Destination: Cantabria

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 221^st 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.

The beaches of Cantabria are considered among the best in Spain for fans of surfing, and with good reason as we have three municipalities that have been declared Surfing Reserves: Ribamontán al Mar, Suances and Noja.

Cantabria is the birthplace of surfing in Spain and a national pioneer. This pioneering spirit continues to this day. Its three surf reserves are at the vanguard of the many beaches along the coast enjoyed by surfers from around the world.

Cantabria has seven must-see surfing sanctuaries:

• Ribamontán al Mar: located to the east of the Bay of Santander, boasting almost two kilometres of fine, golden sand and big swells, you can catch a wave here year-round.

• Berria: in Santoña, more than two kilometres of white sand stretch between Mount Brusco and Mount Buciero on the isthmus that joins the breathtaking peninsula around Mount Buciero to the municipality of Argoños.

• El Sardinero: a pretty seafront that enjoys a prime location in the Cantabrian capital. Together, the two beaches offer almost a kilometre of fine, soft, almost totally flat sand.

• Canallave and Valdearenas: In the heart of the Liencres Dunes Nature Reserve, these beaches, which cover three kilometres, are considered to be the most consistent on the coast, making them ideal for surfing at any time of year.

• Merón: This white beach in San Vicente de la Barquera is four kilometres long. Its location on the open sea means that it is constantly pounded by big waves.
• Los Locos: this beach in Suances is well known for its intense waves that batter the cliffs surrounding its 750 metres of golden sand.

• Ris, Pombera and El Brusco: These three delightful beaches in Noja have a long tradition of surfing in a unique setting.

If you’re keen to get started, any of the 50 surf schools that dot the region’s main beaches will quickly teach you the right technique, as well as safety rules and surf etiquette. And if you want to discover what other unmissable experiences await you in Cantabria, read all our articles about the region.

The Liébana Jubilee Year (Año Jubilar Lebaniego) is a religious and cultural event celebrated in Cantabria. This celebration takes place in the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana, an important pilgrimage site and place of Christian worship. 

The event occurs whenever the feast day of 16 April, the date that commemorates Santo Toribio de Liébana finding the Cross of Christ, falls on a Sunday.

The Liébana Jubilee Year

The Liébana Jubilee Year occurs whenever 16 April falls on a Sunday, which happens every 6, 5, 6 and 11 years in what’s called a “quadrennial” cycle. During this period, the Holy See grants the privilege of plenary indulgence (the forgiveness of all sins) to pilgrims who visit the monastery and who comply with certain religious conditions, such as confession and Holy Communion and attending the “Pilgrim’s Mass”, held every day at 12 noon in the Monastery of Santo Toribio throughout the Liébana Jubilee Year.

Pilgrims and visitors go to the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana to worship the Lignum Crucis, the largest surviving fragment of the Cross on which Christ is believed to have been crucified. Aside from the religious aspect, the Liébana Jubilee Year is also important in terms of culture and tourism, as it attracts people to Cantabria from all over the world, promoting the history, tradition and beauty of the region (as well as its food, of course!). 

This Jubilee Year ends on 15 April 2024 but, as has been the case since the Middle Ages, every symbolic closure of the Puerta Del Perdón (Door of Forgiveness) by no means signifies the closure of the doors of activity until the next Jubilee. Nor does it mean that Liébana ceases to welcome visitors. On the contrary: adding this renewed value to its already numerous assets, it must constantly keep its doors open to all those wishing to discover this region and enjoy the legacy, heritage and values that make this part of Cantabria our “Jubilee Land”, as it does not have to be a Jubilee Year for pilgrims to enjoy the experience of the Lebaniego Way and to visit the Monastery of Santo Toribio.

All you need to know about the Lebaniego Way

The Lebaniego Way (Camino Lebaniego) is the pilgrimage route to the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana.

In this post we’ll be giving you all the basics on this adventure so that you can decide how to go about it and how to divide up the stages. The Lebaniego Way is 72 kilometres long, running from San Vicente de la Barquera to the Monastery of Santo Toribio. Traditionally it has been divided into three stages, but this depends on each individual, their aim and their level of fitness.

The three stages of the Lebaniego Way

Each of the three stages is very different and it’s essential that you bear this in mind when planning your journey.

