 How much do you know about Northern Spain?
If you're one of the many holidaymakers to Spain who have never made it to the northern lands, ranged along the Atlantic, this is for you.
You're about to discover another Spain altogether, green and deeply natural. Once you start to realize what it’s all about, you may wonder how it’s escaped you all this time.
Here are 50 reasons to go to Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria.
Holidays in Northern Spain
Highlights of Green Spain
Cantabria Highlights Asturias Highlights Galicia Highlights Villas in Northern Spain  People go to northern Spain above all to discover the country’s profoundly natural side. For long walks in spectacular valleys and mountains, and swims at pretty beaches along an unspoilt coast. Holidaymakers and hikers also choose the north out of appreciation of wholesome, well-prepared food, an interest in visiting historic – and prehistoric – sites and some lovely old villages, and a preference for a mild climate in which to enjoy it all. It’s a far cry from the mass tourism of  built-up Mediterranean costas and the southern heat that some find simply sweltering. Compared with the flamboyant south, where the population is increasingly international and large expanses are agricultural or desert, the predominantly mountainous north is a more traditional Spain with a far richer natural environment. Its people are more reserved and home-loving, their way of life more resistant to change.
Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria: Green Spain
“Green Spain,” running from Galicia in the west, through Asturias and Cantabria to the Basque Country in the east, has an oceanic climate. That means mild winters followed by warm but usually not too hot summers. If you want dry, sun-baked Spain, and to do nothing else but lie back in the shade and sip iced drinks (and why not?), there are some excellent villas in Andalucia. The north is a very different Spain, with plenty to be discovered by anyone with a genuine interest. There’s lots to do, lots to see.  There are dinosaur footprints along a coastline of fishing villages, sandy beaches, cliffs and coves. Inland you’ll find limestone caves with prehistoric paintings, a culture of superb gastronomy, great train rides, cycle routes, fabulous walking in picture-book mountains and forested valleys, exquisitely preserved hamlets and cathedral cities, and a wildlife that enthuses young and old alike. There’s also a generally abundant rainfall that is fairly evenly spread out over the year, but unlike places the UK where dreary cloud can set in for days on end, here the weather’s more dynamic and changes during the course of the day. If rain comes, it also soon goes. Anyhow, you can hike trails without worrying that you will flake out from sunstroke and a light waterproof is all you need to pack, unless you’re travelling in winter or taking a cable car up to the higher peaks. Good, self-catering holiday accommodation in Northern Spain is available in traditional, comfortable stone-built cottages, country villas and converted mills. Rustical Travel takes a lot of the perplexing guesswork out of deciding where to go by selecting only good-value properties in the most picturesque and enjoyable areas, pointing out the principal and the lesser known attractions in each.
Galicia Highlights
- See villas and cottages in Galicia
- Spain’s wild west is a green Celtic land of mists and mystery
- Best seafood in Spain (mussels, oysters, scallops and if you haven’t tried octopus before, this is the place to do it)
- Best white wines in Spain (Albariño, but also the cheaper, equally refreshing, Ribeiro)
- Broad rivers end in the estuaries and strands of the Rias Baixas
- Small coves and pretty Atlantic beaches
- The Cies Islands off the Rias Baixas are a small paradise
- Music is played on bagpipes, flute and drums
- Ancient rituals are still practiced (the queimada is a flaming fiery potion shared by friends to ward off dark forces) and superstitious beliefs are widespread
- The Rias Altas are estuaries along rugged coastline that makes the Mediterranean look mediocre
- Finisterre and Costa da Morte, waves crash into formidable cliffs along the Coast of Death
- Santiago de Compostela, atmospheric town full of history and one of Europe’s main pilgrimage destinations
- El Camino de Santiago (St James’ Way) is the path trodden by pilgrims to Santiago
- Tui, a historic, atmospheric mini-Santiago by the River Miño on the Portuguese border
- Fly to: Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ), Vigo Airport (VGO), A Coruña Airport (La Coruna, LCG), or Porto in Portugal
- Read Galicia guide
Back to the top
 
Asturias Highlights
- See villas and cottages in Asturias
- The most unspoilt land in all of Spain, lovingly cared for by its people
- Fishing villages: Llanes, Lastres & tiny Tazones
- Picos de Europa: spectacular alpine mountains with walking trails
- Dinosaur footprints clearly visible along the coast from Gijon to Ribadesella
- Jurassic Museum (dinosaurs) -see coastal picture above- and Museum of Prehistory (recreated caves with paintings)
- Gijon, charming seaside town with promenade, beaches, cliffs & old quarter
- Go from mountains to beaches in less than half an hour
- Asturias beaches, cliffs, coves and caves are fascinating to explore
- Prettiest cows (and the best beef) in Spain
- Natural Parks of Redes, Ponga and Somiedo, the last refuge of the brown bear
- Primitive thatched huts still used by herders and ancient grain stores
- Occasional wolves and the rare capercaillie
- Wonderful and generous restaurant dishes (fabada bean stew is a classic)
- Natural cider with a unique ritual and chewy cheeses
- Quiet, proud, hospitable people
- Protected wildlife reserves
- Misty Sierra del Sueve: home of the rare asturcón, ancient horse of the North
- Walking and cycling routes
- Fly to: Asturias Airport (OVD), Santander Airport (SDR) Ferry to: Santander
- Read Asturias guide
Back to the top
 
Cantabria Highlights
- See villas and cottages in Cantabria
- Santander is Spain’s most elegant seaside destination
- Good road links and quickest access to Picos de Europa
- Idyllic Liebana in in the picture-book Picos de Europa, superb walking
- Reserved and courteous people
- Sustainable environmental lifestyle of small farmsteads
- Mountain cuisine (Cantabrian stew, cheeses) and fisherman’s meals (baked sardines & seabass)
- Fuente Dé cable car up to high altitude hiking
- Alto Campoo high mountain area and ski station
- Altamira “prehistoric Sistine chapel” cave paintings (long waiting list to visit)
- Visitable cave paintings at Puente Viesgo, El Pendo
- Vast cave complex of El Soplao (guided visits)
- Saja-Besaya Natural Park
- Cantabrian brown bear (in protected areas)
- Natural Wildlife Park, Cabarceno, a favourite with children
- Living museum of medieval Santillana del Mar
- Santander Maritime Museum
- San Vicente de la Barquera, historical fishing town
- Fly to: Santander Airport (SDR), Bilbao Airport (BIO) Ferry to: Santander, Bilbao
- Read Cantabria guide
Back to the top
|
