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The Irish Sun
14-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
The little-known sunshine spot 2.5 hours from Ireland with castle, stunning beaches, cheap pints & €25 Ryanair flights
TAKE a look at the little-known sunshine spot that's just two and a half hours from Ireland with a castle, stunning beaches, cheap pints and €25 Ryanair flights. Santander is a stunning city located in northern Advertisement 4 Santander is one of Spain's most underrated cities Credit: Alamy 4 It overlooks the breathtaking Bay of Biscay Credit: Alamy 4 And there's miles of golden sands with a lively promenade Credit: Alamy The hottest month in Santander is August, but with temperatures already reaching 32C now is an ideal time to visit. Santander is one of And Situated on Spain's northern coast, this fabulous city looks out over the Bay of Biscay – and it attracts thousands of visitors every year with its relaxed atmosphere and sunny weather. Advertisement READ MORE IN TRAVEL The sunshine spot is also one of the more budget-friendly destinations in Spain, offering excellent value for money compared to places popular with Irish tourists like Marbella or Santander lies along a spectacular stretch of coastline, with miles of golden sandy beaches and a lively promenade lined with tapas bars, seafood restaurants and ocean-views. The underrated sunshine spot is also home to some of the region's most scenic This includes Playa del Sardinero and Playa de la Magdalena – both popular for their soft sands, gentle waves and beautiful sunsets over the bay. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Water-based activities are also hugely popular in the warmer months, such as sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding. What's more, tourists can take boat trips to explore secluded coves, spot dolphins and see the rugged Cantabrian coastline from the sea. The sun-soaked Croatian island that's a secret a celeb hot spot For those who prefer to stay on land, there's plenty to do including walking tours of the old town, cycling along the coast and visiting the Mercado del Este. Santander is also a fantastic destination for history lovers. Advertisement There are tons of fascinating sites such as the Palacio de la Magdalena, the imposing Santander Cathedral and the Centro Botín art centre overlooking the harbour. More popular among younger visitors is nearby Bilbao – Santander's livelier neighbour, known for its more vibrant streets and buzzing nightlife, which is just over an hour's drive away. Here you will find more bars, music venues and late-night spots with live DJ sets that continue into the early hours of the morning. Drinks are also well priced in Santander, with Spanish wines and local beers for only €3 and there are happy hour deals in many seaside bars and pubs. Advertisement The city hosts a number of festivals over summer, including the Semana Grande and the Santander International Festival with concerts, theatre and open-air performances. Visitors have shared their experiences exploring the city's castle on TripAdvisor. One person said: 'Located in a privileged place with a spectacular view, the visit is easily done on foot. "Surrounded by gardens, there is also a small park.' Advertisement Another noted: 'The castle and the park are spectacular, as well as the part dedicated to some animal species.' 4 This city is a must-visit this summer Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The Irish Sun
04-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
The little-known 35C Spain sunspot on popular walking route with €2.50 pints and €21.99 Ryanair flights
IF YOU have yet to book your summer getaway and are looking to explore somewhere new, look no further than this little-known town. Molinaseca is a little-known village located in the middle of El Bierzo, 5 The Church of San Nicolas de Bari on the banks of the Meurelo River Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 The streets are narrow and full of beautiful architecture Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 The town is full of historic sites Credit: Getty Images - Getty It's located on the French Way, which is the most popular path of the Camino de Santiago. As a result, it is a must-visit for those on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. The town had just 818 residents in 2010, so is perfect for a relaxing The historic town is full of winding roads and impressive architecture, and is perfect for brightening up your READ MORE IN TRAVEL There is evidence that settlements in the town date back to Roman times, but a Jacobean Route runs linear along the course of the river Meruelo. The town was declared a Historic-Artistic site in 1975, and has become a must- During Roman times, the town was flooded with settlements as the gold mines of Las Medulas were nearby – so many of the roads, causeways and bridges were created as gold trails towards Astorga. You can visit Las Médulas, which was the largest open-pit gold mine during the Roman Empire, and was declared a Cultural Heritage Site in 1996. Most read in Travel The name of Molinaseca translates to 'dry mill' in tribute to people who provided services to the monasteries. Another main attraction in the town is Royal Road, which is known as the main artery of the village. HISTORIC SITES You can take a lovely walk along the road from the Roman Bridge to the Holy Christ high cross, and it also coincides with the route of the Way of Saint James. Historic buildings along this route include Casona de Don Pelegrín, the Palace of the Balboa family, and the cultural heritage site of Palace of Cangas de Pambley. Casona de Don Pelegrín is historic, as Queen Urraca of León used to stay there when she travelled to Galicia. Or head to the Saint Nicholas of Bari Church to admire the history and architecture. Another appeal of the town is the Wine, cecina beef and botillo sausage are three of the most used ingredients in dishes from the El Bierzo region. And even better, you can pick up a Every August, the town holds a water festival in honour of Our Lady of Sorrows and Saint Roch as part of the Semana Grande festivities. The course of the Meruelo river is moved to cross the main street to the Plaza del Rollo. This festival means that locals and The event happens to the backdrop of music from brass bands and is attended by 20,000 to 30,000 people. To get there, you can fly to Santiago de Compostela with It is then a two and a half hour drive to Molinaseca. 5 The Roman bridge over the Meruelo river Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 The historic Molinaseca Pilgrims Bridge Credit: Getty Images - Getty
