Spain Tourism Monocle
Green spain – reimagining España
Another look
A celebration of four regions
Spain has been a leading travel destination for so long that it’s easy to assume that it’s a known quantity. Yet it’s a country that has an inexhaustible capacity to surprise. Here, we herald the lush, verdant wonders of the often overlooked “Green Spain”.
1.
Galicia – Unknown pleasures
Bordering Portugal to the south, Galicia is a verdant paradise where the Atlantic Ocean crashes into one of Europe’s most spectacular coastlines – yet it remains largely off the radar of foreign tourists. Prepare to be surprised by its powerhouse design scene, creative cuisine and welcoming residents.
Known for its vast, deserted beaches and towering cliffs, Galicia has attracted a young crowd that is keen to soak up the benefits of the great outdoors. Over the past couple of years, the region’s natural beauty has also drawn in a creative group of entrepreneurs who are bolstering the region’s green credentials. Among Galicia’s thriving design scene is Sargadelos, the sustainable ceramics co-operative behind Estrella Galicia’s jaunty, handcrafted beer pumps. Meanwhile, at chef Iago Pazos’s Abastos 2.0 restaurant in the regional capital of Santiago de Compostela, the menu is always based around the catch of the day. Why not work up an appetite with a swim under the watch of the wind turbines that whir reassuringly along the coastline?
2.
Asturias – Gourmand’s paradise
Known as the Costa Verde (“Green Coast”), Asturias boasts beautiful lakes, wild countryside and hundreds of unspoilt beaches. Whales are often seen bathing close to land from traditional fishing villages where you’ll find some of Spain’s most delicious food, including fabada bean stew.
Most Spaniards travel to the autonomous community of Asturias for the food – and for good reason. But the mountainous region boasts plenty of other attractions for the curious traveller too. Nestled in between the Cantabrian mountain range in the south and the Atlantic in the north, Asturias is also home to a host of stunning natural wonders. La Posada de Babel in Llanes, which offers 10 hotel rooms and three apartments, is the perfect place from which to explore them. After all, its rustic finca is surrounded by more than 14,000 sq m of lush meadows and the dramatic Cantabrian sea. Those hoping to visit some of Green Spain’s most striking destinations won’t be disappointed.
3.
Cantabria – Simple pleasures
Cantabria has it all. The lush forests that cover the mountains of the Picos de Europa National Park descend all the way to the sea. The regional capital, Santander, is home to one of Europe’s most beautiful urban beaches. And it’s a magnet for some of Spain’s brightest entrepreneurs too.
Perched on the Iberian peninsula’s northern coast, Cantabria has a unique, rugged appeal. Hiking trails and skiing resorts make this region a natural choice for travellers looking for some action and adventure. If, on the other hand, what you’re after is deep relaxation, you can take a boat trip out to the Playa de el Puntal – an idyllic sliver of beach that juts like a finger into the Bay of Santander. Given the region’s abundance of nature, it’s no surprise that Cantabria is also home to a host of green producers and sustainable enterprises. For example, new supermarket chain El Súper de los Pastores sells products that are sourced directly from the region’s farmers.
4.
Basque Country – Ripe for rediscovery
The Basque Country, northern Spain’s best-known region, never fails to inspire and enjoys a loyal following of return visitors. Surfers, adventurers and those hungry for culture and fine cuisine flock here for an authentic slice of life on one of Spain’s most exciting stretches of coastline.
While San Sebastián’s bar-hopping pintxos trail is certainly worth a tour, the region is also home to a wealth of green pastures, cliffs and forests. Nature plays a significant part in the daily lives of the Basque Country’s residents, many of whom spend their weekends going for a clifftop hike or sunbathing on a nearby sandy beach. This sense of closeness to the wilderness explains why so many of San Sebastián’s businesses prioritise the environment, with brands such as Pukas surfboards and fashion label Cecé, for example, proudly putting their green credentials front and centre. As sustainability becomes increasingly important to businesses around the world, we could all benefit from taking a page or two out of San Sebastián’s book.
