There is a specific shade of green that exists only in the north of Spain. It’s the color of ancient rain, of eucalyptus leaves crushed between your fingers in the Cantabrian fog, of the moss that swallows the stones of a forgotten monastery. Travelers flock to Barcelona for Gaudí and to Madrid for the Prado, but those of us who return to the Iberian north do so for the silence, the cider, and the wild, crashing Atlantic.

Northern Spain—often called "Green Spain" or the "Costa Verde"—is a universe unto itself. It is a land where the food culture rivals that of France, where the mountains rise so sharply from the sea that you can ski and surf in the same day, and where the villages seem carved directly from the bedrock of history.

I have spent over a decade navigating the winding N-634, eating my weight in Queso Cabrales, and getting lost in the foggy peaks of the Picos de Europa. The year 2026 brings a renewed desire for authenticity, for travel that feels earned rather than queued for. This guide is my love letter to the north, curated for the traveler who wants to step off the Camino de Santiago and find the places that even the guidebooks whisper about.

Here are 11 hidden gems in Northern Spain for 2026.

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1. The Village of the Sea: Llanes, Asturias

Llanes is the gateway to the eastern coast of Asturias, a town that manages to be both a working fishing port and a medieval postcard. While the bus tours stop for a quick photo at the Palacio de la cultura, the real magic of Llanes happens when you walk the harbor wall at sunset, watching the boats bob like corks while the smell of frying pescado wafts from the sidrerías.

The Vibe: Salt air, cider spraying on the floor, and the sound of wooden spoons clinking against porcelain bowls.

What to Do:

• The Paseo de San Telmo: This is a wooden boardwalk that hugs the coastline. It’s flat, accessible, and offers views of the singular Bufones de Pría—natural blowholes that shoot water into the air when the tide is high.
• Underground Art: Walk to the Palacio de la cultura to see the underground exhibition hall, a stark contrast to the old stone town.
• The Sugar Loaf: If you’re up for a drive, head 15 minutes west to the Pan de Azúcar, a massive sugar-loaf rock rising out of the sea.

Eat & Drink:

• Restaurante El Retiro: Located on the harbor. Order the Cazón en Adobo (marinated dogfish). It’s battered perfection.
• Casa Sabina: A traditional sidrería. Don’t ask for a glass; they will pour it from a height of three feet to aerate the cider. It’s a ritual.

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2. The Surfer’s Sanctuary: Louro, Galicia

Most travelers head to the Rías Baixas for the Cíes Islands (which require booking months in advance). But in 2026, skip the crowds and head north to Muros and the hidden beach of Louro. This is Galicia’s rugged coast, where the pine trees smell of resin and the Atlantic is a moody, churning beast.

The Vibe: Misty mornings, woodsmoke, and the rhythmic crash of waves against a narrow, golden strip of sand.

What to Do:

• Playa de Louro: It’s a thin, elongated beach nestled between steep, wooded cliffs. It’s a sanctuary for surfers who want uncrowded breaks. Even if you don’t surf, walking the dunes here is a sensory overload of salty wind and silence.
• Muros: The town of Muros is a gem of granite and glass. Walk the Paseo da Praia and watch the fishermen mending nets.

Eat & Drink:

• O Cruceiro: In the nearby town of Muros. The octopus here is tender, and the Albariño wine is crisp enough to cut glass.
• Chiringuito de Louro: A beach bar that feels like a friend’s shed. Coffee and tostas for breakfast.

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3. The Forgotten Capital: Santillana del Mar, Cantabria

Yes, it is famous. But here is the secret: Nobody stays the night. The day-trippers from Santander and Bilbao leave by 6:00 PM, and the town reverts to a medieval ghost. Santillana del Mar is a conservation area, a jumble of slate-roofed stone houses and coat-of-arms doorways that feels like a film set.

The Vibe: Cobblestones, flickering candlelight, and the heavy silence of the Middle Ages.

What to Do:

• Colegiata de Santa Juliana: An 11th-century church that anchors the town. The cloister is Romanesque perfection.
• The Altamira Caves (Neocueva): The original Altamira cave is closed to protect the paintings. However, the Neocueva (a perfect replica) is right nearby and is an emotional, visceral experience.
• Evening Stroll: After 6:00 PM, walk the main street. You will hear nothing but your own footsteps.

Eat & Drink:

• Casa del Alma: Try the Sopa de Ajo (garlic soup) with a poached egg.
• La Ongía: High-end Cantabrian cuisine in a 14th-century building.

