Northern Spain Map: Travel Maps International Adventure Map (National Geographic Adventure Map)

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Northern Spain Travel Guide – What Makes This Region So Special Northern Spain is Greener and Cooler You can also be sure that foods there are always fresh and organic. There are no chemical additives, artificial coloring, or preservatives to make it last longer and taste better. The entire northern coast of Spain has a clean environment and high-quality natural foods. We also recommend eating at a traditional sidrería and at one of San Sebastian’s avant-garde restaurants to witness the connections between the old and the new gastronomy. First, Bilbao is one of the most popular cities in northern Spain, so it’s a must-see. It’s located in the Basque Country and has undergone some impressive changes in recent years, making it a hub for culture and history.

Rent a villa in Sanxenxo, Rías Baixas (southwestern Galicia) and discover the O’Grove peninsula nearby .Find long beaches that seem tostretch for miles and miles. One example is Playa de la Lanzada which connects O’Grove with the mainland. In the village of O’Grove, the restaurants serve the best seafood,as well as mussels from the farms in the fjord. Walk the Paseo de Pedras Negras trail, or look out over the mighty Atlantic from the island's highest point: Miradoiro da Siradella. The Spanish kings decided to spend their summers in San Sebastian ever since Queen Isabel II received the medical recommendation to bathe in the region’s thermal baths. Queen María Cristina installed the court and the government in San Sebastian during two months each year and, today, the city recalls a glorious past with stately buildings and memories of the Belle Epoque. So you won’t find many tour buses there with tourists standing in line to take photos of a certain landmark. You also won’t find crazy wild nightlife or completely stuffed beaches as in the southern regions of Spain. Besides the Guggenheim, I also suggest watching the sunset from the Marzana Pier, a fun place to socialize and grab drinks. You should also stroll through the Arenal, La Ribera Market, and the arches of Plaza Nueva. Oh Santander, my love. I am going to praise this city so much because it became a temporary home. Or perchance it is really worth the hype.Urdaibai Nature Reserve is another unique place in northern Spain that don’t many international travelers know about. It is a wetland habitat that comprises the Cantabrian oak forest, marshland, cliffs, and beaches.

A marvelous example of early Romanesque architecture, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is Spain's most important Christian monument. The ornate exterior blends the original 12th-century sculpted doorway with lavish Baroque twin towers, while the grandiose sanctuary offers a sense of serenity. Before you start making any plans and reservations, let’s talk about the weather in northern Spain, so you could understand which month and time of the year will be ideal for you. For those who would like to spend the night at Montserrat, there is three-star lodging, the Hotel Abat Cisneros, and a budget-friendly hostel. Outside Pamplona, the Navarra countryside is a paradise for nature lovers. The Parque Natural Urbasa-Andía (70 kilometers from Pamplona) is a lush mountainous terrain with scenic hiking trails.The enchanting mountain village of Bulnes on the Urriellu Peak may be reached by hiking up a steep pedestrian path or by taking a funicular railway from the town of Poncebos. Today, a lot of people know it for the festival of San Fermin when fearless souls tend to get ahead of the herd of bulls running through the city streets (crazy!)

Lugo is one of the oldest cities in the Galicia region that became famous throughout the world for the city wall of the ancient Roman era, erected in the late III – early IV centuries BC. This is the oldest of the defensive walls in Spain. Its length is more than 2 km and width 6 meters. You can walk along the high ridge of this wall, admiring the views of the city.The city's main beach, the Playa del Sardinero, draws many vacationers during the sunny summer months. Another centrally located beach, the Playa del Magdelena has a shoreline of fine golden sand and an area for recreational sports. More things to do in Bilbao in this post where we have one of our guides, born in Bilbao, goes through all the best recommendations in the city. If you try to stay away from crowds on your travels, it is better to avoid visiting during the festival time. Oviedo In northern Spain, we also had much more time to spend since we decided to come for a couple of months and turn into locals for a bit. And that long holiday left a lasting impression. The north Spain coast actually made us change our perception of Spain completely. The more time we were spending there, the more we were falling in love with it. Dramatic alpine landscapes define the Picos de Europa. The terrain includes jagged mountain peaks, verdant valleys, deep gorges, pristine rivers and lakes, and dense woodlands.

The aristocratic and comfortable San Sebastian has everything you need for a good vacation. It captivates with a developed infrastructure, magnificent beaches, high waves for surfing, interesting sights, one of the best centers of thalassotherapy in La Perla, and very tasty food.Many times San Sebastián was recognized as the most beautiful city in Spain. With its layout and architecture, in some way it resembles Paris. At the same time though, it is quite simple in style, with 5-6 story buildings that look alike. Most of the local buildings belong to the XIX century since in 1813 the city was completely destroyed by the British and Portuguese. It is always very pleasant to go for a stroll and get lost on its pretty streets.