The Green North
A trip through the green north: nature, culture, and cities full of life
The green north of Spain is one of the most beautiful and diverse regions in the country. Its humid landscapes, its forest-covered mountains, its cliffs facing the Cantabrian Sea, and its cities full of culture, gastronomy, and tradition make it an essential destination for travellers seeking nature and heritage in equal measure.
This route connects six iconic cities: Bilbao, San Sebastián, Santander, Oviedo, A Coruña, and Santiago de Compostela. Each with its own essence, but united by a green and Atlantic landscape that captivates from the very first minute.
➤ Bilbao: contemporary art and a reinvented city
Bilbao is today one of the most dynamic cities in the north. Its urban transformation, spearheaded by the Guggenheim Museum, has turned it into a benchmark for modern architecture, culture, and gastronomy.
- Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: icon of contemporary art.
- Casco Viejo (Old Town) and its Seven Streets.
- Bilbao Estuary with modern bridges and promenades.
- Basque gastronomy and pintxos on every corner.
Bilbao is modernity, design, and pure Basque flavour.
➤ San Sebastián: elegance, beaches, and haute cuisine
San Sebastián (Donostia) is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Its picture-postcard beaches, its elegant atmosphere, and its gastronomic tradition make it a must-see stop.
- La Concha Beach, one of the most famous on the continent.
- Mount Igueldo and Mount Urgull for unforgettable views.
- Parte Vieja (Old Quarter) with unique pintxos bars.
- Comb of the Wind (Peine del Viento), art and sea united.
San Sebastián is sea, culture, culinary tradition, and captivating landscapes.
➤ Santander: bay, palaces, and Cantabrian tranquility
Santander stands out for its calm elegance, its bay—considered one of the most beautiful in the world—and its combination of urban beaches and heritage.
- Magdalena Palace: one of the most emblematic buildings in the north.
- Santander Bay, ideal for strolling or sailing.
- El Sardinero Beaches, wide and photogenic.
- Centro Botín, a modern cultural space by the sea.
A perfect city to enjoy calm, sea air, and gentle landscapes.
➤ Oviedo: Asturian elegance and Pre-Romanesque art
Oviedo, the capital of Asturias, combines medieval history, unique Pre-Romanesque art in the world, and a well-maintained cultural and university atmosphere.
- San Salvador Cathedral with the Holy Chamber, a World Heritage Site.
- Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo, Pre-Romanesque jewels on Mount Naranco.
- Elegant and well-cared for Old Town.
- Boulevards and parks full of modern sculptures.
Oviedo is culture, historical architecture, and a cozy atmosphere typical of the north.
➤ A Coruña: open sea, history, and Atlantic tradition
A Coruña is a vibrant city bathed by the Atlantic. Its blend of modernity, sea, and heritage makes it a destination with its own personality.
- Tower of Hercules (Torre de Hércules), a Roman lighthouse and World Heritage Site.
- Promenade, one of the longest in Europe.
- Urban beaches such as Riazor and Orzán.
- Ciudad Vieja (Old City) with medieval corners and charming squares.
A Coruña combines Atlantic light, millenary history, and a very special urban atmosphere.
➤ Santiago de Compostela: spirituality, culture, and Galician tradition
Santiago, the end of the Camino de Santiago and a World Heritage Site, is a city that blends spirituality, monumental beauty, and local gastronomy.
- Santiago Cathedral and its impressive Portico of Glory.
- Plaza del Obradoiro and the baroque historic centre.
- Mercado de Abastos (Market) with top-quality Galician produce.
- University and cultural atmosphere that fills its streets with life.
Santiago is spirituality, history, and Galician flavour in its maximum expression.
➤ A green north that seduces any traveller
The green north of Spain offers an unrepeatable combination of nature, urban creativity, heritage, beaches, monuments, and gastronomy. Each city contributes its own personality:
- Bilbao: avant-garde and contemporary art.
- San Sebastián: elegance, beaches, and gastronomy.
- Santander: tranquil bay and natural beauty.
- Oviedo: medieval art and Asturian tradition.
- A Coruña: Atlantic, history, and modernity.
- Santiago: spirituality and ancient culture.
Together they form one of the most complete, green, and fascinating routes in the country.
