Cantabria is one of the most attractive, surprising and diverse regions of Spain’s geography. Located on the coast of the same name, the region combines exceptional gastronomy with spectacular scenery, traditional pastimes and unique adventures. Want to know what to visit in Cantabria?
What are the best plans to do in Cantabria?
There’s very little you can’t do at this diverse destination. Together Santander and Cantabria make an amazing duo, whatever visitors are looking for. There are very few destinations as well-rounded and charismatic this close to you.
Cantabria offers a whole host of opportunities including spectacular beaches with stunning sunsets worthy of the best holiday brochures. At Cantabria’s beaches you’ll also be able to enjoy a wide range of water sports and activities. At La Horadada Sailing Club, for example, you can try windsurfing, canoeing and much more.
And of course enjoying delicious food and drink at the region’s many outdoor terraces and beach bars all forms part of the Cantabrian charm. Cantabrian anchovies are a famed delicacy, but they’re not the only local delight on offer. Ordering a portion of fried squid at Santander’s Balneario de La Magdalena is a veritable boccato di cardinale.
For fans of hiking, trekking and cycling (or even cross-country running), Cantabria’s spectacular landscapes are sure to leave you breathless. The region’s natural beauty encompasses unique rock formations, incredible coastline and fascinating nature reserves such as Cabárceno.
In Cantabria’s Pasiegos Valleys you’ll find enchanting, timeless traditions combined with stunning natural and manmade scenery. Unforgettable experiences and beautiful handmade crafts to take home with you! Local craft markets and charismatic flea markets rub shoulders with boutiques and large multi-brand retail spaces.
There are also plenty of options to enjoy nightlife in Cantabria. Whether having fun with new friends or dancing ‘til dawn at the region’s many clubs and pubs, a great time is guaranteed. Are you a lover of live music and culture? In Santander and Cantabria you’ll find a vibrant cultural scene.
From Suances to Comillas, culture in Cantabria is everywhere. Make sure you don’t miss a thing!
Top 10 sites to visit in Cantabria
1. Cabarceno Natural Park
The Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno is an impressive natural space located in the Pisueña Valley, about 20 kilometres from Santander. This 750-hectare park is home to more than one hundred animal species from the five continents, which are found in semi-liberty in an impressive natural environment. In addition to the animals, the park has several lakes, trails, and viewpoints from which you can enjoy spectacular views.
It is an ideal place for nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts.
2. Gerra Beach
Gerra Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches to see in Cantabria. Located in a natural park, this white sand beach with crystal clear waters offers a spectacular landscape that contrasts with the mountains that surround it. In this natural park, you will also find the Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno, where you can see animals in semi-liberty.
In addition, on the Gerra beach, there are several hiking trails that will allow you to explore the natural park and discover its flora and fauna.
3. San Vicente de la Barquera
San Vicente de la Barquera is a fishing village located on the western coast of Cantabria. With an impressive golden sand beach, this town also has a 13th-century castle and a 12th-century Romanesque church. The town is full of manor houses and cobbled streets, and it is an ideal place to walk around and discover its hidden corners.
Enjoy the seafaring atmosphere that is breathed in every corner, which makes it a very authentic place.
4. Altamira Caves
The Altamira Caves are a group of caves located near Santillana del Mar that house the oldest and best-preserved cave paintings in Europe. The paintings date back more than 20,000 years and show animals and human figures. Due to the fragility of the caves, it is currently not possible to visit the original cave, but you can visit a replica that recreates the paintings and the environment in which they are found with great precision.
Once there, you can soak up the history not only of the area, but also of Spain and the stories that the Altamira Caves tell through the cave paintings.
Once there, you can soak up the history not only of the area, but also of Spain and the stories that the Altamira Caves tell through the cave paintings.Enjoy this opportunity to unravel the prehistoric era of the Iberian Peninsula. Get your early-bird tickets on the official website of Las Cuevas de Altamira.
5. Santillana del Mar
Santillana del Mar is a beautiful mediaeval village in the centre of Cantabria. Its cobbled streets and stately houses make it one of the most beautiful villages in the region. Despite its name, Santillana is not near the sea, but this does not detract from its charm. In the town, you can visit several historic buildings such as the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, the Tower of Don Borja and the Palace of the Velarde family. Santillana del Mar is also an ideal place to enjoy Cantabrian gastronomy and shop for typical products.
It is known as the city of the three lies: it is neither holy, nor is it flat, nor does it have a sea. However, it is impossible not to include this beautiful town in the cobbled streets.
