Overview
The Northern Coast — the Costa Verde, the Rías Baixas, Cantabria, the Basque Country — is the green and wild counterpoint to postcard Spain. Cliffs falling into the Cantabrian sea, fishing villages with coloured houses, lively cider houses, pintxos on marble counters and an open Atlantic. It is the coast for nature lovers, serious surfers, fresh seafood and road trips with the window down and a salty breeze. If you want to escape extreme summer heat, this is your place.
Main subzones
Rías Baixas
Galicia
Estuaries, the Cíes Islands, fresh seafood and albariño wine.
Costa da Morte
A Coruña
Rugged cliffs, Fisterra and legendary lighthouses.
Rías Altas
A Coruña / Lugo
Beach of the Cathedrals, Ortigueira and the wildest Galicia.
Costa Verde · Asturias
Asturias
Llanes, Cudillero, cider houses and hidden beaches.
Cantabria
Cantabria
Santander, Comillas and the Picos de Europa next door.
Costa Vasca
País Vasco
San Sebastián, Mundaka, pintxos and surf.
Best for
Top beaches
Towns & cities
Beyond the beach
- Pintxos in the old town of San Sebastián
- Camino de Santiago to Fisterra
- Surfing in Mundaka, Zarautz or Rodiles
- Picos de Europa from the Asturian coast
- Cider house route in Asturias
- Lighthouses of the Costa da Morte at sunset
- Seafood and estuary boat trips in Galicia
Local food
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