Santander overlooks the Cantabrian Sea from one of Spain’s most beautiful bays. Beaches such as El Sardinero, long seafront promenades, gardens, excellent food and an increasingly vibrant cultural scene make the Cantabrian capital a destination in its own right, as well as the perfect starting point for exploring Cantabria.
Here, the sea and mountains are never far apart. Travel just a few kilometres beyond Santander and you will discover wild beaches, cliffs, green valleys, small villages and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on the Iberian Peninsula.
Santander, a city between sea and culture
Santander’s relationship with the sea is central to its identity. From the promenades along the bay to the Magdalena Peninsula and the beaches of El Sardinero, the city invites visitors to explore on foot and enjoy the Cantabrian coastline without straying far from the centre.
In recent years, Santander has also established itself as a leading cultural destination. Alongside the Centro Botín, designed by Renzo Piano overlooking the bay, there is now FARO Santander, the new art, culture and technology space created by the Banco Santander Foundation in the historic Edificio Pereda. Together, these two venues have helped transform the waterfront and offer another reason to visit the city all year round.
From the coast to the Picos de Europa
Beyond Santander lies a Cantabria of remarkably varied landscapes within a relatively small area. Along the coast, beaches alternate with fishing villages and towering cliffs, while inland there are forests, valleys and mountains.
One of its great natural landmarks is the Picos de Europa National Park. At Fuente Dé, the famous cable car climbs more than 750 metres in elevation, quickly carrying visitors into a dramatic high-mountain landscape.
Very different, but equally distinctive, is the Cabárceno Nature Park, a 750-hectare area known for its spectacular karst landscape, shaped by former mining activity. Here, animals from five continents live in semi-freedom in spacious enclosures integrated into the natural surroundings.
A journey through Cantabria’s history and heritage
Cantabria also offers a journey back thousands of years. Its extraordinary underground heritage includes ten caves that form part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain, one of Europe’s most important collections of prehistoric art.
But Cantabria’s heritage extends far beyond its caves. Towns such as Santillana del Mar, with its magnificent historic centre of cobbled streets, grand houses and medieval architecture, transport visitors to another era. In Comillas, Art Nouveau has left an exceptional legacy, including architectural gems such as Gaudí’s El Capricho, one of the few works the Catalan architect created outside Catalonia.
History can also be explored on foot. Two UNESCO-recognised routes cross the region: the Northern Way of St James, which follows the Cantabrian coast, and the Camino Lebaniego, which leads to the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana through some of the most spectacular inland scenery.
Cantabria, an outdoor playground
With both sea and mountains, Cantabria is particularly appealing to lovers of outdoor activities. Hiking, cycling, coastal walks and water sports are just some of the possibilities.
Surfing deserves a special mention: Cantabria is considered the birthplace of surfing in Spain, where the sport first took hold in the 1960s. Today, beaches such as Somo and Loredo are renowned among wave enthusiasts, with a long surfing tradition, surf schools and conditions that attract beginners and experienced surfers alike.
Golf is also part of the region’s sporting identity: Severiano Ballesteros, one of the greatest figures in the sport’s history, was born here, and several courses offer the chance to play amid scenery combining green mountains and the Cantabrian Sea.
A region to savour
Discovering Cantabria also means taking time to enjoy its food. The sea provides fish, seafood and the famous Santoña anchovies; inland areas contribute meat, cheese and traditional dishes such as cocido montañés and cocido lebaniego. To finish, two unmissable classics: sobaos pasiegos and Liébana orujo, products closely linked to the region’s valleys, villages and traditions.
Santander, coast, mountains, heritage, culture and gastronomy: in Cantabria, everything is close enough to combine in one trip, yet varied enough to make you want to return.
Discover more at turismodecantabria.com
