Spain is one of the hottest destinations this summer with a record-setting level of crowds.
It seems like everyone who’s planning a European summer trip is heading to Spain.
And while sunny hotspots like Costa del Sol and Ibiza can be a good time, they’re not so fun when you’re having to deal with huge crowds and exorbitant prices everywhere you go.
City break destinations like Barcelona and Madrid aren’t much better.
While I love Spain, there aren’t many spots in the country I’d recommend traveling to in the summer. (The fall, 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 couple of places I’d recommend, and they’re majorly off the radar for most tourists.
Asturias and Cantabria are two regions in northern Spain that are off the beaten path. You won’t find packed beaches, high-rise holiday resorts, or endless chain restaurants here.
Instead, it’s an unspoiled 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 top reasons Asturias and Cantabria are perfect summer destinations?
They have incredible beaches and stunning natural beauty in spades.
Being located on the northern side of Spain, these aren’t the Mediterranean beaches of the south.
However, the beaches of these two regions are still fabulous, with clear water and sandy shores, especially if you’re looking to get away from the crowds. You’ll even find one of the best beaches in Europe in Cantabria.
Base yourself in Santander in Cantabria or Gijón in Asturias for easy access to beaches, plus lots of restaurants and other things to do.
Milder Weather
The one thing I really don’t like about Southern Europe in the summer?
The extreme heat! It seems like every summer is getting hotter and hotter, and there’s nowhere as bad as southern Spain.
That’s why Asturias and Cantabria are perfect for summer — they have a much milder climate!
These two regions can actually be quite cool for much of the year (and rainy!) But summer is the sunniest and warmest time of year, and temperatures are often only as high as the mid-eighties.
For the warmest weather in northern Spain (and the best time to swim at the beaches), you should go in late July or August.
Fewer Crowds
Places like Asturias and Cantabria are not suffering from overtourism the way some Spanish destinations are.
There have even been protests against tourism in the more popular hotspots.
But northern Spain is bafflingly underrated, and I can’t understand why since Asturias and Cantabria are so beautiful.
There are way fewer tourists in these two regions of Spain during the summer, and the tourists you do find are often Spanish or French.
Affordable Prices
Finally, Asturias and Cantabria are some of the most affordable parts of Spain for a vacation this summer. You won’t find the sky-high prices of Costa del Sol or Ibiza here.
I know that budget is super important for many travelers, and your money will go so much further in these two regions compared to more popular tourist hotspots.
For example, the average tourist spends $555 per day on a trip to Ibiza, based on data from BudgetYourTrip.
Meanwhile, you can enjoy Gijon, Asturias for $130 per day or Santander, Cantabria for just $118 per day, which is a huge difference. Think about how many more tapas and pitchers of sangria you can buy with that kind of savings!
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