Things to See and Do in Santander & East Cantabria

At the heart of Cantabria the beautiful bay of Santander not only offers a natural harbour but lovely sheltered beaches right beside the city centre. Favoured by the royals at the turn of the century the city centre has a definite Belle Epoque feel to it and the royal Palacio de la Magdalena stands proud on the headland which all but closes the bay as testament to those days. Often overlooked or thought of as ust a port of entry, Santander is a beautiful, lively city, steeped in history and with plenty of great restaurants and tapas bars, a fine maritime museum, sandy beaches - and great shopping too!

If staying east of the city take the little ferry from Somo into the heart of Santander - an experience to remember!

The city of Santander, set on the beautiful bay of the same name, boasts 10 city beaches, perhaps the most famous of which is El Sardinero - pictured here.  There are plenty more beaches around the bay, including Somo, across the way, to which you can take a foot-ferry.

When visiting Santander be sure to pack your cozzie! 

Designed by the architect Renzo Piano, this spectacular modern building sits in an enviable position on the quay near the ferry port in Santander. Opened in 2017, it  has the most splendid views of the bay and is backed by the lovely 'Jardines de Pereda'. 
With permanent and temporary art exhibitions and musical events and other cultural activities in the stunning auditorium, it is well worth a visit.
There is a stylish cafeteria and restaurant too, serving snacks throughout the day and full meals.

MUPAC, Museo de Prehistoria y Arqueologia de Cantabria changed location in 201 and is now in a new modern building under the Mercado del Este, just behind the main Paseo de Pereda in Santander.

The Museum covers the history of Cantabria from the first humans to the present day in a well thought out and easily flowing visit. In English and French, the museum is full of interactive displays using the latest technology, it is a fascinating insight into the region.

The most interesting of Cantabrias huge range of archaeological treasures are on display, including incredibly detailed pieces found in Cantabria's many prehistoric caves, some of the oldest in the world, and the most important of the many Roman, Celtic and Visigothic relics found in the region. Treat for kids and adults alike, the MUPAC is a must for history lovers when visiting Cantabria and will put everything you see around the region into perspective.

There's plenty to see so allow 2 or 3 hours for the visit.

Cabarceno wildlife park should be an essential part of any family holiday in Cantabria. Set in the most dramatic scenery where startling red rock formations contrast with the rich green of Cantabria, here the animals all have lots of space to wander freely whilst being easy to observe.

DON'T MISS - There are several shows every day including sea-lions and birds of prey. In 2014 two baby gorillas were the stars of the show. You can tour Cabarceno wildlife park in the car (recommended), by foot or by bicycle (not for the faint hearted). There is now a cable-car going 6kms round the park, a wonderful way of seeing all the animals in their habitats. Cabarceno is the largest park of its kind in Europe. And get this - the whole of Madrid zoo would fit in the elephant enclosure!

Well worth visiting, they have an extensive collection of marine biology, ethnography and fishing history, navigation and shipbuilding.

A good rainy-day choice the museum has a nice aquarium in the basement and a large terrace with views over the bay of Santander.

There is also a restaurant on the top floor with views which seems to be very popular.

Cantabria is defined by its valleys and in the east there are two little known gems in the Ason and Miera valleys which head inland from Laredo and Lierganes respectively.

Dramatic sparsely populated glacial valleys, which run parallel to each other make an ideal circular tour. Don't miss the source of the Rio Asón or cave-trekking or walking in the Collados de Asón nature park - there is a great Visitor's Centre in La Gandara, the lovely spa town of Lierganes is worth a visit and finish off the day with Chocolate y Picatostes down in Limpias.

One of the smallest visitable caves but a real favourite with paintings of red hind and occupation dating back 45,000 years - limited to 6 people at a time & advance booking essential.

Not strictly Cantabria (it's just over the border into Biscaya) but an absolute must-see whilst in the Eastern valleys.

The largest collection of classic & vintage Rolls Royce cars in Europe, possibly the world in a stunning hill-top castle setting.

Open to the public Sundays only 10.00 to 15.00 (private guided tours available for groups at any time).

In the rolling hills of Eastern Cantabria the Valle de Pas has been inhabited by humans since the Palaeolithic age, evidence of which can be seen in the fine cave paintings at Puente Viesgo.

More recently the Pasiego people have dedicated themselves to farming and herding cattle and have developed their own distinct culture in these isolated valleys.

There is a fine heritage of monasteries and Romanesque temples to visit as well as some fantastic walking and one of northern Spain's best Spas at Puente Viesgo.

At the gateway to the Valle de Pas, Puente Viesgo is a pretty village set right on the river, famous for its elegant spa. don't miss a visit to the caves here. Whilst not as grandiose as the Altamira Cave you can still see the original paintings and get a better feeling of how the Cro-Magnon people lived - truly fascinating.

