Hidden Gems In Northern Spain That You Simply Must Visit In 2025
Often overlooked by tourists for big cities and southern beach resorts, northern Spain is full of hidden gems worth exploring if you want to discover a more authentic side of Spain.
Having walked through the entirety of northern Spain during my Camino de Santiago adventure, I was lucky enough to visit many delightful towns and villages unspoilt by tourists.
So I’ve put together this blog post to help give you the definitive guide to northern Spain. From its fantastic cities to lesser known beach towns and parks which are most definitely worth visiting in 2025.
ā In a rush? My Top Hotel Recommendations for Northern Spain:
Soho Boutique (Oviedo)
Hotel Real Colegiata San Isidoro (LeĆ³n)
Radisson Collection (Bilbao)
Hidden Gems In Northern Spain
So let’s take a look at what I believe to be the best hidden gems in northern Spain, starting with the best cities in the region which are simply unmissable:
Best Cities In Northern Spain
A CoruƱa
A CoruƱa (or ‘La CoruƱa’) is probably my favourite place I’ve visited in northern Spain and is quite an overlooked hidden gem. This is because of its location, situated in the very extreme north west tip of the whole country.
I spent two weeks in A CoruƱa on a work trip not knowing what to expect. But I absolutely fell in love with this quiet coastal city. With fine gastronomy, beautiful architecture and a top beach, A CoruƱa is not to be missed.
š Pro Tip: if you do make it to A CoruƱa then make sure to pay a visit to the Tower of Hercules situated a few miles out of the city centre.
This former lighthouse is the oldest remaining Roman building in the world. The views from the top overlooking the Atlantic Ocean coastline are completely breathtaking.
ā”ļø Hotel Recommendation for A CoruƱa: Hotel Plaza
āāāā Close to the beach šļø Click here for availability
Oviedo
The capital city of the Principality of Asturias, Oviedo is arguably the best kept secret in Spain. This is because it is often overlooked or just not known at all by international tourists.
It is quite a religious and historical city with several ancient churches and museums worth visiting, such as the gothic Cathedral of San Salvador.
Oviedo also has a lovely medieval old town which is a delight to wander and explore, plus exceptional cuisine with plenty of world class restaurants. All of this makes Oviedo a hidden gem treat that you don’t want to miss.
ā”ļø Hotel Recommendation for Oviedo: Soho Boutique Oviedo
āāā fabulous location š Click here for availability
Burgos
I was lucky enough to walk through Burgos during my Camino hike. I was so impressed that I spent an extra day there to fully appreciate the city.
Burgos is a charming small city that’s worth spending some extra time to take in all that it has to offer. The city’s central point is its magnificent Cathedral, which is probably the most stunning example of gothic architecture I’ve ever seen.
ā”ļø Hotel Recommendation for Burgos: RincĆ³n GĆ³tico
āāā Cathedral views š Click here for availability
LeĆ³n
Not too long after my visit to Burgos on my Camino route, I also spent a day soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of LeĆ³n.
Bigger and busier than Burgos, LeĆ³n is a lively city that has a unique mix of modernity and historical sites as well as fascinating museums and churches.
Like Burgos, LeĆ³n boasts an impressive building – the Catedral Santa MarĆa de LeĆ³n, which is also unmissable. I honestly had no idea what to expect from LeĆ³n and was pleasantly surprised with how nice of a place it is.
ā”ļø Hotel Recommendation for LeĆ³n:
Hotel Real Colegiata San Isidoro
š Historic location āŖ Click here for availability
Santander
The capital city of the Cantabria region, Santander is a surprisingly large place. It has a glorious mix of mountain views, picture perfect beaches and elegant palaces.
Having visited Santander on a day trip, I can recommend it as one of the most beautiful cities in northern Spain. It has everything you could need for a perfect family vacation, with enough cultural activities to satisfy both kids and parents.
My top three places to visit while in Santander are:
- Magdalena Palace – a stunning historical building which was the summer residence of King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia.
- El Sardinero beach – one of the biggest and most popular beaches in all of northern Spain.
- Caves of Monte Castillo – located just 30 kilometres from the city is one of the most important Paleolithic sites in Spain and is a must do day trip for any history buff.
