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Stop Over on northern route drive from San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela

Posted by (Ormond Beach, Florida) on

We are renting a car in San Sebastian and plan to drive to Santiago along the northern coast. Before we get to Santiago, we would like to stay overnight in a quaint, interesting place along the way in the Asturias region. Any suggestions? Thanks much.

Posted by
27120 posts

What time of year are you making the drive?

If it's in summer, I'd seriously consider diverting from the coastal route and staying in Potes, a picturesque (not untouristy) stone village in the beautiful Picos de Europa area. Potes is in Cantabria but close to the Asturian border. The town is extremely picturesque, and you'd drive through truly lovely countryside to get there. Highly recommended. If your trip is off-season, you'd need to check on what the road conditions might be; there are mountains and gorges.

"Quaint" sort of implies "small" to me. I visited (for 1 to 3 hours) a couple of coastal towns that might suit your needs. Cudillero is a fishing village that shelves down steeply to the sea. The setting is fairly dramatic; I found the architecture less so. Ribadesella is basically flat but I considered its architecture much more attractive. There was more to see on my wanderings.

Oviedo is a city, not a quaint little town, but it has an attractive historic district and some extremely old (I think 9th century) churches that you could visit pretty easily with a car. The cathedral is also worth a stop.

Gijon is the industrial capital of Asturias and is a sizable coastal city. That description makes it sound unattractive, but it isn't. There's an historic district near the waterfront and quite a lot of interesting early 20th century architecture in the nearby "downtown" area. I liked it, but can't claim that it's "quaint".

An oddball possibility, back in Cantabria but near the Asturian border, is the village of Comillas. It has some significant modernista architecture, including an early Gaudi building. It is not otherwise especially attractive.

Posted by
72 posts

Sorry I didn't supply the time of year. We will be traveling May 20-21. I was told that the town of Luarca is very nice, but I like your idea of a mountain town too. Will the weather be OK to travel to Potes that time of year?

Posted by
27120 posts

I believe it would be OK to go to Potes then, but I was there in July. I suggest some Googling for further info. I know people go to the area to hike, and I'm sure there's some information on line about appropriate times for hiking, but hikers tend to gravitate to the highest elevations from which walks are practical, and Potes didn't seem particularly high. Rick actually mentions the area in his "Spain" book, but I no longer have that section and can't check to see what me might have said about traveling in the spring.

Posted by
72 posts

Thank you. I have the Rick Steve's Spain book and will look it up.

Posted by
6541 posts

I've traveled the northern route a couple times in the past. On one trip in the spring we had a difficult time finding a place to stay since many of the hotels had not yet opened for the season. Santillana del Mar is magnificant and there are 2 paradors there. I've been to that town a few times. Further west along the coast is Ribadeo, but haven't spent any time there. There is a parador there also. There are some interesting sites along the northern coast you can stop at if you have the time. Near Ribadeo is Cathedral beach, There is the Ermita de San Telmo in Zumaia along with some interesting rock formations. Between Santillana del Mar and Ribadeo, a few miles off the A-8 and just past Cangas de Onis is the Picos de Europa national park.

Posted by
27120 posts

Yes, Santillana del Mar is screamingly picturesque. It's not far from Comillas (see earlier post) and is quite near the Altamira Caves. Only a reproduction cave is open to the public, but reservations are required--I guess it must be well done.

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