Apartments in Cantabria

What to see and do in Cantabria

If there is something that characterizes Cantabria, it is the green of its landscapes and the beauty of its beaches and cliffs. This region in northern Spain has a great cultural, natural and sports offer.

15 km from Santander is the Cabárceno Nature Park , an essential visit to do in Cantabria. It is a natural space where more than a hundred animals from the five continents live in semi-freedom. You can also attend shows of raptor flight techniques and sea lion demonstrations.

In the Liébana region, in the heart of the Picos de Europa , is the Fuente Dé Cable Car . It places the traveler at an altitude of 1823 meters above a glacial valley, making it an exceptional viewpoint over the Liébana Valley.

Another good option to do in Cantabria is an excursion to Santillana del Mar. In this beautiful town are the Altamira Caves , listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, which contain Paleolithic rock art.

Santillana del Mar has been part of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain since 2013, due to its center of cobblestone streets and traditional Cantabrian houses with wooden balconies full of flowers. We recommend visiting the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana or the Velarde Palace .

Another cave of great interest is Cueva El Soplao , of great geological value, with large surfaces of stalactites, stalagmites and eccentrics that combine to create a unique play of colors and sensations.

In the Bay of Santander we can find towns of extraordinary beauty and great heritage, such as Santander or Maliaño . You can take boat routes through the Bay of Santander, from which you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the seafront, the Magdalena Palace, Mouro Island or Puntal. There are also regular boat routes to visit Puntal Beach or the nearby towns of Somo and Pedreña .

In the capital, Santander, there is much to see. For example, a must-see is the Magdalena Palace . It is a large park that includes Los Bikinis beach , the Embarcadero Real and the Cerda Lighthouse , as well as the Magdalena Palace , which can be visited inside.

An essential visit to do in Cantabria if you want to know the fishing history, as well as the underwater natural environments, is the Cantabrian Maritime Museum . The so-called “cultural ring of Santander ” is made up of this and the city's Interpretation Centers , the Cathedral , the Museum of Prehistory and Archeology or the Botín Center . All of them museums that you cannot miss on a visit to the Cantabrian capital.

The Ethnographic Museum of Cantabria is located in the town of Muriedas. It is one of the most important in the province and is made up of more than 1,700 pieces that show us traditional Cantabrian ethnography.

In Santander there are also some of the best beaches with fine golden sand, such as El Sardinero , La Magdalena , Bikinis , El Camello , Los Peligros or Mataleñas . Around Santander you can find various coves of great beauty, such as La Arnía , Covachos , or Somocuevas .

A few kilometers from Santander is the so-called Costa Quebrada , a coastal stretch of just over 10 km, with cliffs, islets, dunes, inlets and coves. The most famous beach of all those found in this area is Valdearenas Beach , located within the Liencres Dunes Natural Park . The dunes of this protected natural area are considered some of the most important in northern Spain. Next to this beach is Canallave , a beach popular with surfers and paragliding fans.

Next to Comillas, in Cabezón de la Sal, there is a Giant Sequoia Forest more than 40 meters high. In Comillas , you can also visit Gaudí's Capricho , a palace full of color and fantasy, following the very peculiar characteristics of this artist's architecture. In Comillas there are other visits that we recommend, such as the Sobrellano Palace or the Pantheon Chapel .

Puente Viesgo is famous for its hot springs. The Puente Viesgo Spa is a complex made up of two buildings, with a spa, restaurants and The Water Temple, which has a large central pool, jacuzzis and saunas.

In such a wonderful natural environment, practicing adventure sports is undoubtedly an unavoidable option. Diving, flyboarding, surfing or kitesurfing, sailing... are just some examples of the different activities that can be done in Cantabria.

In Maliaño there are several hiking routes and bike paths that offer the possibility of getting to know the surroundings, such as the Monte Litoral Sierra Parayas and the Senda de los Porqués . In this town you can also visit the Site of Roman Baths and Medieval Necropolis of San Juan de Maliaño , which consists of fantastic Roman baths, a medieval necropolis and a small Romanesque church.

How to get to Cantabria

To get to Cantabria by plane , you have the Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport, located in the town of Maliaño. This airport has a regular passenger service, both national and international, as well as private charter traffic and air taxis.

It is also possible to reach Cantabria by bus , thanks to the Santander and Torrelavega bus stations.

The Renfe railway network also connects Cantabria with other cities in the country, so reaching Cantabria by train is also possible.

You can also reach Cantabria by boat thanks to the sea ports of Maliaño and Santander. There are regular lines that cover the route between Santander and Plymouth, Portsmouth and Cork.

Finally, to get to Cantabria by car , the main road entrances are: the Cantábrico Highway (A-8/E-70), access from Vizcaya or Asturias; the Meseta Highway (A-67), access from Palencia; the N-634, which crosses the province from east to west (from Vizcaya to Asturias, passing through Torrelavega); the N-611, access from Palencia; the N-623, access from Burgos-Madrid; and the N-621, access from León.

Where to eat in Cantabria

Cantabrian gastronomy, recognized as one of the best in the country, is one of its greatest tourist attractions. Currently, six establishments in Cantabria can display the distinction of the Michelin Guide, synonymous with quality, creativity and good cuisine.

The capital is greatly influenced by the Bay of Santander. Its seafaring tradition is what gives it its characteristic touch, including seafood, hot dogs, mullet, sea bass, anchovies and sardines, squid or chub.

The largest range of restaurants to eat in Cantabria is found in the Bay of Santander, especially in its capital, Santander. The coastal area is the one with the most stores and restaurants. Paseo Pereda is full of terraces and ice cream parlors. The “ Ferry Terraces ” are an atmospheric area full of terraces where you can also taste the fantastic local cuisine. There is also a restaurant in the Parque Atlántico de las Llamas .

Most of the restaurants in the Camargo valley are concentrated in the town of El Astillero .

In Maliaño-Muriedas there is also a good gastronomic offer. A good place to eat in Maliaño is the Punta Parayas restaurant, where you can enjoy the good weather on its terrace, while you taste some good portions. El Puerto Deportivo is another good option to eat in Mariaño. Another possibility to eat in Maliaño is the Valle Real Shopping Center

You can also eat well in the Suances and Liencres area.