north coast of Spain

Santander suffered a massive fire in the 1940s and has a lot less early architecture than most Spanish cities. It's a perfectly OK city, but I didn't find it especially visually interesting. The beach seemed very nice, just from a distance.

Oviedo has some very historic churches but feels quieter than some places its size. I enjoyed it, but YMMV.

I haven't been to Ribadeo, which is much smaller than the first two options.

I liked Burgos (lively because it's on a pilgrimage route) and Leon (very active entertainment district). I'd also consider Vitoria-Gasteiz, the interior capital of the Basque Country. It's well off the foreign-tourist trail and has a large medieval center.

I've been to those cities more than once...but what do you want to know...??

Hotels?
Restaurants? (CASA FERMIN in Oviedo is excellent....)
Woody Allen statue?? (Someone broke his glasses but they were repaired by the time we got there last time..)
Excellent art museum in Oviedo....and also an exhibit devoted to the bears of Asturias.....last time we stayed four nights..but three would be good as well.....

If you have a car. Oviedo is a great jumping off city to visit the Picos de Europa, Arrionadas, etc etc......
If you will rent a car I will give you some great tips...

If you have a car, visit the Picos de Europa, the very scenic national park southwest of Santander. Stay at the Parador de Fuente Dé, enjoy a cable car ride to the top of the mountains, visit the informative Sotama Visitor Center on the road to Fuente Dé (N-621) which follows the gorge cut by the river.

Another great stop on the north coast is the preserved medieval village of Santillana del Mar about 20 miles west of Santander.

The North coast of Spain is very dramatic. Too many charming fishing villages to list. The Picos are fantastic. Ribadeo is close to Catedrales Playa. Ribadesella has neolithic art at Tito Bustillo Cave. Check out Asturias and Cantabria on the web. Oh yeah..seafood

Brad