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This cave is unique due to the whiteness and the abundance of its eccentric formations that, unlike stalactites or stalagmites, have not an axis. Their composition is aragonite and calcite.These concretions appear on the floor, the walls, ceilings, on top of old stalagtites, stalagmites and even on the shields.
The capital and main city of Cantabria, with a population of less than 200.000 inhabitants, is a charming place located on what has been dubbed one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Since Santander does not have many historical sites, it is the pleasant waterfront that keeps on attracting visitors to this area. The city's natural backdrop is indeed remarkable and the phenomenal beaches are perfect to enjoy the mild weather from which the city benefits year round. Beaches in and around the city are awesome and varied: surfers throng where waves are fiercest; the ones on the estuary are as quite as a pool, perfect for paddling; others are scenically fringed by rocks where toddlers go shelling. The beaches and the mild weather turned Santander into a fashionable sea resort with Spanish aristocracy in the early 20th century. However, Santander could not cope with the changing social...
Of all the small villages on the opposite shore of the Bay of Santander, Pedreña is the best known. Still, it is just a small fishing village which is famous for the quality of its shellfish and other sea fruits (clams and razor clams in particular) and for its gorgeous golf course, where the local hero Severiano Ballesteros started his career. Pedreña is very easily reached from Santander by road (about 20 km of scenic drive around the bay) or, much better, by a short ferry ride across the bay.The pedreñeras, women who collect clams and razor clams in the sand banks around the village during low tide, are some of the most idiosyncratic characters in the Santander area. They are still a common sight today and the fruits of their work are particularly appreciated throughout Cantabria. If you want to experience what the sea really tastes like, do not leave without trying a portion of...
In spite of officially being called Nature Park, Cabárceno is actually a zoo, however one of the best in Spain. It was built at the foot of Peña Cabarga in a former iron mine that had been exploited since the time of the Romans. Ancestral mining techniques and the remains of the iron mineral had turned the landscape into an out-of-worldly space, full of bizarre rock formations and appealing chromatic clashes between the red of the earth and the bright green of the fields. For the beauty of the environment, a visit to Cabárceno is a very pleasant experience even for those not travelling with children or without an interest in animals.There is not a large variety of species in Cabárceno, but they are kept in a friendly environment for the animals. The enclosures where the animals live are huge, so you can do the visit of the park by car, which is very recommendable if you do not have much...
The so-called Santander Bay is actually the largest estuary in the North coast of Spain. Most of the region's population is concentrated in the city of Santander and around its bay, and yet, there are plenty of unspoilt beaches and wetlands to enjoy. For instance, if you visit Santander by the end of the Summer, you can presence the annual gathering of thousands of swallows on their route from the British Isles to Africa. They usually concentrate around the Marisma de Alday.Beaches like Somo and El Puntal have commanding views of the city and the Madeleine Peninsula. Despite their easy access from the city, they have remained in a beautiful state of almost wilderness.
For most Spaniards, Santillana del Mar is the perfect medieval town. Not in vain, most surveys on the most beautiful town in the country are topped by this charming little village crammed with wooden-balconied houses and heralded palaces around the impressive Romanesque collegiate church of Santa Juliana. Its 12th-century cloister contains the most exquisite collection of Romanesque sculpture in this part of North Spain. The capitals of the double columns that enclose the courtyard depict bible scenes with great detail and in a perfect state of conservation. Not far from the old town, the Altamira Cave is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains breathtaking paintings dating back to the Magdaleniensis period of the Palaeolithic. This is possibly one of the most anticipated tourist attractions ever, as entry to the cave is extremely restrictive, which translates in waiting lists of up...
The one reason that would take you to this remote little village nestled in the rolling hills of Campoo can only be its beautiful Romanesque Saint Peter's Church, possibly the best in Cantabria. The atmosphere in the tiny town is deliciously rural, but already since your first glimpse from the highway, your attention will be dragged to the pure Romanesque lines of temple. However beautiful and inspiring, the church is not really very different from many others in South Cantabria and North Castile. A closer inspection to the carvings that decorate the corbels sustaining the roof will reveal, though, a surprising display of hard-core sexually explicit images that most people would never expect in a Catholic temple. Actually, it was common in the Middle Ages to display such sinful images in religious buildings, so that the mostly illiterate populace could look not only at the models to...
I would second the choice of staying in Somo, especially with kids. There's a 8 kms long beach there and several hotels and rural inns that are great, extremely well-equipped. Hotels include http://www.hotelesdesomo.com/ orhttp://www.hoteltorresdesomo.com/ and rural inns maybe searched at http://www.cantabriarural.com/,e.g. La Posada de Somo. August is peak season so book right away. There are fine restaurants (La Caracola, Rompeolas, etc.) and bars-cafes and instead of the taxi mentioned, you may take the bus-boat to Santander, every 15 minutes, takes you to the heart of Santander. Somo is fine surfing beach too in some of its areas.Cantabria has a lot of things to do, lovely beaches and towns in Santander, Langre, Galizano, Oyambre, San Vicente de la Barquera, cliff walks, etc. Weather is cooler than the South.Cabarceno is fantastic, the now natural zoo is an old iron mining area since...
We were driving north and climbing steadily along bendy-twisty roads in the Reserva nacional de Saja Parque. Suddenly, as we neared the brow of a hill on a bend we spotted a rather startled, large deer.But he was very tame!It was a lovely warm, sunny day at the end of March but the mountains ahaed were still snow-capped.
The place for pilgrimage for each historian, it is Altamira. Be prepared for long rows and limited time for going inside. The best way how to get into the caves is: the first day to buy tickets, the second day to go in. Check the timetable!
Hotel Bahia de Santander Santander
2 Reviews and 62 Opinions The Bahía is a classic in the Santander hotel business. The building collapsed while undergoing...
Parador de Santillana Gil Blas Santillana
2 Reviews and 38 Opinions At the entrance to the historic and pedestrian only centre of Santillana del Mar we were halted by a...
Hosteria El Pomar - Novales Comillas
15 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Cantabria attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Cantabria sightseeing.
More Cities in Cantabria
Q: My family are looking for campsites in cantabria for 1 week and a villa for another week, also in the same area. Does anyone have...
A: I am sending you a web where you may see all the campings in Cantabria http://www.vayacamping.net/ccan.asp?lang=en As you may see there is one in Santander Cabo mayor...
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