Is northern Spain worth visiting? There is no doubt that Spain’s most famous cities and regions like Madrid, Barcelona, Andalucia, and even the Spanish Canary Islands are incredible, but honestly, you have to see the stunning places that exist in northern Spain.
From beautiful green sceneries and surreal beaches to historical cities and picturesque villages, this undiscovered area in Spain will surely win you over.
To make my point, here are all the reasons why you must mark it as your next Spanish road trip destination.
*This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a commission (for more info, read my disclosure). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
*I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables.
IS NORTHERN SPAIN WORTH VISITING? WHY THE ANSWER IS YES
It’s an Ideal Road Trip Destination
Whether you decide to focus on one region or visit a few (I traveled through the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia), the best way to get around northern Spain is by driving.
Considering all the beauty surrounding you, the ability to stop wherever and whenever you want in this area is priceless because it’s packed with hidden gems.
Moving between central cities, you could use trains or bus services, but I recommend renting a car to comfortably reach villages, beaches, and national parks.
Tip: After accessing the map, you can also open it on your Google Maps app. Simply open your app, tap the ‘saved’ icon at the bottom, scroll down and tap the ‘maps’ icon, and choose the MyMaps map you want to see (you can do the same on your computer).
Weather
While the rest of Spain can be unbearably hot and humid, the weather in northern Spain is a lot cooler and can be perfect for a vacation in late spring, summer, or early autumn.
It might get rainy sometimes, but the average temperatures by day are 18-22 °C (64-71 °F) in May and June, and 22-26 °C (71-79 °F) in July and August, though they are rising in recent years.
It’s Less Touristy
While Spain’s northern regions are slowly getting the attention they deserve, they are still a lot less popular amongst international travelers who might prefer Andalucia, Barcelona, or Madrid as their destination.
From the Basque Country to Galicia, you’ll find hundreds of amazing spots to visit, so even with their growing popularity, you can count on one hand the number of places that might actually get uncomfortably crowded.
Unbelievable Natural Landscapes
If there’s one thing to know about Spain, it’s that this country is much more diverse than people think.
Northern Spain is basically one giant green carpet, loaded with nature reserves and national parks like the magical Picos de Europa and Somiedo, giving several regions (Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia) the nickname Green Spain (España Verde).
Now, I know it’s probably not what you would expect, but some of the views here could easily make you believe you are in Austria or Switzerland.
The scenery is full of rolling hills, mountains, valleys, lakes, waterfalls, and rivers. I don’t know about you, but to me, it sounds pretty irresistible.
Beautiful Cities
It’s not all about the countryside when you visit northern Spain. If you are also looking for city views, then this area has a lot of fantastic options to offer, each with its own characteristics and vibe.
You can indulge in exquisite food in San Sebastian (which many people consider the foodie capital of the world), appreciate modern art at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, explore the historic center and cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), or visit the underrated Oviedo.
Food, Food, and More Food
What is northern Spain like in terms of food? Fascinating and delicious.
First of all, let’s talk about the city of San Sebastian. As I’ve mentioned, it is considered a food capital, and with award-winning restaurants and the second-highest number of Michelin stars per square meter, it’s easy to see why.
Apart from San Sebastian, throughout all the regions in northern Spain, you can indulge yourself in fresh seafood, local cheeses, quality fruits and vegetables, and of course, pintxos.
Pintxos are northern Spain’s version of tapas, consisting of different toppings placed on a small piece of bread. Even for a vegetarian (well, a pescatarian) like me, there are more than enough mouthwatering options.
Each region also has its delicacies, from empanadas in Galicia (one of the top street foods in Europe) to quesada pasiega in Cantabria to salmón a la ribereña in Asturias.
Dreamy Beaches
Although I have much respect for Spain’s Mediterranean beaches, I have to say that northern Spain’s Atlantic coastline is INCREDIBLE, spanning more than 800 km.
Along with famous beaches like Playa de la Concha (San Sebastian), Playa de Rodas (Cies Islands), and Playa de las Catedrales, there are many unspoiled, lesser-known beaches that you’ll have all to yourself.
Beautiful Villages and Towns
If you drive along the coastline, you’ll also find charming fisherman villages and towns like Luarca, the colorful Cudillero, and Combarro.
As much as loved them, I have to say that the ones that stole my heart were actually the small, hidden, inland villages.
