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If you go to Spain this summer, chances are that Barcelona, Mallorca and Malaga are at the top of your bucket list- and listen, We get it.
These are all great for an introductory visit to Spain, especially if you hope to combine a cultural immersion with some beach time, but have you seen the news lately?
Between the rising crowd and Full anti-tourist protestsMaybe you want to give the BMM trio a miss this summer.
Well, unless you are not doing well not to feel particularly welcome when ordering Tapas with your American accent, or is being chased by angry locals who wave water guns (yes, that actually happened in Barcelona).
Fortunately for you, not all coastal spots in Spain had it with foreign guests: in fact, 3 of them have smaller crowdsMore cooled vibes, and above all no hostile picketboards:
Santander
First on the list is Santander, the capital of Cantabria, one of the lesser -known regions of Spain, and an elegant city with a high concentration of Belle Époque Buildings (you know, the kind you star, goobsmacked, for a good 2 minutes).
Santander may not have a world -famous monument such as La Sagrada Família, but It is the home of the lush Palacio de la MagdalenaAn old Royal Summer Residence on a dramatic peninsula. The Museum of Prehistory and Archeology is one of the most impressive in Spain.
Let us not forget Santander Cathedral, an increasing Gothic building that dates from the Middle Ages.
As a medium -sized city With only about 174,000 inhabitants, Santander feels more like a large city than the vast metropolises of South Spain. The atmosphere is relatively more relaxedwith quieter public spaces And much fewer tourists.
The most popular beach in the area is Playa del Sardinerowith soft sand and a long promenade covered with cafes, and by the way, if you ever have a quick bite to eat (or what the Spaniards call it, tapas), Casa Lita is the place to go for Rabas (Fried Squid -Rings) and delicious cold beer.
Gijón
The next is Gijón, a large coastal city in Asturia, North Spain, best known for its maritime heritage and picturesque view of the coast.
The most important attraction is Cimavilla, Gijón’s oldest Viskwartier. This quarter proudly performs ancient traditions, of the traditional and organic market, which is needed Place on the second weekend of every month, to the abundance of family businesses at the port.
For the best, fresh seafood in the city, make sure you add El Centenario to your list of restaurants. Not to sound completely biased, but their hack in ciders sauce is just die for.
The historic center is also largely Crowd-Free, and although you get the strange, Googly-Eyed tourist, it is not as if Cimavilla has become one of those Disney-Fed Old Cities full of tourist traps, too expensive tapas bars and inconspicuous souvenir shops.
This is of course still a beach destination, and as the most important beach of Gijón, the wide, sandy Playa de San Lorenzo Certainly not disappointing– Make sure you first test the waters before you jump in immediately, because this is after all the Atlantic Ocean.
In other words, warm as it can be in the sun, the water is usually not warmer than 66-68 ° F.
A Coruña
On one of the westernmost points of mainland Spain, a Coruña is a bustling port city with a long history that goes back thousands of years (to be precise, since Roman times).
Of course it is especially famous for its Roman sights, in particular the tower of Hercules, a lighthouse That has been for almost 2000 years and is the best preserved of his era. It offers to breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean and the postcard-ready medieval center.
The old city is centered around Plaza de María Pita, an arcade main square that acts as the starting point for different pedestrian strips flanked by colorful houses and occasionally a wall-to-wall, glazed Windowed balcony.
Founded in the 12th century, Iglesia de Santiago is One of the oldest religious structures in the cityAnd it is a popular stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago.
There are no public gardens designed here by Gaudí, but you do have a beautiful, raised, raised Jardín de San Carlos.
The gardens were laid out in the 19th century and found a privileged panorama of the Oude Haven and all his yachts.
Playa de Riazor is a most important swimming and sunbathing spot in Coruña for a beach day, right next to the zone in the city center.
If you prefer that A more quiet attitudenortheast of the city, near the tower of Hercules, you will find an unspoilt, parcrowded Playa de San Amaro.
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This article originally appeared on Traveloffpath.com
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