Northern Spain -Mountains, coast and outstanding gastronomy...
Take a northern Spain touring holiday and discover a different side of Spain. Far from the crowds further south, here you’ll find the best gastronomy and wines, unspoilt beaches set beneath soaring mountains and a tapestry of unique regional cultures criss-crossed by the Caminos de Santiago.
Our northern Spain tours cover the whole region from the Basque Country to Galicia taking in all the highlights of Cantabria and Asturias and the Picos de Europa. Hop over the mountains and visit Burgos, León or La Rioja for trip full of contrasts. For those wishing to cover a little more ground we can easily combine a visit to northern Spain with the Spanish Pyrenees, the North of Portugal or Inland Spain. Anything is possible!
Northern Spain is a paradise for walking, wildlife and outdoor activities and you’ll find a warm welcome wherever you go.
Numerous flights and seven ferries a week from the UK to North Spain mean that the region has never been easier to get to.
Direct flights to Bilbao, Santander, Asturias, La Coruña or Santiago de Compostela make point-to-point touring in north Spain easy.
Follow the Camino de Santiago, head into or over the mountains or discover a particular region – you’re sure to find adventure.
- Independent self-drive touring with all the info and support you need.
- Bespoke itineraries – designed and organised by our experts.
- Delightful hand-picked hotels to suit every taste and budget
- Fly to Spain and we’ll include a car or bring your own vehicle and we’ll build in the ferry.
A few favourite tours in Northern Spain
Here's a selection of our most popular north Spain tours - use our interactive search for a full list of north Spain holidays
Practical Information
North Spain - destination overview
The northern Spain touring area covers the entire north-west of the country defined by the Cordillera Cantábrica mountain range, with the Picos de Europa at its centre.
North of the mountains lies the stunning coastline of the Cornisa Cantabrica with Galicia, Cantabria, Asturias and Euskadi (the Basque Country) all facing the Bay of Biscay to the north and the open Atlantic to the west. Known as ‘Green Spain’ this verdant region has Spain’s best beaches and arguably the country’s finest cuisine.
To the south lies Inland Spain, the high and dry plains of the Meseta are irrigated by the Ebro and Douro rivers and run through by the main Camino de Santiago which crosses Navarra, La Rioja, Burgos and León. Here you’ll find a more ‘typical’ Spain – warmer, drier and altogether more Spanish, with an immense heritage and a hearty gastronomy to accompany the fine wines of La Rioja, Ribera del Duero and lesser known regions such as El Bierzo, Rueda and Cigales.
Places to visit in northern Spain
Main highlights & cities in northern Spain
- Santiago de Compostela
- Picos de Europa National Park
- Bilbao and its Guggenheim Museum
- San Sebastian
- Santander
- Pre-Romanesque churches
- Prehistoric cave paintings
- Cathedrals of Burgos and León
- Atapuerca archaeological site
- La Rioja and Ribera del Duero – and many more DOC wines
- Camino de Santiago
- El Bierzo and Las Médulas
Things to do in Northern Spain
You’ll also find all manner of exciting activities wherever you go from World-class surfing and water-sports to climbing and caving, horse-riding and canoeing, bear-watching and simple hiking…
There are wonderful walking opportunities wherever you go - the Picos de Europa are the star but the mountains of the Cordillera Cantabrica run from the Basque Country through to Galicia and offer infinite options for every level of walker as well as all manner of mountain activities including canoeing on the region's stunning mountain rivers.
Down at the coast you'll also find stunning cliff-top paths as well as the chance to indulge in every type of watersport from surfing or kayaking to whale-watching or tuna fishing. In Galicia don't miss the chance to take a boat out to see how the shellfish are grown and harvested or visit a cider house in the Basque Country or Asturias to get a feel of the local cider culture and maybe have a glass or two...
Wherever you go you'll find delicious local wines and gastronomy to match. Here are a few more things to do:
Visit the Guggenheim Bilbao – bold modern architecture, perhaps the 20th century’s finest?
Discover the delights of San Sebastián – La Concha beach and world-class pintxos.
Catch the Atlantic waves on rugged beaches at Oyambre, Zarautz, Mundaka or Raxo.
Ride the cable car at Fuente Dé – to 1800m for stunning views of the Picos de Europa.
Hike the Cares Gorge – the ‘Divine Gorge’ at the heart of the Picos de Europa.
Explore Santander, the ‘City on the Bay’. Stroll out to the beautiful Magdalena Peninsula.
Prehistoric cave paintings of Altamira and nearby – 18 fascinating World Heritage caves to explore.
Wander Oviedo’s historic centre – old-world streets and elegant squares beloved of Woody Allen. Don’t miss the Asturian cider houses.
Sample seafood in lovely fishing villages – freshly caught hake, octopus or shellfish in villages from Getaria and Lekeitio, Lastres or Cudillero, through to Combarro or Camariñas.
