The 8 best places to visit in the north of Spain

When traveling through the north of Spain for the first time, you may be so taken aback by the unique natural surroundings that you find yourself wondering if you’re in fact still in Spain—and we wouldn’t blame you! Here, sun-kissed beaches get replaced by rocky shores and rolling green mountains, Moorish influence gives way to Celtic roots, and in some spots, you’re just as likely to hear Galego (Galician) or Euskera (Basque) as you are Spanish. We love all our Spain tours, but there’s nothing quite like discovering the natural beauty and rich culture of northern Spain.

From cultured Bilbao to charming León, we’ve curated a list of eight of the best places to visit in northern Spain. Once you’ve found some inspiration, give our Spain tours a look—both our Northern Spain: Basque Country to Madrid tour and our Food & Wine: Barcelona & Northern Spain with America’s Test Kitchen tour bring you to this unforgettable corner for the Iberian Peninsula.

Where exactly is northern Spain?

Geographically, the map of northern Spain stretches from the Atlantic coast (just above Portugal) all the way to the Mediterranean coast in the east, right along Spain’s border with France. The regions of Galicia, Asturias, and Basque Country are just some of the most captivating provinces in the north of Spain—and each of them boasts unique reasons to add northern Spain to your wish list. Here are our eight favorite places in the north of Spain that you need to visit on your next trip to Europe.

1. Bilbao

As recently as the 1990s, the Basque city of Bilbao was better known to ironworkers and fisherfolk than tourists. But, extensive urban renewal projects have transformed this once-industrial port into a cultural powerhouse. Headlined by the world-famous Guggenheim Museum (which you’ll get to see on our Northern Spain: Basque Country to Madrid tour), Bilbao is considered one of the best places to visit in northern Spain.

The best things to do in Bilbao

• Follow the winding Nervión River, popping into northern Spain attractions like the Guggenheim and the maritime Itsas Museum.
• Hit the medieval alleys of Casco Viejo—the city’s historic quarter—and make your way to the centuries-old Church of San Antón and Santiago Cathedral.
• Head to San Mamés Stadium, the 53,000-seat home of Athletic Bilbao—a professional soccer team known for its policy of only fielding players of Basque descent.

2. San Sebastián

San Sebastián (or Donostia, as the Basque call it) might be roughly half the size of neighboring Bilbao, but we’d recommend spending the same amount of time there. Why? Trying the food is a must-add to any Spain bucket list. Some call this city in the north of Spain the culinary capital of the nation, and with more Michelin-starred restaurants per square meter than any other town in Europe, we’re inclined to agree. It’s an important (and delicious) stop on our Food & Wine: Barcelona & Northern Spain with America’s Test Kitchen tour. Cities in northern Spain don’t get more delicious than San Sebastián!

The best things to do in San Sebastián

• Lounge on Playa de la Concha, then amble through the Old Town on your way to Plaza de la Constitución.
• Work through your gastronomical map of northern Spain. Pop into a pintxo bar for skewered, Basque-style tapas and enjoy them with wine and beer. Pintxos are an important part of the culinary culture of this foodie city.
• Reserve a table at Arzak or Akelarre—two restaurants that boast three coveted Michelin stars.

3. La Rioja

Nestled beneath Basque Country, La Rioja might just rank as the most famous of northern Spain’s regions, and it has one exquisite export to thank. Rioja wine comes from a DOC (denomination of qualified origin) growing area—one of only two nationwide to earn this designation. That quality shows in popular varietals like tempranillo and garnacha blanca. When it comes to cities in northern Spain, La Rioja might just be the best one for wine lovers. On our Food & Wine: Barcelona & Northern Spain with America’s Test Kitchen tour, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sip and savor the region’s most famous export. After all, what’s a trip to Spain without great wine?

The best things to do in La Rioja

• Before exploring the rest of northern Spain, make a pit stop in Logroño, Haro, or wherever you find a Riojan vineyard and sample their specialties.
• Prefer to search less and sip more? Our Food & Wine: Barcelona & Northern Spain with America’s Test Kitchen tour includes three nights in La Rioja, letting you cross even more off your map of northern Spain.
• Visit the Marqués de Riscal wine cellars, an architectural wonder designed by Frank Gehry. You can’t visit northern Spain without experiencing these Gehry marvels!

