Spanish Northern Fairy Tale: Ten Super Beautiful Seaside Places

The northern part of Spain is an amazing paradise, full of breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and stunning sea views that resemble fairy-tale stories. In this article, we will take you on a journey through the northern region of Spain and introduce ten of the most beautiful seaside places, each with a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere that will immerse you in the wonders of nature, allowing you to enjoy pristine beaches and mesmerizing panoramic views.

Beach of the Cathedrals

Ribadeo is located in the province of Galicia and is one of the most photographed beaches in Spain, showcasing the changes of millions of years of erosion on its cliffs. There are numerous arches and caves here, creating a Gothic-style cathedral carved by nature. The stunning beauty of the beach changes with the tides, allowing for spectacular views of rock formations and caves during high tide, while low tide offers the opportunity to stroll, swim and bathe in the magnificent rock formations. Ribadeo city is only ten kilometers away, with clear and easy-to-follow road signs.

Rodas Beach, Cíes Islands

Located on the Islas Cíes in Galicia, there is a beach named Rodas Beach that has been rated as the "world's best beach" by The Guardian. The beach stretches for 1 kilometer with fine white sand and turquoise water that is mesmerizing. Islas Cíes is a natural reserve in Spain which has precious flora and fauna. To protect the natural environment, the number of visitors allowed to enter the island daily is limited, and accommodation on the island is difficult to obtain. However, there are boats that depart from the nearby city of Vigo every day and the trip only takes 50 minutes to reach the island.

Concha Beach

La Concha Beach in San Sebastian is located in the city center and is named after its shape, which surrounds the bay. The canyon in the bay makes the waves calm, and the beach is suitable for walking and various sports. From the cable car on Mount Igueldo in the west of the bay, you can overlook the bay and the central Santa Clara Island, which has a magnificent view. In addition, San Sebastian is famous for having the most Michelin-starred restaurants and is a must-visit travel destination in Spain.

Zumaia

An excellent example of earth science education can be found on the Zumaia coastline in the Basque region, showcasing the Flysch geological formation and revealing 60 million years of Earth's history. The geological layers here are clearly visible and a part of Earth's geological history. Additionally, this location was used as a filming location for the famous TV series, Game of Thrones, as "Dragonstone Island".
Gaztelugatxe in Spain is not strictly a beach, but rather a historic cultural heritage site. In the 9th to 10th centuries, monks built a monastery at the top of this small island. Later, the Spanish Catholic monarchs decided to build a permanent stone bridge here, which is known by the locals as the "Dragon Spine Coastline." It is also the filming location for "Dragonstone" in Game of Thrones, attracting many fans to visit.

Arnía Beach

Arnia Beach is located in the city of Pilar de la Horadada, near Santander, and is a beautiful paradise beach. It is famous for its unique rock formations that extend into the ocean, which were featured in a famous movie. The sand is fine and golden, surrounded by lush green landscapes, making it a picturesque and stunning sight.

Playa de los Locos, Suances

"Playa de los Locos" in Suances is a beautiful surfing spot surrounded by lush green landscapes and located between cliffs. The clear seawater and youthful atmosphere will surely make you fall in love with it.

Torimbia Beach, Llanes

The beach in the town of Llanes also has a shell shape, but its uniqueness lies in the natural beauty between the sea and the mountains. There are fine white sands and clear waters, a beautiful landscape like a movie. If you want to experience the charm of nature, this is a great choice.

Rodiles Beach, Villaviciosa

Rodiles Beach, located at the mouth of the Villaviciosa river in Asturias, Spain, is a local treasure. The wide and sprawling beach, protected by eucalyptus forests, is a perfect spot for vacation. With its long and delicate white sands, one can stroll along the beach and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery from end to end. And what's more, drinking Asturias' most famous apple cider adds to the allure of this spectacular place.

Playa del Silencio

Playa del Silencio, or Silent Beach, lives up to its name and is a place that people can't help but yearn for. It is located 15 kilometers away from Cudillero. The beach is mainly made up of small stones and isn't suitable for swimming due to the many hidden reefs in the sea. However, it is an ideal place to admire the scenery and feel the sea breeze of the Bay of Biscay between the cliffs which will leave you enchanted.