10 Beautiful Towns in Northern Spain That Are Worth Your Time

Northern Spain stretches from Galicia, across Asturias and Cantabria to the Basque Country, and into Catalonia. The terrain changes quickly, and so do the towns.

Fishing ports are nestled below steep hills, medieval streets maintain their original layout, and meals are built around the fresh catch of the day. These ten towns will give you a clear sense of the region. Each one has a defined center, a few lovely sites to see, and food that reflects the area.

Combarro, Galicia

Combarro is known for its line of stone granaries, called hórreos, set along the waterfront. They were built to store grain above ground level, and many are still in working condition.

The structures are just behind a narrow shoreline path, with granite houses and small balconies that rise directly behind them.

The town is a short drive from Pontevedra, and it makes for a nice stop along the Rías Baixas. If you walk along the waterfront, you’ll also have a clear view of the hórreos from different angles.

In the restaurants along the edge of town, you’ll find grilled sardines, octopus, and shellfish on the menu, usually with very little added beyond olive oil and paprika.

Cudillero, Asturias

Cudillero is built into a steep hillside facing a small harbor. The houses are painted in bright colors and tightly stacked together, following the slope, rather than any formal plan. Narrow stairways connect different levels, and most of the routes lead back down toward the port.

The harbor is still active today, with fishing boats moving in and out through the day. Several viewpoints above the town will give you a full view of its layout. Here, the restaurants near the water focus on hake, monkfish, and shellfish, with menus that change, depending on the day’s catch.

Santillana del Mar, Cantabria

Santillana del Mar is one of the best-preserved historic towns in northern Spain. Stone streets, wooden balconies, and medieval buildings define its center, and they’ve remained largely the same for centuries.

Nearby, Altamira Cave has prehistoric cave paintings dating back more than 30,000 years. The original cave is restricted, but the museum and replica site will show you the artwork.

Within the town, the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana is worth a visit, as well as the smaller museums that will give you additional context on the area’s history.

Llanes, Asturias

Llanes lives along a section of the coast that’s dappled with small beaches and beautiful cliffs. The town itself is compact, with a historic center built around a network of short streets and open squares.

At the harbor, the Cubes of Memory by Agustín Ibarrola cover the breakwater in painted concrete blocks. The installation adds color without changing the structure of the port. Beaches such as Toró and Sablón are also within walking distance, each shaped by rock formations along the shoreline.