4. Santander

The coastal capital of Cantabria slightly differs from the other cities in northern Spain we’ve called out. In 1941, a devastating fire ripped through Santander, charring most of its Old Town and sparking a significant rebuild. However, what it lacks in historic charm, it more than makes up for with naturally good looks. You can find seaside parks, rugged rock formations (like the Puente del Diablo, the Devil’s Bridge), sun-soaked beaches, and various lookouts across one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

The best things to do in Santander

• Walk from the former royal residence at El Palacio de la Magdalena to El Sardinero and sunbathe on the beach’s crescent-shaped shore.
• Stroll through Plaza Porticada before admiring modern art exhibitions inside the futuristic Centro Botín.
• Visit more of Santander’s beaches on our Northern Spain: Basque Country to Madrid tour, which includes a free day. If you’d rather hike across lush limestone mountains, book our Picos de Europa excursion.

5. León

The city of León is the capital of the Province of León, and is renowned for its impressive collection of churches, cathedrals, and art. Located in northwest Spain near Portugal, this compact city was once the seat of a kingdom, so there are plenty of regal remnants to savor on your next trip to Spain. Thanks to the grand churches, it’s one of our travelers’ favorite stops on our Marian Shrines & the Way of St. James tour.

The best things to do in León

• Walk around! The city is small, with many of the most sought-after attractions located near each other, making it a supremely walkable destination.
• Barrio Húmedo, León’s old quarter, features a network of meandering alleyways full of curious shops and bars. In the evening, it becomes a lively hangout for anyone looking for a night out.
• On our Spain tours, you’ll get a guided visit to many of the León’s most notable attractions, including León cathedral, built over ancient Roman baths, as well as Palacio de los Guzmanes and Casa de los Botines, both designed by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí.

6. Oviedo

When it comes to historic cities, Oviedo sets the bar high. It’s the capital of the province of Asturias, which is known as the Cradle of Spain and was one of the few Iberian provinces to avoid full Moorish rule. Asturias is one of our favorite regions in the north of Spain, which makes Oviedo one of our favorite cities—with countless UNESCO World Heritage sites that hint at its long and interesting history.

The best things to do in Oviedo

• For a glimpse back at the early days of northern Spain, be sure to visit Oviedo Cathedral and San Julián de los Prados—a pair of UNESCO-listed churches that date back to the eighth and ninth centuries, respectively.
• Scale Monte Naranco for a close-up of the 100-foot-tall Monumento al Sagrado Corazón before heading back to town for a pint of cider.
• Did we mention the cider? Asturias is famous for the brew. Enjoy a glass alongside traditional and local dishes at any number of sidrerías (cideries). You’ll even get to tour a cider house during our Northern Spain: Basque Country to Madrid tour.

7. Santiago de Compostela

Towering above Praza do Obradoiro, the ornate façade of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is one of the most iconic sights in all of northern Spain. Look beyond the throngs of pilgrims, though, and you’ll discover a culture unlike any other in the broader city of Santiago de Compostela. This capital of the Galicia region has so much to offer—including seafood dishes that have earned a spot in our ultimate food and wine guide of Spain. The region is inextricably tied to the ocean, after all.

The best things to do in Santiago de Compostela

• Marvel at the town’s famous cathedral, then find a place to order a plate of pulpo a la Gallega: tender, cooked octopus generously seasoned with olive oil, salt, and paprika. On our Marian Shrines & the Way of St. James tour, you can sign up for our Traditional Galician Dinner excursion to sample more of the region’s most delicious dishes.
• Take a drive along the Costa da Morte, the “Coast of Death,” which has been responsible for more than its fair share of shipwrecks over the decades.
• Want to plan a day trip to other cities in Northern Spain? Consider A Coruña—home to the Torre de Hércules, the oldest lighthouse on the planet—and Fisterra, once considered the end of the world.