Santoña: Holiday Apartments for Coast, Nature and Culture

At Monte Buciero, Santoña reveals a distinctive facet of nature: Monte Buciero is home to one of the best-preserved and floristically most diverse Cantabrian holm oak forests on the Iberian Peninsula. The Parque Natural de las Marismas de Santoña, Victoria y Joyel is one of Spain’s most important wetlands. Its network of paths and observation points allows visitors to watch the birdlife without disturbing its tranquillity.

When comparing holiday apartments in Santoña, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be important fields on an offer page. Check these details according to the experiences you wish to associate with the coast, nature, culture or the Camino del Norte.

Nature and Coast

Playa de Berria is a 2,000-metre-long semi-urban sandy beach. Surfing and beach volleyball are possible on the beach. This means that the coast focuses both on an expansive sandy beach and on specific water sports.

Paths and Landmarks

Senda 1 - Faros y acantilados is a 12 km circular route along the coast of Monte Buciero. Senda 2 - Ecosistemas de bosques leads into the heart of Monte Buciero to explore its Cantabrian holm oak forest. Senda 4 - Tradición pesquera y Fuertes Napoleónicos is an easy route in the surroundings of Santoña’s town centre. It leads to the most important Napoleonic fortifications and later fortress structures, as well as along salt marshes and coastal holm oak ecosystems. Different route types and scales help you compare day plans.

Faro del Caballo was built in 1863 at the foot of the cliffs of Monte Buciero and ceased operating in 1993. A stone staircase with 763 steps leads down to it; a further 111 steps lead to sea level. During the summer season, boat trips from Santoña as well as guided kayaking and paddle-surfing tours show Faro del Caballo from the sea.

The Camino del Norte passes through Santoña, crosses the bay by boat and connects Laredo with Güemes via two variants. The Santoña variant is approximately 29 km long and offers a boat crossing, hostels, pilgrim passport stamping and refreshment points.

Culture and History

Fuerte de San Martín now serves as a cultural venue and houses several permanent exhibitions. Fuerte del Mazo was built in 1812 on Napoleon’s orders, fully restored in 2001 and classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural. Fuerte de San Carlos can be reached via a road that runs eastwards along Monte Buciero.

Iglesia de Santa María del Puerto was built in the first half of the 13th century in a transitional style between Romanesque and Early Gothic. It has three naves, with a wider central nave, and preserves many original Romanesque columns. Virgen del Puerto is Santoña’s patron saint and is carried in a procession every year on 8 September.

Teatro Casino Liceo was built at the beginning of the 20th century in the historicist and eclectic styles and combines neoclassical and modernist elements. The Monumento a Juan de la Cosa commemorates the cartographer and co-discoverer of America, who is considered the creator of the first world map, from 1500. Carnaval de Santoña was recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional in 1985.

More Destinations

Other destinations in the same parent region are Reinosa, Medio Cudeyo, Otañes, Los Corrales De Buelna, Selaya, Valmeo, Ontoria and Lavín.

Local Specialities and Festivals

Since 1999, Santoña has hosted the Feria de la Anchoa with tastings and craft workshops. Santoña’s industry is based mainly on the marketing of bonito and famous anchovies in olive oil.

To the overarching travel overview: Cantabria.