ā”ļø Hotel Recommendation for Santander: Soho Boutique Palacio de Pombo
āāāā Fabulous location š Click here for availability
Santiago de Compostela
Famous for being the final destination on the Camino de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela is a breathtakingly beautiful city steeped in history wherever you look.
I absolutely fell in love with Santiago de Compostela when I reached it at the end of my 5 weeks walking the Camino. The entire city is full of marvellous gothic architecture, it’s really no surprise that it is a UNESCO World Heritage city.
š Pro Tip: if you find yourself in Santiago de Compostela, then make sure to go inside the city’s magnificent Cathedral during one of the masses that takes place daily.
Seeing the ‘Botafumeiro‘ – a large incense burner being swung from the rafters is not a sight to be missed!
ā”ļø Hotel Recommendation for Santiago de Compostela:
San Francisco Hotel Monumento
āāāā Central Location š Click here for availability
Bilbao
Although not much of a hidden gem, I would be doing northern Spain a disservice if I didn’t recommend Bilbao to you. This gorgeous city is the largest in the Basque region and is definitely worth staying for a couple of days at least.
Well known for its exceptional gastronomy, Bilbao is also a very cultural city. The Guggenheim Museum of modern and contemporary art is one of the most extraordinary examples of modern architecture you’ll ever see.
š Pro Tip: if you plan on a trip to Bilbao to visit the Guggenheim Museum in particular, then make sure you don’t plan to go there on a Monday, as it’ll be closed!
I had only one day in Bilbao and planned to visit the museum. But I was most disappointed to find out it was closed because it was a Monday!
ā”ļø Hotel Recommendation for Bilbao: Radisson Collection Bilbao
āāāāāSpa & Fitness Centre šŖ Click here for availability
San SebastiƔn
Another well known city in the Basque region that’s famed for its fantastic cuisine scene is San SebastiĆ”n, also known in Spain as ‘Donostia’.
San SebastiƔn is a city which has a perfect blend of beautiful beaches (La Concha Bay is the most popular), stunning natural landscapes (a climb up to Mount Urgull is a must), museums, historical architecture and more.
It’s no surprise that San SebastiĆ”n is often voted as one of the best travel destinations to visit in all of Europe. Because it is now so popular with tourists, a visit to this wonderful city during off-peak seasons is best to avoid the crowds.
ā”ļø Hotel Recommendation for San SebastiĆ”n: Leonardo Hotel
āāā Outdoor swimming pool šāāļø Click here for availability
Best Beach Towns In Northern Spain
Now let’s take a look at what I think are the best beach towns in northern Spain which are absolutely exceptional:
Fisterra
Believed to be ‘the end of the world’ by the Romans back in the day, Fisterra (or ‘Finisterre’) is one of the most beautiful and overlooked beach towns in all of northern Spain.
This is because, similarly to A CoruƱa, it is located so far away from everywhere else. I actually walked to Fisterra after reaching Santiago de Compostela. The incredible Atlantic Ocean views from its lighthouse is something that I’ll never forget.
ā”ļø Hotel Recommendation for Fisterra: Hotel RĆŗstico Finisterrae
āā Close to the beach šļø Click here for availability
Getaria
Situated on the Urola coast just over 80 kilometres east from Bilbao, is one of the most charming beach towns in all of Spain; Getaria. With a rich history of fishing and sailing, it is an ideal place to sample fantastic seafood and local wines.
From its picturesque harbour, historical old town with its monument to explorer Juan SebastiĆ”n Elcano and charming beach, Getaria is one of Spain’s best kept travel secrets and comes highly recommended.
ā”ļø Hotel Recommendation for Getaria: Pension Getariano
āā Close to the beach šļø Click here for availability
Llanes
Another destination not very well known by tourists visiting Spain (but popular with Spaniards) is Llanes, a municipality of the province of Asturias.
With its beach stretching over 30 kilometres that’s surrounded by rugged mountains, it’s no wonder that Llanes is often called one of the best beach towns in northern Spain.
If you’re a fan of hiking along dramatic coastal views, as well as gothic architecture and stunning seafood, then a visit to Llanes is totally a no brainer.
ā”ļø Hotel Recommendation for Llanes: Hotel La Palma de Llanes
āāāā Close to golf course ā³ Click here for availability
Ribadesella
Another gorgeous beach town in the region of Asturias is Ribadesella. Famous for its geological history as well as more beautiful beaches, it has a lot to offer.