The first stage goes from San Vicente de la Barquera to Cades and includes a river trail of almost 8km along the River Nansa, between Muñorrodero and Camijanes, a natural paradise.

The second stage is the longest, covering 30.5km from Cades to Cabañes. Possibly the most challenging of the three, due to its length and its slopes. As well as passing such noteworthy sites as the Church of Lebeña, the Santa Catalina lookout and the Hermida Gorge with its stunning views of Picos de Europa National Park, you’ll be walking through oak and beech trees, in woodland full of figures from Cantabrian mythology.

The third stage takes you to the Monastery of Santo Toribio, where you can kiss the relic of the Lignum Crucis, and where your journey comes to an end. This is the shortest stage, covering just under 14km and almost all downhill or on the flat, except for the last section, which takes you from Potes up to the monastery. During this stage you’ll pass the famous Habario de Pendes chestnut grove and you can savour some of the finest Liébana cheeses there. Potes is next, and then the end of the Way.

These three stages can be adapted to suit your own interests and abilities. Just like everyone’s reasons for walking it, the stages of the Way are numerous and varied, but all are equally valid.

There are said to be three types of pilgrim: those who make the journey with their feet, concentrating on the physical effort and the challenge to be overcome each day; those who make the pilgrimage with their eyes, delighting in the wonder of the nature, heritage and culture found along the way; and lastly, those who walk the Way with their heart, with a spiritual purpose, to find themselves, for a moment of reconciliation or to honour a promise.

Do you feel like walking the Way this Liébana Jubilee Year? We look forward to seeing you on your visit to Infinite Cantabria!

A lookout may be defined as “a place perfectly positioned to view a landscape or event”. Gazing out over an endless horizon and the extraordinary landscapes of Infinite Cantabria is an experience in itself, don’t you think? But since we don´t always manage to get a glimpse of everything we´d like to, we’re giving you nine lookouts in Infinite Cantabria that are sights for sore eyes. Take time to take mental snapshots as well as photographs of the unforgettable memories you’ll make here. 

As you can see, we have included spots on the coast and inland, so you can choose your ideal surroundings. On our tour, we will be travelling around the nine tourist areas of Cantabria, discovering three lookouts located along the coast and six inland ones. Ready? Then we’re setting off to admire some of the Infinite Cantabria’s best panoramic views from ground level.

Let’s start with Mirador de la Concha in Suances. Stroll along the newly restored walkway of this lookout to get some magnificent views of Playa de La Concha. Get lost in the breath-taking scenery of the Cantabrian Sea and La Concha beach, captivating at any time of year. And in the summer, you’ll be able to enjoy one of the most popular beaches, packed full of leisure activities, on the Cantabrian coast. 

Our second stop is at Ecoparque de Trasmiera, specifically Mirador del Cincho, a lookout located on mount Cincho, which is home to the ruins of an ancient Celtic castle. This lookout is at the top of a very unusual structure, a stone tower with a wooden staircase spiralling around the outside. From it you can see one of the most incredible views in the Ecopark, all the way from the Cantabrian Mountains to the coast.

Our last stop , which has a sea view, is Mirador de Peña Cabarga. Located at the top of Peña Cabarga, at an altitude of 568 metres, it offers an amazing view of Santander Bay, its surroundings and part of the Cantabrian coast. See the entire city of Santander and taste the best local Cantabrian snacks at its café, which is open all summer long.

We are now moving away from the coast and heading to six inland landscapes, proving Cantabria’s ability to cater to any taste.

We start our tour right at the heart of Picos de Europa National Park, at an altitude of 1823 metres, at Mirador de Fuente Dé. This is one of the best known and most photographed places in Cantabria. It is an overhanging viewpoint, so if you suffer from vertigo, it is not for you. You can get there on the Fuente Dé cable car, which turns a 753-metre climb into a four-minute ride at most. You will be awestruck by the overwhelming beauty of the landscape from the highest station and, if you are lucky, you’ll get to experience the feeling of walking on clouds.

Leaving the Liébana region behind, we are now heading east to find our second overhanging lookout at Cascadas del Gándara, also known as Mirador de la Reina. Looking over the Gándara river, it gives us the chance to admire the river’s course and rapids that flow just a few kilometres away from its source. All this creates a spectacular landscape where the Gándara waterfall is formed and the viewpoint looks over. Lean out and take it all in!

