The North of Spain is a beautiful region that is able to fall in love with itself immediately and forever. Anyone who has ever visited the Atlantic coast of Galicia or the coast of the Bay of Biscay, will definitely want to come back here more than once. Experienced travelers who have passed through four autonomies and dozens of cities will remember the endless vineyards and picturesque coastal cliffs of Galicia, the natural parks and green meadows approaching the sea, Asturias, the mountains, gorges, beaches and bays of Cantabria, nature reserves and amazing architecture of the cities of the Basque Country.
Northern Spain: General Description
The North of Spain includes Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country. The region’s coastline is washed by the waters of the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean, which have a significant influence on the climate: it differs sharply from the climate of the Mediterranean coast and the central plateau. The mild maritime climate of Northern Spain is characterized by moderate temperatures and high humidity. Frequent rains provide lush greenery that covers the entire region.
The North of Spain is not only picturesque landscapes, but also rich history, culture, excellent gastronomy and interesting local traditions.
Galicia, located in the North-west, is famous for its dense forests, endless vineyards, abundance of rivers, temperate climate, excellent sea cuisine. Santiago de Compostela in Galicia is the end point of the famous pilgrimage route – Camino de Santiago.
Asturias and Cantabria, located on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, are endless natural parks, pastures, the beautiful mountain range of the Peaks of Europe, which has the status of a national park, charming mountain villages and towns with centuries-old history.
The Basque Country, located to the east of Cantabria and bordering France, offers modern art, splendid urban architecture, the best tapas gastronomy of Spain and unique natural attractions.
Autonomies, Provinces and Main Cities of Northern Spain
The North of Spain is made up of four autonomies: Galicia, Asturias (Principado de Asturias), Cantabria and the Basque Country (País Vasco).
Northern Spain: Galicia
Galicia is the westernmost autonomous region in Northern Spain, located on the Atlantic coast. Galicia borders Portugal to the south and Asturias and Castile y Leon to the east. It includes four provinces: La Coruña, Lugo, Ourense and Pontevedra. The administrative centre of the entire autonomy is located in the city of Santiago de Compostela.
The capital of the province of La Coruña is the city of the same name – La Coruña, the main attraction of which is the 55-metre tall active lighthouse «Tower of Hercules».
The capital of Lugo Province is Lugo, whose ancient Roman walls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the province of Ourense, the main city is Ourense, famous for its historic centre and thermal springs.
The city of Pontevedra, the capital of the province of the same name, is known for its charming old town and bridges over the river Lérez.
Other famous cities of Galicia are Santiago de Compostela – a city with a majestic cathedral and the end point of the pilgrimage Way of St James, Vigo – a large port city with picturesque beaches, Ribadeo – a picturesque town at the mouth of the river Eo on the border with Asturias, famous for its fish restaurants.
Galicia has a strong economy, with fishing, shipbuilding, agriculture and tourism as key industries. Galicia’s coastline is home to fish and oyster farms, whose products are exported throughout Europe. Galicia’s agriculture is focused on the production of milk and dairy products, meat and vegetables. Do you know where the most delicious tomatoes in Spain are grown? That’s right, in Galicia.
And it’s also the country’s largest wine region, specializing in white wines. The best white wines in Spain are Galician wines. If you don’t take to the highways, but travel through Galicia on secondary roads, you may be surprised to find that almost every piece of this land is occupied, if not by pastures and forests, then certainly by vineyards. Recently, one of the most valuable white grapes, Godillo, once again has been cultivated in the Valdeorras comarca. However, the main Galician varieties have been and remain Albariño, Treixadura, Silveriña and Loureira.
Tourism in Galicia is worthy of a special mention. People come here for gastronomic delights (pulpo a la gallega is cooked just superbly in the homeland of this dish!), to see historical and architectural sights, to explore the picturesque coastline. It should be particularly noted a visit to Santiago de Compostela by pilgrims following the path of St James to worship his relics in the Cathedral.
Northern Spain: Asturias
Asturias is an autonomous region, which is not divided into provinces. It borders Galicia to the west, Castile and Leon to the south, and Cantabria to the east. The administrative centre is located in Oviedo, the capital of the autonomy.
The main cities of Asturias are Oviedo, Gijón and Aviles. The main attraction in Oviedo is the San Salvador Cathedral; in Gijon there are the Ferrari Museum, the city promenade and the San Lorenzo beach stretching along it; in Aviles there are the old town with colorful facades of houses and the beautiful Ferrera City Park.
