Northern Spain is an ideal destination for Londoners, offering a rich cultural experience and easy accessibility. There’s a broad mix of quiet landscapes and vibrant cities, but everywhere you go is world-class cuisine.
Getting There
Travelling from London to Northern Spain is straightforward, with many direct flights to major airports like Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela from Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted.
For those preferring a scenic route (or are terrified of flying), trains and ferries offer a leisurely alternative. The train journey through France on the Eurostar and connecting services provide a picturesque route, but this will take a long time. Alternatively, there’s a direct ferry from Portsmouth to Santander.
Key Destinations
Bilbao is known for the iconic Guggenheim Museum, a masterpiece of contemporary architecture that has transformed the city into a cultural hub. The city also boasts a lively old town, rich in history and street life that can briefly resemble parts of London.
San Sebastián has beautiful beaches like La Concha and a world-renowned culinary scene, making it ideal if you want a quiet escape. The city’s pintxos bars are a highlight, offering a variety of delicious small plates for good prices.
Santiago de Compostela is the historic endpoint of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. This offers a unique cultural experience with its stunning cathedral and ancient streets. The city has a medieval atmosphere yet with modern amenities.
Natural Wonders
The natural landscapes of Northern Spain are breathtaking. This is where some of the tallest mountains can be found, the biggest birds, and even apex predators like wolves and bears.
The Picos de Europa National Park is a great example of this with its stunning mountain scenery. It attracts hikers from all around the world. The Costa Verde (Green Coast) has some beautiful beaches and ideal surfing conditions.
It’s even possible to walk from Bilbao to Santander in around a week, so you can see both cities and experience a challenging nature hike in-between. Though, the vineyards and charming villages you stumble on can often leave the biggest impression.
Practical Tips
For Londoners planning a trip to Northern Spain, the best times to visit are late spring and early autumn when the weather is mild and pleasant. Summer is better in the north than the south too, not just for milder sun but fewer tourists.
Coming from the UK, public transport is extremely efficient and reliable, with buses and trains connecting major cities and towns for affordable prices. Renting a car can be a good option for exploring rural areas, but you may endeavour to walk these routes anyway.
Learning a few basic Spanish phrases can enhance your travel experience and set you off to a good first impression, even if you cannot converse. Just make sure to plan your days beforehand on Google Maps, and download the area offline (though, for O2 customers, you may have free European data).
Conclusion
Northern Spain offers Londoners a unique combination of culture and nature, much like the north of Britain. Though, unlike the north of Britain, it’s also a pioneer of modern architecture and world-famous cuisine.
