The Atlantic Ocean is considered one of the largest and most voluminous oceans, namely the second largest after the Pacific Ocean. This ocean is the most explored and developed when compared to other areas of water. Its location is as follows: to the east it is framed by the coasts of North and South America, and to the west its borders end in Europe and Africa. To the south, it crosses into the Southern Ocean. And to the north, it borders on Greenland. The ocean is distinguished by the fact that it has very few islands, and the relief of its bottom is mottled and has a complex structure. The coastline is broken.
Resorts on the Atlantic coast in Spain
Resorts in northern mainland Spain, washed by the Atlantic Ocean, is a less popular summer beach vacation destination than the hyped Spanish resorts on the Mediterranean Sea. But part of the Atlantic coast of Spain inferior to the Mediterranean Sea only in length, but the ocean beaches of Spain in some ways even superior to the beaches of the sea: there are fewer people, so lower prices for recreation, and also here is incredibly beautiful places. Probably, therefore, the Spaniards themselves prefer to rest it is on the resorts
Atlantic Ocean.
West and north coast of Spain washed by the waters of the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean. These places are incredibly scenic: they are indented with cozy bays, and proud rocky capes extend far into the ocean, there are many completely deserted white sandy beaches. The most popular resort regions of northern Spain on the Atlantic Ocean: Galicia, “Costa Verde” or Asturias and Cantabria, about each of which we will tell more in detail.
Galicia region
The region of Galicia is the westernmost region of Spain, washed by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Bay of Biscay to the north. As the region is far removed from the most visited places in Spain and any foreign influence on the culture has been excluded, Galicia has remained the “most Spanish province” in the country. The nature of this region is extremely beautiful and has managed to remain almost untouched, again due to the underdevelopment of the tourism industry. There are unspoiled corners. The most popular Galician resorts are Ribadeo, Bayona, Vigo, Vivera, Grove, Pontevedra, Cariño, Ortigueira, Minho, Santa Eugenia de Riviera, Sanxenxo – they stretch along the coast for one thousand three hundred kilometers and are famous for seven hundred beaches. However, the main center of beach tourism in Galicia is located in the town of Sanxenxo, near the ancient port city of Pontevedra. The resort town of Bayona is no less popular with tourists. Tourists are coming here not so much because of the “vegetable” rest on the beaches and not for the break at discos or festivals, and to explore the rich culture of the Spanish region, with its excellent gastronomy, and only when time remains, spend it on a sparse and quiet, but no less wonderful beaches.
Sancenxo Resort
The resort of Sanxenxo – “Sanxenxo” – a small and very modest town, famous for its wonderful beaches, with white sand and very clear waters of the ocean. The Atlantic Ocean in this part of Spain almost never gets warmer than twenty-two degrees, and you’ll be lucky, mainly the water has a temperature of – twenty degrees, which is quite refreshing, but those who do not really like the heat or come to rest their cold regions – will like it. The air temperature in the summer does not rise above twenty-five degrees. At the local town beach “Sanxenxo”, there is the necessary infrastructure, there is a good and clean sand. Another great and extensive city beach “Playa De La Lanzada” – with good, white sand, the water here is so clean that it is easy to see schools of fish swimming at a depth of ten meters.
Pontevedra Resort
The resort of Pontevedra – “Pontevedra” – is the main city of the coast “Rias Baixas”, washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Many centuries ago it was a huge and very important port for the country. The most picturesque historical part of the city is located on the left bank of the river Leres. There are lots of interesting sights, so it is easy to combine a beach holiday with fascinating excursions. In Pontevedra there is a wonderful three hundred meters sandy beach Pinela, which offers an excellent view of the city, near there is another beach with golden sand, Playa do Polvorin, which stretches for seven hundred meters. It is framed by piers going far into the ocean.