But the main treasure of Asturias is its nature: velvet green meadows approach the sea itself, so that, reaching the edge of the high rocky shore, they create a beautiful contrast with the turquoise water. A little further from the coast, along the border with Castile and Leon, there are the beautiful natural parks of Somiedo, Las Ubiñas-La Mesa, Redes, Ponga and the Peaks of Europe that stretch one after another.
Covadonga, a valley with marvelous lakes and a sanctuary where the Spanish Reconquista began in the Middle Ages, is one of the most visited places in Asturias.
The beaches and rocky coves are no less picturesque: Portisuelo Beach near Luarca, Cape Busto and Cape Cuerno, the beaches of Santa Ana, Pluminero O Quintana, Silencio, Torimbia, La Franca, Pechon and many others.
There are two of the most popular routes for nature lovers: the area along the coast of Asturias from beach to beach, cape to cape, bay to bay, or the area along the border of the autonomy through all the natural parks. And it is impossible to decide which of these routes is more beautiful and interesting.
Traditionally, the economy of Asturias was built on heavy and chemical industry, coal mining and metallurgy. Agriculture is very strong here: Asturias is famous for its dairy products, cheeses and cider. Asturian sausages and meat products are also appreciated throughout Spain, and Fabada Asturiana, a traditional dish of beans, pork and blood sausage, is the culinary symbol of the region. In recent decades, the autonomous region has been actively developing its service and tourism industries: in summer, the coastal area can compete with the Mediterranean regions in terms of tourist influx.
Northern Spain: Cantabria
Cantabria is also not divided into provinces. It borders Asturias to the west, Castile and Leon to the south, and the Basque Country to the east. The administrative centre is located in Santander, the capital of the autonomy.
The main cities of Cantabria are Santander, Laredo and Castro-Urdiales. The main attractions in Santander are the Royal Palace of La Magdalena and the Altamira Cave in the suburbs, the historic city centre and the 5 km long La Salve beach in Laredo, and the old Gothic church of Santa Maria de la Asunción in Castro Urdiales. Another masterpiece of architecture by the master Gaudi is located in the small resort town of Comillas. It is a summer mansion built in the recognizable style of the great Catalan architect.
Cantabria is a lot like neighboring Asturias: the same picturesque coastline, where long open sandy beaches alternate with rugged cliffs and secluded rocky coves, and the same magnificent mountain ranges and natural parks. The most beautiful places on the Cantabrian coast are the beaches of Gerra, Oyambre, Robayera, El Sable near the mouth of the Cabo Quejo River, Cape Lanzadoiro and the lighthouse at Cape Torco de Afuera. A little further from the coast, there are the natural parks of the Peaks of Europe, Saja Besaya, Collados del Asón and Marismas de Santoña, Victoria y Joyel, stretching one after another.
Santander, the capital of Cantabria, is home to the headquarters of one of the largest and most influential financial institutions in the world. It is Banco Santander, founded in 1857 and which has an extensive network of branches in more than 40 countries now. Other important sectors in the region’s economy are engineering, chemicals, agriculture, fishing and tourism. Cantabria’s gastronomy can surprise the most demanding gourmets: it produces excellent cheeses, sausages, strong tinctures and liqueurs. The anchovies from Santoña are considered to be the best in Spain.
Northern Spain: Basque Country
The Basque Country is located east of Cantabria. The autonomy borders Castile and Leon to the southwest, La Rioja to the south, Navarra to the southeast, and France to the east. It includes the three provinces of Bizkaia, Alava, and Guipuzcoa. The administrative centre of the entire autonomy is located in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz.
The capital of the province of Bizkaia is the city of Bilbao, where the famous Guggenheim Museum is located. The capital of the province of Alava is Vitoria-Gasteiz, known for its majestic Santa Maria Cathedral in the old town. The capital of the province of Guipuzcoa is San Sebastian, whose trademark is the beautiful promenade along La Concha beach and the old town with the best tapas bars in Spain.
Among the smaller towns of the Basque Country, deserving special attention, there are Getaria, home to the Cristobal Balenciaga Museum, and Gernika-Lumo, which was almost wiped off the face of the earth by bombing during the Civil War. One of Pablo Picasso’s most famous works, Gernika, commissioned by the government of the Spanish Republic, depicts this ongoing tragedy.