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4. The Wild West of the Basque Country: Mutriku & Deba

Everyone knows San Sebastián. But just 30 minutes west along the coast lies the Deba Valley. This is the "off the beaten path Basque Country villages" area. It is industrial, artistic, and incredibly green.

The Vibe: Hard cider, modern architecture clashing with stone, and a fierce local pride.

What to Do:

• Mutriku’s Breakwater: Mutriku has one of the largest breakwaters in the world. Walking it is an adventure; you are flanked by crashing waves on both sides.
• The Frank Gehry Building: In the nearby town of Zumaia, see the Fish building by the famous architect.
• Flysch Routes: Hike the coastal path to see the geological Flysch formations—layers of rock that look like giant pages of a book.

Eat & Drink:

• Asador Arregi (Mutriku): Famous for its Txuleta (aged beef chop). It’s massive, smoky, and life-changing.
• Sidrería Petritegi: If you want the rowdiest, happiest cider house experience, this is it.

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5. The Asturian Switzerland: Cangas de Onís

While Cangas de Onís is the base for the famous Covadonga sanctuary, the town itself is a hidden gem if you look past the souvenir shops. It sits in a valley where the Sella River makes a horseshoe bend. The air is crisp, and the smell of roasted chestnuts fills the streets in autumn.

The Vibe: Mountain lodge meets Roman history.

What to Do:

• The Roman Bridge: The iconic bridge with the cross on top. It’s actually a 20th-century reconstruction, but the view of the Picos de Europa behind it is genuine.
• Via Ferrata: For the adventurous, Cangas is the hub for some of Spain’s best Vías Ferratas—climbing routes with metal rungs fixed to the rock.
• La Senda de los Cares: A famous hike, but start early from Poncebos to avoid the crowds.

Eat & Drink:

• Casa Chuchu: A legendary spot. You must book weeks in advance.
• Sidrería El Rincón de Trasierra: For the most authentic Fabada Asturiana (bean stew).

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6. The Coast of Death: Costa da Morte, Galicia

The name sounds ominous, and it is. The Costa da Morte (Coast of Death) is where the Atlantic Ocean rages against jagged cliffs. It is a place of lighthouses, shipwrecks, and raw, terrifying beauty.

The Vibe: Celtic mysticism, wind, and the sound of the ocean grinding stones.

What to Do:

• Cape Finisterre: The Romans thought this was the end of the known world. Walking to the Kilometer Zero marker (the end of the Camino) is a spiritual experience.
• Laxe & the Louro: The beaches here are wild. The Louro in Laxe is a "beach of death" that becomes a lagoon at high tide.
• Dombate Dolmen: A 5,000-year-old megalithic structure hidden in a forest.

Eat & Drink:

• O’Rafel (Laxe): Try the Percebes (goose barnacles).
• Casa Berta (Finisterre): The best Pulpo á Feira (octopus) in the region.

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7. The Picos Jewel: Potes & The Liébana Valley

Potes is a town that time forgot. Located in the foothills of the Picos de Europa, it is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, stone bridges, and the famous Torre del Infantado. It is the access point for the "lesser known Picos de Europa hiking trails."

The Vibe: Heavy wool blankets, blue skies, and the taste of strong cheese.

What to Do:

• Fuente Dé: Take the teleférico (cable car) straight up the rock face. It rises 753 meters in four minutes. The view at the top is Mars-like.
• Monastery of Santo Toribio: Home to the Lignum Crucis, a piece of the True Cross.
• Sumidero del Deba: Take a boat trip through the canyon.

Eat & Drink:

• Quesería de Potes: Buy Queso de Valdeón, a spicy blue cheese wrapped in sycamore leaves.
• Restaurante La Casona de Potes: Try the Cocido Lebaniego (chickpea stew).

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8. The Secret Basque Capital: Hondarribia

Located right on the French border, Hondarribia is often skipped by tourists rushing to San Sebastián. Their loss. Hondarribia is a fortress city with a colorful fishing quarter (La Marina) that looks like a Brazilian favela painted in pastels.

The Vibe: A mix of Spanish, French, and Basque influences. Historic, culinary, and naval.

What to Do:

• Parador de Carlos V: Stay or just visit this medieval castle-turned-hotel.
• Kayak the Bidasoa: You can kayak from the Spanish shore to the French island of Los Faisanes.
• The Fountains: The quarter is famous for its wrought-iron fountains.

