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Castro Urdiales is a destination for Americans interested in an Old-World, European lifestyle in a medieval setting—at a fraction of what you’d expect to spend.
The city is in northern Spain, in the autonomous community of Cantabria, situated on the Bay of Biscay. The nearest airport is in Bilbao, 26 kilometers away (16 miles).
It has centuries-old streets filled with small restaurants and bars. This medieval Spanish coastal city, often simply called Castro, is an ancient port city on Spain’s rugged north coast.
You’ve read about Spain’s overbuilt southern and eastern coasts. North Americans largely ignore the north in comparison.
Castro is a town with an old harbor protected by a stone wall. There is a long promenade for pedestrians along the shore. A massive stone church overlooks the harbor and the town.
The Romans founded Castro Urdiales in the year 74. The church is new by comparison, built in 1208. Being a part of this kind of history is second nature to most Europeans, but it’s mind-boggling to a lot of Americans.