The coast of the Basque Country is no less picturesque than the neighboring regions. One of the most visited places is San Juan of Gaztelugatxe, a rocky island connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, where the Chapel of St John the Baptist is located and where some episodes of the TV series Game of Thrones were filmed. The only way to get to the island is on foot along a stone path that runs along the top of the isthmus. If you drive along the Basque coast from Cantabria to France, you’ll find many more beautiful places – majestic cliffs and secluded coves. In addition to the coast and towns with magnificent architecture, the Basque Country is famous for its natural parks and reserves. One of the most unusual is the Gorbeiako Natural Park, called the «Mystic Forest of Spain». It is also, where there is a beech grove where the trees take incredibly bizarre shapes that seem to be possible only in fairy tales. Other famous natural parks include: Urdaibai, Aizkorri-Aratz, Peñas de Aya and Valle Salado de Añana.
The Basque Country is the most economically strong and industrialized autonomy of Spain. The main sectors of the economy are industry, especially mechanical engineering, and metallurgy. The Basque Country also has a well-developed service sector, including finance, education, health and tourism. Agriculture and gastronomy also play an important role in the economy of the autonomy. Famous delicacies include Basque Idiazabal cheese and cod fish dishes (Basque-style cod and in pil pil sauce), while local pintxos snacks are a regional gastronomic symbol. In San Sebastian, the pintxos bars of the old town are the first place to go for local specialties: the variety of fish and seafood dishes offering in these bars is the envy of many restaurants. The Basque Country also has a strong wine-making tradition: the local white chacolí wine is popular both in Spain and abroad.
Northern Spain: Climate and Weather
Perhaps the first thing that tourists and citizens moving to the North of Spain start to monitor is the climate and weather. The climate of Northern Spain is characterized as oceanic, with moderate temperatures and abundant rainfall throughout the year. The region is heavily influenced by the Atlantic: winters are generally mild, with average temperatures around 8-12°C, while summers are cool and humid, with temperatures rarely exceeding 25°C. And even a hot August is much easier to bear than in other regions of Spain.
Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, with frequent rain and cloudy, sea fogs, especially in the winter and autumn months. Intense precipitation in the mountainous areas has the best effect on the local vegetation: natural parks and farmlands are covered in lush greenery all year round. The general climate of Northern Spain and the green scenery, as if from an advertising postcard, attracts nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Water temperatures along the coast of the Bay of Biscay can reach up to +23ºC in summer, particularly in the small enclosed bays. Of course, compared to Costa Blanca or Costa Calida, the bathing season does not last as long: from mid-June to mid-September. Although surfers can be found on the beaches almost all year round. The sea in the North of Spain is often high and strong waves, which is so loved and appreciated by surfers. Mundaka, a town in the North of Spain near Bilbao, is considered the Spanish surfing capital.
Transport and Road Infrastructure in Northern Spain
The major international airports used by residents of Northern Spain are located in Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona. However, each autonomy has its own regional airports, many of which also serve international flights. In Galicia, there are airports in Santiago de Compostela, La Coruña and Vigo, in Oviedo (Asturias), in Santander (Cantabria), in Bilbao, San Sebastian and Vitoria (the Basque Country). Thanks to low-cost airlines, whose flights are accepted by all airports in the North of Spain, it is possible to fly to any other region of the country very inexpensively.
All major cities have railway stations serving both regional and long-distance trains: AVE high-speed trains, RENFE regional trains and FEVE narrow gauge trains in the mountainous regions. In addition, most cities and towns are connected by bus services.
The main motorways in Northern Spain are:
- AP-9: the main motorway in Galicia, linking key cities such as La Coruña, Santiago de Compostela and Vigo.
- A-8 (Autovía del Cantábrico): runs along the entire Northern coast, connecting Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country, and it is one of the most important transport arteries in the region.
- AP-68: links the Basque Country with La Rioja and Zaragoza.
Other important motorways are A-6, AG-64, A-54, AG-55, A-66, A-67, A-1 and A-15. There are even more national highways and secondary regional roads in the region. Travelling by car in the North of Spain will not be a problem: the quality of the road surface is excellent almost everywhere, and numerous signposts will not allow you to get lost even without a navigator.
The largest ports serving cargo and passenger ships are located in La Coruña, Vigo, Gijon, Aviles, Santander and Bilbao. Bilbao is also served by a metro.
