It is no secret that Cantabria is one of the most beautiful places in Spain. It is an autonomous region with a lot to offer at all levels, something you have been able to see for yourself in this magazine by enjoying its most popular beaches. What’s more, the beauty of its nature can be seen not only from the seashore, but also in its forests and villages, which are simply spectacular.
If you have in mind to visit it soon, book your campsite in Cantabria to make the most of it, for which I recommend you not to miss anything of what we tell you below.
Destinations not to be missed if you are travelling for 3 days
If you have a long weekend, you will have to sharpen your aim to see the best of Cantabria. The Picos de Europa Mountains are a must-see. You’ll climb to an altitude of over 1,800 metres and be treated to dreamlike landscapes, and all this while visiting villages such as Potes, which is a must-see.
If you don’t have vertigo and you want to enjoy the best views of the Picos de Europa, what you have to do is get on the cable car, which takes you up to 753 metres in a matter of 4 minutes and puts you at a height that will take anyone’s breath away. From the Mirador del Valle viewpoint you’ll feel like a bird gazing at everything from a distance.
When you have enjoyed the Liébana region properly, you can go down to San Vicente de la Barquera. This is a beautiful fishing village that is considered one of the prettiest in Spain. The tide comes and goes and changes the photos of all the tourists, but whatever the case, you are sure to get a perfect postcard.
After a stroll around San Vicente de la Barquera you can go to Comillas to see one of the three works that the architect Antoni GaudĂ designed outside Catalonia. This is the Capricho de GaudĂ and is one of the first masterpieces of the great representative of Catalan modernism.
In Comillas you can also make the most of your walk by popping into a craft shop, while good food is guaranteed thanks to the restaurants in the area, where you can eat the best seafood overlooking the sea.
To finish off a 3-day trip, you should see another fantastic town, Santillana del Mar, which curiously is neither holy, nor flat, nor has a sea. Its cobbled alleyways transport you back to medieval times, with the 13th century Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana and the Plaza Mayor of Santillana del Mar being some of its main attractions. If you have some time to spare, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see Santander, a beautiful city that mixes nature and urbanism in the best possible way.
Other areas to visit if you travel 7 days
If you have more days to see Cantabria in depth, the first thing you should do is spend more time in Santander so that you don’t miss any of its most prized spots. For example, you should not miss the opportunity to walk barefoot along the beach of El Sardinero, as its promenade helps you to relieve tension. In the same line we have the Cabo Mayor lighthouse, where you will find a highly recommended cafĂ© bar where you can rest while you play at spotting where the sea ends.
The Palacio de la Magdalena, the Rio de la Pila funicular railway, the Bay or the Vaguada de las Llamas are other points that should be marked in order to draw the best route around the Cantabrian capital.
Away from the city, the Ebro reservoir and the Roman city of JuliĂłbriga invite you to see something different. The reservoir was declared a National Waterfowl Refuge, while the Roman city is a piece of our history that is sure to surprise you.
What else is on offer? The Pasiegos Valleys, the Redwood Forest of CabezĂłn de la Sal and El Soplao. With all this, you are sure to leave Cantabria with a good taste in your mouth and with the desire to return one day.
Aspects to take into account during the trip
Due to its location in the north of Spain, Cantabria is an autonomous region where temperatures tend to be low. In summer, during the day, you can walk around in cool clothes, but things change when night falls. That’s why it’s a good idea to pack warm clothes in your suitcase. You should also know that it is one of the places in Spain where it rains the most all year round, although in July and August, which are the hottest months, the number of rainy days is considerably reduced.
On the other hand, it is also worth mentioning that it is advisable to choose the right footwear for every moment, since if you travel to Cantabria you will be combining visits to towns and cities with trips to beautiful natural landscapes. For this reason, you should take comfortable walking shoes and boots that can be used for hiking in the mountains without any problems.