Walk a stretch of the St James’ Way – in northern Spain all paths lead to Santiago…
Santiago de Compostela – pilgrim’s destiny - magnificent cathedral and atmospheric old town.
Visit wineries in La Rioja or Ribera del Duero – and don’t miss El Bierzo, Ribera Sacra, Albariño in the Rias Bajas or Txakolí in the Basque Country.
Magnificent Cathedrals in Burgos and León – right on the Camino de Santiago.
Hike in Somiedo Natural Park – wildlife, glacial valleys and quiet mountain villages.
Explore Galicia’s Ribeira Sacra – deep river canyons of the ‘Holy River’. Taste the exceptional local wines.
When to go to Northern Spain
About the weather in North Spain
There are two main climate zones in the north of Spain clearly demarcated by the mountains which cut the area in two east to west but there are also a some important, benign micro-climates to take into account.
On the north side of the mountains, in what’s known as Green Spain, the coast which runs from the Basque Country though Asturias and Cantabria to Galicia, the climate is Atlantic-maritime characterised by mild temperatures, both in summer and winter, and higher rainfall than the rest of the Iberian Peninsula (hence the ‘green’). The north coast is best between April and October with very agreeable temperatures even in the height of summer.
As you go south over the Cordillera mountains to Burgos, León and La Rioja, the climate (and the flora and fauna) change to Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cold winters. The ideal times to visit are from March through to early July and again September through to early November, though for sun-lovers the high summer also has its attraction.
Benign micro-climates
There are several sub-regions throughout the north which enjoy a benign micro-climate most notably perhaps the the Rias Bajas, the Atlantic-facing estuaries of southern Galicia, which have a true ‘Goldilocks’ climate – pleasantly warm whilst avoiding the extremes of the Mediterranean ‘Costas’ – making it a good seaside holiday destination from April through to October.
Further west, at the foot of the Picos de Europa mountains, the Valley of Liebana with Potes at its heart also enjoys a privileged climate. Protected on all sides by mountains yet not too high above sea level itself, the valley is a wonderful base for hiking at any time of year.
For other micro-climates look for the grapes. La Rioja, Ribero del Duero, El Bierzo and Ribera Sacra (and the Rias Bajas) all produce fine wines and are good to visit from March through to early November when the vines put on quite a show in their autumnal hues!
Getting to Northern Spain
By Sea
Brittany Ferries offer seven sailings a week from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander or Bilbao. Crossings are over-night and take between 21 and 24 hours (with the exception of the Sunday night crossing which takes two nights). The Spanish ports are just one hour apart and so can be easily combined giving greater flexibility.
By Air
There are direct flights from the UK to five cities in Northern Spain:
- Bilbao from Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh.
- Santander from Stansted, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Dublin.
- Oviedo (Asturias) from Dublin and Stansted.
- Santiago de Compostela from Stansted and Gatwick.
- La Coruña from Heathrow.
- Porto, Biarritz and Madrid are also worth considering for certain North Spain holiday destinations.
*More info – check the ‘Travel’ tab from within any particular tour for the best options for that trip and for more details about which airlines operate to Northern Spain. The main options are with Easyjet, Ryanair, BA, Iberia, or Vueling.
Getting around
A car is essential for getting around and to make the most out of the visit as many of the hotels and attractions are not easily accessed by public transport.
If travelling by air we usually include a hire car whilst those coming on the ferry will use their own vehicle. In either case we will provide full driving instructions, GPS co-ords for the accommodation and essential information on driving in Spain and Portugal as well as a touring map of the area.
Eating and drinking in northern Spain
Amazing Food
From honest country tavernas, to the famous Michelin starred restaurants of the Basque Country to simple seafood tapas bars which, for many, define the taste of summer at the sea, northern Spain is a food lover’s dream.
Here the emphasis, or perhaps the obsession, is on the ingredients – from the workman’s Menu del Día to the gourmet’s Menu de Degustación you’ll find local, seasonal produce, direct from the mountains and the sea, prepared according to proud local traditions – all at very reasonable prices!
North of the mountains the emphasis is on fish and seafood whilst to the south they are more famed for their delicious meat dishes, in particular lamb and suckling pig, but wherever you go you’ll find the best of both.
Wonderful wines
La Rioja and Ribera del Duero are the obvious stars here but there is so much more to discover! From the bold reds and equally bold whites of El Bierzo and Ribera Sacra to the fine whites of Albariño and Rueda; the crisp fresh Txakoli from Euskadi and the delicate wines of Cangas del Narcea in Asturias, these lesser-known areas are blessed with a multitude of small, boutique producers making top-class wines at knock-down prices – you’re in for a real treat!
Why our clients love our tours
Your satisfaction is our Nº 1 priority – you can also read independent reviews of our holidays on AITO.com
