Cantabria is the Spanish north region giving you a unique road trip experience defined by mountains meeting the sea. This region is a land of contrast where the high peaks of the Cantabrian Mountains which plunge directly toward the Atlantic Ocean.
You can explore the Altamira Caves which contain some of the world's finest examples of prehistoric art a powerful reminder of ancient human culture. The driving routes connect elegant coastal cities like Santander with traditional medieval villages set deep in the valleys. You can also visit scenic fishing harbors dotting the wild northern coast.
It is famous for its superb seafood. It's a road trip with incredible natural beauty, ancient history and a journey through the wild unspoiled heart of Northern Spain.
Cantabria highlights
- Altamira Caves Known as the “Sistine Chapel of Prehistoric Art,” Altamira features remarkably preserved Paleolithic paintings. The replica cave and museum offer a deep dive into human artistic origins without disturbing the fragile original.
- Santander & the Magdalena Peninsula Santander combines elegant seaside promenades with the lush Magdalena Peninsula, home to a former royal palace overlooking turquoise waters. It’s perfect for scenic walks, beaches, and a taste of coastal sophistication.
- Santillana del Mar Often called “the town of three lies”. It’s neither saintly, flat nor by the sea. Santillana del Mar is a perfectly preserved medieval village. Its cobblestone streets and honey-colored stone houses make it one of Spain’s most beautiful historic towns.
- Picos de Europa Fuente Dé Cable Car. The cable car ride at Fuente Dé lifts you straight into the heart of the Picos de Europa. At the top, panoramic viewpoints and alpine trails offer some of the region’s most inspiring landscapes.
- Comillas & Gaudí’s El Capricho Comillas blends beaches, palaces, and modernist architecture—including El Capricho, one of Gaudí’s earliest works. This whimsical building, covered in sunflower tiles, feels like a fairytale tucked into the Cantabrian hills.
- Playa de Covachos & the Coastline Covachos is a spectacular hidden beach divided by a tidal sandbar leading to a tiny offshore island. It’s a raw photogenic spot providing dramatic cliffs. Ideal for adventurous coastal explorers.
- San Vicente de la Barquera This fishing village has sweeping views of the Picos de Europa and a hilltop church. Its charming port and surf-friendly beaches make it a perfect mix of nature and seaside life.
- Valles Pasiegos Drive through these green inland valleys a hidden gem known for its unique isolated rural houses and its traditional farming heritage.
The local Four
History of Cantabria
The history of Cantabria starts not with kings but with cave dwellers who lived here thousands of years ago. The region is home to the world famous Altamira Caves containing spectacular prehistoric paintings that reveal the artistic genius of our Stone Age ancestors. This history marks Cantabria as one of the oldest centers of human culture in Europe.
Later the Cantabri people resisted Roman control for two centuries thanks to their powerful mountain strongholds. In the medieval era the region played a role in the Reconquista. Its life was always tied to the sea and its deep interior valleys. Maritime power developed quickly with Cantabrian sailors becoming famous explorers and navigators who helped build the Spanish Empire.
In modern times the region developed a strong mining and industrial heritage particularly near the coast. That legacy is reflected in its coastal cities, its elegant architecture and its independent spirit. Your road trip through this region is a journey exploring ancient geological formations and the very beginning of human civilization.