Northern Spain Tours & Trips

What our customers ask about Northern Spain Tours & Trips

• What kinds of local experiences can you join in Northern Spain?

  Up in the Basque Country you can dive into the evening txikiteo through Bilbao's Siete Calles where locals wander between bars trying amazing pintxos like bacalao al pil-pil with txakoli wine that's poured from way up high it's quite a sight. Over in Galicia there's this really mystical queimada ceremony in Santiago where they prepare this flaming aguardiente punch in clay pots while chanting old Galician spells. And if you're in Asturias you've got to experience traditional cider pouring at the historic sidrerías along Oviedo's Calle Gascona where they pour natural cider from about a meter high to get that perfect aeration.

• What natural areas can you visit outside the cities in Northern Spain?

  The Picos de Europa National Park spreads across Asturias Cantabria and León it's got these incredible limestone peaks deep gorges like the Garganta del Cares and ancient beech forests where Cantabrian brown bears roam. You can catch ALSA buses from Bilbao or Santander to Cangas de Onís to get there. Covadonga National Park is another gem with its glacial lakes historic basilica and the birthplace of the Spanish Reconquista you can hop on regular shuttles from Oviedo or join guided tours from Gijón. Near Bilbao there's the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve with protected wetlands and medieval fishing villages easily reached by the Euskotren coastal railway.

• What are some less touristy routes for exploring Northern Spain?

  The Rías Baixas route weaves through Galicia's stunning fjord-like inlets connecting historic ports like Pontevedra and Cambados where you'll find amazing albariño wine and fresh seafood markets. People love it because you get to see traditional mussel farming and oyster harvesting up close. Then there's the Camino Primitivo the original pilgrim route through Asturias it's perfect if you want more peace and quiet than the French Way with some challenging mountain passes and authentic villages like Salas and Tineo. For hikers the Transpirenaica GR-11 trail offers this beautiful mix of coastal views and mountain culture through the Basque Pyrenees.

• Which places in Northern Spain are still kind of secret but totally worth visiting?

  Laguardia in La Rioja is incredible with its network of medieval wine caves right under the cobblestone streets and family-run bodegas where you can taste centuries-old wines. Pedraza's this amazing fortified village that's kept its medieval character alive with torch-lit festivals and Spain's oldest working prison. The Santo Toribio de Liébana monastery in Cantabria holds the largest piece of the True Cross still around and gets spiritual visitors but stays pretty quiet. Castro Urdiales an old Roman port in Cantabria gives you Gothic architecture and amazing fresh seafood without the crowds you'd find in Bilbao.

• What local foods should you definitely try in Northern Spain?

  You've got to try polbo á feira the market-style octopus that's best in Melide's traditional pulperías where they've been making it the same way for centuries with olive oil paprika and rock salt. Up in the Cantabrian mountains there's cocido Lebaniego this hearty stew with local cecina that you'll find in mountain villages like Potes. San Sebastián's Old Town is amazing for innovative pintxos especially at places like La Cuchara de San Telmo where they put new spins on Basque classics. And don't miss Asturian fabada this incredible bean and pork stew that places like Casa Gerardo near Gijón have earned Michelin stars for making just the traditional way.