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Spain is one of the most popular destinations this summer with record numbers of visitors.
It seems like everyone planning a European summer vacation is heading to Spain.
And while sunny hotspots like the Costa del Sol and Ibiza can be a fun time, they’re not so much fun when you have to deal with huge crowds and exorbitant prices everywhere.
City trip destinations such as Barcelona and Madrid are not much better.
Although I love Spain, there aren’t many places in the country I would travel to in the summer. (Autumn, winter and spring are all much more pleasant times to visit Spain’s most popular destinations!)
But if you have your heart set on Spain this summer, there are a few places I would recommend that are largely off the radar for most tourists.
Asturias And Cantabria are two regions in Northern Spain that are off the beaten track. You won’t find crowded beaches, high-rise holiday resorts or endless chain restaurants here.
Instead, it’s an unspoilt region of Spain that many people don’t even know exists.
So why should you visit?
Here’s why Asturias and Cantabria should be on your travel bucket list this summer:
Breathtaking beaches
So one of the main reasons why Asturias and Cantabria are perfect summer destinations?
They have incredible beaches and breathtaking natural beauty in spades.
Being on the north side of Spain, these are not the Mediterranean beaches of the south.
However, the beaches of these two regions are still fantastic, with clear water and sandy beaches, especially if you want to get away from the crowds. In Cantabria you will even find one of the best beaches in Europe.
Base yourself in it Santander in Cantabria or Gijón in Asturias for easy access to the beaches, plus plenty of restaurants and other things to do.
Milder weather
The only thing I Real Don’t you like Southern Europe in the summer?
The extreme heat! It seems like every summer gets hotter and hotter, and nowhere is it worse than in southern Spain.
That’s why Asturias and Cantabria are perfect for summer: they have a much milder climate!
These two regions can be quite cool (and rainy!) for most of the year, but summer is the sunniest and warmest time of year, and temperatures are often only as high as the mid-80s.
For the warmest weather in northern Spain (and the best time to swim on the beaches) go in late July or August.
Less crowds
Places like Asturias and Cantabria do not suffer from overtourism like some Spanish destinations.
There have even been protests against tourism in the more popular hotspots.
But Northern Spain is staggeringly underrated, and I don’t understand why, since Asturias and Cantabria are so beautiful.
There are far fewer tourists in these two regions of Spain during the summer, and those you do encounter are often Spanish or French.
Affordable prices
Finally, Asturias and Cantabria are among the most affordable parts of Spain for a holiday this summer. You will not find the sky-high prices of the Costa del Sol or Ibiza here.
I know that budget is super important to many travelers, and your money will go away So much further in these two regions compared to the more popular tourist hotspots.
For example, the average tourist spends $555 per day on a trip to Ibiza, based on data from BudgetYourTravel.
In the meantime you can enjoy Gijon, Asturias $130 per day or Santander, Cantabria for only $118 per day, that’s one enormous difference. Just think of how many more tapas and pitchers of sangria you can buy with that kind of savings!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