Living Standards and Prices in the North of Spain
According to the National Institute of Statistics, the GDP of the Northern autonomies of Spain is as follows:
• Galicia: 25.906 € per capita;
• Asturias: 25.675 € per capita;
• Cantabria: 26.167 € per capita;
• Basque Country: 35.832 € per capita.
Meanwhile, the average annual expenditure is as follows:
• Galicia: 31.115 € per family of 4 or 13.008 € per single person;
• Asturias: 29.251 € per family of 4 or 13.364 € per single person;
• Cantabria: 28.965 € per family of 4 or 12.278 € per single person;
• Basque Country: 35.455 € per family of 4 or 15.103 € per single person.
If we compare average property prices, the picture is as follows:
• Galicia: sale – 1,396 €/m2, rent – 8.8 €/m2;
• Asturias: sale – 1,387 €/m2, rent – 8.9 €/m2;
• Cantabria: sale – 1,626 €/m2, rent – 11,3 €/m2;
• Basque Country: sale – 2,926 €/m2, rent – 13.8 €/m2.
It is also worth noting that the North of Spain differs very low crime rate, which is noted by both tourists and permanent residents. There is a strong health care system, some of the leading universities of the country are located in the Basque Country and Galicia.
Food prices in supermarkets do not differ from those in other regions, as the major chains follow a uniform pricing policy. In principle, the same applies to restaurant prices, fuel costs, and public transport. Utility costs differ in that you need to spend more on heating in winter, but at the same time, in summer, air conditioners are used much less often than in the east of the country and the south. Of course, more clothes are required here, as besides summer clothes, demi-season and winter ones are in use, but these additional expenses are more than compensated by positive aspects: local beauty, good ecology, general level of service and better work of local official departments.
The Nature of the North of Spain
We mentioned above that the North of Spain is a magnificent nature: very picturesque coastline, a little more rugged and rocky in Galicia, and more gentle in Cantabria and the Basque Country. There are also a large number of natural parks, protected areas, biosphere and marine reserves. All four regions are mountainous, which adds to the picturesque scene.
Galicia has very beautiful rivers, some of which flow in deep canyons, and there are observation platforms on the high banks, from where breathtaking views can be seen. In summer, the autonomy is immersed in the greenery of vineyards. Asturias and Cantabria boast endless green pastures, both mountainous and on the edge of the sea. The pastoral landscapes with emerald grass and clean fawn cows around every corner resemble images from commercials. The Basque Country is endless forests, mountains, valleys and waterfalls.
If you want to get to know the region well, you can’t limit yourself to one trip. Moreover, if you have ever been to the North of Spain, you will come back here again and again. And you will even start to think about moving to the North of the country permanently.
The Main Attractions of the North of Spain
It is impossible to describe all the sights of this beautiful region within the framework of one article. At the very beginning, giving a characteristic of each autonomy, we listed all the main natural parks, so we will not get into that now. We will list the top 10 sights that are of the greatest tourist interest:
Lakes – Lagos de Covadonga y Santuario de Covadonga
Located in the heart of the European Peaks National Park in Asturias, they are among the most significant and picturesque attractions of the region. Consisting of two mountain glacial lakes, Enol and Ercina, the Covadonga Lakes attract tourists with their crystal clear water and magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. The sanctuary of Covadonga, which includes a basilica and a holy cave, has deep historical and religious significance for the whole of Spain, as it is considered to be the site of the beginning of the Reconquista led by King Pelayo in 722.
The Coast – Costa da Morte
There is «The Coast of Death» in the North-west of Galicia, which gets its name from the hundreds of ships that have crashed on the coastal rocks. At the same time, it is the most beautiful part of the Galician coastline, with steep cliffs, huge boulders on which the ocean waves crash, several impressive lighthouses, small picturesque islands and bays.
Island – Isla de La Tojave of Galicia
It can be crossed by a bridge from the island of O Grove. It is famous for its chapel – Ermita da Toxa, the walls of which from the foundation to the bell tower are lined with shells of the local variety of scallop.
The Chapel – Ermita de San Juan Gaztelugatxe
It is located in the province of Bizkaia in the Basque Country. The chapel, dedicated to St John the Baptist, stands at the top of an island connected to the mainland by a narrow stone isthmus with a footpath and a steep staircase of 241 steps. It is believed that the very first chapel on this site was built in the IX or X century, and the place has remained popular with pilgrims ever since. The island is also known as one of the filming locations for the TV series Game of Thrones.
