Northern Spain — Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
Northern Spain Tour Highlights
- Take in breathtaking coastal views along St. James Way, or Camino de Santiago as it’s known in Spanish. The old pilgrimage route is perfect for anybody looking to explore the great outdoors of northern Spain.
- Hit up the autonomous region of Galicia and Asturias for a tasty northern Spain tour. The region is decked out for foodies — try out gastronomic specialties among the medieval streets.
- Head over to the Picos de Europa, Spain’s oldest national park, home to the country's third-highest mountain range. A multi-day trek here will open up stunning landscapes, nature, and wildlife.
- Explore the city of San Sebastian in the northwestern Basque Country, known for its beaches, culture, palaces and riffs on tapas called pintxos.
- Find snow in the Catalan Pyrenees on a northern Spain tour. You will find yourself snowshoeing your way through pristine mountainous landscapes.
- Visit the city of Bilbao to soak up a slice of modern-day northern Spain away from all the cathedrals and cobbled streets: think craft beer, hip cafes, galleries, and a cool and creative street art scene.
Northern Spain Travel Tips
- When you’re out hiking somewhere beautiful like the Picos de Europa, with stunning Alpine lakes, make sure you are prepared with the right gear, plenty of water, and ideally, a guide. Make sure to check the weather reports before you head out.
- Foodies, head to San Sebastian, the ultimate culinary city in the region. This is where pintxos come from, and where you will find a lot of Michelin-starred restaurants.
- Be aware of cultural differences in northern Spain. For example, Basque Country — or Euskadi, as it’s known in the Basque language — has its own thing going on compared to the rest of Spain. Learn the customs and manners before you go.
- Know that cities such as Barcelona have a certain amount of petty crime aimed at tourists; make sure your belongings are safe and close to you, and stay aware of your surroundings.
- While the region can be explored relatively easily if you do it independently, a northern Spain tour can offer so much more local insight into the hidden gems that dot this region of the country.
- It can get hot! It’s not uncommon for temperatures to reach 40°C (100°F), so do what the Spanish do and take a siesta or afternoon nap in the hottest part of the day.
