Making a list of the most luxurious destinations in the north of Spain is not easy. Surely we have to reduce the list but the proposals you will find below are really worth it.
Bilbao
Once known primarily as an industrial port city, Bilbao has developed into a center of modern art and architecture. Located in the green hills of the Basque Country, Bilbao is home to the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum, a sleek, modernist structure clad in titanium designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry.
Bilbao’s historic architecture is also striking, with many beautiful buildings such as the 14th-century Gothic Santiago Cathedral and the Basilica de Begoña.
Pamplona
Pamplona is a historic city that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Navarre. Today it is best known for the annual San Fermin festival, where fearless souls try to chase a herd of bulls through the streets of the city; the festival lasts six days in July. Bullfighting is another popular activity here and the city has the fourth largest bull ring in the world. Pamplona is also the first city on the Camino de Santiago or Camino de Santiago. Many parks and historic buildings have been created especially for strollers.
Santiago de Compostela
The capital of Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, is famous as a traditional pilgrimage destination known as the Camino de Santiago. Also called the Camino de Santiago, this pilgrimage dates back to the Middle Ages and is important to many as Santiago de Compostela is considered the burial place of St. James. James, apostle of Jesus Christ. The main square is the destination of most pilgrims. Located in the heart of the city, this lively square is the scene of many important monuments, in particular the Cathedral of Santiago, which houses the tomb of St. James.
San Sebastian
Located in the Basque Country just 19km (12 miles) from France, this popular seaside resort is surrounded by hills which add to its charm. San Sebastian’s most famous attraction is La Concha, one of the best urban beaches in the world. Parte Vieja or the old town has many bars, which makes it popular with revelers.
Most of the buildings date from the 19th century, as San Sebastián was destroyed by the British and Portuguese in 1813. The city is famous for the July Jazz Festival, the oldest in Europe, as well as other cultural festivals and events throughout the year.
Barcelona
The brilliant crown jewel of Catalonia, the lively capital of the region, boasts charming coastal scenery, stunning modernist architecture and a stunning medieval quarter. Visitors can soak up the atmosphere of the city by strolling along the lively Ramblas, stopping at the colorful La Boquería covered market, getting lost in the narrow pedestrian streets of the Barri Gòtic, admiring the extravagant monuments of Gaudi, and soaking up the sun on the sandy beaches.
Must-see attractions include the Sagrada Familia, created by Antoni Gaudí in his signature surreal style; The Picasso Museum in the Gothic Quarter; Casa Mila and Casa Batlló, UNESCO heritage buildings designed by Gaudi; and Parc Güell, with beautiful landscapes and great views over the city.
Zaragoza
Steeped in two millennia of history, Zaragoza is the historic capital of the Aragon region and also has a fascinating multicultural heritage. Stunning ancient monuments reveal the legacy of the Roman, Moorish, Jewish and Christian civilizations.
The remains of the ancient Roman walls are found in the city center and two museums contain archaeological sites dating back to the 1st century AD. (including the Roman Theater and the Roman Forum).
Several historic churches exemplify Aragonese Mudejar architecture, influenced by the geometric details of Islamic design. Located on the banks of the Ebro River, the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar is the most iconic landmark in the city. This exuberant Baroque building was built in the 17th and 18th centuries. A notable fresco by Goya entitled The Queen of Martyrs adorns the interior.
A Coruña
Located next to the Atlantic Ocean, A Coruña is a historic city whose history has maintained close links with its old fishing and trading port. The peninsula on which the Old Town stands also contains the Tower of Hercules, one of the symbols of the city, which is an interesting Romanesque ensemble of medieval streets, squares and churches.
The Finisterrae Aquarium, the Domus and the Science Museum are some of the spaces that show the more modern and playful side of the city of A Coruña, which offers one of its most beautiful sceneries on the wide beaches of Riazor and Orzán.
Its attractions are complemented by a cuisine famous throughout the country, especially for the excellence of fish and seafood, and meat produced in the province. If you have difficulty in choosing the best places to stay in A Coruña, rest assured of course this choice must be made according to your needs and what you like best, to make this choice it will take some time but nothing too difficult.