Beech Forest – Otzarreta in the Basque Country
Located in the Gorbea Natural Park, it is one of the most picturesque and unusual Spanish forests. The peculiarity of this forest is its centuries-old beech trees whose branches grow vertically upwards almost from the very trunk, resembling fanciful candelabras and creating a unique and fabulous landscape. The Otzarreta Forest is particularly impressive in autumn, when the ground is covered with a thick, fluffy carpet of colourful leaves. The forest is part of the Basque cultural heritage and is steeped in legends of the mythical creature the Basajaun (meaning «Lord of the Forest»), the protector of the forests, who is said to inhabit the area.
The village of Bulnes in Asturias
It is located in the heart of the Peaks of Europe Natural Park, one of the most unusual and beautiful high mountain villages in Spain. The village can only be reached by funicular railway or on foot; there is no motorway connection to Bulnes. Today the village is famous not only for its inaccessibility, seclusion and the beauty of the surrounding landscape, but is also one of the centers of production of the famous Asturian cheese Cabrales.
Northern Spain: Must-See Cities and Towns
In addition to the provincial capitals, which we mentioned above as well as the cities and towns in the Top 10, we would also like to mention a few must-see destinations when travelling in the North of Spain:
• Cudillero in Asturias: this is the most beautiful fishing village in Asturias.
• Ribadeo in Galicia: this is a town with panoramic views of the Bay of Biscay and the mouth of the Eo River.
• Ourense in Galicia: this is a town with a beautiful historic centre and a majestic Cathedral.
• Baiona in Galicia: is a town with a picturesque waterfront and the fortress of Monterreal.
• Ribadesella in Asturias: this is a very picturesque town at the mouth of the Sella River
Northern Spain: Resorts
For a beach holiday in July and August, it is quite possible to go to the North of Spain: the resorts that stretch along the coast boast very beautiful, long, well-maintained sandy beaches. Let’s simply list the most popular resort towns in each autonomy:
• Galicia: Vigo, La Coruña, Sanxenxo and Baiona.
• Asturias: Ribadesella, Llanes, Gijon, Cudillero and Aviles.
• Cantabria: Santander, San Vicente de la Barquera, Castro-Urdiales and Comillas.
• The Basque Country: San Sebastian, Bilbao, Zarautz, Getaria and Lekeitio.
Pros and Cons of the North of Spain
It is difficult to objectively assess the pros and cons of a particular region of Spain, as we are all guided by different criteria, have different preferences and priorities. Nevertheless, let’s try to highlight the main pros and cons of living in the North of Spain.
Pros of living in the North of Spain:
- Beautiful nature. Let’s not repeat: as we noted above, every autonomy in this region is the most beautiful nature, picturesque coastline, endless mountains and forests, magnificent natural parks and reserves.
- High quality of life. Developed infrastructure, good level of health care and education, as well as low crime rate make the North of Spain an attractive place to live.
- Rich culture and history. The North of Spain is rich in local traditions, culture, history, architectural heritage, museums and festivals.
- Gastronomy. The North of Spain is famous for its delicious and varied cuisine, wines, cheeses, sausages and of course seafood.
- Good ecology. All autonomies actively implement wildlife protection programs.
Cons of living in the North of Spain:
- Weather. A long beach season, sunny and dry weather may be a priority for some people. Although the climate in Northern Spain is mild, it is also known for being rainy and cloudy, especially during the winter and autumn months.
Property costs in major cities. In cities such as Bilbao and San Sebastian, the cost of housing and rent is quite high, which negatively affects the family budget. - Remoteness from the centre of the country and the main cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, difficulties with employment.
- Language barriers in Galicia and the Basque Country, the presence of a second language (respectively, Galician and Basque).
- Less accessibility to services in rural and remote areas. The availability of services such as health care, education and entertainment may be limited in rural and remote areas of Northern Spain.
The North and South of Spain are constantly being compared, and in favor of the North are the following: the lack of sweltering heat, which lasts from mid-July to mid-September in the south; the absence of a huge migration flow from other countries; a different approach to the work of municipal and regional authorities; a different mentality of the Northerners, who can rightly be considered more relaxed, hardworking and obliging.
