No way! Northern Spain.. You are damn fine! |

1st November – 3rd November

Playa de la Virgen del Mar, Cantabria, Spain. This stretch of coastline is just amazing, with its rugged cliffs, rocky headlands and perfect sandy cove beaches. I was really blown away by this landscape. I never expected the north of Spain to look like this. — Playa de la Virgen del Mar, Cantabria, Spain. This stretch of coastline is just amazing, with its rugged cliffs, rocky headlands and perfect sandy cove beaches. I was really blown away – I never expected the north of Spain to look like this.

Setting out from Salamanca we were making our way to Santander on the north coast of Spain. As we grew closer to the coastline, the scenery changed from open flat plains to rolling green hills and big mountain ranges. Before reaching Santander, we stopped in at a small town called Santillana del Mar, often regarded as one of the prettiest towns in the area. It’s an old medieval village and still maintains its lovely cobblestone streets and old buildings.

Santillana del Mar, Spain. A lovely old medieval village, often regarded as one of the prettiest in the Cantabria region.

In Santillana del Mar we also had a try of the traditional Cantabrian dessert, quesada pasiega. It's kinda like cheesecake, but nothing like cheesecake. A bit custardy, but not really. It was pretty tasty. — In Santillana del Mar we also had a try of the traditional Cantabrian dessert, quesada pasiega. It’s kinda like cheesecake, but nothing like cheesecake. A bit custardy, but not really. It was pretty tasty.

After our stop off, we then continued on to Santander. It is definitely unlike many other Spanish cities I have been.. I’m not quite sure exactly why or how, it just is. This is something I would soon realise about this region of Spain. The landscape and atmosphere is very different. Were it not for everyone speaking Spanish, I could have been convinced I was back in the UK.

Dusk at Peninsula de la Magdalena. — Dusk at Peninsula de la Magdalena, the peninsula near the city of Santander. Santander has some beautiful beaches, it reminded me of the beaches at home.

The next day we decided to go and explore the coastline near Santander. We started out from Isla de la Virgen del Mar, a little island separated from the mainland by a small sandbank. We headed west and rambled our way along the spectacular coastline, and although we probably should have checked the forecast as we got saturated on the way back, it was definitely worth it. We passed some lovely little beaches like the Playa de Covachos, lots of rugged cliffs and rocky headlands.

Playa de la Virgen del Mar, Spain. This narrow stretch of water and sandbank separates the Isla de la Virgen del Mar from the mainland.

Looking west along the coastline from the Isla de la Virgen del Mar. Ian was impressed by the view. I was impressed by the view. Who wouldn't be?! — Looking west along the coastline from the Isla de la Virgen del Mar. Ian was impressed by the view. I was impressed by the view. Who wouldn’t be?!

The rugged wonder of the Cantabrian coastline.

We stopped at the playground next to Playa de San Juan de la Canal.. Ian wanted to go on the swing.

Look at this! With some rain clouds developing it made the perfect dramatic backdrop to this landscape.

The further we walked, the more impressive this landscape seemed to get.

Castro Island. — As we made our way along the coast we came to Castro Island and Tombolo de Covachos. A tombolo (or sand bank) often connects the rocky island to Covachos beach on the mainland.

Tombolo de Covachos and Castro Island. This was one of the prettiest little beaches – Playa de Covachos. Access is pretty limited, with a small staircase that descends part of the rocky cliff. To make it the rest of the way, well, you just have to climb your way down.

Looking back towards Playe de Covachos. — Looking back towards Playa de Covachos. The colour of the water was just incredible.

We eventually made our way around to Playa de la Arnia. It was walking up from this beach that we found the wonderful little restaurant El Cazurro. Being a bit early for lunch (it was 12.30pm.. the chef wasn’t ready for lunch. Spaniards are still waking up apparently), we decided to hike back to our car and return for lunch after that. Slight problem, it did start pouring with rain. By the time we got back to the car we were pretty damn wet. So with a quick change in the carpark and doing our best to turn the drowned rat look into fresh from a (natural) shower chic, we returned to El Cazurro for what was the best lunch I have had in Spain. The food, lots of fresh local seafood, was delicious!

Lunch at El Cazurro restaurant where the food and the view were both second to none. — Lunch at El Cazurro restaurant where the food and the view (out the window I might add) were both second to none.

The view down to the water from our lunch destination.

With a bit more daylight there was more exploring that could be done, and we drove a bit further to Playa de Cerrias then on to Playa de Valdearenas, a huge open beach offering some good waves for the local surfers.

Playa de Valdearenas. A huge open beach and sand dunes.. a popular spot for local surfers.

With all the amazing coastline we had seen, it was going to be pretty hard to top the last couple of days..

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