Bayona Resort
Bayona Resort is a small town in northwestern Spain, washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, founded in the one hundred and fortieth year BC. It was the first European city to learn about Columbus’ great discovery of the New World. The fact is that his ship entered the port of Bayona on the first of March 1493, in honor of which, in the local harbor you can see an exact replica of his ship “Pinta” – which is the main historical landmark of the city. It is open to tourists. Another attraction of the city is the Castle of Monterreal – “Castillo de Monterreal”, built by order of Queen Isabella of Castile, Spain, to protect the largest port of Galicia, in those days, from frequent pirate raids. As for the local beaches, look for them not west of the city of Bayona, as that part of the coast is rocky and stony, but in the east, this is where there are excellent sandy beaches. Especially recommend the excellent sandy beach Playa Ladeira – Playa Ladeira, more than a kilometer long, with pure white sand. A couple of kilometers from the center of the resort of Bayona, there is a good beach “Playa America” – “Playa America”, stretching for two and a half kilometers. You don’t have to walk to it, take the Bayona-Vigo bus. Of course, there is a beach in the city itself, but due to the fact that it is adjacent to a large marina, to call it an ideal place for a beach holiday, it is possible to stretch.
Asturias region
The region of Asturias – often referred to as “Costa Verde”, meaning “Green Coast”. Tourists come here in search of a measured and quiet rest. The resort region stretches for three hundred and forty-five kilometers, there is a mass of small and cozy bays, small resort towns, with numerous historical and natural attractions, and everywhere there are excellent conditions for fishing. The coast of “Costa Verde” is good to relax for those who can not stand the heat. Summer temperatures do not exceed twenty-six degrees, but the ocean water is not warmer than twenty-one degrees. The main resorts of “Costa Verde” are: Gijon, Llanes, Villaviciosa, Perlora, Celorio, Luanco, Cavedo, Aviles and Barro.
Gijon Resort
The resort of Gijon is probably the most popular resort on this coast. It is a fairly large, city with a rich, centuries-old history, providing tourists with excellent conditions for beach, youth, sightseeing or family vacation. The city is incredibly beautiful: it has a smooth curve of the coastline, along which stretches picturesque cliffs, huge boulders and nestled between them nice little coves, with comfortable beaches. Near the center of Gijon, there is an absolutely marvelous central beach “San Lorenzo”, famous for its soft and clean sand. There are also other beaches here: “La Cagonera y La Nora”, the beach “Serin”, the beach “Penarrubia”, the beach “El Rinconin”, the beach “El Arbeyal”, the beach “Poniente” and a lot of small beaches in the rocks. Families with children choose to relax on the beach “Arbeyal” – “Arbeyal”, because of the high waves it is reliably protected by a huge breakwater, so the water is always quiet, the bottom is gentle, the sand is clean and soft. The length of this beach is two hundred and fifty meters.
Villaviciosa resort
Villaviciosa resort – the whole town is buried entirely in apple orchards, stretching for many hectares. It is not for nothing that the town is called the “Apple capital of Asturias. This is an ancient city of the country, with numerous historical sites: churches, monasteries, castles, with ancient water mills, which attracts tourists from all over the world. Recreation in Villaviciosa is possible in different ways, for example, in addition to environmental and historical tourism, beach tourism is very developed here. Especially this resort is loved by surfers, there are a lot of surfer schools. The city is famous for its magnificent sandy beaches. The main one is Rodiles beach – Rodiles – the most beautiful in Asturias, it is a kilometer long sandy area, picturesquely framed by dunes, and surrounded on both sides by rocks overgrown with dense forest. The area has all the necessary infrastructure for vacationers: emergency service, cafe, bar, toilets, showers, rent sports equipment, sun loungers and umbrellas. But apart from it, there are also quite good beaches.
