The storms and the cold have their days numbered, but we resist saying goodbye to them. What better way to bid them farewell than by choosing four small boutique villages in Green Spain, each with over 100 years of tourism tradition, thermal waters, and all the charm of a glorious past, to spend the last days of winter?
Zestoa, Gipuzkoa (Basque Country)
Where is it?
On the banks of the Urola River, nestled in a valley surrounded by large granite mountains. It is located in the lush green meadows and scattered farmhouses of Gipuzkoa, yet just a ten-minute drive from the fishing, portside, and idyllic Gipuzkoa of Zumaia, with its beaches and cliffs.
A bit of history
Legend has it that the discovery of the healing properties of the waters of Zestoa is owed to the Marquis of San Millán, who in 1760 noticed that his dogs, suffering from mange, were cured after bathing in warm water pools. A few years later, in 1804, the spa was founded—one of Spain’s pioneers and a rarity in the Basque Country at the time. In fact, Zestoa’s spa is considered the first 100% tourist-oriented establishment created in the Basque Country, laying the foundation for what was then called the ‘foreigner industry.’ Decades before seawater bathing became fashionable, warm sulfurous waters were already capable of transforming the destiny and reputation of an entire town.
What to do in Zestoa
– Just two kilometers away, the Ekain Cave is one of Prehistory’s great sanctuaries of rock art and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ekainberri, an exact replica of the original cave, allows visitors to explore its treasures.
If you follow the Urola River upstream, you’ll reach Azpeitia, home to the Sanctuary of Loyola, a fragment of Baroque Rome nestled between granite mountains.
– If you follow the river downstream, you’ll arrive at the fishing town of Zumaia, the gateway to the fascinating coastal flysch of the Basque Coast, a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Puente Viesgo (Cantabria)
Where is it located?
In a rural and pastoral part of Cantabria, with a stately touch, just a few kilometers from the Bay of Santander and the Cantabrian Highway. It sits on the banks of the Pas River at the foot of a pyramid-shaped mountain that holds a few treasures within—Mount Castillo.
A bit of history
Years before Santander became a destination for royal summer retreats, this small rural town emerged as a tourist hotspot. It happened in 1862 when the waters of the spa were declared of public utility, attracting tourists eager for the cool climate of northern Spain, the tranquility of green Cantabria, and the wellness benefits of spa establishments. The discovery of cave paintings in the Mount Castillo cave complex in the early 20th century further amplified its fame.
At the end of the 20th century, Puente Viesgo (and its peaceful atmosphere) once again made headlines. The Spanish national football team chose the Cantabrian town as a training and preparation site before their matches. Some of the players who spent long periods at the foot of Mount Castillo would later go on to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
What to do in Puente Viesgo
– Stroll through Puente Viesgo to discover its monuments, such as the Fuentes Pila mansion, the old train station, or its Neo-Romanesque church. Walk along the banks of the Pas River, one of the great salmon rivers of the north.
Visit the Mount Castillo cave complex, which consists of four caves recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Two of them—the Cueva de las Monedas and the Cueva del Castillo—are open to visitors, as well as the Cantabria Cave Art Center Alberto I of Monaco.
Cycle (or walk) along the Pas Greenway Natural Trail, which follows the route of a modest narrow-gauge train that once connected the coastal town of Astillero with Ontaneda in the Pas Valley, serving the local communities.
Las Caldas (Asturias)
Where is it located?
Just a few kilometers south of Oviedo, at the foothills of Asturias’ mountainous interior, Las Caldas is a charming spa town that has been welcoming visitors for over 200 years. It is nestled in a broad valley dotted with meadows, through which the Nalón River flows.
A bit of history
Las Caldas is home to one of Spain’s oldest modern spas, founded in 1776. Not only that, but its design was created by the renowned architect Ventura Rodríguez, one of the most famous figures in 18th-century architecture, known for landmarks such as Madrid’s Cibeles and Neptune fountains and the Royal Post Office in Puerta del Sol. The spa was established to harness the benefits of the area’s natural thermal waters—rich in carbonates and trace elements, with a temperature of 40°C. From its inception until well into the 19th century, the spa enjoyed a golden age, and many of its original buildings, including the casino and grand dining halls, have been preserved to this day.
What to do in Las Caldas
– In Las Caldas, you can canoe several kilometers along the Nalón River all the way to the town of Trubia. This stretch of the river offers a diverse landscape, with sections of strong currents, small rapids, and calm waters.
The town is also home to the Municipal Golf Course, featuring 18 holes set among the mountains.
– From Las Caldas, you can cycle (or walk or skate…) all the way to Oviedo (a 10-kilometer route with a slight uphill incline) via the Fuso de la Reina Greenway, a perfect, car-free path.
A Toxa Island, Pontevedra (Galicia)
Where is it located?
On an idyllic island in a unique coastal setting, so diverse that every few kilometers you’ll encounter a mountain, a marsh, or a fishing village. A Toxa Island is bathed by the waters of the Arousa estuary and has been connected to the mainland for over a century by a bridge.
A bit of history:
Around the year 1840, the medicinal alkaline waters and mud of this then-remote island, located in the municipality of O Grove, began to be exploited. This led to the development of a 19th-century tourist complex that has evolved into what it is today, featuring a golf course, a casino, a congress center, and residential areas. For nearly 200 years, A Toxa has served as a retreat along the Galician coast, a place to relax, slow down, and enjoy the surroundings and views. Despite its small size, the island boasts a 9-hole golf course, several beaches, a marina, and high-end hotels.
What to do in A Toxa:
– First and foremost, explore it on foot: every road on A Toxa is accompanied by a sidewalk, making it an ideal place to be discovered by walking. This also helps maintain the island’s peaceful and idyllic atmosphere.
A must-visit is the only religious building in Spain that is entirely covered with scallop shells—the famous Chapel of the Shells.
A Toxa belongs to the municipality of O Grove, where every autumn the popular Seafood Festival is held, recognized as an event of National Tourist Interest. Needless to say, it is one of the must-attend events in Galicia’s gastronomic calendar. In 2025, it will take place from October 2 to October 12.
