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Beautifully green Cantabria, the small northern Spain region bordering Asturias west and the Basque Country east, has a spectacular coastline, matched by the equally stunning Picos de Europa National Park which pushes into the region from Asturias. The stunning Medieval Cantabrian town of Santillana del Mar makes for a delightful Spanish base indeed (see Santillana del Mar accommodation listings here on Iknow Spain). Ferries to Santander are easily hooked into from the UK from Plymouth (see Ferries to Santander weblink right). You can take your car too!
Cantabria's coast on the Bay of Biscay is renowned for its sublime rugged cliffs dotted with picturesque seaside resorts and some pretty fishing villages. Both Cantabria and Asturias contain some of Spain's most beautiful coastline. Push into the Cantabrian interior for some equally stunning walking territory around the Picos de Europa with high peak Pena Vieja reaching 2613m. Cantabria's green landscapes are no accident, you get the rain up here, and it's not unheard of to see rain in Cantabria in August. Average summer temperatures however are still well up around 22 degrees centigrade. As well as ferries to Santander, Cantabria's main city and entrance point, you've also direct flights to Santander Airport (just 5km south of the city) from London Stansted (with connecting flights from Alicante, Madrid, Barcelona and elsewhere internally in Spain).
Santander Tourist Office, Jardines de Pereda, s/n - 39002 Santander (Cantabria) Tel. 0034 942203000. Suances Tourist Information Office, Calle Ceballos - Camping, 12 - 39340 Suances (Cantabria) Tel. 0034 942810924. Comillas Tourist Information, Bajos del Joaqun del Ayuntamiento Pilago, 1 - 39520 Comillas (Cantabria) Tel. 0034 942722591. Santillana del Mar Tourist Information Office, Jesus Otero, 20 - 39330 Santillana (Cantabria) Tel. 0034 942818251.
Cantabria is a Spanish region with parks, lots of them including one National Park and 5 smaller parks. The Cantabrian parks offer much variety from the dune systems of the Parque Natural de las Dunas de Liencres on the River Pas estuary to the high peaks of the Picos de Europa which contains deep chasms and is popular with climbers, walkers and mountaineers. Cantabria contains a large number of fascinating pre-historic caves, many of which contain cave art. (see the Cantabrian webguide right for details on Cantabrian caves at Covalanas, El Pendo, Hornos de la Pena and Altamira Cave Museum in Santillana del Mar.
The Cantabrian coast holds more delights, with more than 60 beaches dotting the coastline. (see a full list and guide of Cantabria's beaches via the Cantabria webguide right). Particular favourites include Salve Beach (blue flag) at Laredo, Oyambre beach at El Tejo and Santander's La Concha Beach. Surfing is popular around the Santander area. Cantabria's food specialisms include not surprisingly seafood with numerous varieties of crab, clams, lobster, squid and prawns. Roast sardines are a particular delicacy in the region.
Santillana del Mar (see webguide right) west of Santander is a Medieval treasure trove in the region, crammed with numerous intact medieval buildings. Perfect as a base for exploring the Cantabria region, Santillana del Mar contains a choice of museums including the converted monastery Museo Diocesano and the fascinating Museo el Solar - a museum which lays bare the grusome Inquisition with displays of torture implements. The Altamira Museum within Santillana is a main centre for the history of Cantabria's prehistoric caves.
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