Beaches in Spain: Our Top 3 in the North

playa de las catedrales

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Spain, as a destination, offers endless possibilities, no matter what you’re looking for. If you need to breathe in the fresh mountain air, it’s there. Want to relax on a paradise beach? You can do that too. If you’re seeking inspiration from its traditions and culture, there’s plenty to choose from. In the mood to immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes? Also possible! Today, though, we bring you our top pic of beaches in Spain, but, more specifically in its northern regions!

The beaches in Spain -northern regions- that you should visit

Tough to decide, isn’t it? Discover our 3 stunning beaches in northern Spain—grab a pen and paper!

Playa de las Catedrales (Ribadeo, Galicia)

Playa de las Catedrales
Playa de las Catedrales (Galicia, Spain)

La playa de las Catedrales is an impressive beach in the municipality of Ribadeo, in the province of Lugo, Galicia. It is renowned for its spectacular rock formations, which, shaped by the action of wind and water. These resemble the flying buttresses and vaults of a Gothic cathedral, hence its name (Beach of the Cathedrals).

If you had to guess, how many years would you say it took to create these incredible formations? Here’s the answer: 500,000,000 years. Yes, that’s right!
Due to its popularity and fragility, the Beach of the Cathedrals is a protected area. If you plan to visit this beach in the summer, it is necessary to book in advance. You can do it at this link, it’s free! And since you’re here, we’ll give you a little tip: visit the beach during low tide if you want to enjoy the full picture.

One of the most famous beaches in Spain
Playa de la Concha (San Sebastián, Basque Country)

Playa de la Concha (San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa)

Since we have to choose between the most stunning beaches in northern Spain (and trust us, it ain’t easy), we’re going to go for La Playa de la Concha, in San Sebastián.

La Playa de la Concha has a wide stretch of soft, golden sand and clear turquoise waters, making it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the sea. It’s a great place to unwind and take in the views. If you’re not into getting sand in your shoes, you can walk along the beautiful promenade that circles the beach!

Playa de la Concha is surrounded by el Casco Viejo de San Sebastián, a lively area filled with bars, restaurants, and shops. It’s a place that combines stunning natural beauty with a rich cultural and gastronomic scene that will definitely blow your mind. If you’ve never been to San Sebastián, wow, you’re going to love it!

Playa de la Magdalena (Santander, Cantabria)

A beach that sure deserves a spot on the list of stunning beaches in northern Spain is la Playa de la Magdalena.

Beach in Spain
Playa de la Magdalena, Cantabria (Spain)

La playa de la Magdalena has a beautiful landscape, with its golden sand and the calm and deep waters of el mar Cantábrico.

In front of the beach is the Palacio de la Magdalena, an impressive building set on a hill, overlooking la Playa de la Magdalena. Its architectural style is a mix of classical and modern influences, with a stone facade and wooden details, as well as towers and large windows. Surrounded by incredible gardens and beautiful landscaped areas, it was once the summer residence of the Spanish royal family. Today, it is a cultural venue for events. Its location, with panoramic views of the sea and the city, makes it one of the most iconic buildings in Santander.

There Are Way More Beaches in Spain

We hope you’ve written these down, but keep in mind there are many more, like Playa de Langre, Playa de Gulpiyuri, Playa de Rodiles, Playa de Covas… and we were only thinking about beaches in northern Spain. Stay tuned for our upcoming posts, where we’ll select beaches from other regions. And if you’re visiting Navarra, as well in northern Spain, don’t forget to read our mini-guide for your weekend away.

¡Hasta la próxima!

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