Places to visit in Santander

With a wide range of attractions, activities, and accommodations available nearby, it is no wonder that more people are choosing this picturesque location as their travel destination. The area offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, with plenty of beaches to explore or relax on during your stay.

The city also boasts impressive historical sights and cultural experiences, such as museums, galleries, and monuments. Additionally, there are numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, water sports, and cycling routes around Santander Airport's surrounding area - making it an ideal place for holidaymakers looking to return to nature while still enjoying all the comforts modern life can offer.

Please check us for more tourism options in the region at getyourguide.com.

Santander: Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour

Get on a plane out of Santander and fly to Liébana. With its mountains, forests, and rivers, this area of Cantabria will surely win your heart. On the way, you'll pass through the Hermida Gorge, one of the longest gorges in Spain, and it's sure to leave an impression.

As a first stop, we'll go to the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana. This Christian holy site houses the Lignum Crucis, the largest preserved piece of wood from the cross on which Jesus died.

After this unforgettable detour, continue on to Fuente Dé, where the cable car station for Picos de Europa awaits. Spend at least 1 hr. 30 min. of your time at leisure there, exploring at your own pace, riding the cable car, or exploring on horseback.

The cable car will reach an elevation of 1,823 meters in just 4 minutes. The vistas are absolutely stunning. Potes, the capital of Liébana, is one of the most picturesque cities in Spain thanks to its medieval tower, Torre del Infantado, charming bridges, and winding, narrow streets.

From Santander: Lakes of Covadonga Guided Day Trip

There is literally nothing that Asturias does not offer. Take a full-day trip through Asturias and see why the region is often called "paradise." You'll pass by beautiful blue lakes, verdant hills, and a breathtaking coastline. Discover the mysteries hidden in the Covadonga mountains.

The trip begins in Santander and travels through Asturias and Cantabria, stopping at various historical sites. Tour the historical sites of Ercina and the Enol below as you drive through Covadonga Mountain National Park and up to Mirador de Entrelagos, the viewpoint between 2 lakes.

After exploring the Covadonga Lakes, go to the Royal Site of Covadonga to pay homage to the Covadonga Virgen. Familiarly called "La Santina," this location is home to a magnificent Basilica constructed with stones from the nearby mountains.

From Santander: Cabarceno Natural Park Half-Day Trip

The unique features of Cabarceno Natural Park can be better appreciated with the help of a guide. The park was reclaimed from an open-cast iron mining operation and is now used for conservation and environmental education. Nearly 150 species of animals from all five continents call the park their home, enjoying freedom within spacious enclosures.

Tour the park in a minivan and then take a quick ride on a cable car to get a bird's-eye view of it all. Gorillas, tigers, bears, and elephants are some animals you may see during your stay. Have the opportunity to witness flight demonstrations of raptors and a sea lion demonstration, depending on the time of year and the weather.

From Santander or Torrelavega: Soplao Cave Excursion

El Soplao Cave is located in the Cantabrian Mountains. It can be reached by being picked up in Santander or Torrelavega. Stop frequently to take in the breathtaking views of valleys, forests, and mountain peaks.

You can take a guided tour through the cave's various "galleries" for an hour when you get there. It was first discovered in the early 20th century, so you should start there. Visit a cave rich in interesting geological features like stalactites, stalagmites, washes, columns, and cave pearls.

Continue from the cave to the stunning Tina Menor overlook outside Pechón. Indulge in the breathtaking panoramas of the Cantabrian Sea and the coastline below.

From Santander: Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour

At 9:30 in the morning, you'll set off from Santander for the picturesque medieval town of Santillana del Mar. This small town is a major attraction among Cantabria's most popular tourist destinations. The Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana can be seen at the end of a pleasant walk along the city's cobblestone streets in the Plaza Mayor.

You'll be touring the museum dedicated to local sculptor Jess Otero. After that, you'll have time to do whatever you like, including shopping at the Collegiate if you so choose. You will then visit the Altamira Museum afterward. The so-called Neocave, or "room of paintings," is displayed in this museum's replica.

In 1985, Unesco designated this cave as part of its World Heritage list. This replica was made because the cave currently only permits 5 visitors per week to ensure its continued existence. Paintings in the cave date back 35,600 years; the cave itself is a natural rock hollow.

There is no doubt that this series of prehistoric paintings rank among the finest examples of its kind ever discovered.