unmissable Things to do in Santander
• How to Spend One Day in Bilbao
• Bilbao or Santander: Which City is Best?
• Best City Breaks in Spain You Should Add to Your List
• Top Tips for Travelling in Spain for the First Time
• What to Wear in Spain in Winter (Packing list included!)
• Tipping in Spain: Etiquette and Culture from a Local
• What is the legal drinking age in Spain?
• Can You Drink Tap Water in Spain?
• Does It Snow in Spain?

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