What to See in Northwestern Spain

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Northwestern Spain has 6 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:

Asturias

Oviedo Monuments ★★ (1985)
These are primarily the city's religious buildings classified by UNESCO, showcasing medieval pre-Romanesque architecture typical of the Iberian Peninsula from the 9th to 12th centuries.

Cantabria

Altamira Cave ★★ (1985)
This cave contains one of the most important collections of prehistoric engravings in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site for this reason. As with Lascaux, however, only replicas are open to visitors. Other decorated caves can be found nearby.

Galicia

Camino de Santiago ★★★ (1993)
This UNESCO-listed mythical route has become a renowned hiking itinerary over time. It crosses the region before continuing on to end in Santiago de Compostela.

Tower of Hercules, A Coruña ★ (2009)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is a Roman lighthouse (the oldest in the world) overlooking the entrance to the port of A Coruña.

Roman Walls of Lugo ★ (2000)
Built in the 2nd century, these UNESCO-listed walls are a fine example of Roman fortifications.

Old Town of Santiago de Compostela ★★★ (1985)
For many, the historic centre of Santiago is one of Europe’s most beautiful urban districts, with its Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque monuments. This is why the site is a UNESCO World Heritage listing.

Asturias

Avilés ★
This major port city is best known for its Inter-Celtic Festival, held every summer.

Gijon ★
On the coast, north of Oviedo, this is the main city of Asturias. You can see remnants of its Roman past and various museums, as well as several nearby beaches.

Langreo ★
A small industrial town near the coast with some medieval landmarks and "industrial monuments".

Lastres ★
A charming coastal village east of Gijón with beaches and surf spots.

Llanes ★
A fishing town in eastern Asturias, in a stunning cliffside region at the foot of the Picos de Europa massif. The area has many caves, some renowned for caving. The beaches along this stretch of coastline are also popular.

Oviedo ★★
The beautiful capital of Asturias is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its religious monuments and historic centre.

Ribadesella ★
A large town on the Cantabrian coast with historic buildings, nearby caves (including the Tito Bustillo Cave), and beaches.

Villaviciosa ★
The small town east of Gijón is renowned for its cider. Visitors also come for the nearby beaches and, secondarily, for hiking opportunities in the surrounding area.

Natural Heritage

Covadonga Caves ★
This set of small caves (and lakes) in the Picos de Europa, which houses a chapel, is also a pilgrimage site.

Picos de Europa National Park ★★★
In the mountain range of the same name, straddling Castile, Asturias, and Cantabria. The area is popular for its landscapes and hiking, as well as its rich wildlife (chamois, wolves, bears).

Cantabria

Alto Campoo ★
A small ski resort southwest of Santander nestled in the Cantabrian Mountains.

Castro-Urdiales ★
On the route to Santiago de Compostela, Castro is known for its beaches and a few historic buildings. It attracts quite a few visitors in season.

Potes ★★
An old village between sea and mountains, whose medieval architecture and surroundings attract many visitors. On its outskirts, you can also visit the monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana.

Santander ★★
It is the capital and the largest urban area of the province. Beyond a small old quarter, the city is especially loved for its seafront, its stunning bay, its beaches, and, incidentally, its surf spots.

Santillana del Mar ★★
A large tourist town whose appeal lies in its medieval architecture and, above all, the nearby Altamira Cave.

Natural Heritage

Altamira Cave ★★
This cave contains one of the most important collections of prehistoric engravings in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site for this reason. As with Lascaux, however, only replicas are open to visitors. Other decorated caves can be found nearby.

Picos de Europa National Park ★★★
In the mountain range of the same name, straddling Castile, Asturias, and Cantabria. The area is popular for its landscapes and hiking, as well as its rich wildlife (chamois, wolves, bears).

Cabárceno Nature Park ★
Near Santander, this former open-pit mine has been transformed into a park housing numerous animal species from five continents in semi-liberty.

Galicia

Baiona ★★
It's a small port town at the mouth of the Vigo bay. It's very popular in season for its beaches and partly medieval architecture.

Castro de Barona ★
These are Celtic ruins by the sea in the municipality of Porto do Son.

Camino de Santiago ★★★
This UNESCO-listed mythical route has become a renowned hiking itinerary over time. It crosses the region before continuing on to end in Santiago de Compostela.

A Coruña ★★
This major port, including for cruises, has an old town, a pretty waterfront, and beaches. It is also here, facing the city, that the Tower of Hercules (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is located—the oldest lighthouse in the world, dating back to Roman times.

Lugo ★
A major inland city in Galicia, known for its Roman walls (and to a lesser extent its cathedral), which have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

O Grove ★
A municipality on the west coast of Galicia, popular in season for its beaches.

Ourense ★
It is the third-largest city in Galicia and has a medieval old town.

Pontevedra ★
Large city on the west coast with an old centre featuring many churches. Several beaches nearby.

Ribadavia ★★
It's a charming historic town near Ourense, with a large square, narrow streets, and the remains of a castle.

Santiago de Compostela ★★★
The capital of Galicia is world-famous for its "pilgrimage route". Its old town, with its many religious buildings, is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tui ★
On the Portuguese border, Tui is known for its old town and especially its fortified cathedral dating from the 11th century.

Vigo ★★
The main city of Galicia, nestled in its bay, is home to old quarters (the former fishing port) and a cathedral.

Natural Heritage

Cape Finisterre ★★
This high rocky promontory overlooking the sea is the second westernmost point of continental Europe. It is also traditionally the terminus of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.

Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park ★★
A group of islands off the west coast designated as a national park. The archipelago is fairly well visited in season for its beaches, possible walks, and beautiful landscapes.

Rías Baixas ★★
This is a group of five rías ("bays") on the western coast, widely visited in season for their beaches and landscapes.