Northern Spain

Region

Food, wine and the Pyrenees. San Sebastián is famous for pintxos and its beach, Bilbao has the Guggenheim, Pamplona runs the bulls in July, La Rioja is Spain's best-known wine region, and Aragon has Zaragoza, Mudéjar towers and the high Pyrenean valleys of Ordesa. Spring to autumn is best.

Northern Spain AnetoMonte PerdidoSan Mamés StadiumCathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the PillarAnoeta StadiumNoáin (Valle de Elorz) – Noain (Elortzibar)Valle de EgüésBaztan, NavarreSan Mamés Stadium (1913)ArangurenEl Sadar StadiumValle de Yerri / DeierriEsteribarOrdesa y Monte Perdido National ParkUncitiUrraúl BajoAnueErro, NavarreGoñi, NavarreUrraúl AltoIbargoitiIzagaondoaPamplona CathedralSt. James' CathedralIpurúa Municipal StadiumMendizorrotza StadiumCastle of LoarreVignemaleGaztelugatxeCathedral of the Savior in his Epiphany of ZaragozaBilbaoDonostia / San SebastianPamplona cityLogroñoZaragozaAínsaGuggenheim Museum BilbaoAljaferíaBasauriAlsasua – AltsasuAulestiMendigorríaChía, AragonSorladaBarillasGasteiz / VitoriaBarakaldo

Northern Spain essentials

Country: Spain
Driest months: Jul-Sep
Pay in: Euro (€)
Language: Catalan
Emergency: 091

Where to Go in Northern Spain

City Bilbao BilbaoBasque city of the Guggenheim and pintxos City Basauri BasauriCity in Basque Country, Spain City Alsasua – Altsasu Alsasua – AltsasuTown in Navarre, Spain Island Gaztelugatxe GaztelugatxeBasque islet linked by stone bridge with hermitage Island Santa Clara Island (San Sebastián) Santa Clara Island (San Sebastián)Small island with sandy beach in San Sebastián Island Cape Higuer Cape HiguerCoastal cape with lighthouse near Spain-France border History Aljafería AljaferíaIslamic fortified palace and Aragón regional parliament building History Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the PillarBaroque basilica in Zaragoza and Marian pilgrimage site History Castle of Loarre Castle of LoarreRomanesque hilltop fortress and well-preserved medieval castle Nature Aneto AnetoHighest peak in the Pyrenees with glaciated summit Nature Monte Perdido Monte PerdidoProminent Pyrenean limestone peak in Aragon Nature Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park Ordesa y Monte Perdido National ParkPyrenean national park known for deep canyons and peaks
Regions & Cities
Explore Bilbao A titanium-sheen Guggenheim curves along Bilbao’s Nervión river; tourists pair museum visits with pintxos in the Casco Viejo, riverside promenades and day trips into Basque hills. Donostia / San Sebastian Explore Donostia / San Sebastian La Concha’s crescent beach and Parte Vieja’s pintxos bars keep food-focused travelers busy; add Monte Urgull views, a film festival and Basque cider houses for culture and coastline walks. Pamplona city Explore Pamplona city Plaza del Castillo hums before the bull run; narrow streets funnel into the medieval citadel and the cathedral’s cloister. Logroño Explore Logroño La Rioja’s compact capital, Logroño attracts wine lovers to nearby bodegas, tapas bars along Calle Laurel and a medieval cathedral; afternoons suit tasting tempranillo and wandering stone streets. Zaragoza Explore Zaragoza Zaragoza’s baroque Basilica del Pilar towers over the Ebro; afternoons are for wandering Roman and Mudéjar streets, grazing tapas bars and watching city life along river promenades. Aínsa Explore Aínsa Perched where the Pyrenees begin to ease, Aínsa draws history lovers and climbers with its 11th-century castle, a compact medieval square, river canyons for kayaking and marked trails that climb into limestone peaks. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Explore Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is known for its titanium‑clad architecture and contemporary art exhibitions; visitors tour the building’s galleries and the riverside sculpture installations. Aljafería Explore Aljafería An 11th‑century Islamic palace in Zaragoza, the Aljafería displays Taifa‑era architecture and later Mudéjar additions and now houses Aragon’s regional parliament.

Northern Spain at a Glance

Local Time
1:01 AM
GMT+1
Population
4,581,023

Best Things to Do in Northern Spain