On the north coast of Spain, where the Cantabrian Sea clashes relentlessly against the rock, there’s a landscape that looks as if it’s been taken right out of a prehistoric scene.
We’re talking about Costa Quebrada, a wild stretch of coast, sculpted by time, which has just received a recognition to match its spectacular nature: its inclusion in the UNESCO Global Network of Geoparks, making it the first ever global geopark in Cantabria.
This achievement not only highlights the value of its amazing geological heritage, but also the joint efforts of scientists, institutions and local communities to protect and raise awareness of this natural paradise.
Where is Costa Quebrada and what makes it unique?
Costa Quebrada stretches along more than 20km of coastline between the Bay of Santander and the cove of Puerto Calderón, in Santillana del Mar. Its name (meaning ‘Broken Coast’), alluding to the dramatic fragmentation of the coastline, is a true description of its appearance: carved cliffs, islets emerging from the sea, hidden beaches and rocks that seem to rise from the depths of the ocean to tell stories from millions of years ago.
The geological diversity of the area is mind-blowing. Here you’ll find Mesozoic layers clearly visible, karst formations, platforms of marine abrasion, fossil caves and even remains of prehistoric sea life. This “open book of the Earth” allows you to read in its natural pages the effects of plate tectonics, erosion, climate change and the passage of eras.
A new world status: UNESCO Geopark
On 24 April 2025, after years of scientific work and collaboration between institutions, Costa Quebrada was officially included in the Global Network of Geoparks during the 221st session of the Executive Board of UNESCO. This internationally prestigious status recognises not only the geological value of an area, but its active contribution to education, science and sustainable development.
So Costa Quebrada joins a select group of areas around the world that promote a tourism that does not destroy, but protects; that does not exploit, but teaches; that does not forget, but remembers.
Why visit Costa Quebrada?
1. A natural open-air museum
Not many places offer you the opportunity to walk alongside slopes of geological layers that emerge from the sea like an accordion made of rock. Here you can see processes that are normally only explained in geology books. Every step along Costa Quebrada is a masterclass on how the Earth has changed over the course of 240 million years.
2. Wild beauty and biodiversity
Costa Quebrada is not just about rock; it’s also about life. Its wetlands, coastal meadows, beaches and sand dunes boast stunning biodiversity. One highlight is the Natural Park of the Dunes of Liencres, home to migratory birds, unique plant species and maritime pine forests merging with the golden sands.
3. Ancestral culture
Gems from our most distant past are also found in this area: the caves of El Pendo, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Peñajorao, with its rock art, tell us about the first humans to inhabit this area and who, like us, were fascinated by the force of the sea and the rocks.
4. Championing sustainability
The Costa Quebrada Geopark is based on a development model encompassing environmental education, community participation, respectful tourist activities and accessible science. By visiting it you are promoting a different kind of travel, that is more aware and connected to the surroundings.
Unmissable places to discover
- La Arnía beach: One of the geopark’s emblems. Its natural rock walkway, its vertical cliffs and its unspoiled surroundings make it a must.
- Covachos beach: A small, wild stretch of sand where an islet joins the mainland at low tide. Ideal for a peaceful picnic with unforgettable views.
- Tagle’s cliffs: at low tide you can survey the geopark very well from here.
- Pozo Tremeo: A lagoon hidden among forests, declared a Natural Area of Special Interest. Peaceful, cool and mysterious, all in this magical corner.
- Costa Quebrada viewpoints: Along the whole length of the coastal path you’ll find strategic points where you can stop and watch how the land and sea have been talking to each other for thousands of years.
Useful tips for the curious traveller
When to go
The best time to visit Costa Quebrada is in spring and autumn. The temperatures are pleasant, the days longer and the number of visitors lower. It’s also wonderful in summer, but it’s a good idea to set out very early in the morning to avoid the crowds and to find a parking space more easily.
How to get there
Costa Quebrada is less than 20 minutes’ drive from Santander. Visit the geopark’s website to find out the best municipalities to explore and how to get there.
Recommended activities
- Walking: The signposted routes along the coast enable you to walk between cliffs and beaches with breathtaking views.
- Guided geology tours: Ideal if you want to learn more about the history and gain a better understanding of what you’re seeing.
- Birdwatching and nature photography: Don’t forget your binoculars or your camera.
- Kayaking and diving: Explore the coast from the water and discover the other side of Costa Quebrada.
Costa Quebrada is not only a place to visit; it’s a place to experience, learn, feel and remember. Every rock formation, every cliff and every wave breaking on the coast is witness to a distant time, to an Earth that has known how to shape itself and survive.
