Playa de Somo has a 3,620-metre coastline and is used for sunbathing and walks. El Puntal, designated paths and cultural sites offer other focal points for your stay. Choosing Somo allows you to balance beach time, walks and routes according to your own interests, rather than treating the different coastal and landscape areas as if they were the same.
Beach, dunes and coastline
The landscape of Playa de Somo includes dunes and wetlands, among other features. El Puntal has more than 4,000 metres of sand and, together with the beaches of Somo and Loredo, forms a continuous beach system of around 6,000 metres. These figures refer to different measurements: the 3,620 metres refer to the coastline of Playa de Somo, while the approximately 6,000 metres refer to the continuous beach system that includes El Puntal and Loredo.
El Puntal is well suited to long walks along the shore. Beach conditions can change with the tides, so if you are planning a longer walk by the water, it is worth taking the current shoreline conditions into account. Playa de Somo itself is ideal for sunbathing and walks; its access points from the town centre of Somo are the most frequently used.
Surfing and getting your bearings
Surfers appreciate the waves at Playa de Somo, and there is a surf school on the beach. The tourist information office is located in the Centro de Surf, which is also the headquarters of the Cantabrian Surfing Federation. Paseo de las Estrellas del Surf is on the promenade, a few metres from the beach and next to the Centro de Surf and its skatepark.
The promenade connects the coast with a tribute to surfing history: it honours surfer Laura Revuelta and surfing pioneers at regional and national level. The wider geographical context is also part of this story. The Surf Nature Reserve, created in 2012, was the first in Spain and the second in Europe. It covers the coastal surf zone between Somo, Loredo, Langre and Galizano.
Walks and routes
For a shorter circular walk, El Monte de Arna is an option: the route is 3.5 kilometres long, rated as easy, and starts and finishes on TravesĂa de Arna in Somo. Its landscape combines coast and dunes with a 60-hectare coastal pine forest. Trail conditions can change, so it is worth checking the latest route information before setting off.
Route 3, El Ribero y las PraderĂas, is 9.5 kilometres long and is also rated as easy. It starts on Calle El Ribero in Somo and ends at the church in Castanedo. In the southern part of the municipality, it follows the Miera River towards the RĂa de Cubas and passes through green meadows in an agricultural landscape. The routes differ in length and course: El Monte de Arna is a circular walk with the same start and end point, while El Ribero y las PraderĂas runs from Somo to Castanedo. Check the route information locally before setting off.
Maritime routes and El Puntal
El Puntal can be reached from Somo on foot or by boat from the piers in Somo. Boat services may vary by season, so it is advisable to check the timetable when planning. There is also a maritime service connecting Somo, Pedreña and Santander. Timetables can change, so check the times if you plan to use this service.
Culture between Somo and Loredo
The Santuario de Latas lies between Somo and Loredo; the current building dates from the 16th century. The Nuestra Señora de la Virgen de Latas patron saint festival in Somo-Loredo includes, on the preceding Sunday, a maritime procession to Santander, a parade of decorated floats and Picayos dances. The exact festival programme may vary. These cultural points of interest complement the beach and paths with a different perspective on the town and its traditions.
Choose a hotel based on your travel interests
This helps you tailor your search to your plans and choose activities that suit your travel interests.
Discover more destinations: Suesa, Galizano, Loredo.
Go to the overview of destinations: Castanedo.
