Somo: Beach, Surf Culture and Coastal Paths

Somo brings together beach, surf culture and paths through varied landscapes. When planning your stay, you can choose between spending time at Playa de Somo, walking along the shore and following routes with their own distinct trails. Surfing history and maritime links with other places are also among the themes that shape a stay here.

Beach and Coastal Landscape

Playa de Somo has a 3,620-metre coastline. The landscape also includes dunes and wetlands. The beach is used for sunbathing and walking; surfers appreciate its waves, and there is a surf school on the beach. The most commonly used access points to Playa de Somo lead from the centre of Somo.

El Puntal offers a different coastal landscape: the beach has more than 4,000 metres of sand and, together with the beaches of Somo and Loredo, forms a continuous beach system about 6,000 metres long. El Puntal is ideal for long walks along the shore. Tides change conditions along the coast, so take the tide level into account when planning your visit.

From Somo, you can reach El Puntal on foot or by boat from the jetties there. Boat services may be seasonal, so it is worth checking the relevant timetable before planning your trip. A maritime service also connects Somo, Pedreña and Santander. Check the timetable for this service too if you plan to use it.

Routes Through Coast, Dunes and Meadows

The El Monte de Arna route is a 3.5-kilometre circular trail of low difficulty. It starts and ends at Travesía de Arna in Somo and links coastal and dune landscapes with a 60-hectare coastal pine forest.

Route 3, El Ribero y las Praderías, is 9.5 kilometres long and is also of low difficulty. It starts on Calle El Ribero in Somo and ends at the church in Castanedo. In the southern part of the municipality, it follows the Miera River towards the Ría de Cubas and passes through green meadows in an agricultural area.

Length and route are clear differences to consider when choosing between the two trails: El Monte de Arna is the shorter circular route, while El Ribero y las Praderías ends at the church in Castanedo. Conditions on the El Monte de Arna route may change; for El Ribero y las Praderías, it may be useful to confirm the route details locally before setting out.

Surf History in the Townscape

The Paseo de las Estrellas del Surf is on Somo’s seafront promenade, a few metres from the beach and next to the Centro de Surf and its skatepark. The Centro de Surf houses the tourist information office. The Paseo honours surfer Laura Revuelta as well as surfing pioneers at regional and national level.

The coastal surf zone is also linked to surfing history: the Surf Nature Reserve, created in 2012, covers the area between Somo, Loredo, Langre and Galizano. It was the first of its kind in Spain and the second in Europe. Somo’s connection with surfing can therefore be explored both along the seafront and in the wider context of the coast.

Culture Between Somo and Loredo

The Santuario de Latas lies between Somo and Loredo; the present-day building dates from the 16th century. The patron saint’s festival of Nuestra Señora de la Virgen de Latas in Somo-Loredo includes, on the Sunday before the feast day, a maritime procession to Santander, a parade of decorated floats and Picayos dances. The exact programme may vary. If you are planning to attend the festival, check the dates and programme.

Discover more destinations: Suesa, Loredo, Galizano.

Return to the main travel overview: Castanedo.