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Tourist information for northern Spain
Northern Spain is rightly known as Green Spain. Its climate is
influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, and rain is as common as it
is in western Britain. The advantage is the lush and verdant landscape, with
gems such as the Picos de Europa mountains and the beautiful Northern coastline
of sandy coves and hidden harbours. Add to this towns like San Sebastian and
Santander, Bilbao with the Guggenheim Museum, and Santiago de Compostella in the
west, and it's easy to see why Northern Spain is increasing in popularity as a
holiday destination. Nestling between France and Spain amidst the high Pyrenees
is the tax haven and ski area which is Andorra.
Towns and places of interest in Northern Spain:
The provinces of Asturias and Cantabria are blessed with some
of Spain's most spectacular scenery. Mountains abound, and superb walking trails
are everywhere. The countryside is green and verdant, and the coastline is one
of high cliffs interspersed with numerous rocky coves and golden sandy beaches.
The resorts of Llanes and Ribadesella are good centres for
exploring the coast. The extraordinarily beautiful mountains of the Picos de
Europa straddle the borders between the two provinces and offer spectacular
but generally easy walking. Stay in the still relatively unspoilt town of
Potes, or the somewhat more modern Cangas de Onis. Cider is the drink
in Cantabria, but be prepared for the waiter to pour a small quantity from a
bottle held at shoulder height, which you should down in one and wait for your
glass to be re-filled.
Burgos, with its spectacular cathedral, is one of many beautiful inland
cities of northern Spain. Also well worth visiting are big and lively
Zaragoza in the historic province of Aragon, while Salamancar
and Leon in Castille-Leon boast wonderful monuments and towering Gothic
cathedrals. However, perhaps the biggest draw to inland northern Spain is the
great mountain range of the Pyrenees. Here is every sort of activity
associated with mountains; excellent walking on well-marked trails, climbing,
mountain biking, and winter sports; all among some of the most beautiful scenery
in Europe.
If you come from Wales or Cornwall you'll feel at home in Galicia,
Spain's western extremity. The countryside, coastline and people all bear a
resemblance to their Celtic counter-parts in the UK, except for the strong
Catholic tradition, which it shares with Ireland. The scenery is wild and
spectacular, and the weather unpredictable. The beaches are few and far between,
but gorgeous, the coast being deeply cut by fjord-like rias, and here the lush
and wooded countryside is a delight. Inland, the granite landscape is bleak and
unforgiving.
San Sebastian is most important town of the Basque region, and its Basque
name is Donostia. It's a delightful seaside resort as well as an
important commercial centre. The more modern part of the town has wide, open
boulevards, while the old town is a warren of narrow streets crowded around the
harbour with its distinctive painted houses and excellent fish restaurants. The
town is dominated by the high peninsular of Mount Urgull with its
imposing statue of Christ, a favourite place for walking. The town has several
excellent beaches and a lively nightlife, with bars catering for all tastes.
In the east is the elegant resort city of Santander, ferryport for boats
from Plymouth. The town has a sophisticated air, and the lovely promenade along
its excellent main beach is filled with strollers on fine days. The rocky coast
around is worth exploring either by walking to the west or by car to the east.
The city spreads inland behind the beach and has a lively centre with many good
restaurants and bars, although lacking a little in cultural interest. About 30
kms west lies the superbly preserved medieval village of Santillana del Mar.
Santiago de Compostella is the third holiest place in the Christendom,
after Jerusalem and Rome. As the supposed shrine of Saint James the Apostle it
has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. The town is a compact and
beautifully preserved example of a medieval walled town, and the golden granite
from which it was built lends it a warm glow. The cathedral is one of the most
stunning in western Europe. Being in the far west of Spain, rain is frequent,
and the mossy vegetation which covers many buildings serves to enhance the
visual effect. As Santiago is a thriving university town it also has a
reasonably lively nightlife and some good bars and restaurants.
Andorra is a landlocked principality in the heart of the Pyrenees,
bordering both France and Spain. The terrain is mountainous, with three deep
valleys, and although rather bleak, offers some of the best skiing in Europe.
The capital is Andorra la Vella. The average altitude of the Principality is
1996 m. It has the largest skiable area in the Pyrenees. For more information on
the different resorts,
click here.
The special tax regime results in
low cost
shopping, and the summer sun makes for a pleasant walking holiday among the
mountains. The Principality of Andorra can be accessed by road from France
through Pas de la Casa and the Envalira Pass and from Spain via Sant Julia de
Loria.The nearest main cities are Barcelona (185 km) and Lleida (151 km) on the
Spanish side, and Toulouse (187 km) and Perpignan (169 km) on the French side.
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