view image gallery

view Region video

Costa Verde Overview

Set on Spain’s northern coast, at the base of the Bay of Biscay, the lush Costa Verde (or Green Coast) is always a popular choice with Eurocamp customers. While it is perfectly possible to drive through France to get here, many people choose the ferry routes from Plymouth to Santander and from Portsmouth to Bilbao and Santander.

In fact these 20-24 hour mini-cruises are a big part of the enjoyment for many Eurocampers, especially as our parc at Noja is just a further 15 minute ferry ride from Santander.

Once here you will find that Noja is an extremely attractive little town with buildings that date back as far as 978AD, with a glorious location between the Brusco point and the Quejo estuary. It is one of the loveliest towns on the Costa Verde, with one of the finest stretches of beach in all Cantabria, on a coastline that stretches all the way through the Basque region until it joins with France.

The Cantabrian mountains form an impressive backdrop to the entire Costa Verde, and there are many opportunities for hiking and cycling here, amidst this lush and splendid environment.

Of course, Bilbao and Santander are also more than just ferry ports. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is particularly unmissable, as not only does it contain some quite astonishing artworks, the museum itself is one of the most striking pieces of modern architecture you will ever see.

Across the whole Costa Verde you will also find many examples of great Spanish cuisine, but for a real flavour of this lush region, try Fabada, the region's classic white bean and pork stew, accompanied by a glass of dry, apple Sidra.

Why not take a look at the other regions for camping in Spain before you choose your campsite

Places to visit - Sightseeing

Spain’s Green Coast is so much more than simply a stopping-off point; it offers a rich history and quite stunning scenery, together with some fascinating towns and cities:

Bilbao
While it is best known for modernist gems such as the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao is also home to a wealth of stunning Gothic architecture including the lovely 15th century Cathedral of St James. An unmissable, cosmopolitan city all round.

Santander
A bustling port city which is also the capital of Cantabria, Santander also offers museums of Fine Art, Archaeology and Pre-History, together with its conversation-piece cathedral, built from two conjoined 13th century churches.

Santoña
This ancient port is still a major part of Spain’s fishing industry and offers not just a delightful old town area, but also access to the marshy plains that form the Nature Reserve of the Marshes of Santoña, Victoria and Joyel, in the shadow of Mount Buciero.

Liendo
While many visitors come to Liendo for the famous San Juliana beach, Liendo also has a number of interesting sites to visit, including 17th century church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, the Los Tomillos cave, and the ancestral home of Joseph Albo.

Laredo
One of the most popular tourist towns on the Costa Verde, Laredo offers visitors a charming old village area, as well as many grand 16th century homes within its picturesque streets and the delightful church of Santa María de la Asunción.

Noja
Combining modern amenities with historic architecture, it’s little wonder that Noja is so popular with those camping on the Costa Verde. Not only is the beach superb, there are many sights to enjoy here, including the grand Palace of Castañeda Quintana.

Santillana del Mar
One of the best-preserved medieval towns in all of Spain, Santillana del Mar really does take you back in time, with its wealth of cobbled streets and sleepy atmosphere. It’s worth the trip for the Romanesque Colegiata Church alone.

San Sebastian
Just a short drive away, you will find the elegant resort of San Sebastian, in the heart of Basque country, where you will find not just splendid beaches and a friendly atmosphere, but also an entirely different language and culture.

Great for younger kids

Santillana del Mar Zoo
A delightful zoo that takes conservation issues very seriously, here you will see some of the world’s rarest primates in a tropical jungle setting, as well as lions, tigers and bears. Younger guests will also enjoy the petting zoo here.

Cabarceno Animal Park
An unusual animal park, set amidst the former mines of Sierra de Carbarga, the zoo offers the chance to see hyenas, bison, jaguars, tigers and hippos, as well as to enjoy sea lion and bird of prey shows.

Great for older kids

Karting Los Molinos
Always popular with teens as well as adults, this impressive karting facility offers the chance to drive 270cc superkarts around a challenging 525m long outdoor track. Definitely one for speed demons only.

Places to visit - Activities & events

Surfing
Less well-known than the beaches of the Vendée, the beaches of the Costa Verde still benefit from the huge Atlantic rollers that hit the entire Bay of Biscay, and you will find tuition and surfboards for hire at many beaches here.

Golf
The verdant countryside of the Costa Verde allows the creation of courses that are much like Scottish links courses, but with the added bonus of endless sunshine. Both Gijon and Oviedo offer a choice of excellent courses.

Horse riding
The gentle scenery of the Costa Verde is ideal riding country, and you will find a number of equestrian centres offering both instruction and organised pony treks here.

Hiking
The Picos de Europa was the first National Park to be created in Spain, and it offers walkers not just a choice of easy trails, but also dramatic scenery and the chance to see creatures such as chamois and vultures in their natural habitat.

Unmissable events on the Costa Verde

International Jazz Festival, Getxo
Held in early July for more than 30 years now, this highly respected jazz festival attracts a stellar cast of musicians such as David Sanborn and Dave Douglas.

Bilbao Live Festival
Usually held in early July, this international pop and rock festival goes from strength to strength, attracting world-famous acts such as Coldplay, Metallica and the Kaiser Chiefs in recent years.

Festival Internacional de Santander
One of Europe’s most cultured festivals for more than 60 years, the Festival Internacional de Santander hosts a wealth of classical and operatic productions every August.

Fiestas in Noja
They love their fiestas here, and you can enjoy the fun of no less than five spectacular fiestas in Noja every year between the end of June and the end of August. Just watch out for the signs around the town.

Places to visit - Eating out

Offering the contrasting cuisines of mountain and coast, the Costa Verde has a number of enjoyable specialities for you to discover:

• Fabada – A delicious bean and sausage stew containing butter beans, oak-smoked sausages, ham hock, chorizo and morcilla.
• Oricio – Sea urchin, which is often cooked with garlic, but can occasionally be found served raw.
• Cabrales – The famous blue cheese of the Costa Verde is quite delicious and can be found in many dishes here, even being melted onto steaks.
• Wine – You can never go wrong if it says Rioja on the label, so the wines here are guaranteed to be excellent, whether red or white.

Campsites in region