calibusje
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Sometimes a question is asked about travelling in Northern Spain: quite rightly, because it is a very attractive region
Hence some info about what we did two summers ago in July 2023 when the four of us visited northern Spain for about three weeks. We used the Park4Night app and just looked around for places to sleep. We slept at beautiful places. Sometimes had to do a campsite to do the laundry (+ shower). There are many tolerated camper sites that can be found on apps such as Park4Night, but a campsite is also easy to find. It really is a camper(van) friendly region.
We had a great time and I will try to pass on how we experienced it there, although this is of course personal and everyone has their own idea. I will give you some places that you can look up yourself and see if this is something for you.
The weather during our trip - in July - was very pleasant: some days above 30 degrees and otherwise mostly about 25-28 degrees and only a few times it rained. One day it was chilly and we could use a sweater. According to local people, summer is normally a little hotter. We thought it was perfect that way.
Here we go. Many of you will probably come by boat via Santander or Vigo but we are from Belgium and entered Spain through France and then went to San Sebastian, a beautiful city and certainly the place to eat pintxos for the first time (first time of many times). Also Hondarribia with the old center (pintxos again). Then Pamplona where we had pintxos in 'café Inuña'... it is a return to the 19th century and be sure to visit the part of the café where Hemingway spent a lot of time; there is a life-size statue of him.
From here we actually followed the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella, but with our California. A route with many beautiful views! Next stop Léon, very beautiful there. Then Astorga with its palace, designed by Gaudí.
Further along the route: the Cruz de Ferro, special. You'll also pass O Cebreiro with its pallozas: round stone houses with straw roofs. From Santiago de Compostella you continue to Cabo Finisterre.
After our pilgrimage we drove back to Bilbao via the coastline. What an extremely impressive coast, including Muxía where we ate percebes (recommended, definitely look it up) but also the Faro de Muxía. We also visited A Coruña, the end of 'the Coast of Death' and its Hercules Tower.
Where else were we: Vixía Herbeira, with the highest cliffs in Europe and also Souto da Retorta: forest reserve with huge eucalyptus trees: both worth a visit. In the evening we have dinner in Cudillero Cabo and the next day we visit the Peñas: a peninsula along the Asturian coastline. We also visited the 'Jusassic Museum Asturias' (MUJA) and along the Dinosaur Coast of Asturias some of the largest dinosaur footprints ever found have been found. For example: Playa La Griega beach with footprints that have a diameter of almost one meter.
Just before we entered the Picos de Europa, we stood at the Mirador del Fitu for a beautiful view and ditto route to it. Pico de Europa: impressive and we thought the Fuente Dé cable car was a wonderful thing to do.
Back to the coast: Comillas with 'El Capricho', designed by Gaudí in the 19th century. Worth a visit. Another thing about the entire coastline that we followed: there are many places where you can sunbathe and swim and afterwards enjoy a surf bar/ restaurant (this was of course in the summer). There are often beautiful places to sleep along the coast (both camper places and campsites found with an app).
Then Altamira with its museum and the floating bridge 'Puente Colgante' between Portugalete and Getxo. We slept just outside Bilbao and early in the morning we entered the city with the cali - enough underground parkings where a cali can be parked - and then enjoyed what Bilbao has to offer: Mercado de la Ribera (touristy but certainly not to be missed) , Funicular de Artxanda cog railway with a magnificent view of the city at the top. And much more. Afterwards we spent the night outside the city again. And then: Gaztelugatxe. What a trip!
Guernica with the terrible bombardment on it. We visited the Casa De Juntas De Gernika.
Something worth mentioning: sometimes you have to make a reservation, but is done quickly, Casa De Juntas is such a place (also the Hercules Tower in A Coruña).
To end our journey through these extremely beautiful and fascinating regions of Northern Spain, we had a glass of wine in the Bodega in Elciego: Marqués de Riscal. Ask if there is still room in the bar of the hotel designed by Frank Gehry: special experience.
So, some chronological highlights of our journey. It's quite a long text, I know but perhaps an inspiration for future travelers or it makes you excited to discover the region. Have fun researching and planning.
