Beaches straight from a postcard, art treasures, villages listed as UNESCO heritage and cutting-edge cities: Northern Spain is the finest expression of one of the many souls of the Iberian country. Facing the Atlantic, this region of Spain is dotted with places that offer endless surprises, and a welcoming people, proud of their origins. An ideal climate all year round, authentic traditions and unmistakable flavours complete a travel experience devoted to culture and wonder.

What to see in Northern Spain

Northern Spain offers an endless range of activities to satisfy the needs of every kind of traveller. It is no coincidence that recent years have seen a marked rise in interest in this destination.
Food and wine, a strong identity, exuberance and a sense of belonging are just some of the elements that make every kind of itinerary here precious to travellers.

To plunge straight into this special atmosphere, the irreplaceable starting point is the city of Bilbao.

Bilbao

The natural capital of the Basque Country and chief town of the province of Biscay, Bilbao is a city bound to tradition yet firmly projected towards the future. Its history is interwoven with the construction of the celebrated Guggenheim Museum, opened in 1997.
Its distinctive vortex-like structure, inspired by a ship’s hull, houses important works by modern and contemporary artists, among whom we may mention Picasso, Klee, Mondrian and Kandinsky.

The opening of the museum set in motion a process of renewal across the whole city, which in little more than a decade became the second most visited destination in all of Spain. Between a skyline of modern skyscrapers and the metro stations designed by Norman Foster, the Basque capital has made a firm choice in favour of modernity. Not to be missed either is the Vizcaya transporter bridge, just 15 km from the city and included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

In short, Bilbao is the springboard to Northern Spain, preserving its most important characteristics while at the same time maintaining a marked identity that makes it unique.

Santander

It is the capital of Cantabria and is wedged between the sea and the mountains, offering countless possibilities to the tourists who decide to visit it. Between the 19th and 20th centuries Spanish nobles and the wealthy chose this destination for their holidays, confirming its reputation as a chic, exclusive seaside resort; today, having become a destination for Spanish mass tourism, it is loved by the Spaniards, who appreciate its beaches and the slightly retro atmosphere you breathe strolling among the elegant buildings overlooking the sea.

The area’s beaches are much appreciated and equipped with facilities, bars and restaurants; culture lovers, meanwhile, can visit the Centro Botín, a cultural space devoted to contemporary art, music, cinema, theatre and literature. The building was designed by Renzo Piano and stands on the shore of the bay of Santander within the Pereda Gardens.

Burgos and León

Located in the autonomous community of Castile and León at the foot of the Cantabrian Mountains, the towns of Burgos and León are a veritable treasure for lovers of art.

Burgos boasts an evocative historic centre, framed by its finest and most famous monument: the magnificent cathedral, declared a World Heritage site. It offers an evocative glimpse of medieval history and one of the purest examples of Spanish Gothic.

Not far away, León is worth the visit if only for its scenic Plaza Mayor, surrounded by marvellous Baroque buildings. The unmissable Gothic Cathedral and the Basilica of San Isidoro are the other two gems not to be missed on a visit to this city.

Burgos and León are therefore essential stops on a journey through Northern Spain, and they lie right along the famous Way that leads to Santiago de Compostela.

Santiago de Compostela and Galicia

Arriving in Santiago de Compostela is a moving moment, as the end of a long journey of effort, sharing and faith.

The city itself, located close to the border with Portugal, lies at the heart of green Galicia, one of the most beautiful regions of Spain in terms of nature, with its dense forests.

The centre of Santiago, one of the most popular destinations every year, offers a maze of streets and squares where you breathe an atmosphere of great conviviality. The world-famous Cathedral, visited for centuries by thousands of pilgrims, according to tradition holds the remains of the apostle James, found in the 9th century.
But the whole city is a true gem from a historical and artistic point of view, so much so that it has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Galicia is also an unmissable destination for lovers of food and wine: cheeses, seafood and peppers pair with white wines among the finest in the world.

San Sebastián

Rich in bays and white beaches, the city of San Sebastián is ideal for travellers wishing to treat themselves to moments of relaxation and well-being.

San Sebastián, besides possessing an urban fabric of great value, is particularly well suited to lovers of surfing. Every year, many enthusiasts choose this very place to show off their skills.
For lovers of good food, finally, it is worth knowing that San Sebastián is one of the capitals of Basque and Spanish gastronomy, boasting a great many Michelin-starred restaurants.

Northern Spain is an unmissable destination for lovers of travel: this is why our catalogue includes numerous stops and various dates for visiting this unique destination.

Visit Northern Spain with Guiness Travel

For us at Guiness Travel there is a big difference between a journey and a holiday. For us, in fact, a journey is a wonderful frame of life. Our aim is not to “show” places, but to accompany travellers as they immerse themselves fully in the culture and beauty of the destination they have chosen.

We at Guiness are a Tour Operator that pays great attention to travellers’ well-being, which is why we created the Guiness Exclusive Tour, such as our Northern Spain Tour, a unique travel experience, mindful of sustainability, which offers you considerable advantages:

  • organisation;
  • attention to detail;
  • a search for excellent services on the ground (designed to give you maximum comfort, leaving you free to think of nothing but enjoying the moment).

Thanks to the Guiness Exclusive Tour you will return home with a bag full of new and wonderful memories.

Discover the Guiness Tours dedicated to Spain

Team Guiness