Northern Spain family holiday destinations?

I'd recommend Ribadesella. Small town, everything walkable but lively with enough to keep you busy, good beginner friendly surf beach with surf schools, lodges etc. And just a short hop up the river to the Picos and mountain activities. It's nicely lively, got the feeling that most of the tourists were spaniards, with people walking though on the camino de santiago,

We've done family hols involving cities (San Sebastian, St Jean de Luz both good,  Bilbao) but maybe for a relaxing beachy summer hol I'd go small town.

Zarautz, we stayed in a campsite at the eastern end of town. Gran camping I think.
Good surf, loads of pinchos bars in town and a short hop on the train to San Sebastian.

The ferry over, while expensive is a great experience, think of it as a one day cruise, complete with abba tribute band (other tribute bands are available)

We stayed at the same campsite in Zarautz for a week last summer and had a great week there, did a couple of gravel rides which had some fantastic views and we will definitely be going back

I’d recommend Ribadesella. Small town, everything walkable but lively with enough to keep you busy, good beginner friendly surf beach with surf schools, lodges etc. And just a short hop up the river to the Picos and mountain activities. It’s nicely lively, got the feeling that most of the tourists were spaniards, with people walking though on the camino de santiago,

And Ribadasella hosts the massive and crazy Descenso Internacional del rio Sella canoe race.  Done it twice.... an experience.

Zarautz, Getaria, Comillas, Carstro Urdiales... are places I'd return to. Santander is a port and a dump IMHO, I can't get out of the place fast enough, Somo is better but wouldn't be my choice.  I've walked the coast a couple of times, smaller is generally better.

Stayed in Santander, Potes and Comillas summer hols last year. It was a fantastic holiday.

Highlights for sure was the walking in the Picos de Europa, particularly the Cares gorge.

I didn't think Santander was a dump at all - yes it's a city but a rather lovely one I thought.

https://lagasurfcamp.com/en/laga-surf-camp/

These guys teach at Laga (lovely beach break just outside of Gernika). I've had lessons with them at they are all great.

Zumaia also has a surf school, we stayed at a nice place on top of the hill just outside town - lovely place, but possibly a bit far out of town if you don't have a car (it's about a 20min walk, downhill heading in, but uphill heading back...)

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Santa+Klara+-+Bed+and+Breakfast/ @43.2929932,-2.2685156,15z/data=!4m20!1m8!3m7!1s0xd51cf7a6eaa626d:0x92e5ef88999021a!2s20750+Zumaia,+Gipuzkoa!3b1!8m2!3d43.2988236!4d-2.256885!16zL20vMDNtOXh6!3m10!1s0xd51cf7745ef2c7d:0xf710960e71c0f9b8!5m4!1s2024-07-19!2i2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d43.2953643!4d-2.267657!16s%2Fg%2F1tfkmhlc?entry=ttu

Zarautz, Sopelana, Plentzia. Homdaribbia, Gernika.

You can see Santa Clara from the Compostelle route, Mogrim, you  probably saw lots of pilgrims walking along the road below. We drop down to the restaurants in Zumai when staying in Askizu on the hill opposite. Nice place but not the best surfing spot. Gernika is another place pilgrims flee - expensive poor quality accomodation and the apologetic tourist office knows it. A good day out on an MTB is the coastal path from Zarautz to Deba and return on the Compostelle route.

I don't see the problem with citing places I haven't liked, we all have our own criteria and opinions. Some people love Birmingham. 😉

Nice place but not the best surfing spot

I was there for a trail race - I have no idea how good the surfing is, just noticed there was a school there (and the sea had some decent waves).

If the OP ends up in the Basque Country, I'd highly recommend getting the coastal train into Bilbao for a day. It's a lovely trip on a track that winds its way along the coast, and Bilbao itself is wonderful.

Thanks all. I don't think I've made much progress choosing. Lots of suggested towns look lovely - Ribadesella and Castro Urdiales are looking good. We're going for 10 days, will rent a car and planning to stay in an apartment (looking for one on Airbnb) rather than driving & camping.

@dogbone thanks for the specific surf school recommendation; and @mogrim thanks for the train-to-Bilbao tip.

Frankly I would recommend somewhere in Asturias as people above have mentioned.

But just for some balance, Valdovino near Ferrol in Galicia has a surf school and Galicia has great food in general.

But I'd go to Asturias!

You need to bear in mind that the surfing is quite weather dependant and not guaranteed at all spots in Summer. We've walked for weeks on end on  without seeing a wave worth riding on the Cantabrian and Asturian coasts. And if there are waves not all beaches are suitable for beginners every day. Many have webcams to help you decide such as:

https://www.vision-environnement.com/livecams/webcam.php?webcam=zumaia

When Madame takes the school kids surfing she goes to Hendaye with its beginner friendly beach after phoning the surf school to see if conditions are suitable.

https://gosurf.fr/webcam/fr/8/Hendaye-Plage-du-Casino-et-des-Jumeaux

Looks perfect today.

+1 for Ribadesella being really nice (restaurants there are top notch) - can't I remember seeing any surfing going on there though.

Llanes nearby seemed like the prime surf location.

Just got back from our trip to Zarautz which was a perfect town for us to stay in: beautiful beach; lovely atmosphere in town; a fun fiesta while we were there; good surf lessons; and plenty of good food and wine. Many thanks to those who suggested it.