American students often travel to cities in Spain that are well-known here in the U.S. However, there are many amazing cities in Spain that Americans don’t know much about. The north coast of Spain is filled with great cities as well as charming pueblos. Here are just a few of the many places to visit and things to see along the north coast of Spain. If a place interests you, check out a guidebook, such as Lonely Planet: Spain to see what else the city has to offer!
The cities move from East to West and are organized by comunidad autónoma (similar to the American states). Because checking out the local cuisine is always a highlight for me when I travel, I’ve included some must try foods from each comunidad, though you should definitely try any sort of seafood anywhere along the coast.
You will find that traveling around Spain to be very easy. The national train company is called RENFE and their website is a www.renfe.es. There are many bus companies, some that have destinations throughout Spain, while others are regional. One national bus company is ALSA; their website is www.alsa.es.
País Vasco
There are many regional languages in Spain, and one of them is Euskera, or Basque. It isn’t related to any other language and has words filled with x’s and z’s. But don’t worry! Everyone speaks Spanish and all signs are both in Euskera and Spanish. The cities are in Spanish with their Basque names in parenthesis.
San Sebastian (Donostia)
San Sebastian is known for its gastronomy and beaches. If you want to spend some time on the beach, La Concha is a great start. A little further down the beach you can visit the sculptures Peine del Viento by Eduardo Chillida, a famous Basque sculptor. If you like his work you can catch the bus to visit his outdoor sculpture museum where you can wander around the grounds and see some of his work.
You can also take a hike or ride up Monte Urgull or Monte Igueldo to get a panoramic view of the city.
San Sebastián is famous for their pintxos, which means tapas in Euskera, so don’t leave without trying them!
Bilbao (Bilbo)
You can visit the Guggenheim Museum and stroll along the river. Learn more about the fascinating history and culture of the Basque Country and people at the Museo Vasco (Basque Museum). A short distance from Bilbao is the pueblo of Guernica (Gernika), where almost 2,000 people died when Hitler’s Legión Condor bombed the city on April 26, 1937. The act inspired Pablo Picasso’s painting “Guernica”, which can be seen in the Reina Sofia Art Museum in Madrid. You can visit the Museo de la Paz (Peace Museum) to learn more about the bombing raid and world peace as well as visit the central market and see the enormous stained glass window located in a government building.
Cantabria
Santander has several beaches where you can relax, or you can visit the park on the Peninsula de la Magdalena that houses a former royal palace. On nice days, take a boat tour of the bay or go explore the Museo Marítimo, which focuses on navigation and ship building in Cantabria and also has a large aquarium.
Boat tour
Aquarium
A short distance from Santander is Santillana del Mar, a medieval town that is well preserved. Altamira Caves are nearby, and you can view replicas of cave paintings of bison, horses, and other animals that were drawn more than 14,500 year ago. Comillas is a pueblo to visit to relax on the beach. You can visit El Capricho, one of the few works by architect Antoni Gaudí that is outside of Cataluña, the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas, and an ornate gothic cemetery filled with sculptures.
When in Cantabria, don’t leave without trying quesada pasiega (similar to cheesecake) or sobao pasiego (a breakfast muffin).
If you like nature and hiking, a visit to the Parque Nacional Picos de Europa, the second largest national park in Spain, might be a great excursion for you. The mountains cover part of Cantabria, Asturias, and go into northern Castilla y León.
Santillana del Mar
Altamira
Capricho
Universidad Pontificia de Comillas
When in Cantabria, don’t leave without trying quesada pasiega (similar to cheesecake) or sobao pasiego (a breakfast muffin).
If you like nature and hiking, a visit to the Parque Nacional Picos de Europa, the second largest national park in Spain, might be a great excursion for you. The mountains cover part of Cantabria, Asturias, and go into northern Castilla y León.
Asturias
Gijón and Oviedo are the two main cities in Asturias. Gijón is the bigger of the two cities and is on the beach. Asturias, Cantabria, and Galicia all have Celtic heritage, so if you’re in the area for a traditional festival you may see people playing the bagpipes. In Gijón you can walk along the coast up to a peninsula called the Cimadevilla.
Oviedo is inland and where Woody Allen filmed part of the 2008 movie Vicky Christina Barcelona.
Slightly outside Oviedo are some pre-romanesque churches which were built in the 8th and 9th centuries. That means they are over 1,000 years old!
Some great Asturian food includes fabada, a meat and bean stew and the dessert arroz con leche. When you’re out, watch the waiters pouring sidra asturiana, an apple cider.
Galicia
Santiago de Compostela is the end of the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrimage that some Christians take because it’s said that St. James’ body is buried in Santiago. The Cathedral of Santiago is the end of the journey, so you may see pilgrims in the plaza. If you are interested in doing some or all of the Camino de Santiago, there are many guidebooks that can help you plan your journey.
Try the pulpo gallego, octopus sprinkled with paprika and eaten with a boiled potato or an empanada, a savory pie that is filled with tuna, chorizo, or other meats.
When studying abroad in Spain, dare to visit a place you’re never heard of. Be sure to stop in the Oficina de Turismo to pick up a map and ask them to highlight the sites of interest and how to use the local transportation system.
I encourage you to take a trip up north. You won’t regret it!