Although only half an hour from Santander (there's a 'Via Verde' cycle path right from the city centre) you can already feel a change of pace here and there are some great little bars and restaurants. And make sure to sample the local produce made with the unusually creamy local milk - a packet of buttery 'Sobaos' should last you a week - bet they don't though!

There are two caves in Puente Viesgo: La Cueva de El Castillo and La Cueva de Las Monedas. Pre-historic art can be seen in both caves. For more information and booking visit https://cuevas.culturadecantabria.com/las-monedas-2/.

Containing the oldest known cave-art in the world (dating back to at least 0,800 years) a visit to the Cueva del Castillo in Puente Viesgo is highly recommended.

The caves are quite small and the artwork simple (in comparison with Altamira certainly) but well worth the visit as you not only see the original art (as opposed to a replica) but also the distribution of the cave, with living quarters near the entrance and the sacred parts, dedicated to worship, in the deeper recesses - makes the visit really quite special.

Called Flaviobriga by the Romans, Castro Urdiales is set on a cliff between Bilbao and Santander, and preserves a fine old quarter with a lovely harbour. The town is dominated by the ruined Templar castle and the fortress-like Gothic Church of Santa Maria constructed almost entirely in the 12th century and is full of all sorts of curious details like rabbits kissing oxen, dragons devouring servants. 

If hunger sets in you are spoilt for choice for bars serving the most tempting, mouth watering pintxos - little snacks which make a meal in themselves - Basque-style snacks at Cantabrian prices!

The path around Monte Buceiro offers a lovely, fairly gentle, walk with fantastic views of the bay of Laredo and the coast beyond towards Viscaya. There are several options, all the way round (views over Playa Berria and the marshes of Santoña) half way round and over the top (through the holm oak forest) or out and back as far as you fancy.

For those who like a challenge there's a nice one awaiting at roughly the half way point - the steps of the Faro del Caballo lighthouse. 760 very steep double-depth steps take you right back down to sea level and you could even swim back, back to where you started from. The views are fantastic and well worth the effort but it's really not for the faint hearted!

Cabo de Ajo is the most northerly point of Cantabria and offers spectacular views of the cliffs along the coast. 

There's a lighthouse (faro) which you can´t get into but there are lovely views, especially at sunset, from a point on the left just before the lighthouse. More surprising are the rock formations at La Ojerada - twin caves somewhat reminiscent of Darth Vader's eyes with dramatic cliffs falling to the sea. A great place to watch the sunset!

One of our favourites Galizano is a nice family beach with fine golden sand in a country setting. There are plenty of little coves and rock pools to explore and the beach is big enough that there's room for everyone. It can be quite surfy so take care. There's a small snack bar (a hut) right on the beach and bars & restaurants in the village nearby.

The parking is about 500 metres from the beach itself which is reached by a sloping track (well surfaced and wide).

A popular beach with surfers (there are a couple of schools here), kite surfers and parapenters (who fly from the hill at the western end).

Dune-backed, this beach has lovely golden sand and is large enough that it never feels very crowded. Backed by the nature park of the Santoña wetlands and with Santoña nearby there is plenty to do in the local area. 

Beautiful cliff backed beach popular with surfers and some naturists. There are actually two beaches here, the big and the small. Check the tides before you go as the beach is quite small at high tide.

Great for those wanting to get away from it all but please take care, the waves can be strong and there is no lifeguard here.

If you arrive by ferry from England you'll see this beautiful beach on the port side as you approach Santander. Somo beach, a long sweep of fine golden sand terminates at its western extreme, El Puntal, in the dunes which form the opening of the Santander bay.

Very popular with surfers, there are some schools here who specialise in English clients, the outer beach is quite wild and exposed. There are great views of the city and the Palacio de la Magdelena from here or you can just watch the shipping come and go from the bay.

At low tide there's a shipwreck just under the water in the middle of the beach. Popular with Santandereños, there's a small foot-ferry which goes from Somo right into the city centre - ideal to combine a beach day with a city visit.  

Loredo is a huge expanse of fine, golden sand, dune-backed, just to the east of Somo beach. Great for surfing and kiting. 

To the east of Santander you are spoilt for dramatic, golden sandy beaches and the Playa de Ajo, with its cape and lighthouse, is one of them.

Backed by hills and fields where traditional farming still carries on, the beach at Ajo is a deep bay flanked by cliffs with plenty of room for all. Great for surfing when the wind permits, but also a real family beach where you can have fun exploring the rock pools, dipping in and out of the sea or playing bat and ball.

For lunch there are a couple of beach bars and restaurants where you can order a paella to make a really special day.