Page 52 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

50  NOR THERN SP AIN REGION B Y REGION

Northern Spain at a Glance

Increasing numbers of visitors are drawn to Santillana del Mar (see
Northern Spain, where the climate is milder pp110–11) is one of the
region’s most
than in the southern Iberian Peninsula, and the picturesque
autonomous regions offer all the ingredients towns, with
of a wonderful holiday. The Atlantic coast boasts beautifully
attractive sandy beaches, while the mountain preserved medieval
houses. Inside the
ranges are criss-crossed by numerous footpaths. Convento de Regina
Magnificent examples of Romanesque archi- Coeli is a museum
tecture mark the famous pilgrimage route to with a rich collection
Santiago de Compostela, while in the region’s of painted figures of
saints. Near the town
cities fine modern buildings can be seen. Fiestas are the famous Cuevas
and festivals take place throughout the year in de Altamira.
Northern Spain, many of them hailed as
important international events.

Viveiro
Ferrol Ribadeo Avilés Gijón
A Coruña Santander
Vilalba Llanes
ASTURIAS Santillana San Sebastián
Santiago de AND CANTABRIA del Mar Bilbao
Compostela Lugo (See pp84–121) THE BASQUE
Reinosa COUNTRY
Padrón GALICIA Miranda de (See pp122–147) Pamplona
(See pp52–83) Ebro Vielha
Quiroga
NAVARRA Jaca Sort
Vigo Ourense AND LA RIOJA CENTRAL AND Figueres
(See pp148–173) EASTERN PYRENEES
Huesca (See pp174–197)
Tudela Girona

The Picos de Europa mountain range (see pp104–7)
dominates the landscape of Asturias and Cantabria.
The towns, situated in beautiful valleys, boast a plethora
of pre-Romanesque buildings, while hiking trails lead
through the spectacular scenery of the national park.

Santiago de
Compostela (see
pp64–9) attracts
thousands of visitors
each year. In the Middle
The Rías Baixas form one of Northern Ages, the cathedral
Spain’s prettiest coastlines. Around the in Santiago was one of
towns and villages here are many quaint the most important
hórreos – wooden granaries raised on places of pilgrimage
stone stilts (see p23). in Christendom.
One of the impressive rock formations at Praia das Catedrais, in Ribadeo, Galicia

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