Our most recommended things to do in Cantabria

Santander: 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay

1. Santander: 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay

Make your visit to the city an unforgettable experience by embarking on this 1-hour cultural highlights tour of Santander Bay, considered to be one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Beginning and ending at the pier in Santander, you'll pass along the coast, towards the interior of the bay, through Puertochico. Observe, among other points of interest, Magdanela Palace, the Sardinero, Loredo, Somo, and El Puntal Beaches, until you reach the Botín Center, an internationally renowned art center and meeting place in Santander. Listen to your live guide, who will provide information about the history and the local culture, in English and/or Spanish. Move between the sheltered part of the boat to the uncovered section where you'll have amazing panoramic views of the bay from the top of the boat.

Comillas: Gaudí’s El Capricho Entrance Ticket & Tour Option

2. Comillas: Gaudí’s El Capricho Entrance Ticket & Tour Option

Visit one of only three buildings designed by Gaudí outside of Barcelona, the stunning El Capricho. Choose a ticket-only option to explore on your own, or select a guided tour to dive deeper into Gaudí’s life and work. Discover this colorful mansion surrounded by sunflowers, where every detail has meaning. Enjoy access to all the exterior and interior spaces, as well as audiovisual materials and exhibitions to explain this great work of art. With the guided tour option you’ll learn more about the secrets and history of El Capricho. The tour starts outside and takes you through the mansion’s main floor. Afterwards, you’re free to explore the rest of the site on your own.

Santander: Hop-On Hop-Off Tour 24-Hour

3. Santander: Hop-On Hop-Off Tour 24-Hour

Rolling hills, towering cliffs, diverse beaches...Santander has now evolved into one of Spain's most popular resorts for wealthy or noble Madrilenos (people from Madrid). Damaged by a fire in 1941, parts of the city have been re-built retaining the original architectural style. The reconstructed area houses Santander's most popular Gothic Cathedral. To make a visit more complete, guests should walk from the immense Palace grounds and then take a route along the Pla de Camel and the Playa Primera de El Sardinero to end at the Jardines de Piquio. Upgrade your experience to include a guided tour of the Magdalena Palace, the former home of the Spanish Royal Family. The upgraded option also includes a round-trip train ticket to the palace. Your itinerary stops: Stop 1 - Cathedral Stop 2 - Paseo Pereda / Centro Botin Stop 3 - Puerto Chico Stop 4 - Museo Maritimo / Playas Bahia Stop 5 - Palacio de Festivales / Planetario Stop 6 - Palacio de la Magdalena Stop 7 - Playa del Sardinero / Casino Stop 8 - Parque de Mataleñas/ Faro de Cabo Mayor Stop 9 - Parque de las Llamas Stop 10 - Estación Marítima

Santander: Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour

4. Santander: Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour

Depart from Santander and head toward Liébana. You will love this region of Cantabria where the landscape is dominated by mountains, forests, and rivers. On the way, prepare to be impressed when crossing the Hermida Gorge, one of the longest gorges in Spain. The first stop will be to visit the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana, a holy place for Christianity that houses the Lignum Crucis, the largest preserved piece of wood from the cross of Jesus. After this very special stop, continue the trip towards Fuente Dé, where there is the cable car station to go up to Picos de Europa. Enjoy at least 1 hour and 30 minutes of free time there to enjoy the place, take the cable car, or embark on a horseback riding experience around the area (optional). If you take the cable car, the trip will only last 4 minutes and will take you to a height of 1,823 m above sea level. The views from there are just breathtaking. Finally, arrive in Potes, the capital of Liébana and considered one of the most beautiful towns in Spain, with its cobbled streets, bridges, and medieval tower, Torre del Infantado. Take a short walking tour of the town and you enjoy free time for lunch and for shopping in one of its many souvenir shops.

Santoña: Cannery Guided Tour with Wine and Anchovy Tasting

5. Santoña: Cannery Guided Tour with Wine and Anchovy Tasting

Visita Guiada por nuestras instalaciones con una completa explicación de la elaboración de la Anchoa y el Boquerón y degustación final de Anchoas y vino Duración de la visita entre 20-30 min Siéntete como un verdadero fileteador de Anchoa y descubre todo acerca de su elaboración Siente el Umami en nuestras Anchoas del Cantábrico

Visita guiada en Fábrica de Anchoas de Santoña

6. Visita guiada en Fábrica de Anchoas de Santoña

Visita Guiada por nuestras instalaciones con una completa explicación de la elaboración de la Anchoa y el Boquerón y degustación final de Anchoas y vino Duración de la visita entre 20-30 min Siéntete como un verdadero fileteador de Anchoa y descubre todo acerca de su elaboración Siente el Umami en nuestras Anchoas del Cantábrico

Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket

7. Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket

The Cabárceno Nature Park, near Santander, is the perfect family day out to discover the beauty of nature and its creatures, with environments that recreate the natural habitats of the animals inside. Inside the park you will be able to see more than 100 species of animals in semi-freedom. Animals roam freely and their natural instincts are uninhibited. If you want to feel like you're in the wild, come and see Cabárceno Nature Park. You'll travel through the various enclosures, past beautiful gorges, tranquil lakes and striking rock formations on more than 20 kilometres of roads that criss-cross the park. The Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno has been created for educational, cultural, scientific and recreational purposes. You might even learn a thing or two along the way. In addition, there are numerous parking areas and trails all over the park that will allow you to appreciate the beauty of nature. Discover the mysteries of flora, fauna and minerals through a range of activities for all ages.

Cantabria : El Soplao Cave guided tour

8. Cantabria : El Soplao Cave guided tour

Explore the geological marvels of El Soplao Cave in the heart of Cantabria, in northern Spain. Embark on an extraordinary journey as you venture into this geological marvel boasting over 20 km of mesmerizing tunnels and galleries. Discovered in Cantabria in 1908, El Soplao Cave derived its name from the "los soplaos," the term used by miners to describe the karstic cavities they encountered during their labor, caracterized by powerful air currents. Prepare to be awe-inspired by the astonishing rock formations concealed within, while also treating yourself to breathtaking panoramic views of the majestic Picos de Europa. Begin your extraordinary subterranean expedition by meeting your spanish speaking guide at the entrance of the cave. Board a mining train, which will transport you approximately 400 meters into the heart of the cave through a meticulously fortified tunnel. As you disembark from the train, you'll embark on a 60-meter stroll through ancient mining galleries, leading you into the captivating Gorda Gallery, nestled within this magnificent chamber. Rest assured, the entire cave tour is thoughtfully equipped to accommodate visitors of all types, ensuring everyone can revel in the geological marvels and experience the fascinating world of mining archaeology. Brace yourself for a mesmerizing journey covering approximately 1,500 meters of remarkable terrain.

From Santander: Lakes of Covadonga Guided Day Trip

9. From Santander: Lakes of Covadonga Guided Day Trip

Asturias is the region that has it all. Find out why they say that paradise is in Asturias on a full-day trip that takes you past its blue lakes, green hillsides, and stunning coastline. Marvel at the mountains of Covadonga and learn the secrets that they hold. The tour starts from Santander and takes you past many Asturian and Cantabrian treasures. Learn about the history of this region as you drive into Covadonga Mountain National Park and up to Mirador de Entrelagos – the viewpoint between 2 lakes – where you'll take in Ercina and the Enol below. After visiting the Lakes of Covadonga, venture down to the Royal Site of Covadonga, home to the Virgen of Covadonga. Popularly known as La Santina, this site has a majestic Basilica built from stones from the surrounding mountains. The next stop is Cangas de Onís. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Asturias, this small town is home to a charming bridge with an incredible history. Learn all about this town from your guide and snap a picture of the famous victory cross.

From Santander or Torrelavega: Soplao Cave Excursion

10. From Santander or Torrelavega: Soplao Cave Excursion

Start with pickup in Santander or Torrelavega and travel to El Soplao Cave in the Cantabrian mountains. Admire the scenery of valleys, forests, and mountain peaks throughout the journey. Upon arrival, take a one-hour guided tour of the different chambers, or "galleries", of the cave. First, learn more about its discovery in the early 20th century. Be amazed by a natural geological wonder of spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, washes, columns, cave pearls, and other interesting features. After visiting the cave, continue the trip towards the beautiful viewpoint of Tina Menor located outside the town of Pechón. Enjoy the wonderful views of the Cantabrian Sea and the beaches below.

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What people are saying about Cantabria

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 504 reviews

Amazing tour of Comillas blessed with lovely weather and a wonderful guide (Gabriella.) Saw all the sights I wanted to see with the highlight being Caprico de Gaudi Would totally recommend this tour - 10 out of 10 !

Everything was perfect to see so many species in a space adapted almost to their natural space, the landscapes were perfect, since the enclosures are so large with some animals it is difficult to see them

Today was a wonderful day trip. Our guide was enthusiastic, informative and enjoyable. We also had sufficient time to explore on our own. I wouldn’t change a thing. Thank you.

It has been great! They pick you up at the door of your hotel and take you back, our guide Carlos, the best of all, a great expert and a great experience thanks to him !!

A great boat trip around the bay, a lovely way to see the sights of Santander