A Journey along the Spanish Cantabrian Sea
It is a unique experience for its beauty and culinary treasures.
The most visited regions in Spain, from Wikipedia, are:
Catalonia (Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Barcelona)
Balearic Islands (Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza)
Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote)
Andalusia (Costa Almeria, Costa del Sol, Marbella, Malaga)
Valencia (Costa Blanca)
It shows that the preferred Spanish mainland coasts are on the Mediterranean Sea.
In this article, I will show why the Atlantic coast (along the Cantabrian mountains) deserves a top ranking for regions to visit in Spain.
The Cantabrian Sea is the term used in Spain to describe the coastal sea of the Atlantic Ocean that borders the northern coast of Spain and the southwest side of the Atlantic coast of France. It extends from Coruña, Galicia, Spain, to the river Adour, near Bayonne in the French Basque Country. (source: Wikipedia)
My wife and I have visited this coast and its mountains via different routes. I will share our experience based on the most renowned cities and sites.
San Sebastian. Pais Basque
San Sebastian (Donostia in Basque) is my favorite city in the Spanish province. Close to the border with France, one can easily spend a long weekend visiting its beautiful beach, La Concha, and going on foot around the old town enjoying its streets full of gentle people while having an aperitive or a meal in one of its bars and restaurants. You can do something similar in Madrid or Barcelona, and go by bus to a restaurant serving food early for tourists. Still, once you experience picking up a restaurant or bar frequented by locals and have dinner after 9 pm, you will never choose another option when vacationing in Spain.
The Cantabrian region is one of the safest for tourists, and you will meet more locals in its cities, mountains, and beaches and feel more relaxed because of the weather that will rarely reach 30 degrees C in summer compared to the 40 along Andalusia (Costa Almeria, Costa del Sol, Marbella, and Malaga)
From San Sebastian, you can visit two nearby sites I recommend: Ondarribia to the east, with its beautiful bay, a favorite resort for French tourists, and Zaraut to the west, a rural town on the coast with excellent restaurants and views to the Cantabrian Sea.
Santander. Capital of Cantabria
From the Basque country, you will travel west to Cantabria first, then Asturias, and finally, Galicia.
If you do it by car, beware that, even when the ride will mostly be on a freeway, the speed limits vary due to the hills and towns one encounters. It is a beautiful countryside.
During the trip along the coast, you will pass next to Bilbao. Its 350.000 inhabitants make it the largest city in the Basque country. Once blighted by its heavy industries, it has become more friendly and green. It deserves a detour, but you need one or two additional days. A visit to the Guggenheim Museum and nearby Guernica are recommended options.
After two hours and fifteen minutes from San Sebastian (one hour from Bilbao) one arrives at Santander, the capital of Cantabria. A city we have learned to appreciate more, with an even more relaxed atmosphere than those of San Sebastian and Bilbao.
We recommend a long walk along the coast, with a stop in a park full of walkways and a cultural center (Fundacion Santander), and a chance to enjoy a traditional Spanish plate in its downtown. There is no need to hurry while visiting Santander: one day and one night are all you need to get a flavor of the city, its people, and recommended sites.
If you have more time, consider visiting the beaches of Laredo and Santoña — two of the most agreeable beaches along the Cantabrian coast. The first has more infrastructure in terms of restaurants and places to stay.
The Picos de Europa National Park
120 km West of Santander (but it takes almost a two-hour drive by car) lies the Cantabrian mountains, located between Asturias, Cantabria, and Castilla y León, present us with an opportunity for changing sites from the sea to the mountains, known for its beauty and historic importance:
The Battle of Covadonga of c. 722 was the first Christian victory in the Iberian Peninsula over the Arabs invading from north Africa under the Umayyad banner The Battle of Covadonga of c. 722 was the first Christian victory in the Iberian Peninsula over the Arabs invading from north Africa under the Umayyad banner and is often considered to be the start of the almost eight-century-long effort to expel Muslim rulers governing Iberia during the Reconquista. Our Lady of Covadonga is a significant Marian shrine.
One finds two lakes of Covadonga, Enol, and Ercina in the mountains above the town. The road to the lakes is often featured in the Vuelta a España bicycle race.Source: Wikipedia
While visiting the mountains you should try the Asturian Fabada. It is a delicious food, a cousin to the French Cassoulet. Consider staying overnight though, because after having a Fabada and wine I recommend no further driving.
Gijon. Asturias
We will end our tour along the Cantabrian Sea and mountains in Gijon, Asturias, a town that offers excellent food in a relaxed atmosphere, facing the Cantabrian Sea. By then, you will have spent up to a couple of weeks.
From here, time permitting, I recommend following the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Galicia.
The ancient city of Santiago has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. It stands out for being one of the three great pilgrimage centers of Christianity, along with Jerusalem and Rome. (source: Wikipedia).
Try to book a room in Santiago’s Parador, next to the Cathedral. While having breakfast, you will witness the arrival of pilgrims from all over the world. It is a mystical experience and an excellent way to finish another unforgettable trip to Spain.
