| Cantabria |
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Charming and romantic Cantambria hotels, rural retreats, boutique hotels, luxury hotels, romantic getaways, small hotels, bed & breakfasts
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Choose from our selection of romantic and charming Cantambria hotels and accommodation by clicking on the map or list on the right. These will highlight a wide selection of Cantambria hotels, including romantic Santander hotels, fincas, cortijos, bed & breakfasts, amongst others. Whatever your taste, we’ll help you find that perfect getaway.
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| Click on hotel icons on map or see all Cantabria hotels |
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Bed & Breakfast |
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City Break |
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Cottage/Apartment |
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Luxury Hotel |
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Manor House |
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| All hotels have been personally visited by member of our management. ask our advice |
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| Cantabria is divided into two distinct natural regions. The coastal area, with some 200 kilometres of shoreline, cliff lined coast, fine beaches and Atlantic forests, together with the mountainous inland area, which takes in snow capped mountain peaks, deep valleys, numerous rivers and - the jewel in the crown – part of the magnificent Picos de Europa National Park. Its natural setting and humid climate has made it one of the most verdant regions in the country and like much of northern Spain, Cantabria is an excellent location for trekking, caving and climbing. Man made jewels include some fine towns such as the capital Santander, elegant summer resorts, coastal towns and many traditional stone villages. |
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| Human activity in Cantabria goes back to prehistoric times, as evidenced by the cave paintings of Altamira, which are thought to be over fifteen thousand years old. Many centuries later the people of this region paid heavily for their fierce resistance to the Roman occupation. They were defeated and virtually exterminated. Nevertheless, unlike much of the rest of the country, Roman influence never really took root and by the time the Romans had left in the 4th century their legacy was largely limited to some cities. The Duchy of Cantabria, created by the Visigoths, disappeared in the Middle Ages as its territory was carved up into Castille and Asturias. However, territorial reform in the 19th century gave Cantabria an administrative centre for the first time, with Santander as its capital. In 1981 Cantabria was officially established as an autonomous region. |
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Fiestas
Cantabria holds a wide variety of festivals over the year and these are generally well advertised. Some of the most interesting are the religious festivities in honour of the local patron saints. In addition, there are a number that are considered to be of national interest, such as the Batalla de Flores (Battle of the Flowers) in Laredo, the Folía in San Vicente de la Barquera, Cantabria Day in Cabezón de la Sal, the Coso Blanco in Castro Urdiales and Campóo Day in Reinosa.
Handicrafts
Woodwork was once of great importance to the local economy, some of the most representative items include the kaikus (a carved birch recipient used for milking the cows) and the pieces of furniture decorated with unusual motifs or rosettes. Basket weaving continues to be kept alive thanks largely to the needs created by cestapunta, a kind of handball. Pottery is limited to the production of domestic articles, bathed in white enamel and to the Damascene work of Eibar.
Monuments
The old parts of the coastal towns of Laredo, Santoña, Comillas all have an important patrimony. Of particular note, however, is Santillana del Mar, which boasts a 12th century Romanesque collegiate church and some fine palaces. Some 2km from Santillana are the late Paleothic Altamira Caves (said to be the Sistine chapel of Quaternary Art). Two other picturesque harbours are San Vicente de la Barquera, with its long, 15th century Bridge and Castro Urdiales, with its Gothic church and rows of houses facing the sea. Inland, the area around Valderredible is known for its tiny churches carved into rock, whilst the Neo-gothic palace of the Marquis of Comillas (designed by Gaudi) dates from the 1900s. The Gothic cathedral in Santander has an interesting crypt with three naves. The Magdalena Palace was built by the city and offered as a personal gift to Alfonso XIII and his wife. Nowadays, it is headquarters to the Menéndez y Pelayo International University. |
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Cuisine in Cantabria is simple and based on a wide variety and quality of ingredients. This diversity can be said to mirror the division of Cantabria into sea and mountain areas, but there is one constant - high quality local, seafood and fish. If on the coast, try the gooseneck barnacles at Somo, Ajo, Langre, Suances and Liencres. The fine fish include sardines, sea bream, sole, turbot, hake, etc. Salmon and trout from the Nansa, Deva, Pas and Ansón rivers are well known for their quality. As for meat, some of the best-known specialities include the “cocido montañés”, or mountain stew, which is prepared with white beans, brassica cabbage and pork. The red meat from Tudanca is also particularly good.
The assortment of cheeses in Cantabria, some of which are still produced in time-honoured fashion, are worthy of note. These include the Picón cheese and the equally famous Aliva smoked cheese, and those from Lebeña, Pido, Cabuérniga, Pas, etc. At the end of a meal, dessert goes well with a shot of liqueur, called Orujo or the local Aguardiente (firewater – very strong), or with a Tostadillo from Liébana, the only winegrowing district in the region. |
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Cantabria, blessed as it is with glorious nature, is a paradise for trekkers, climbers and cavers of all types and experience. The Cantabrian section of the Picos de Europa is a great place for such as activities. Erudites and music lovers are sure to enjoy the annual International Summer Festival in Santander. The festival takes in a core of classical music, ballet and Spanish dancing, as well as flamenco, ancient and contemporary music.
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