Dotting the green scenery, you’ll stumble upon picture-perfect hamlets of 10-15 (or even fewer) rustic stone houses, adorned with lively gardens of Hydrangea (my favorite flower), corn, and grapevines.
If that doesn’t sound like pure magic, I don’t know what does.
ID 80731334 © Satur Pérez | Dreamstime.com
Must-See Historical Landmarks
Though nature is a notable feature of northern Spain, this area is also packed with incredible historical landmarks.
From the Roman walls in Lugo and prehistoric caves & paintings in Asturias to the medieval San Juan de Gaztelugatxe hermitage and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (the final stop of the pilgrimage route Camino de Santiago), there’s a lot to see.
Diverse Architecture
I’m pretty sure architecture is not what comes to mind when you think about reasons to visit northern Spain.
However, there are so many stunning buildings in these regions, and it’s impossible not to appreciate the work put into them.
These include quirky structures like ‘El Capricho de Gaudi’, futuristic architecture at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, old rustic houses in Santillana del Mar, and traditional Galician granaries, all showcasing northern Spain’s intriguing mix of astonishing architectural styles.
ID 83228252 © Werdeco | Dreamstime.com
Local Wine, Beer, and Cider
Both La Rioja and Galicia are well-known wine regions in Spain, so you are guaranteed some high-quality wines. If you’re more of a beer person, then there’s the famous Estrella Galicia and plenty of other local craft beers.
That said, my personal favorite drink in northern Spain has to be cider since you get a show as well as a good drink. You get a small thin glass, and the waiter pours a gulp of cider from a great height, producing air bubbles into the cider.
If you don’t consume it all and the bubbles disappear, the waiter will spill the rest on the floor, and the pouring ritual will begin once more.
It’s a Hiker’s Heaven
If you’re into hiking, you must visit northern Spain. With so many nature reserves and national parks, this area offers countless hiking trails at different difficulty levels.
Amongst the famous hikes you can take, you’ll find the Ruta del Cares and the Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James) which passes through most of northern Spain’s regions (there are actually several options for walking the Camino de Santiago, including ones in Portugal and France).
However, you can also find shorter, easier, and more relaxed trails.
The Atmosphere Is Contagiously Relaxed
When you travel through vast green landscapes, tiny mountainous hamlets, fishing villages, and rugged coastlines, it’s impossible not to feel carefree, relaxed, and recharged.
Even when you get to the big cities of northern Spain, the vibe is still pretty much laid-back, which makes you want to have a slower-paced life.
Practical Info
Getting to Northern Spain
Depending on where you want to go in the north of Spain, you can fly directly to cities like San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, and A Coruña. Some of these cities are also reachable from Madrid by domestic flight, train, or bus.
I took a flight from Madrid to San Sebastian and started my road trip there, but you could rent a car in Madrid.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring and early summer are fantastic times to visit northern Spain.
I visited in late June/beginning of July, and I had perfect weather with zero crowds.
How Much Time to Spend in Northern Spain
Whether you only visit one region or 3-4, I highly recommend planning a trip of a minimum of 10 days. That’s not really enough as I could have spent months there, but when you’re time is limited, aim for 10-21 days.
Where to Stay
There are lots of hotels, hostels, apartments, and B&Bs all over the area.
If you choose to focus on one region, you can base yourself in one town, but if you’re taking a more extensive road trip (as I did), you’ll probably have to spend just a night or two in each place.
I recommend staying in little villages and towns and not in the big cities (unless you have no choice). It’s cheaper and more comfortable to park, and you can find some beautiful, secluded places to wake up in.
Feel free to use my northern Spain road trip itinerary for inspiration.
Is It Better to Visit Northern or Southern Spain
As a huge Spain lover, I obviously recommend visiting both, but I understand your thoughts.
Being so different in terms of history, culture, weather, landmarks, views, and other aspects, I don’t think one is better than the other – it’s a question of what you want you’re next trip to look like.
To help you decide, here’s my Andalucia road trip itinerary and places I wish I hadn’t missed in southern Spain.
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Have I convinced you to visit northern Spain? Tell me in the comments below!
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Wow, this is super beautiful! I love that it’s more off the beaten path and not the standard Spain stuff everyone is doing. Definitely pinning this for when I go!
Thank you! It really is an unexpected part of Spain, and it has so much to offer!