Surprises of the North
The small northern regions of Cantabria and Asturias are a delightful discovery. Green valleys stretch down from snow-topped peaks to beautiful beaches. Locals drink cider and eat fantastic seafood and cheese, and the region’s fascinating history begins with some of the world’s most outstanding cave art.
Spectacular Peaks
Rising majestically only 15km inland, the Picos de Europa mark the greatest, most dramatic heights of the Cordillera Cantábrica, with enough awe-inspiring mountainscapes to make them arguably the finest hill-walking country in Spain. You can ramble past high-level lakes, peer over kilometre-high precipices or traverse the magnificent Garganta del Cares gorge.
Legendary Cider Bars
In a region that rolls out 80% of Spanish cider, Asturias’ boisterous, fabulously fun sidrerίas (cider bars) are a way of local life. There’s no greater pleasure than knocking back a fizzing culín (cider shot), expertly poured from high above into a low-held glass.
Ancient Cave Art
Humanity’s first accomplished art was painted, drawn and engraved on the walls of European caves by Stone Age hunter-gatherers between about 39,000 and 10,000 BC, and reached some of its greatest artistic genius at the World Heritage–listed caves of Altamira, Monte Castillo and Covalanas in Cantabria.
Glorious Beaches
Wild, rugged and unspoilt, the hundreds of secluded sandy stretches and mysterious coves that line the 550km-long Cantabrian and Asturian coast are some of Spain’s most beautiful and breathtaking beaches, and when the waves are up, the region’s surf scene comes alive.
