Northern Spain advice

[LittleLostThing]

I’m hoping to take dc’s to northern Spain next year, getting the ferry to Santander. I considered it a couple of years ago and I’m sure there were loads of Eurocamp type places within an hour or so drive of Santander. It looks like Eurocamp only does southern Spain now but I can’t find any of the resorts they would have used.

Has anyone been and can recommend somewhere to stay with kids? I was ideally looking for a caravan type place with a pool but wouldn’t mind a villa or even a hotel. I’d like to stay near the coast rather than in the mountains. Has anyone got anywhere that they love to visit out there? T hanks so mucb

Camping Playa Joyel in Noja is brilliant. Amazing beach, great resort, interesting town and loads to do. We've been 4 tines (but took our caravan rather than Eurocamp) and will go back again.

Tip - look into club voyage membership with Brittany Ferries as it can pay for itself in one trip, plus you can email restaurant bookings in advance which saves a world of queueing on board!

Fab, thanks so much trashcan. That was the one we were looking for, it looks like Eurocamp are no longer taking bookings there from this year.

Thanks for the club tip too, I’ll make sure I do that. What kind of cabin do you normally book into? Is it worth doing the upgraded ones? I’ve only ever done Plymouth-Roscoff before so never really needed a cabin.

@LittleLostThing I don't know if it's of any help but you can book Canvas to go to Playa Joel, along with prob other camping companies (Tohapi?) or you could book direct with Playa Joel site.

If you do a search for 'hotels' in Cantabria (or the area you are interested in if it's different) on Trip Advisor you can then filter results under 'Style' and choose 'campgrounds'. This should then show you any Eurocamp-style accommodation in that area.

Playa Joyel is fantastic. The beach is second to none. The river runs past the campsite and you can float down on the current. You're about 45 mins drive from Santander but can get a ferry across from a town near Noja (Pedreña maybe) so will not have to drive. Santander itself is gorgeous. From the ferry drop off to El Sardinero beach is only about 3km and a nice walk. The town centre is also lovely and the people so warm and friendly.

I didn't find Noja that exciting but Isla was prettier and you can wade across the river at low tide. There was a well stocked Lupa supermarket in Noja centre and the campsite shop was reasonable too. The campsite is flat so great for kids cycling around and there is a good playground for older kids. There are no pool slides but the beach and the river are more fun anyway. On the other side of Santander is Santillana del Mar which is a very pretty, very old village and worth a visit. San Sebastian and its wonderful pinchos is also worth a visit. Biarritz is less than three hours from Santander on good roads. I have not yet been to Bilbao but hear it is also lovely. I think you will have plenty to do here, if you can bear to leave Noja's fabulous beach!