Routes and charming villages in Cantabria
We want you to come and discover Cantabria, enjoy an unforgettable experience in one of the most charming houses in Cantabria and make the most of your stay to know some of the most beautiful places in Cantabria.
That is why we propose this complete guide of activities and routes divided into 7 “stages” so that you can choose the one that best suits your tastes. When planning your getaway in Cantabria, we also recommend that you visit ITM, the agenda of Cantabria so you don’t miss the most important events. Visit this guide by clicking here.
7 “stages” so that your visit to Cantabria is complete and you live this beautiful region”.
To do several of these routes you would need a longer stay. That’s why we have a 10% discount on our website for stays of 5 nights or more (except July and August).
La Costa Occidental
The Cantabrian western coast encompasses the part of the community that extends from Santander to Asturias. It is a perfect place to discover some of the most charming fishing villages and towns in Cantabria.
Santillana del Mar
Visit to the Neo Cueva de Altamira (from the hotel we can provide tickets or book at www.museodealtamira.es, tel. 942818815) and stroll through the medieval village (la Collegiate, mansions and palaces, Torres de Merino and Don Borja …). You can eat very well in El Gran Duque (Tel. 942840386) or in “El Sitio del Valle” (Oreña, very near Santillana, Tel. 942716204).
San Vicente de la Barquera
A walk through the seafaring village par excellence (beaches, estuary, old town with church, castles and remains of wall …). For meals there is a varied offer, for example in Augusto restaurant (Caldereta of rice with lobster). The Ostrería (San Vicente, tel 942712564, marinera cuisine with wonderful views, in terrace or in the dining room that gives to the terrace, according to the climate).
Parque Natural de Oyambre
A walk before or after eating (estuaries, marshes, beaches, dunes and meadows), you can eat in Jerruca Restaurant (in Jerra, past Oyambre), fantastic fish, seafood and views (Tel. 942710212).
Comillas
Dinner at Comillas in El Gurea (Tel. 942722446) or in the village square, or back in La Trainera (Pedreña , barbecue-kitchen with terrace Tel: 942500007).
Saja Natural Reservation
If you are a lover of spectacular landscapes and nature, it is one of the routes in Cantabria that cannot be missed. It is located in the central-western area of Cantabria and is the largest park in the Community.
Highlights the mountains, landscapes, fauna and flora that occupy a large part of the six municipalities between which it extends: Ruente, Cieza, Arenas de Iguña, Cabuérniga, Los Tojos and Campoo de Suso.pueden faltar.
Tourism by car in the reserve until the Port of Palombera
(Ucieda, Ruente, Cieza and the Llares). Possibility to enter the reservation by hiring a guided tour of “Fotonatur” (Tel.607769130 / 600581825. 3hs .: 21 € per person) prior availability of authorized vehicle (fully recommended) that could be in the morning or in the afternoon.
Eat in "Los Tojos"
(“La Bolera”, Tel. 942706035: homemade cuisine, cooked stew from mountain)
Other options: Casa Fito in Ucieda-942709015, or Casa Lucas in Correpoco-942706092). If you want to eat something different and special, La Braña in Carrejo, next to Cabezón de la Sal (942700566).
Walk in Bárcena Mayor
Aldea medieval rehabilitada y declarada conjunto histórico artístico, hasta el “Llano Castrillo”
Regreso por Cos, Mazcuerras y Virgen de la Peña Cena de vuelta en El Galeón de Somo (pescados y marisco, con terraza, Tel. 942510214).
Liébana y and Peaks of Europe
A haven of peace and tranquility amid spectacular natural surroundings.
One of the routes in Cantabria that you can not miss in your agenda where you will discover some of the most charming villages in Esàña and where you will taste its famous traditional cuisine such as lebaniego stew or the famous meats and cheeses of the area.
Fuente Dé
Fuente Dé, climb on the cable car and see the majestic Cantabrian mountain range (as long as the day is clear) from the Cable Lookout, almost 2000 meters above sea level.
Route through the National Park of the Picos de Europa
Route through the National Park of the Picos de Europa.
Featured restaurants in the area of the Picos de Europa
Lunch at the Parador de Fuente Dé (traditional cuisine), at Posada Peñas Arriba (Lon) at El Oso or El Urogallo-942733077 (Cosgaya) or at Potes (Casa Cayo-942730150, El Fogón de Kus, Paco Wences), Casa Fofi or Mesón Los Llanos (between Camaleño and Cosgaya, towards Fuente Dé).
