Northern Spain Map: Travel Maps International Adventure Map (National Geographic Adventure Map)

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In the late 15th century, the Catholic Monarchs created the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos to provide lodging for pilgrims. Today, this gorgeous Gothic Plateresque building still welcomes overnight guests as the Parador Santiago de Compostela, considered to be the world's oldest hotel. This luxurious five-star hotel has magnificent reception halls, sumptuous guest rooms decorated in traditional style, and two restaurants that specialize in the cuisine of Galicia. In Asturiasand to the west of the mountain massif sits Cangas de Onís, often called "the Gateway to Picos de Europa." Visit the Holy Cave of Covadonga and continue up the serpentine road to the lakes of Ernol and Ercina (Los Lagos de Covadonga). Here you can hike below snow-capped peaks, among grazing cattle andtake in stunning views. In Picos de Europa it is also common to participate in activities such as kayaking, gorge walking and climbing! Summers are rather cool with an average temperature of 22°C. But over the last a few years San Sebastián, Santander, A Coruna and even Vigo saw 30°C in July and August which is warm enough for swimming in the Bay of Biscay. Spring and fall have similar temperatures, always around 20°C, so this may be the best season for excursions, visits to national parks and farms, hiking and city tours. Among other highlights – Sanctuary of Covadonga, Lakes of Covadonga, San Vicente town, Sidra Crespo winery near Lastres.

Besides them, there are no less impressive villages scattered around the city. All of them have ancient stone houses and a unique feel. It is worth exploring them if you are visiting the region for a longer period of time. Zaragoza is also known for its cultural events and gastronomy. The local cuisine features hearty regional dishes such as pan-fried trout, huevos en salmorejo (baked eggs with sausage), and bacalao al ajoarriero (salted cod fish in tomato and garlic sauce). Find accommodation in Barcelona city for the ultimate romantic holiday in northern Spain. Visit vibrant markets, follow the footsteps of Gaudí or hang out on the city beaches with your loved one. In the evenings, go on a date night and eat in the cosy restaurants, drink in trendy rooftop bars and dance the night away. Stay in Girona, another destination in northern Spain ideal for couples. Walk along the L’Onyar River, andadmire the colourful houses and mighty Cathedral. The narrow alleyways of the Old Town are filled with romantic cafes and offer a nice break from sightseeing.

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On the way from Oviedo to Santander, you can visit some of the most beautiful beaches in north Spain – Playa de Palombina, Puerto Chico beach, Playa de Cuevas del Mar, Arnia beach, Playa de Tagle.

Picos de Europa is the first park in Spain to receive national status. This is one of the two most famous sights of the north of the country along with Santiago de Compostela.Besides being a fun-loving holiday destination, Santander appeals to those who appreciate culture and history. The city of Leon is the cradle of democracy and an important pilgrimage point on the way to Santiago de Compostela. Nowadays, it is a place with a rich history, many attractions, and the opportunity to get a good university education. To be honest, I underestimated the beauty of the north coast of Spain. I expected it to be dramatic and impressive but had no clue it would be that spellbinding. Every time Mark and I go to visit a new coastal city or town we follow the rule of stopping at the local beach, walking around it for a bit, taking a few pictures, and looking at waves crashing on the shore. Today, visitors enjoy the peacefulness of Oviedo's natural landscape, as well as the historic ambience of the Old Town with its pedestrian lanes and inspiring architecture. Oviedo's striking, single-towered cathedral is considered one of the finest Gothic monuments in Spain. From the lush, green, rugged north; to the pristine beaches along the Mediterranean coast; to the sun-drenched olive groves of the south, Spain's fascinating geography means you'll never have the same experience twice. Just as each of its most iconic cities have a unique feel to them, the different regions of Spain all offer something completely original.

In Santiago, you can savour delicious meals, especially in the Old Town and the food market - Abastos de Santiago. Try spicy Galician octopus, "Pulpo a la Feria," which together with a cold beer tastes great after a day of taking in the sights.The magicalcity of Oviedo is one of the most beautiful cities in Asturias. It is also a "food destination" that also offers many cultural treasures. "It's like it doesn't belong to this world, as if it didn't exist... Oviedo is like a fairytale" expressed Woody Allen after shooting one of his filmsin the city. In the Old Town, you will find the best food, relax on one of the terraces or visit a typical cider house. Apple cider is the region's pride, and Asturias accounts for 80% ofits national production. For a long time, I wanted to visit the northern coast of Spain. I know, a lot of people prefer the southern region with its Moorish sights, flamenco, stunning beaches, whitewashed villages, milder winters, and fiestas.

In the Middle Ages, Santiago de Compostela in its significance for the Christian world was equal to Jerusalem and Rome. The Picos de Europa Natural Park delights visitors with its awe-inspiring scenery and refreshing mountain air. The Picos de Europa are the Cantabrian Mountains' highest peaks, and the 646-square-kilometer natural park covers terrain in the Asturias, Cantabria, and León provinces.Totaste famous Rioja wines, head to the "wine capital" of Logroño or stay in the village of Haro-surrounded by wine fields and bodegas. Here you cantake excursions to spectacular bodegas such as Ysios or the Marqués de Riscal, whichwas designed by the brain behind the Guggenheim Museum: Frank Gehry. So you won’t find many tour buses there with tourists standing in line to take photos of a certain landmark. You also won’t find crazy wild nightlife or completely stuffed beaches as in the southern regions of Spain. It is very common for Spain to be portrayed as a country with sun-scorched mountains and plains with endless olive plantations. I think it deserves its title when we look at the bigger part of Spain. But after a visit to Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia, and Basque counties, it comes as a pleasant surprise how green actually vegetation can get. And not only during the winter. Even in summer, it gets so green and so bright that you easily get stunned by the natural beauty around. There are so many beautiful cities and smaller towns to visit in this part of the country. It gets challenging to describe them all in only one post. So for the beginning, I would love to start with the cities to give a better idea of where to go in northern Spain.