Cantabria Travel Guide – Attractions & Tours

Featured Lists

Cantabria's Absolute Essentials

Cantabria features a diverse array of landmarks, from the UNESCO-listed Cave of Altamira’s prehistoric paintings to Gaudí’s modernist villa, El Capricho. The region's history is reflected in the Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar and the Gothic Santander Cathedral. Natural highlights include the geological formations of El Soplao Cave and the semi-captive wildlife at Cabárceno Natural Park. Coastal Santander offers the early 20th-century Palacio de la Magdalena and the sandy expanses of El Sardinero.

15 places

Dolmanrg / CC BY-SA 4.0

Sacred Heritage Sites

Cantabria’s religious architecture spans from early medieval rock-hewn hermitages to grand Gothic cathedrals. This collection highlights the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana, a major pilgrimage site housing the Lignum Crucis, and the Romanesque collegiate churches of Santillana del Mar. Discover diverse styles including pre-Romanesque Mozarabic influences at Lebeña, Renaissance facades in Santander, and unique chapels carved directly into coastal cliffs or sandstone outcrops.

20 places

Rameessos / Public domain

Natural Wonders and Viewpoints

Cantabria's diverse landscape features UNESCO-listed Paleolithic cave art at Altamira and El Castillo, showcasing some of the world's oldest figurative paintings. The region's geography spans from the Picos de Europa mountain range, accessible via the El Cable viewpoint, to the unique Pico Tres Mares, a peak where water drains into three different seas. Coastal highlights include the Liencres dune systems at Valdearenas and the 70-meter Salto del Asón waterfall, the source of the Asón River.

11 places

P. B. Obregón / CC BY-SA 4.0

Historic Cantabria: Caves and Castles

Explore Cantabria’s historical evolution through its most significant archaeological and architectural landmarks. This list features UNESCO-listed Paleolithic caves like Altamira and El Castillo, known for their prehistoric rock art. The selection also highlights the region's medieval defensive heritage, including the Castillo del Rey and Torre de Mogrovejo, alongside Romanesque religious sites and 19th-century English-style palaces. These sites illustrate the strategic coastal importance and noble history of Northern Spain.

20 places

Authentic Spanish Flavors

Explore the culinary landscape of Cantabria, from the coastal seafood taverns of Santander to the rustic mountain mesones of the Picos de Europa foothills. This selection highlights regional staples like cocido lebaniego, fresh Bay of Biscay catches, and local cider house traditions. The list features historic wine cellars in the city center, traditional 'indiano' architecture, and family-run establishments specializing in authentic Cantabrian home cooking and seasonal ingredients.

20 places