9 best things to do on a trip to Cantabria

Cantabria It is the region of Spain that I have visited the most times throughout my life and that I know best.

The main reason is that, as I have said on several occasions, in Spain I have a special predilection towards the northern regions, especially Cantabria y Asturias, as well as to the countries of northern Europe.

Therefore, when it comes to telling you my Principal reasons for which practically every year I travel at least one weekend to CantabriaI must first make it clear that I am not target.

Like me attraction to Asturias It has family motivations (one of my grandparents were originally from the Cangas de Narcea region), in the case of Cantabria Something similar also happens.

Reasons to travel for tourism to Cantabria

During my childhood I spent my summer vacations (at that time when those lasted up to two months...) in the town of Laredo, when the skyscrapers had not yet arrived and the summer excursion was to get closer to the Strut.

And my first trips with friends were to…Laredo.

Over time, he has always looked for any pretext to visit Cantabria, even if it was on a lightning trip.

So, for example, from Madrid I have made round trips in one day to enjoy a day of skiing at the resort. High Campoo, or to eat a mountain stew in Barcena Mayor.

Or also enjoy a walk through the Old Puebla de Laredo.

And until recently my family owned a house in Hump, a village near Branches of Victory, in the Asón Valley.

What better excuse to spend a few days in Cantabria!

To this we must add that in recent times I have traveled to Cantabria several times with the aim of deepening my knowledge of the region to capture my travel experiences in this blog...and it has never ceased to surprise me.

The best things to do on a tourism trip to Cantabria

Next, so that you understand this predilection, I am going to tell you what my main reasons to travel to Cantabria every year.

Coastal and mountain landscapes in Cantabria

As long as I travel by car to Cantabria (the way I like to go the most) I have a special feeling of placidity when from the Castilian plateau I begin the descent towards one of its valleys.

In view of the beauty of the landscapes, with great greenery and lushness in the forests and the beauty of the landscapes, I never cease to be surprised by the great variety of landscapes in our country, in contrast to those of the plateau or the Mediterranean region. .

But, also, the beautiful contrast of the mountains with the coastal landscapes, especially in the area of ​​the Picos de Europa, are already a sufficient reason to travel to Cantabria.

For example, panoramic views of the Picos de Europa from San Vicente de la Barquera.

In the same Picos de Europa, the spectacular ascent on the Fuente Dé Cable Car.

or in the Asón Valley, the panoramic views towards the mountain of Santoña from a small hermitage at the top of a cliff (whose name I'm sorry I can't remember, does anyone know?), which you can see from the viewpoint of the Sanctuary of the Bien Aparecida.

Most beautiful and picturesque towns in Cantabria

Surely you know that in Cantabria are some of the most beautiful villages in Spain.

Santillana de Mar It is the best exponent, which I advise you to visit (if you have the opportunity...) at a time of year that does not coincide with holidays, long weekends or weekends, given the large influx of visitors on those days.

But there are many other towns of great attraction.

For instance, Barcena Mayor, in the Saja Valley, which I discovered many years ago when it was still reached through a sand track, although now it has an excellent access road that undoubtedly facilitates the arrival of many tourists.

And, why not refer to the charm that the aforementioned always arouses in me? Old Puebla de Laredo, San Vicente de la Barquera, Jars, Castro Urdiales...

Waves emblazoned mansions that you find in numerous towns like (now it comes to mind) Ontaneda.

Or the possibility of seeing surprising buildings, such as El Capricho de Gaudí en Comillas.

The best caves to visit in Cantabria

I know there are people who don't like it visit caves; it's not my case. And when it comes to caves, in Cantabria you have great gems.

Of course, the best known is the Altamira cave, The Sistine Chapel of rock art...which cannot normally be visited.

However, on a trip to Cantabria it must be essential visit el museum and neocave from Altamira,

It is an emulation of the original cave made with maximum fidelity, which allows you to enter the environment and the “Life” from the residents who once left this masterpiece.

In one of my last trips to Cantabria I have visited another great gem that I had been waiting to see, also in a much more interesting way.

I mean the visit Adventure Turism from the El Soplao Cave, a cavity that, due to its spectacular eccentric formations It has become one of the great tourist attractions of that region.

But I will tell you that there are more caves worth visiting.

Eg Castle Cave, Viesgo Bridge, of enormous interest, where in some large cavities you will also see paintings.

Or the very small one Covalanas Cave, Branches of Victory, also with paintings, but above all, where you will enjoy the passion and knowledge of the guide who shows it (at least, the one I knew).

Best beaches in Cantabria

In Cantabria you can enjoy beaches with very different configurations.

If the weather is not good or the water is too cold, some of them invite you to take long, pleasant walks along the seashore; At the outset I will mention six, but here you have a longer article with the best beaches in Cantabria.

