Cantabria: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

El Soplao is characterized by numerous eccentric formations consisting predominantly of aragonite and a great variety of stalactite, stalagmite and sinter formations.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Cantabria includes this region in their travel plans.

Nature and Landscape

The Picos de Europa National Park also extends across Cantabria and forms a protected mountain landscape there.

The guided routes offered in the Cantabrian part of the national park include Minas de Altai, Monte Quebre, Peña Oviedo, La Peñuca and Sierra de Bejes.

The Liencres Dunes lie at the mouth of the Pas River, also known as the Ría de Mogro, and are among the ecologically significant landscapes of the Cantabrian coast. In addition, part of the Costa Quebrada belongs to this Cantabrian coastal area and is internationally recognized by UNESCO.

The Pico de Navajos summit is located nearby.

The Alto del Cueto mountain is located nearby.

The Peña del Cuervo summit is located nearby.

The Pico de Obios summit is located nearby.

Trails and Routes

The Urdón–Tresviso route is 11.6 kilometers long as a round trip, involves 825 meters of ascent and is listed as taking 5 hours and 15 minutes.

The Urdón–Tresviso trail was created in the second half of the 19th century to transport ore from the mines of Ándara and Tresviso.

The 4-kilometer Ruta Playa de Ris y Marisma de Joyel runs through a protected natural area. It can be explored on foot or by bicycle and includes birdwatching observation points.

The Cantabrian section of the Camino del Norte runs along the coast and connects historic seafaring towns such as Castro Urdiales, Laredo, Santander and San Vicente de la Barquera with the important historic destinations of Santillana del Mar and Comillas.

The Camino Lebaniego and the Camino de Santiago de la Costa are two pilgrimage routes recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites that lead to the sacred destinations of Santo Toribio de Liébana and Santiago de Compostela.

Culture and History

El Soplao and its surroundings preserve an industrial mining heritage with more than 30 kilometers of tunnels.

The historic Molino de Santa Olaja dates from the 16th century and used the tides to mill grain.

The Altamira Cave in Cantabria is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is associated with Paleolithic art.

The Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana is characterized by Gothic architecture and has Cistercian influences.

The church of the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana contains a Baroque chapel known as the Lignum Crucis.

Cueva Las Monedas, regarded as an ancient site, is located nearby.

Cueva de La Pasiega, regarded as an ancient site, is located nearby.

Cueva del Castillo, regarded as an ancient site, is located nearby.

The Museo De Las Tres Villas Pasiegas, classified as a museum, is located in the wider regional area.

Further Experiences

Cabárceno offers guided tours of the elephant enclosures and brown bear areas, as well as insights into its conservation and research work.

At the Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno, visitors can see animals from all over the world living in spacious semi-free-range habitats; the visit is also suitable for families.

The Centro Botín offers guided tours of its architecture and exhibitions accompanied by interpreters.

Cuisine

Regional specialties of Cantabria include cocido montañés and quesada pasiega.

Other Places

Other place pages: Totero, Correpoco, Cabanzón, Argüébanes, Santa Olalla, Abaño, Sollagua, Viérnoles, Roiz, Ongayo, Elechas, Vispieres, Sierra De Ibio, Rábago, Coo, Ramales De La Victoria, Samano, Puente Pumar, Esles, La Canal, Cuchia, Somaniezo, Nates, Sel de la Carrera, San Sebastián de Garabandal, Quijano, Luriezo, Valle, Somahoz, Quintana, Corvera, Borleña, Villanueva, Celis, Corvera de Toranzo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Cantabria.