The third lookout, which is not for the faint-hearted, is the Santa Catalina lookouton Mount Hozarcu, in Peñarrubia. From its platform you can see the best views of the deepest part of the famous La Hermida gorge. This vantage point sits on top of the ruins of the early mediaeval Bolera de los Moros castle. This was strategically built here to watch over the gorge on a high, accessible plain that connects the historic Carmona to La Hermida road. This lookout is also the start of a mythological trail, where creatures hide in the woods, ideal for families to enjoy.

From Peñarrubia, we’ll make our way to Valles Pasiegos region to find our fourth inland lookout, the seventh on our list. This time we’ll be checking out the Puerto de la Braguía lookout. From this beautiful place, you can take in the best views Selaya has to offer, and discover the charm and lush greenery of our iconic Valles Pasiegos first-hand.

Now we´ll move onto one of the most photographed lookouts in the region, Mirador de la Cardosa. Located at the heart of Saja Besaya Natural Park, the views from this unique balcony are amazing and watched over by a deer monument. It’s a perfect place for photos and ideal for listening to the deer bellowing in early autumn.

Wrapping up the list is a little-known lookout with a rare view of Torrelavega and its surroundings: Mirador de La Peñuca. Located on the road that leads up from Torrelavega to the town of La Montaña, the vantage point is an essential stop on the traditional walk up in Cantabrian clogs called albarcas. Torrelavega’s first pilgrimage of the year, held to celebrate the feast day of Saint Blaise at the end of January.

These are just nine lookouts that you can find in Cantabria, but there are many more. As you will see when you visit, Cantabria is like one big lookout. Are you ready to take the lookout tour?

Catch a flight and enjoy the most amazing views you have ever seen in Cantabria.

If you visit Cantabria, exploring the 3 Valles Pasiegos is a must. Discover a vast, unparalleled natural landscape with ever-green pastures surrounded by low walls and cabins.

The Pas, Pisueña, and Miera river basins are perfect examples of Cantabria’s most iconic features: intricate valleys, grasslands hidden behind mountains, and reserved locals.

These three valleys have stood the test of time and remained interconnected through the mountains that divide them, thanks to this land’s migrant settlers, the Pasiegos. Huge beech and holm oak forests sit atop this unique countryside, home to traditions over five centuries old.

What to see in the VALLES PASIEGOS

The pasiega cabins are the most prominent element of this region’s heritage. The Valleys are home to around ten thousand of these cabins, with even some built in the 18^th century, which show how life on the pastures is like and how the settlers make great use of their environment.

This extraordinary, and perhaps unparalleled, culture is currently the subject of ethnographic and sociological research, because of the strength of the locals and their dedication to the land. We can’t talk about how the pasiego heritage has been handed down through generations without mentioning their famous sponge cakes (sobaos) and cheesecakes (quesadas), which show off the region’s exquisite dairy products.

Also, its geological diversity forms gorges carved out by the river, such as the Miera, the most confined of the region, whose headwaters contour around a glacial cirque.

Get active and take river tours, perfect for hiking and climbing fanatics, or explore the area´s history as you delve deep into the thousand-year-old cavities.

We’re always surprised by new discoveries of artefacts dating back over thirty-thousand years in the prehistoric caves of El Castillo and Las Monedas, which you can visit year-round: an added bonus to your trip to this region.

To learn the true meaning of the word ‘calm’, visit the towns. You’ll find ultimate relaxation in their spas, in towns like Solares, Liérganes, and Puente Viesgo, which are perfect for kicking off your visit to the valleys.

Alceda is also a great place for hydrotherapy, and has play areas surrounded by trees and river fauna. It has even more on offer for the little ones!

Even though its architectural heritage is bit dotted around, you can easily spot it when visiting historic-artistic sites such as Liérganes, Vega de Pas, Villacarriedo, and Esles. What stand out in particular are the traditional masonry, oak houses, mansions with coats of arms, and the magnificent baroque palaces such as Soñanes in Villacarriedo, or those in Alceda and Ontaneda.

There’s much more still to discover: the gastronomy, the museums, the heritage, and the culture are even more reasons to immerse yourself in the Valles Pasiegos.