La Laredo beach, which never ceases to impress me, especially when you see the bay from the viewpoint of the old main road.

Also the wildest Liencres dune area beach, or the cove Ruiloba, nudism corner, both near Santander.

Of course, The Sardinero, the great beach of the Cantabrian capital, or the beach of Somo which extends to the other side of the bay, facing the capital, an ideal setting for surfing.

What to eat in Cantabria: typical dishes

Not because I mention it in fifth place gastronomy occupies a secondary position among the attractions of a trip to Cantabria.

Quite the contrary, I think that gastronomy is a primary argument of this region of northern Spain.

De Cantabria I have always liked hearty dishes, like Mountain stew, a specialty that I discovered for the first time in the Meson Río Argoza, Barcena Mayor.

This is an establishment that you access through a traditional grocery store where the dining room is in the back.

My latest tasting experiences of an exquisite Mountain stew It was in the restaurant The Portilla, in Celis, near the The Soplao Cave, And in the national hostel of Santillana del Mar.

Another typical dish is lebaniego stew, which you taste in the Valley of Liebana.

They have a well-earned reputation Bear Inn y The Grouseboth in CosgayaNear Jars.

But on my last visit I ate a big lebaniego stew in the restaurant located at the foot of the F cable caruente Give.

Another hearty dish that for me is a must on a trip to the Asón Valley is Red beans, a typical dish from the nearby Basque Country.

To taste them I try to go to Thomas House, Ogarrio, small town near Branches.

Restaurants and haute cuisine in Cantabria

But, of course, in Cantabria you can also enjoy haute cuisine.

Currently, the most famous restaurant is The Arbor of Amos, Villaverde de Pontones, three Michelin stars where you can participate in a cooking workshop conducted by its prestigious chef Jesús Sánchez.

It is also worth mentioning the Pedro García's store, small restaurant Solar with earned fame, which occupies a traditional grocery store.

In recent trips I have also discovered that Cantabria now produces local wines, like that of the Vidular Wineries, near Laredo….. and I didn't know that in the Valley of Liebana You can taste natural… Cantabrian cider.

On the other hand, I am a great cheese taster, and I like those with a strong flavor.

I'm still struggling with it blue pigeon of the denomination Bejes-Tresviso that matures in caves surrounded by stalactites, also in the Valley of Liebana.

And of course, at the top of the podium gastronomic in Cantabria is the cheese (in the top 3 of my favorite sweets). And I also love rub your pasiegos.

What activities to do in Cantabria

In your holiday trip to Cantabria You also have the opportunity to enjoy various activities.

If you travel with children (and if not, also...) you have the obligatory visit of the Cabarceno Park. It is much, much more than a big zoo.

It is a surprising natural space located in an old open-air iron mine where you can enjoy seeing a varied fauna in a state of semi-freedom.

Do not miss the spectacular display of birds of prey.

Also in Cantabria you can enjoy experiential activities linked to gastronomy, how to participate in a Sobaos pasiegos workshop with Joselin where you will discover (and taste) the virtues of a good sobao pasiego.

And of course, practice sportsand golf en Abra del Pas, mogro, or in the Sardinero field, or give a horseback riding along the Santoña estuary.

And as for nautical activities, it is worth mentioning the aforementioned surfing in Somo, descend the Asón river in canoe o rent a sailboat all with navigate through Pedreña.

Among the tourist activities, you also have the possibility of attending popular partiesas the The Cantabrian Wars de The Corrales de Buelna.

This event takes place between the last weekend of August and the first of September, and is a historical recreation that is also very suitable for going with children.

Spas in Cantabria

Of course in Cantabria You can also dedicate time to relax.

It's been years since I enjoyed Puente Viesgo Spa, and recently I have discovered that the building that on previous trips I saw half abandoned in the middle Valley of Liebana now is the Hotel Balneario La Hermida,

With facilities of spa enviable, in this spa you can see how the hot springs emerge from the mountain at a very high temperature.

Visit the city of Santander

And of course you can't talk about Cantabria without thinking about visit Santanderundoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

From my point of view, its greatest attraction is concentrated in the Sardinero area, with its large beaches facing the sea, the peninsula with the Magdalena Palace, or the historic palaces and hotels that are distributed throughout it.

But for your visit to the Cantabrian capital you also have other aspects of interest.

So can visit the cathedral and learn about the medieval history of Santander, which at that time was a very small walled coastal town.

Or you can also visit several museums in Santander and other corners that show their more cultural aspectand new Botín Center. a building with daring architecture where exhibitions and other cultural activities are held.

Or walk around Hope Market, better on a Friday to see their incredible offer of fresh fish, or make a nice bay cruise.

In summary, do you notice that I love Cantabria?