Surrounded by the Picos de Europa mountains, Ribadesella also has plenty of stunning views and hikes. Not to mention a historic centre full of medieval architecture.
Ribadesella is also well known for the Tito Bustillo Cave. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and features prehistoric paintings that date back to over 36,000 years ag0.
ā”ļø Hotel Recommendation for Ribadesella:
Silken Gran Hotel del Sella
āāāā Beachfront location šļø Click here for availability
Best Parks In Northern Spain
And finally, let’s take a look at what are the best parks in northern Spain, which are ideal if you fancy a hiking holiday:
Picos de Europa
Translated as: ‘peaks of Europe’, the Picos de Europa is a mountain range that is a part of the Cantabria mountains, and stretches as far as twenty kilometres.
If you’re looking for an adventure holiday in northern Spain, then you can’t go wrong with Picos de Europa. There are so many perfect places here for activities such as biking, canoeing, kayaking or even horse riding.
With multiple mountain hiking routes and charming rural villages, this area is full of breathtaking nature views. It promises an escape from other typically more touristy destinations in Spain.
Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park
Located in the extreme north east of Spain in the province of Pontevedra, the Atlantic Islands of Galicia is made up of four archipelagos.
These islands are full of beauty and biodiversity. They are plenty of fascinating places to explore such as visiting the Sea Caves of Ons or a historic lighthouse on CĆes Island, or enjoy Rodas beach, which has been voted the best beach in the world.
These islands are a great getaway from mainland Spain and a perfect location to observe marine biodiversity.
Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park
Officially a UNESCO World Heritage site, Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is a stunning place of nature located in the Pyrenees. It’s a huge area, covering a total of 156 square kilometres and is a definite highlight in this part of the world.
With everything from glaciers, forests, meadows and gorges, it is an incredible place for nature lovers. There are so many trails here for both expert and beginner levels, making it a dream destination for hikers and nature lovers.
Map of Northern Spain
Check out this interactive map of northern Spain, which includes markers of all the cities, towns and parks mentioned in this blog post:
Hidden Gems In Northern Spain FAQs
If you still have some doubts about visiting these awesome hidden gem locations in northern Spain, then let me answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this beautiful part of the world:
What is the most beautiful place in northern Spain?
This is very much a subjective answer as there are so many beautiful places throughout the entirety of northern Spain.
Personally I would have to say that the Galicia region is the most beautiful place I’ve visited. Walking through Galicia during my Camino trip, I was blown away by the stunning nature landscapes there.
Which are the less touristy parts of northern Spain?
Northern Spain is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination not just for Spaniards but with international travellers as well.
While cities like Bilbao and San SebastiƔn are popular tourist cities, there are so many small villages and towns in the Galicia and Basque regions which are quiet and often overlooked, such as Burgos and A CoruƱa.
When is the best month to visit northern Spain?
The summer months are becoming an increasingly popular time to visit northern Spain for Spaniards in recent years. This is because the rest of Spain suffers from unbearably high temperatures during this season.
I would recommend months outside of the summer peak season however to avoid crowds as well as higher accommodation prices. May, June or September are ideal months to visit this glorious part of the world.
Conclusion: Hidden Gems In Northern Spain
So that concludes my comprehensive recommendations for hidden gems in northern Spain.
Whether you fancy visiting one of the many historical cities, a quiet coastal town or a beautiful park, northern Spain should definitely be on your bucket list.
From the culturally rich city of Bilbao in the east to the gorgeous gothic architecture of Santiago de Compostela in the west, I’ve loved visiting the many different regions in northern Spain and can’t recommend a visit highly enough.
I hope this blog post has inspired you to visit this often overlooked part of this magical country, and that you know exactly which hidden gem in northern Spain you’ll visit next.
You may also enjoy reading these blog posts about Spain:
ā”ļø How To Spend 72 Hours In Seville: A Complete Itinerary For 2025
ā”ļø One Day in Cordoba: The Best Itinerary For Spainās Historical City
ā”ļø Is Madrid Worth Visiting? Top 23 Reasons Why You Should Visit
ā”ļø Is Alicante Is Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons Why You Should Go
ā”ļø Best Time To Walk Camino de Santiago (& The Worst!)
ā”ļø Seville or Madrid? Which City Is Better To Visit In 2025
ā”ļø Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
šØ Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
š Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
ā¤ļø Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
āļø Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
