Cantabria: Coast, Caves and Pilgrim Routes

More than 250 kilometres of coastline, mild valleys and mountain pastures shape Cantabria’s landscape. Along the coast, the region has more than 60 beaches with fine white sand. But Cantabria is about more than beach days: cave heritage, pilgrim routes, hiking trails and regional cuisine each add their own character. You can shape your stay around the things that interest you most—from nature and outdoor activities to cultural heritage and culinary traditions.

Coast and nature

Oyambre Natural Park encompasses beaches, dunes, cliffs, pastureland and the Monte Corona forest. Among the distinctive features of the Liencres Dunes are their numerous hiking trails and wide beaches. These two natural areas showcase different sides of the coastal landscape: Oyambre combines coastal features with pastureland and forest, while Liencres stands out for its wide beaches and trails.

Cantabria has hiking trails all year round, and Liébana has many marked routes. In Los Tojos, an interpretation centre organises guided activities and provides information for self-guided visits. When planning your time there, you can therefore choose between guided activities and using the information to explore on your own.

Caves and cultural heritage

El Soplao Cave and its surrounding area include more than 20 kilometres of mining galleries. The caving visit follows a 2.5-hour route through several galleries and less accessible areas of the cave. These two figures answer different planning questions: the 2.5 hours refer to the route, while the more than 20 kilometres refer to the extent of the mining galleries in the cave and surrounding area. Conditions of participation may change; check them before your visit.

Altamira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known as the “Sistine Chapel of Rock Art.” Cantabria’s cultural heritage therefore has several distinct aspects: Altamira is associated with rock art, while El Soplao is known for its mining galleries and caving visit.

Pilgrim routes and excursions

The Camino del Norte runs along the Cantabrian Sea in Cantabria. The Camino Lebaniego offers a single pilgrimage to Santo Toribio de Liébana and Santiago de Compostela. These routes provide two different points of reference for planning: the coastal route of the Camino del Norte, and the pilgrimage to the two named destinations on the Camino Lebaniego.

Another specific excursion is made possible by the Fuente Dé cable car: it covers an elevation difference of 753 metres and provides access to the Mirador del Cable and the Puertos de Áliva. The elevation difference and the two named destinations give this experience its own distinctive character. Operating conditions may change; check the current conditions before your visit.

Cuisine and regional traditions

The cuisine also brings together different sides of the region: Cantabrian cooking combines produce from the sea, pastures and gardens. Traditional dishes include Quesada pasiega. Orujo is a characteristic Cantabrian drink, distilled by hand, drop by drop. So, alongside its landscapes, you can discover a variety of culinary traditions—from a named regional dish to a drink made using a traditional craft method.

Discover more destinations: Cabezón De La Sal, Casamaría, Santa María De Cayón, Cabezón De Liébana, Santa Cruz De Bezana, Castanedo, Medio Cudeyo, Ruesga, Peñarrubia, Cotillo, Voto, Corvera De Toranzo, Marina De Cudeyo, Villacarriedo, Udías, Bareyo, Pesaguero, Torrelavega, Santillana Del Mar, Reocín, Puente Viesgo, Los Corrales De Buelna, Limpias, Guarnizo, Escalante, Comillas, Castro-Urdiales, Arnuero, Liendo, Alfoz De Lloredo, Argoños, Camargo, Camaleño, Laredo, Riotuerto, Argomilla, Santander, Bostronizo, La Lastra, Ribamontán Al Monte, Rionansa, Mazcuerras, Hermandad De Campoo De Suso, Miera, Hazas De Cesto, Vernejo, Penagos, Ormas, Villaverde De Pontones, Val De San Vicente, Vega De Pas, Liermo, Rumoroso, Nestares, Las Rozas De Valdearroyo, Ibio, Tezanos, Selaya, Camijanes, Caviedes, Mazandrero, Parbayón, Revelillas, Herrera De Ibio, La Revilla, Santibáñez, Ucieda, Silió, La Pared, Luey, Cahecho, Ontoria, Proaño, La Gándara, Valmeo, Ontón, Anero, Veguilla, Rada, Aja, Puente San Miguel, La Cueva, Villafufre, Villar, Las Ilces, Pumareña, Camplengo, Villabanez, Villaescusa, Gornazo, Vioño, Guardamino, Valdáliga, Colsa, Abionzo, La Busta, Miengo, Noja, Potes, Ruiloba, Valderredible, Dueso, Pedreña, Olea, Tresabuela, Gibaja, Orzales, Villapresente, Bárcena de Pie de Concha, Cohiño, Bárcena de Ebro, Pejanda, Orejo, Peñacastillo, Santander, Uznayo, Suances, Brez, Vega De Liébana, Santotís, Arredondo, Torices, Ampuero, Santoña, Valle De Villaverde, Liérganes, Saro, Cillorigo De Liébana, Ruente, El Astillero, Cantabria, Rasines, Cabuérniga, Tresviso, Santiurde De Toranzo, Herrerías, Entrambasaguas, Cartes, Castañeda, Arenas De Iguña, Colindres, Bárcena De Cicero, Polanco, San Roque De Riomiera, Reinosa, Valdeprado, Piélagos, Los Tojos, Carriazo, Terán, La Ventona, Barros, Salces, San Miguel de Meruelo, Helguera, La Maza, La Lomba, Lavín, San Vicente de la Barquera, Otañes, Villamoñico, La Concha, Trasvia, Secadura, Campoo De Yuso, Anaz, Valcaba, Herada.

For the broader travel overview: Spain.