The views offered by many of Spain’s most fascinating promenades are incomparable. The smell of the sea and the promise of a walk often provide a little diversion from monotony and stress. Some of them are even a work of art in themselves. Thinking back, how many of these wonders have you walked through?
Asturias is one of Spain’s most charming provinces: picture-postcard towns, an excellent gastronomy, beaches where you can get lost… So it is impossible not to enjoy one of Spain’s most fascinating promenades.
The one chosen is the Paseo del Muro in Gijón. It runs along the emblematic beach of San Lorenzo, thanks to its almost two kilometres. The church of San Pedro in the background embellishes the picture even more. The beach is divided by steps from number 0, called “La Cantábrica” and located behind the church, to number 16, where it ends at the Piles River. It is also crossed by the pilgrims of the Northern Way to Santiago on their way through Gijón.
The Paseo del Muro runs eastwards leaving the beach behind, reaching the coastal path of the Cervigón. It is a sea route that leads to other beaches such as Peñarrubia or Rinconín.
When we talk about San Sebastián one of the images that comes to mind is the Paseo de La Concha and the famous beach of the same name. As in the previous case, it is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Northern Way. In the capital of Guipúzcoa, the Basque Country, you can find this picturesque walk, which is characterized by its spectacular street lights and white handrails.
The bay, as its name reveals, is shaped like a shell. It joins the beaches of Ondarreta and La Concha. That is, it runs from Mount Igueldo to Mount Urgull. In the middle is the island of Santa Clara. The La Concha walk can be done on foot or by bike. It is one of the promenades that surprise with its beautiful surroundings.
Cádiz is one of those cities that when you visit them you know it will not be the last time. This city always leaves you wanting more. There is no better plan than to walk through the Campo del Sur and see its cathedral in the background, a colourful range that combines different structures of the old town. Walking along the maritime avenue, you can get to know the soul of the city and enjoy the sunsets offered by the Tacita de Plata.
The fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera, in Cantabria, is popular thanks to its contrast of landscapes between the sea and the mountains. The estuaries of Rubín and Pombo, the mountains of the Picos de Europa, the old town… The promenade as such may not make an instant impact, but its views leave your mouth open.
Furthermore, from the promenade you can reach the bridge of La Maza, from which you can enjoy the scene drawn by the estuary of San Vicente. The colourful boats on the calm waters, the houses and the church of Santa María de los Ángeles are an essential part of one of the most fascinating promenades in Spain.
The promenade of La Coruña holds the title of being the longest in Europe. It has 13 and a half kilometres of promenade that runs between San Antón and El Portiño. It has many areas of interest that take us through monuments, beaches and cliffs.
One of these areas of interest is the Paseo de los Menhires, where you can stop to see the 12 sculptures called “Menhirs for Peace”. Each of them has openings behind which you can discover incredible views.
Another point not to be missed on La Coruña’s promenade is the Tower of Hercules, an unmistakable symbol of the city. It is also one of the most outstanding lighthouses in the country. As it is such a long walk, there are different areas fitted out according to the section. There are some to enjoy on foot, others to go by bicycle, others through which the tram passes… The route continues after passing the beaches of Orzán and Riazor.
This pedestrian route also gives us its modernist red street lights composed of four enamels that allude to moments in the history of the city, related to the area in which they are located. Thus, those located around the Tower of Hercules focus on the Roman lighthouse.
Las Canteras beach, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is the most significant urban beach on the island of Gran Canaria. Located in the same capital, its sand and waters are enjoyed throughout the year by thousands of tourists and Canarians thanks to the constant and pleasant temperatures. The beach is also protected from the currents thanks to a natural barrier popularly known as “la barra”. You can swim to it from the shore at low tide.
The promenade is a long way from the Alfredo Kraus auditorium to the area called “la Puntilla“. Along the promenade you can enjoy the areas into which the beach is divided, watching the surfers in La Cícer, savouring the Canarian gastronomy in the restaurants of the avenue or photographing the landscape that makes up the colourful boats in “la Puntilla”.
The Explanada de España runs parallel to the Marina of Alicante. Although it is only half a kilometre long, more than six million three-coloured marble tesserae have been installed there. This esplanade, built in the 20th century, forms a mosaic that evokes the waves of the sea and their movements.
Along the promenade flanked by palm trees are important buildings such as the Royal Casino or the Casa Carbonell. At the sides of the promenade there are usually stalls selling handicrafts and typical products. The Explanada de España thus becomes a true cultural centre located near the Postiguet beach.