6. Comillas
Comillas is a charming seaside town on the northern coast of the region. It is known for its modernist architecture, especially the Pontifical University of Comillas and the Capricho de Gaudí, an impressive building designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí.
In addition to these iconic buildings, in Comillas you can enjoy beautiful beaches such as Comillas beach, Oyambre beach and Gerra beach, which we mentioned at the beginning of the article. You can also visit the Torre del Infantado, a 14th century fortification located in the centre of the town.
In the surroundings of Comillas, there are several places of interest worth visiting. A few kilometres away is the Oyambre Nature Reserve, a protected area with impressive biodiversity and panoramic views of the sea and mountains.
7. Castro Urdiales
This town on the eastern coast of Cantabria is a real architectural treasure. The church of Santa María de la Asunción, the castle of Santa Ana and the chapel of San Juan are just some of the monuments you can visit. In addition, its beaches and natural landscapes are a delight for the senses and make Castro Urdiales an unforgettable destination.
A neo-Gothic, neo-Mudejar and neo-Arabic centre where you can visit the architecture and natural landscapes that surround this town. A visit not to be missed on your list.
8. Nacimiento del río Asón
The source of the river Asón is a spectacle of nature not to be missed. Located in the town of Soba, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the mountain from where the river rises and contemplate the 70-metre-high waterfall. There are also hiking trails in the surrounding area to explore the surroundings and discover other places of interest.
Nature is a key factor in the entire Cantabrian region, but the source of the river Asón is one of those places that will not leave you indifferent when you see the mountain ranges and mountains full of fauna and flora that surround the place.
9. Sequoia Forest in Monte Cabezón
If you are a lover of nature and hiking routes, the Sequoia Forest of Monte Cabezón is a must-see. This forest is a true natural paradise where you can admire the impressive sequoias, some of which are more than 40 metres high. It is an ideal place to disconnect and enjoy nature with family or friends.
Lose yourself in this forest where you can go hiking, picnic and have an unforgettable time.
10. Santander, the capital of Cantabria
Santander is a city that has it all: beaches, monuments, culture and nature. Its tourist attractions include the famous Sardinero beach, one of the most beautiful in Spain, with a wide range of tourist services and a wide variety of water activities. But Santander not only offers beaches and monuments, it also has a wide cultural offer, with numerous museums, art galleries and theatres.
The city is known for its music festivals, such as Santander Music or the Heineken Jazzaldia, which attract thousands of visitors every year.
Cantabria has a lot to offer
As you can see, Cantabria has emblematic places that you can’t miss when visiting. If you still have time and are eager to visit more, we have 15 other places that will leave you in awe.
Liebana Valley and La Hermida Gorge, whose impressive and rugged charm includes a formidable route.
The El Soplao cave, exploring this natural wonder extending to over 20 kilometres makes for a truly unforgettable experience.
The Picos de Europa mountain range and Fuente Dé cable car boast stunning views from an altitude of more than 1850 metres above sea level.
Potes, an obligatory stop on your visit, close to the previous sites in Cantabria.
Costa Quebrada, where wild beaches and rugged cliffs await adventurous visitors.
Santoña Bay and the trail to Faro del Caballo offer unparalleled swimming and hiking opportunities.
The mediaeval castle of Argüeso, also known as the castle of San Vicente, is an essential stop on Cantabria’s cultural trail.
The Roman archaeological site of Julióbriga is considered Cantabria’s principal Roman settlement.
The Villapresente maze in Reocín is a surprising and different form of fun, just half an hour from the capital.
Valderredible and its rock-hewn churches including Arroyuelos, Cadalso and Santa María de Valverde.
Bárcena Mayor, a delightful mountain town in the Saja Besaya Nature Reserve on the banks of the River Argoza.
Suances, one of Cantabria’s many gems with its beaches, viewpoints, monumental town sign and many more idyllic corners.
The lighthouse of Caballo in Santoña, do you dare to climb to the top?
Liérganes with its unforgettable classical architecture.
Mogrovejo, one of Cantabria’s most charming towns.
Come to see Cantabria!
Now you know what to see in Cantabria, you know what an idyllic destination it makes for any visitor. The endless activities and leisure options on offer are only rivalled by the region’s spectacular landscapes and quality accommodation.
If you’re looking for a truly unique escape, few destinations can equal Cantabria. What are you waiting for? Book your accommodation in Cantabria. Check out Fidalsa Holidays now! Book fantastic villas and holiday homes in delightful Cantabria’s top destinations.
