Cantabria

Reasons to visit Cantabria

The region of Cantabria is ideal for those who love outdoor activities such as walking, horse riding, fishing and bird watching or for the more adventurous sports enthusiast, white-water rafting, kayaking and canoeing. If you prefer the beach, the area does not disappoint, having long dune-like beaches which stretch for miles along its Atlantic coastline, elegant seaside towns with attractive promenades and excellent restaurants.

For those seeking out culture and history this area has so much of interest. As the route of the Camino de Santiago (Pilgrims Way) meanders through the region there are hundreds of buildings of historic importance to see and visit. Santander, capital of Cantabria, has a wonderful Romanesque and gothic cathedral and the Palacio de Magdalena. Visit during August for the city's International Festival of Music and Dance. Other places worthy of avisit in Cantabria are the beautifully preserved medieval village, Santillana del Mar and the unspoilt market town of Picos, close to the Picos de Europa National park. Also nearby to Santillana are the Altamira caves, boasting some of the most important prehistoric cave paintings in the world.

With its lush green meadows, miles of uncrowded sandy beaches, huge forests, awesome mountains and beautiful national parks, and its reputation for some of the best seafood in Europe, its not surprising that this area of Spain is very popular with Spanish holidaymakers, but they can't keep it to themselves forever!