Cultural Trip in
Cantabria
Fancy some Spanish culture?
A holiday in Northern Spain and Cantabria is always a cultural trip too. Coastal towns and cities rich in tradition and history invite you to explore.
Cantabria offers the perfect combination of beautiful nature experiences, excellent gastronomy, and extraordinary art treasures.
Our Top Three in Cantabria
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Palacio de la Magdalena
A definite must-see on our top three list for Cantabria is the “Palacio de la Magdalena” on the peninsula of the same name in Santander. The palace's well-kept location offers a wonderful view over the entire city. The surrounding garden also invites you to linger. For entertainment, there's a small zoo with penguins and seals, which is free to visit.
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Cueva el Soplao
This spectacular cave features about 20 km of natural cave paths and around 30 km of mine tunnels. You'll be taken into the cave by a replica train, and from there, you'll continue on foot. Two different tours are offered: a short one for everyone and a slightly longer one for those aged 12 and over.
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Centro Botín
“It's one thing to look at the sea against the sun, and another to look with the sun.”
(Architect Renzo Piano)The Centro Botín opened in 2017 and is one of the world's leading museums for modern art. It's located in the port city of Santander and is definitely worth a visit. Make sure to include a visit to this spectacular building in your cultural trip.
Cultural Trip through Cantabria's Cities
San Vicente de la Barquera
The old town center of San Vicente de la Barquera alone was declared a cultural heritage site of Cantabria in 1987 due to its remarkable architecture. The Church of “Santa Maria de los Ángeles,” the castle, and the remains of the city wall are particularly worth seeing. This charming little town should definitely be part of your cultural trip in Cantabria.
Comillas
A bit further north of San Vicente, you'll find Comillas. This is another small coastal town that Cantabria has declared a cultural heritage site. What's really special about this place are Gaudí's country house 'el Capricho', the Sobrellano Palace, and the truly impressive neo-Gothic Catholic University.
Santillana del Mar
The listed town of Santillana del Mar is located on the Camino de Santiago. This picturesque town is characterised by a medieval style. It was built about 800 years ago around the collegiate church of Santa Maria. The old town centre is wonderfully preserved and offers an exceptional range of local gastronomy. The caves of Altamira, home to 14,000-year-old cave paintings, are also particularly well known and are located only about one kilometre from the town.
Santander
Santander, the capital of Cantabria, is definitely worth a trip, especially if you love culture. This incredibly diverse city is also known as the 'Bride of the Sea'. It's also a fantastic destination for families with kids. For example, visiting the Maritime Museum or the harbour is a great experience. The beautiful old town or the city beach 'El Sardinero' invite you to stroll around and relax.
Potes
You can reach Potes in about 40 minutes by car through the incredible natural landscape of Cantabria. On the way to the Picos de Europa, which surround the small town of Potes, you will cross the gorges of La Hermida. The drive alone is worth this excursion. You will be rewarded by a beautiful, romantic village full of small streets and bridges, surrounded by mountains, rivers and great restaurants.
