Soto De La Marina between cliffs, beach and mills

A cliff path around 2.7 kilometres long, part of the municipal Playa de San Juan de la Canal–Arnía route, runs with panoramic views of the beach and the Cantabrian Sea.

Coast and paths

Along the Arroyo Otero, the Paseo de Sancibrián runs as a footpath that safely connects Sancibrián and Soto de la Marina and extends from the Molino del Ronzón to the Molino de San Juan de la Canal.

The official “Senda de las criaturas encantadas” route leads from the tourist information office in Soto de la Marina to Playa de San Juan de la Canal. There, the guides explain mythological stories of the Cantabri as well as the history of the Noche de San Juan.

The municipal San Juan de la Canal–Virgen del Mar route begins at the park beside the beach, crosses the canal over a wooden bridge and leads to the opposite bank. From there, the Ermita de San Juan de la Canal and the old watermill can be seen.

The Arroyo Otero circular route starts at the tourist information office in Soto de la Marina and follows paths and footpaths along the stream. It explains the local biodiversity, the medicinal use of native plants, as well as the operation and historical significance of the watermills.

Beach and attractions

Playa de San Juan de la Canal is a semi-urban, sheltered beach with fine golden sand, strong winds and a broad seafront promenade. It has the status of a bathing area awarded the Blue Flag.

Beach facilities include showers, toilets, a telephone, rubbish bins, a cleaning service, a kiosk and parking. During the season, from 1 June to 30 September, two lifeguards are on duty there every day from 11:30 to 19:30.

Playa de San Juan de la Canal can be reached via the CA-231 road to Soto de la Marina, followed by a further 1.5 kilometres along Avenida San Juan de la Canal. There is good pedestrian access and parking for vehicles.

The car park in San Juan de la Canal has 72 free parking spaces, two of which are reserved for people with reduced mobility.

Culture and history

The San Juan bonfire in San Juan de la Canal is recognised as a festival of regional tourist interest. On the night of 23 June, it included a mass, live music, the traditional bonfire and fireworks.

The remains of the 15th-century mill building Molino de San Juan de la Canal preserve the main structure, a masonry dam and a millrace.

The Molino de San Juan de la Canal is located opposite the Ermita de San Juan de la Canal at the end of the estuary. It stands at the foot of the rock of a cliff that extends to the beach.

Soto de la Marina had five historic mills. The Ermita de San Juan was built by order of Dña María del Pedrajo between 1656 and 1662.

The Palacio de los Moncebo consists of two three-storey towers connected by a two-storey central section and preserves two well-preserved coats of arms.

The Palacio de los Moncebo is believed to date back to the Middle Ages. In the 15th century, the building belonged to Pedro Sánchez del Castillo; it was remodelled in the 17th century.

The Torre Palacio de los Castillo – Rusoto y Pedrajo, also known as the Liceo de San Juan de la Canal, has two storeys, two round-arched openings on the ground floor, a balustrade on the upper floor and a family coat of arms.

The Iglesia de San Salvador de Vivero stands on elevated ground and has three naves, a tiled roof, ten buttresses and dressed stone around the doors and corners.

The official “En los albores del tiempo” route leads to San Juan de la Canal II, El Rostrío and the Cueva de La Peñona. It provides insights into the life of the Cantabri up to the arrival of the Romans.

The circular “Camino por la historia viva” route invites visitors to immerse themselves in the history and culture of Soto de la Marina.

More local pages: Mompia, Maoño, Sancibrían.

To the overarching travel overview: Santa Cruz De Bezana.