More than 60 beaches with fine, white sand line the Cantabrian coast, which is just over 250 kilometres long. But Cantabria offers more than its coastline: the landscape brings together the sea, mild valleys and mountain pastures. If you want to discover the region, you can choose from a range of themes—from beaches and hiking trails to caves, pilgrimage destinations and regional cuisine.
Coastal landscapes and trails
Oyambre Natural Park encompasses beaches, dunes, cliffs, pastureland and the forest of Monte Corona. The dunes of Liencres also offer wide beaches and numerous hiking trails. This brings different aspects of the coastal landscape into focus: the variety of landscape features at Oyambre, and the connection between dunes, beach and trails at Liencres.
There are also different points of reference for hiking. Cantabria has hiking trails open year-round, and many trails in Liébana are marked. At Fuente Dé, the cable car climbs 753 metres, providing access to the Mirador del Cable and the Puertos de Áliva. As operating conditions may change, check the current service information before travelling. In Los Tojos, an interpretation centre organises guided activities and provides information for self-guided visits.
Caves, heritage and pilgrimage routes
El Soplao combines the experience of exploring a cave with an extensive mining heritage. The 2.5-hour route passes through several galleries and less accessible areas of the cave. The mining galleries extend much farther: the cave and its surrounding area include more than 20 kilometres of them. Conditions for taking part may change; check the latest information before your visit.
Altamira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known as the “Sistine Chapel of cave art”. Pilgrimage routes also offer different perspectives on Cantabria: the Camino del Norte runs along the Cantabrian Sea through the region. The Camino Lebaniego makes it possible to complete a single pilgrimage to Santo Toribio de Liébana and Santiago de Compostela. The coastal route and pilgrimage destinations are therefore two distinct points to consider when deciding what interests you on your trip.
A taste of the region
Cantabrian cuisine brings together produce from the sea, pastures and gardens. Traditional dishes include Quesada pasiega. Orujo is a characteristic drink of Cantabria, distilled by hand, drop by drop. These examples show different sides of regional cuisine: ingredients from varied landscapes, a traditionally prepared drink and a well-known dish.
When looking for a hotel in Cantabria, you could start by considering which themes matter most for your trip: the coast and beaches, caves and heritage, pilgrimage routes, hiking or regional cuisine.
Discover more destinations: Cabezón De La Sal, Casamaría, Miengo, Noja, Potes, Ruiloba, Santander, Suances, Udías, Bareyo, Pesaguero, Torrelavega, Santillana Del Mar, Reocín, Puente Viesgo, Los Corrales De Buelna, Limpias, Guarnizo, Escalante, Comillas, Castro-Urdiales, Arnuero, Liendo, Camaleño, Laredo, Riotuerto, Santa María De Cayón, Cabezón De Liébana, Villacarriedo, Valcaba, Argoños, Camargo, Santoña, Valle De Villaverde, Liérganes, Saro, Cillorigo De Liébana, Ruente, El Astillero, Cantabria, Rasines, Cabuérniga, Tresviso, Santiurde De Toranzo, Herrerías, Entrambasaguas, Cartes, Castañeda, Arenas De Iguña, Colindres, Bárcena De Cicero, Polanco, San Roque De Riomiera, Reinosa, Valdeprado, Piélagos, Los Tojos, Alfoz De Lloredo, Valderredible, Valdáliga, Vega De Liébana, Santa Cruz De Bezana, Castanedo, Medio Cudeyo, Ruesga, Peñarrubia, Cotillo, Voto, Corvera De Toranzo, Marina De Cudeyo, Campoo De Yuso, Ribamontán Al Monte, Rionansa, Mazcuerras, Hermandad De Campoo De Suso, Miera, Hazas De Cesto, Penagos, Vernejo, Trasvia, Secadura, Ormas, Villaverde De Pontones, Val De San Vicente, Vega De Pas, Liermo, Rumoroso, Nestares, Las Rozas De Valdearroyo, Ibio, Tezanos, Selaya, Camijanes, Caviedes, Anaz, Santotís, Arredondo, Torices, Ampuero, Uznayo, Herada, Mazandrero, Parbayón, Revelillas, Herrera De Ibio, La Revilla, Santibáñez, Ucieda, Silió, La Pared, Luey, Cahecho, Ontoria, Proaño, La Gándara, Ontón, Anero, Veguilla, Rada, Aja, Valmeo, Villabanez, Camplengo, Pumareña, Las Ilces, Villar, Villafufre, La Cueva, Puente San Miguel, Argomilla, Guardamino, Vioño, Gornazo, Brez, Villaescusa, Carriazo, Terán, La Ventona, Barros, Salces, San Miguel de Meruelo, Helguera, La Maza, La Lomba, Lavín, San Vicente de la Barquera, Otañes, Villamoñico, La Concha, La Lastra, Colsa, Abionzo, La Busta, Bostronizo, Dueso, Pedreña, Olea, Tresabuela, Gibaja, Orzales, Villapresente, Bárcena de Pie de Concha, Cohiño, Bárcena de Ebro, Pejanda, Orejo, Peñacastillo, Santander.
For an overview of destinations: Spain.
