Best Places to Visit in Northern Spain

Northern Spain is a region of stunning beauty, with a rich history and culture. From the Basque Country to the Cantabrian Mountains, there are countless places to explore. Here are just a few of the best places to visit in northern Spain⁚

Bilbao

Bilbao is a vibrant city in the Basque Country, known for its Guggenheim Museum, a world-renowned art museum designed by Frank Gehry. But there’s more to Bilbao than just the Guggenheim. The city has a rich history and culture, with many other museums, churches, and historic buildings to explore.

Here are some of the top things to see and do in Bilbao⁚

• Visit the Guggenheim Museum⁚ This is Bilbao’s most famous landmark, and for good reason. The museum is home to a world-class collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by Picasso, Warhol, and Kandinsky.
• Explore the Casco Viejo⁚ This is Bilbao’s old town, and it’s a great place to wander around and soak up the atmosphere. The Casco Viejo is home to many bars, restaurants, and shops, as well as several historic churches and buildings.
• Take a walk along the riverfront⁚ The Nervión River runs through Bilbao, and there’s a beautiful promenade along the riverbanks. This is a great place to relax and enjoy the views of the city.
• Visit the San Mamés Stadium⁚ This is the home stadium of Athletic Bilbao, one of Spain’s most famous football clubs. Even if you’re not a football fan, it’s worth taking a tour of the stadium to see the impressive architecture.
• Try the local cuisine⁚ Bilbao is known for its delicious food, especially its pintxos. Pintxos are small snacks that are typically served in bars and restaurants. They can be made with a variety of ingredients, but some of the most popular include seafood, meat, and cheese.

Bilbao is a great city to visit for a weekend or longer. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from art and culture to food and nightlife.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a beautiful city on the Bay of Biscay, known for its stunning beaches, delicious food, and vibrant culture. It’s a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, and it’s easy to see why.

Here are some of the top things to see and do in San Sebastian⁚

• Visit the Playa de la Concha⁚ This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and it’s a great place to relax and soak up the sun. The beach is also popular for surfing, swimming, and sailing.
• Explore the Parte Vieja⁚ This is San Sebastian’s old town, and it’s a great place to wander around and soak up the atmosphere. The Parte Vieja is home to many bars, restaurants, and shops, as well as several historic churches and buildings.
• Take a walk along the Paseo de la Concha⁚ This is a beautiful promenade that runs along the Bay of Biscay. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the views of the city and the bay.
• Visit the San Telmo Museum⁚ This museum is home to a collection of Basque art and history. It’s a great place to learn more about the culture and history of the Basque Country.
• Try the local cuisine⁚ San Sebastian is known for its delicious food, especially its pintxos. Pintxos are small snacks that are typically served in bars and restaurants. They can be made with a variety of ingredients, but some of the most popular include seafood, meat, and cheese.

San Sebastian is a great city to visit for a weekend or longer. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from beaches and culture to food and nightlife.

Santander

Santander is a beautiful city on the northern coast of Spain, known for its stunning beaches, its elegant architecture, and its vibrant culture. It’s a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, and it’s easy to see why.

Here are some of the top things to see and do in Santander⁚

• Visit the Playa del Sardinero⁚ This is one of the most popular beaches in Santander, and it’s a great place to relax and soak up the sun. The beach is also popular for surfing, swimming, and sailing.
• Explore the Magdalena Peninsula⁚ This peninsula is home to the Palacio de la Magdalena, a beautiful palace that was once the summer residence of the Spanish royal family. The peninsula is also home to several other attractions, including a zoo, a museum, and a lighthouse.
• Take a walk along the Paseo de Pereda⁚ This is a beautiful promenade that runs along the Bay of Santander. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the views of the city and the bay.
• Visit the Santander Cathedral⁚ This is a beautiful Gothic cathedral that is one of the most important landmarks in Santander. The cathedral is home to a number of important works of art, including a painting by El Greco.
• Try the local cuisine⁚ Santander is known for its delicious seafood, especially its anchovies. Anchovies are small fish that are typically served fried or pickled. They are a popular ingredient in many local dishes.

Santander is a great city to visit for a weekend or longer. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from beaches and culture to food and nightlife.

Oviedo

Oviedo is a beautiful city in the north of Spain, and it’s a great place to visit for a weekend or longer. The city is home to a number of important historical and cultural attractions, as well as a vibrant food and nightlife scene.

Here are some of the top things to see and do in Oviedo⁚

• Visit the Cathedral of Oviedo⁚ This is one of the most important religious buildings in Spain, and it’s home to a number of important relics, including the Holy Sudarium. The cathedral is also a beautiful example of Gothic architecture.
• Explore the old town⁚ Oviedo’s old town is a maze of narrow streets and charming squares. It’s a great place to wander around and soak up the atmosphere. The old town is also home to a number of important historical buildings, including the Town Hall and the University of Oviedo.
• Visit the Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias⁚ This museum is home to a collection of over 15,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and drawings. The museum is a great place to learn about the history of Spanish art.
• Take a walk through the Campo de San Francisco⁚ This is a beautiful park that is located in the center of Oviedo; The park is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. It’s also home to a number of sculptures and fountains.
• Try the local cuisine⁚ Oviedo is known for its delicious food, especially its fabada asturiana. Fabada asturiana is a stew made with beans, pork, and sausage. It’s a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold day.

Oviedo is a great city to visit for a weekend or longer. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from history and culture to food and nightlife.

Leon

León is a city in northwestern Spain, and it’s a great place to visit for a weekend or longer. The city is home to a number of important historical and cultural attractions, as well as a vibrant food and nightlife scene.

Here are some of the top things to see and do in León⁚

• Visit the Cathedral of León⁚ This is one of the most important Gothic cathedrals in Spain, and it’s known for its beautiful stained glass windows. The cathedral is also home to a number of important religious relics, including the Holy Chalice.
• Explore the old town⁚ León’s old town is a maze of narrow streets and charming squares. It’s a great place to wander around and soak up the atmosphere. The old town is also home to a number of important historical buildings, including the Town Hall and the Casa Botines.
• Visit the Museum of León⁚ This museum is home to a collection of over 150,000 artifacts, including archaeological finds, paintings, and sculptures. The museum is a great place to learn about the history and culture of León.
• Take a walk through the Parque de Quevedo⁚ This is a beautiful park that is located in the center of León. The park is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. It’s also home to a number of sculptures and fountains.
• Try the local cuisine⁚ León is known for its delicious food, especially its cocido maragato. Cocido maragato is a stew made with chickpeas, pork, and vegetables. It’s a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold day.

León is a great city to visit for a weekend or longer. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from history and culture to food and nightlife.