With temperatures rising dramatically already and travel warnings issued for several holiday spots across Spain, the Southern European country is bracing for one of the hottest summers in its recorded history.
Regular beachgoers might not be exactly losing sleep over it, but try and sunbathe in Costa del Sol while it’s 120 degrees out, or when the heat is so oppressive you have no option but to seek shelter in the nearest air-conditioned room if you’re intent on surviving.
Luckily for Spain-bound tourists, these 4 non-Mediterranean destinations are not experiencing record-breaking weather right now, and they’re just as incredible to visit:
A Coruña
An up-and-coming beach destination in Spain’s often-overlooked Galicia region, at the country’s northwestern-most point, A Coruña is a historic port with a preserved medieval town crisscrossed by narrow pedestrian-friendly lanes and bounded by the azure Atlantic.
It is here you’ll find the Tower of Hercules, a perfectly-preserved Roman lighthouse, perhaps the oldest still standing, the landmark María Pita Square, named after the courageous woman who helped defend the city from British occupants, and the imposing Castle of San Anton.
The town’s modern walking promenade also leads from the historic center to a number of bathing sites, most notably the golden-sand Playa de San Amaro and Orzán, and for the odd heat-intolerant person, the local maritime weather averages a pleasant 67°F throughout summer.
Santander
The second one up is Santander, capital of Cantabria, and one of the least-known gems of Spain’s north coast: among Spaniards, it is highly sought-after for its unspoiled beaches, cultural relevance, and temperate maritime climate.
The leading attraction in town is Palacio de la Magdalena, formerly the Spanish Royal Family’s summer residence, tucked away at the mouth of the city’s bay.
However, the historic center, its spearing cathedral, and elegant Belle époque townscape are also worth visiting.
Weather-wise, it’s an average 68°F during the day and 55°F after sundown: you can still walk around in shorts, particularly during the mid-summer heat peak, when highs of 86°F are occasionally registered, but compared to Seville or Barcelona, heatstrokes are relatively infrequent.
Gijón
The largest settlement in Asturias, yet another autonomous region of Northern Spain, Gijón has achieved notoriety over the centuries due to its maritime might: it was one of Iberia’s most prominent trading hubs both in the Middle Ages and later during the Age of Discoveries.
Nowadays, it is a laid-back coastal city highly sought-after in summer for its fresh seafood and cooler climate: whether it’s strolling the historic fishermen’s quarter of Cimadevilla, with its centuries-old houses, or soaking up the nature at Playa de San Lorenzo, you’re safe from heat exhaustion.
Like much of Northern Spain, the weather in Gijón sits at around 73°F in summer, and its somewhat balmy, long sunny days and only moderately chilly evenings make it a perfect alternative to the blistering-hot Mediterranean.
Donostia/ San Sebastián
A small resort town tucked away on a quiet end of the Bay of Biscay, Donostia (or San Sebastián, as it is alternatively known) is the summer capital of Spain’s Basque Country, with its scenic promenade, and long, sandy Playa de la Concha, fringed by crystal-clear waters.
The Parte Vieja, or Old Town, is a maze of cobbled streets dating back centuries, lined by pintxo (tapa) bars, casual seafood restaurants where freshly-caught fish is served, and souvenir shops, and contrary to Southern Spain, it offers some relief from the scorching heat.
Summer temperatures in Donostia usually range from 65°F to 78°F, thanks to its maritime climate and the Northerly geography of Basque Country, which straddles the Atlantic Coast, as opposed to the Mediterranean.
It’s rarely too hot to be outside.
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