Greetings
Calibusje
Oh, and you will encounter a lot of California's
Hence some info about what we did two summers ago in July 2023 when the four of us visited northern Spain for about three weeks. We used the Park4Night app and just looked around for places to sleep. We slept at beautiful places. Sometimes had to do a campsite to do the laundry (+ shower). There are many tolerated camper sites that can be found on apps such as Park4Night, but a campsite is also easy to find. It really is a camper(van) friendly region.
We had a great time and I will try to pass on how we experienced it there, although this is of course personal and everyone has their own idea. I will give you some places that you can look up yourself and see if this is something for you.
The weather during our trip - in July - was very pleasant: some days above 30 degrees and otherwise mostly about 25-28 degrees and only a few times it rained. One day it was chilly and we could use a sweater. According to local people, summer is normally a little hotter. We thought it was perfect that way.
Here we go. Many of you will probably come by boat via Santander or Vigo but we are from Belgium and entered Spain through France and then went to San Sebastian, a beautiful city and certainly the place to eat pintxos for the first time (first time of many times). Also Hondarribia with the old center (pintxos again). Then Pamplona where we had pintxos in 'café Inuña'... it is a return to the 19th century and be sure to visit the part of the café where Hemingway spent a lot of time; there is a life-size statue of him.
From here we actually followed the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella, but with our California. A route with many beautiful views! Next stop Léon, very beautiful there. Then Astorga with its palace, designed by Gaudí.
Further along the route: the Cruz de Ferro, special. You'll also pass O Cebreiro with its pallozas: round stone houses with straw roofs. From Santiago de Compostella you continue to Cabo Finisterre.
After our pilgrimage we drove back to Bilbao via the coastline. What an extremely impressive coast, including Muxía where we ate percebes (recommended, definitely look it up) but also the Faro de Muxía. We also visited A Coruña, the end of 'the Coast of Death' and its Hercules Tower.
Where else were we: Vixía Herbeira, with the highest cliffs in Europe and also Souto da Retorta: forest reserve with huge eucalyptus trees: both worth a visit. In the evening we have dinner in Cudillero Cabo and the next day we visit the Peñas: a peninsula along the Asturian coastline. We also visited the 'Jusassic Museum Asturias' (MUJA) and along the Dinosaur Coast of Asturias some of the largest dinosaur footprints ever found have been found. For example: Playa La Griega beach with footprints that have a diameter of almost one meter.
Just before we entered the Picos de Europa, we stood at the Mirador del Fitu for a beautiful view and ditto route to it. Pico de Europa: impressive and we thought the Fuente Dé cable car was a wonderful thing to do.
Back to the coast: Comillas with 'El Capricho', designed by Gaudí in the 19th century. Worth a visit. Another thing about the entire coastline that we followed: there are many places where you can sunbathe and swim and afterwards enjoy a surf bar/ restaurant (this was of course in the summer). There are often beautiful places to sleep along the coast (both camper places and campsites found with an app).
Then Altamira with its museum and the floating bridge 'Puente Colgante' between Portugalete and Getxo. We slept just outside Bilbao and early in the morning we entered the city with the cali - enough underground parkings where a cali can be parked - and then enjoyed what Bilbao has to offer: Mercado de la Ribera (touristy but certainly not to be missed) , Funicular de Artxanda cog railway with a magnificent view of the city at the top. And much more. Afterwards we spent the night outside the city again. And then: Gaztelugatxe. What a trip!
Guernica with the terrible bombardment on it. We visited the Casa De Juntas De Gernika.
Something worth mentioning: sometimes you have to make a reservation, but is done quickly, Casa De Juntas is such a place (also the Hercules Tower in A Coruña).
To end our journey through these extremely beautiful and fascinating regions of Northern Spain, we had a glass of wine in the Bodega in Elciego: Marqués de Riscal. Ask if there is still room in the bar of the hotel designed by Frank Gehry: special experience.
So, some chronological highlights of our journey. It's quite a long text, I know but perhaps an inspiration for future travelers or it makes you excited to discover the region. Have fun researching and planning.
Greetings
Calibusje
Oh, and you will encounter a lot of California's
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