Discover Castro-Urdiales: World Heritage, coast and holiday apartments

Culture and history

In Castro-Urdiales, the Iglesia de Santa María de la Asunción is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Caminos de Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Caminos del Norte de España; it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993, with an extension in 2015.

The church preserves a life-size, polychrome Gothic wooden figure of Christ from the early 14th century, as well as a stone figure of the Virgin Mary from the late 13th or early 14th century.

The historic ensemble of Castro-Urdiales encompasses religious, urban and archaeological heritage. The remains of the Roman colony of Flavióbriga lie around two metres below the old town.

An interpretation centre presents the Flavióbriga archaeological site, with traces of an orthogonal street grid and fragments of private and public buildings. The Castillo-Faro is one of the region’s few surviving medieval castles; events and exhibitions are currently held there.

The Palacio, Castillo-Observatorio y Jardines de Ocharan complex has been protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest since 1984, features an eclectic style and was built between 1901 and 1914. The Ocharan complex includes a palace, a castle observatory, a chapel and a gatekeeper’s lodge set in an extensive garden.

Routes through the town and countryside

The Camino de Santiago del Norte passes through Castro-Urdiales from Vizcaya towards Laredo and runs parallel to the coast.

The Ruta modernista leads to buildings in Castro-Urdiales designed at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century by Eladio Laredo, Leonardo Rucabado and the Bilbao-born architect Severino Achúcarro.

The Ruta Rucabado allows you to explore the work of Leonardo Rucabado independently using a route brochure and a cultural booklet. On the Vías verdes, you can cross and visit most of Castro-Urdiales’ mining heritage.

Coast and activities

The beach is around 400 metres long, has a gentle slope and fine, golden-brown sand. It has showers, toilets and waste bins; during the summer season, lifeguard supervision and accessible bathing facilities are available there.

In the municipality of Castro-Urdiales, Islares Surf Camp at B.º Arenillas 43, beside Playa Arenillas, offers activities such as surfing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking.

In the municipality of Castro-Urdiales, Conservas M.ª Asun Velar offers workshops on making your own anchovies, as well as tastings of the products made there.

Festivals and local traditions

La Pasión Viviente has been performed every year on Good Friday since its first edition in 1985. The Asociación Cultural Pasión Viviente brings together more than 600 residents of Castro-Urdiales.

The central event of Coso Blanco is a nighttime carnival float parade featuring artistic creations by local craftspeople.

Other destination pages

You can also find the destination pages for Islares, Mioño, Marina De Cudeyo, La Revilla, Ruesga, Puente Viesgo, Entrambasaguas and Torices.

When comparing a holiday apartment in Castro-Urdiales, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the offer pages. Culture, coast, routes, water sports and festivals can be considered different focal points when planning your own trip.

Practical information

Castro-Urdiales is connected by the CN-634 road and a highway to Santander, 75 kilometres away, and Bilbao, 35 kilometres away.

The Regional Tourist Information Office is located on Avenida Constitución in Parque Amestoy.

To the higher-level travel overview: Cantabria.