Santander from the sea
Santander is a perfect city to enjoy, both as a couple and as a family with children or a small group of friends for the amount of variety of plans and visits offered to tourists.
We have focused, in this section, in what is probably the most charming city area, the part that is in contact with the beach and the sea.
Take the boat from Pedreña to Santander
Across the bay (in summer you can enjoy a guided route by the bay, approximately 1 hour long).
Gastronomy in La Magdalena and surroundings
Food in the Spa of the Magdalena in the Magdalena beach facing the sea (traditional cuisine: 942032107/08), in the Spa de La Concha (942290919/20) or in the Rhine, both of excellent location in the Sardinero Beach; or very special in De Luz (942290606).
Dinner in Santander
Involves having a car, since the last boat back is at 20.30 in winter and 21.30 in summer): The Machichaco (Taberna marinera, c / Calderón de la Barca, next to the Hotel Bahia). El Riojano (traditional tavern in the Rio de la Pila). Los Raqueros (c / Bonifaz / Puerto Chico). El Serval (New kitchen, 1 * Michelin Guide, Puerto Chico-942222515). La Mulata (fish and seafood, Puerto Chico). The Posada del Mar (fish and seafood). El Marucho (seafood tavern, very good value for money, small port). La Bombi (Traditional cuisine, also in Puerto Chico). Ka Cúpula del Rhine in Sardinero (Avda. Reina Victoria, 153. Tel-942274300). The Fishing Quarter (traditional fish / seafood cuisine).
Villas Pasiegas
Landscapes, charming villages, traditional cuisine and family plans.
A prefect place to make routes in Cantabria for all those who want to discover one of the best kept “secrets” in Cantabria since it is an area less touristy than others mentioned above and that retains the charm and tradition that gives it that flavor special.
Nature park of Cabárceno
part of the protected area of Peña Cabarga, spectacular geological landscape of Karst enabled as a wildlife reserve. You can eat inside the Park in the Osos restaurant, picnic, in La Casuca (Obregón -942564472) or in the town of Cabárceno at the foot of the exit of the elephants (Los Renos – 942554240, Peña Cabarga – 942554072, Los Elefantes – 942554287).
Self-tourism by Pámanes
(Museum of the Palace of Elsedo), Esles, Llerana, Villacarriedo (Palace of Soñanes), Selaya (Palace of Donadío, factory of “sobaos and quesadas” El Macho …), Vega de Pas
Food in El Español-942590393 (typical cuisine, Selaya), in El Horno, also in Selaya, El Fogón or Pools in Villacarriedo (stew mountain, Tel. 942590214). In San Roque de Rio Miera: La Vieja Escuela Restaurant (from € 25 / person Tel 942749121. Stew from mountain, lamb, goat …).
Return to Las Cinco Calderas
Return by Valvanuz, San Roque de Rio Miera, La Cárcoba and Liérganes (declared town of artistic historical interest where it is typical to walk at sunset and take chocolat with churros in El Hombre Pez, El Español, La Giraldilla …)
Dinner and return in the restaurant Cenador de Amós in Villaverde de Pontones (cuisine author, 2 Michelin stars) or El Pajar de Somavilla in carriazo (traditional cuisine with special touch and rustic: 942505189).
Cena ya de vuelta en el restaurante Cenador de Amós en Villaverde de Pontones (cocina de autor) o El Pajar de Somavilla en carriazo (cocina tradicional con toque especial y rústico: 942505189).
East Coast
The east coast of Cantabria extends from the city of Santandar to the end of the community on the border with the Basque Country. It is characterized by being one of the most tourist areas of Cantabria, for its charming villages and for its famous cuisine.
These are the four most interesting routes through Cantabria on the east coast.
Castro Urdiales
One of the Four Villas of the Coast of the Sea: visit by the old town and monumental heritage; food in the Marinero (seafood cuisine).
Laredo
Walk through the old town, declared historic artistic set.
Santoña
Marshes, beaches, Mount Buciero, purchase of the famous anchovies and ventresca and dinner on the Paseo Marítimo (traditional restaurants such as La Gaviota on the pier, with terrace) or in the center: La Bodeguilla, El Jauja , Salt and Pepper Sugar (Special, charming and good value for money; Plaza de la VILLA, 942680858); El Paso (market kitchen); As De Guía (942680808),
Noja
Spectacular coast and beaches. You can eat the restaurant MIRO at the foot of Ris beach, in SAMBAL (Bº El Arenal – 942631531 – new kitchen). Mijedo (Playa de Tregandín), Pata Palo (seafood) and take the coffee in La Cabaña (very chill-out) or in La Posada.