Aviles Resort
Aviles Resort is a large city located twenty-three kilometers from Gijon. Quite recently, this port city-resort was considered one of the most polluted European cities, but the city authorities have made tremendous efforts to change the situation qualitatively. Now it is very clean and attractive for tourists. Coast is washed by the waters of the Bay of Biscay, it is quite mountainous, which is not always like the usual holidaymakers, but surfers, this city attracts hundreds. But good beaches, too, are here. Around Aviles, the most favorite surfers beaches are “Arnao” – “Arnao” and “Xago”. To find “Arnao”, you have to go down to it by the stairs, going between the two high rocks. By the way, from the stone terrace stretching over the beach, you have stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding area. Xago Sand and Pebble Beach is surrounded by beautiful mountain cliffs and sand dunes. It has an emergency service. South of the city, stretches a long sandy beach “Salinas” – “Salinas” – a favorite vacation spot of Spaniards and guests of the resort, where life never stops all day long from the beginning of the beach season to its end in October, however, then it does not happen quietly, because instead of vacationers, the beach is filled with numerous fishermen. North of Aviles, there is another half-kilometer beach “Aguilera” – it is the widest in this resort, but it is traditionally chosen for its rest nudists. From the local beach “Concha de Artedo” – “Concha de Artedo”, you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the ocean, shady green valleys and flowering meadows.
Cantabria Region
The Cantabria region is situated in the northern part of mainland Spain, close to the border with France, with its coastline bathed by the waters of the Bay of Biscay. The region is famous for its absolutely stunning mountain scenery, numerous caves, natural parks and beautiful beaches. The weather is not hot: summer temperatures do not exceed twenty-seven degrees. Holidays in the region prefer the Spaniards, the tourists are a rarity. The resort centers of Cantabria are Castro-Urdiales, Santander, Laredo, Suanzes, Santoni and Alto Campo.
Santander Resort
Santander Resort is the capital and most beautiful city of the autonomy. It is a favorite resort of the Spanish royal family, who come here every summer. The city is proud of its magnificent beach area – El Sardinero, which consists of a beautiful promenade and a very wide strip of sand, framed by green palm trees. There are a huge number of comfortable hotels. In the eastern part of the city is a peninsula Magdalena – cultural and entertainment zone with a picturesque park with rides, playgrounds, mini-zoo. There is a casino on the peninsula. The beaches of Magdalena peninsula are marvelous – they are sandy and have the clearest water. For connoisseurs of the beautiful, we recommend to get acquainted with the royal palace “Palacio Real” located here.
Castro Urgiales Resort
Castro Urgiales Resort is a small fishing village known for its mild climate and splendid beaches, as well as its many historic buildings. In the streets of the resort you can see old houses of different epochs and styles. A symbol of the town is the old lighthouse, which can be seen from any street. In this settlement there are several interesting caves, decorated with ancient petroglyphs. The most famous of them is the cave “Peña del Cuco”, its walls are decorated with numerous drawings of ancient people who lived in the Paleolithic period: deer, horses, goats.
Laredo resort
The resort of Laredo is the pearl of Cantabria, one of the best Spanish resorts on the Atlantic Ocean. Here are located delightful beaches, the most beautiful historical part of town, and a high level of service awaits guests of the resort. Holidays in Laredo are chosen by lovers of new and uncharted places, where there is no mass tourism. The beaches of Laredo are some of the best in Spain. Leader among these beaches is “La Salve” – pleasing vacationers with snow-white sand. It is adored by windsurfers. In general, here is a paradise for lovers of outdoor activities. As elsewhere, at the end of this long beach rest nudists. This beach is well equipped: there are cabins for changing, there is an opportunity to rent sports equipment, lifeguard service is on duty. Along the beach there is a promenade with a bunch of souvenir shops, restaurants and bars. The next beach “Regaton”, pleases you with the fact that here you can rent a boat and other watercraft, and even take horseback riding along it.
City of San Sebastian
The city of San Sebastian is undoubtedly the most popular resort center of the northwest coast. It is a fashionable and aristocratic resort located in the Basque Country. San Sebastian is known for its magnificent sandy beaches, the city has three of them: the quietest and cleanest beach “Playa de Hondaretta”, the beach of Gross and the beach “Playa de la Concha” – located next to the Miramar Palace. The structure of all the beaches is sandy, they are washed by the clearest and most transparent waters of the Bay of Biscay. But the rest here – incredibly expensive!
As you know, the resorts of continental Spain are not limited to the Mediterranean coast, the Atlantic coast, too, a lot of interesting and worthy of a beach holiday. True, you have to be prepared that the water there even in the high beach season will be quite invigorating, but it will be many times less crowded.