Eat & Drink:

• Alameda: The Michelin-starred option.
• Casa Escú: In the Marina quarter. The Gambas a la Plancha are legendary.

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9. The Prehistoric Coast: Ribadesella

Ribadesella sits on the mouth of the Sella River. It’s a town of two halves: the old fishing village on one side and the beach resort on the other. But the real draw is what lies beneath.

The Vibe: Summer holidays, jazz festivals, and ancient history.

What to Do:

• Tito Bustillo Cave: One of the best paleolithic cave painting sites in the world. You must book this weeks in advance.
• Pre-Roman Village: The ruins of Campués are visible on the hillside.
• The Christmas Nativity Scene: It’s the largest in the world, carved into a mountainside.

Eat & Drink:

• El Retiro: The best place for Arroz con Leche (rice pudding).
• Sidrería La Lluvia: A classic spot to get drunk on cider and eat sausages.

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10. The Thermal Waters: Baños de Molgas, Ourense

While Ourense city is known for its thermal river, the Baños de Molgas is a hidden natural spot in the province. It is an outdoor thermal bath located right in a river, surrounded by nature.

The Vibe: Waking up early, jumping into hot water while the mist rises off the river, and feeling like a pioneer.

What to Do:

• The Pools: There are three pools of varying temperatures (up to 40°C/104°F). They are free.
• The Nature: The setting is lush, green, and completely wild.
• Combine with Río Caldo: A nearby village with its own thermal history.

Eat & Drink:

• Restaurante O Muíño do Pinto: In nearby Allariz. The Lacón (pork shoulder) is spectacular.

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11. The Whale Watching Secret: Luarca, Asturias

Luarca is a white fishing village in the heart of the "Costa Verde." It is known as the "White Town." It has a sleepy, melancholic beauty.

The Vibe: Solitude, white houses, and the smell of the sea.

What to Do:

• Whale Watching: Unlike the busy ports of Cudillero, Luarca offers intimate whale watching tours. You can see pilot whales, dolphins, and fin whales.
• The Lighthouse: Walk to the Punta de la Barca lighthouse at sunset.
• The Port: Watch the fishermen unload the day’s catch.

Eat & Drink:

• Casa Juan: A culinary institution. The Arroz Negro (black rice with squid ink) is a must.
• Sidrería El Rincón de Juan: The cider flows freely here.

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A Local’s Road Trip Itinerary (2026)

To do this region justice, you need a car. Here is a 7-day loop that hits the highlights without exhaustion.

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Where to Eat Pintxos in San Sebastián Like a Local

Okay, we have to address the elephant in the room. You will likely pass through San Sebastián (Donostia). Here is how to survive the pintxos scene without looking like a tourist:

• Ignore the Old Town (Parte Vieja) main drag: The bars on 31 de Agosto and the main squares are packed.
• Go to Gros: Cross the river to the Gros neighborhood. The bars here are where the cool kids eat. Go to Casa Senra for a simple, perfect cheese toast.
• The "Txikiteo" Rule: Never sit down. You stand at the bar, order one pintxo and one drink (Txakoli wine or a Zurito of beer), eat it, move to the next bar. You do this at 4 or 5 bars.
• Bar Sport: In the Gros neighborhood. It’s chaotic, loud, and the food is incredible. Try the Gilda (olive, anchovy, pepper skewer).

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Festivals of the North (2026 Edition)

If you want to see the region at its most vibrant, time your trip with these:

• The Cider Festivals (May–August): In Asturias, every town has a Fiesta de la Sidra. It’s a celebration of the new harvest.
• The Descenso del Sella (August): A canoe race that attracts thousands. It’s a riot of color on the river.
• The Night of San Juan (June 23): Bonfires on every beach in the north. It’s pagan, wild, and beautiful.

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Final Thoughts on Northern Spain in 2026

Traveling here requires a shift in mindset. You cannot rush. The roads are slow, the weather changes every ten minutes, and dinner starts when the rest of Europe is going to bed.

This is a region of "little loves"—amores—as the locals might say. The love of a perfectly poured cider. The love of a mountain that pierces the cloud. The love of a stone that has been worn smooth by a thousand years of rain.

In 2026, as the world accelerates, the North remains stubbornly, beautifully human. It is a place to get lost, to eat too much, and to breathe air that tastes like the beginning of the world. Bring waterproof shoes, a hearty appetite, and an open heart. The north will take care of the rest.