Nearby Destinations: Santander

Santillana del Mar & Altamira

Santillana del Mar, a medieval village, features cobblestone streets and the Santa Juliana Collegiate Church. The Altamira Cave Museum contains the Neocave, a replica of original Upper Paleolithic cave paintings.

Santillana is about 30 km west of Santander. The museum is 2 km from Santillana. Bus travel from Santander is around 30-40 minutes. Plan for 2-3 hours for the museum.

Travel Options

Easy independent travel by bus.
Self-drive from Santander takes about 25 minutes.
Organized tours combine Santillana with Altamira.
Half-day to full-day visits are common.

Exploring Beyond Santander

Extend your journey to discover more of Cantabria's charm and natural beauty.

Comillas Modernist Town

Comillas showcases modernist architecture. Attractions include El Capricho de Gaudí and Palacio de Sobrellano.

Getting There

Bus from Santander takes about 1 hour.
Self-drive is approximately 40 minutes.
Plan for a half-day to full-day visit.

Historic Castro Urdiales

Castro Urdiales, a fishing port, has a medieval castle-lighthouse and the Gothic Church of Santa María de la Asunción.

Access & Time

Bus from Santander is about 1 hour.
Driving takes around 50 minutes.
A half-day visit is common.

Picos de Europa National Park

Highlights

Dramatic mountain scenery.
Lush forests and deep valleys.
Suitable for full-day or multi-day exploration.
Opportunities for hiking and nature.

Travel Notes

Self-driving is recommended for flexibility.
Limited internal public transport.
Organized tours are available.
A multi-day stay is often preferred.

Tour vs. Independent Travel Comparison

Independent TravelFlexibility in pace.
Often more economical.
Ideal for bus-served locations.
Personalized exploration.

Organized ToursConvenience for multiple sites.
Insights from guides.
Good for limited public transport areas.
Structured itinerary.

Typical Day Trip Plan

Morning: Depart Santander early. Midday: Explore chosen attractions. Lunch: Enjoy local cuisine. Afternoon: Continue exploring or visit a second site. Evening: Return to Santander. Consider Booking a day trip with GetYourGuide for convenient options.

Natural Escapes

Discover Cantabria's stunning natural landscapes and wildlife on a day trip.

Parque de Cabárceno

A nature park where animals roam in semi-freedom within a former open-pit mine. Popular for families, it features elephants, gorillas, and bears.

Parque Natural de Oyambre

A coastal park near Comillas. It features beaches, dunes, and estuaries, suitable for birdwatching and gentle walks.

Fuente Dé Cable Car

Within Picos de Europa, take the teleférico for breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains. A must for mountain lovers.

Coastal & Rural Beauty

Playa de Somo/Loredo, across Santander Bay, feature long, sandy beaches ideal for surfing or relaxing. Head inland to Pasiegos Valleys to explore traditional Cantabrian rural life.

Local Delights

Accessible via Pedreñera ferry.
Great for surfing lessons.
Taste local sobaos and quesadas.

Coastal Marshes & Wildlife

Laredo and Santoñan are coastal towns with long beaches and the Marismas de Santoña, important bird habitats for birdwatching.

Times

Ideal for birdwatching.
Migratory birds in autumn and spring.
Check local event calendars.

Further Natural Wonders

Explore scenic coastal roads.

Hike through lush forests.

Discover hidden coves.

Observe diverse birdlife.

Find tranquil picnic spots.

Enjoy fresh mountain air.

Nature's Calendar

The Marismas de Santoñan and other wetlands host migratory birds during autumn and spring.

Cultural Excursions

Explore historical and spiritual sites outside Santander.

Prehistoric Caves

The Cuevas de El Castillo and Las Monedas in Puente Viesgo feature significant prehistoric cave art.

Visitation

Ancient artistic heritage.
Located in a scenic area.
Guided tours are common.

Spiritual Pilgrimage Site

Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana is an important pilgrimage destination. It is a piece of the Lignum Crucis (True Cross).

Pilgrim Information

Sacred relic.
Endpoint of the Lebaniego Way.
Attracts pilgrims annually.

Charming Rural Villages

Carmona, in Nansa Valley, is a well-preserved traditional village. Liérganes is known for its "fish-man" legend and picturesque architecture.

Village Features

Traditional architecture.
Tranquil settings for walks.
Local culinary experiences.

Camino de Santiago

Sections of the Northern Way pilgrimage route traverse Cantabria, including Santander.

Path Details

Walk a short section.
Experience pilgrimage spirit.
Explore scenic segments.

Beyond Sites

Beyond specific historical sites, Cantabria offers a rural culture and local traditions.

Traditional Crafts

Seek out local artisans and their traditional crafts.

Local Festivals

Experience local festivals and celebrations.

Cantabrian Heritage

Connect with the rich heritage of Cantabria.

Immersing in Culture

Cantabria's cultural richness extends from ancient caves to living village traditions. Embrace local interactions.

Multi-Day Extensions

Consider extending your trip to explore more of Northern Spain.

Extended Stays 1-3 Days

1

Picos de Europa

Spend 1-2 nights in a mountain village like Potes or Fuente Dé. Explore hiking trails and mountain culture.

2

Basque Country

Allocate 2-3 nights in Bilbao or San Sebastián for contrasting urban or gastronomic experiences.

3

Asturias

Dedicate 2-3 nights to explore Oviedo, Gijón, and the stunning Asturian coastline. Access Picos de Europa.

Logical Next Destinations

Bilbao, accessible by bus from Santander.
San Sebastián, known for gastronomy, beaches, and culture.
Oviedo / Gijón (Asturias), cultural and coastal cities.
León / Burgos (Castile and León), inland with historical heritage.
Santiago de Compostela, pilgrim destination in Galicia.
Porto, Portugal (longer journey, but possible).

Transportation Connections

Buses (ALSA): Excellent connections from Santander to major cities like Bilbao, San Sebastián, Oviedo, Gijón, León, and Burgos.
FEVE Train: Scenic, slower routes along the coast to Bilbao or Oviedo for a relaxed travel experience.
Renfe Train: Direct service from Santander to Madrid and connections to other major Spanish cities.

Suggested Routes for Longer Regional Travel

Northern Spain Circuit 7-10 days

Bilbao -> Santander -> Oviedo/Gijón. This circuit goes by bus, train, or car, showing the diversity of Green Spain.

Cantabrian Coast & Mountains 5-7 days

Santander -> Potes/Picos de Europa -> Comillas/Santillana. This itinerary is best explored with a rental car for maximum flexibility.

Galician Exploration 3-5 days

Extend west to Santiago de Compostela and the Rías Baixas for a different cultural and scenic experience.

Suggested Regional Routes

Northern Spain Circuit (7-10 days): Bilbao -> Santander -> Oviedo/Gijón. Cantabrian Coast & Mountains (5-7 days): Santander -> Potes/Picos de Europa -> Comillas/Santillana. Rental car ideal for mountain exploration.

Nearby Destinations