Location: Santillana del Mar
Top Things to do in Santillana del Mar
The 10 Best Things to Do in Santillana del Mar, Spain
Santillana del Mar (Spanish pronunciation: [santiˈʎana ðel maɾ]) is a historic town situated in Cantabria, Spain. Its many historic buildings attract thousands of holidaymakers every year.
Restaurants in Santillana del Mar
1. Plaza Mayor de Ramon y Pelayo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 574 reviews
Reviewed By johnhouston2 - Knaresborough, United Kingdom
I can't imagine how crowded this attractive village gets in high season, but on a sunny Tuesday in late September it was absolutely lovely. With its quaint stone buildings and cobbled streets this is far removed from the image most people have of Spain.
Granted, it is heavily geared up for tourism, but there are plenty of attractive, non-tourist buildings to admire. Of course, if tourist shopping is your aim - you are well catered for, but as far as I could see, all the shops sold pretty much identical produce.
We were only here for an hour, but were enchanted by the sheer beauty of the village.
2. Calle de Juan Infante
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
Reviewed By Cana1Toronto - Toronto
Interesting buildings line the beautiful narrow cobble stone street of Calle de Juan Infante. A 15th-century tower, facing Calle de Juan Infante, is known for its pointed arched doorway. There are crafts, small artisan gallery, unique and interesting food, clothing, art and craft shops, restaurants, tapas bars. The street is simply picturesque and lively at night. We took a leisurely stroll both early in the morning and during the evening when we went out for dinner. Very enjoyable. This is a beautiful town. To avoid the crowds, visit in the off season. We went in May, and really enjoyed it. Weather was perfect for walking, shops were open, but it wasn't very crowded. The streets are car free.
3. Ermita de Santa Justa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By Mariska E - Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
We went to the Ermita at sunset (around 7PM), which coincided with high tide. It was really cool to see the waves hit the little house and the sound of the sea was beautiful. This made our visit, as the Ermita itself is pretty to look at but does not take up an entire hour or so to visit.
4. Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 692 reviews
Reviewed By Mike B - Torquay, United Kingdom
You enter this church via the Cloisters which are really interesting. The capitals on the many columns are all intricately carved and all differ, some are just architectural designs but others depict religious or hunting scenes etc. It is very peaceful and calm as you stroll around and the church itself, although simple inside is beautifully preserved. There are several stone carved tombs and it is the resting place of St. Juliana who allegedly slayed the Devil. Entrance fee is 3€ which is minimal although this was one of the few churches or cathedrals we had to pay to visit in the area, however if it helps to preserve this beautiful building it is well worthwhile.
5. Museo de Altamira
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Diana5101 - Ventura, California
Another must-see destination if you travel to the north of Spain. This museum and reproduction of the cave is truly amazing. Visitors are not allowed in the original cave due to potential damage. The reproduction is unbelievably realistic, you totally forget it's not the real thing. The paintings on the roof of this cave should be seen by everyone. Being approx. 15,000 years old it's hard to imagine the skill needed to recreate the animals. It's a magical experience.
6. Zoo de Santillana
Overall Ratings
4 based on 502 reviews
Santillana Zoo is a 40 year old zoo where you will enjoy more than 2000 animals from all over the planet in a surface bigger than 6 football fields... You will enjoy the magic of the Butterfy house and more than 40 European endangered species programmes like the Sumatran Orangutans', the European Bisons', the Sri Lanka Leopards' and many others that you will love as well. Come and visit us and you will find out a different Zoo indeed to enjoy with or without children
Reviewed By gone2asturias - Pontevedra, Spain
Although we had read the reviews against my better judgement we visited this zoo. It was not quite as bad as I expected and not as bad as another zoo I visited in the north some years ago. However, I left feeling very sad rather...MoreI'm sorry you felt like that but if you have the opportunity, please come back whenever you can and I'll explain you many things that may change your opinion about us.
7. Museo del Barquillero
Overall Ratings
4 based on 176 reviews
Reviewed By Amazon122s - Santa Comba Dao, Portugal
This museum is just next door to the Colegiata de Santa Juliana en Santillana del Mar. This museum is in the “La Casa de la Archiduquesa de Austria”. At the entrance to the Barquillero Museum of Santillana del Mar we have a figure of a doll representing a waiter, which draws the attention of children mainly but also of the elderly. Upon entering there is a store with a lot of charm, since in it we can buy sweets, chocolates, artisan products and mainly waffles. To continue the visit, you have to go upstairs to the first floor, here you will see the area where everything is related to the world of wafers, here we can see nacelles, molds, an organ, car figurines, sewing machines, scales , spinning tops, old cola-cao boats and some waffle dolls among other objects of the time. Small location but nice. You can visit the museum
From Monday to Friday and this from 5 to 9 pm, also during the weekends and holidays than it is open all day, the entrance is for free.
8. Museo de la Inquisicion
Overall Ratings
4 based on 639 reviews
Reviewed By Amazon122s - Santa Comba Dao, Portugal
Just a few meters away in a narrow side Street, you will find the “Permanent Strange Exposition known under the name “El Museo de la Tortura”. This original and macabre museum gathers a collection of more than 50 instruments of torture and capital punishment original of the Europe of the XV centuries until the XIX, the Court of the Holy Office had the power to punish the population as them pleased, and by the end of it they had the excuse that it was needed in order to preserve the purity of the Catholicism. The objects, who are belonging to a private collection, have been classified according to their use. The Museum of Torture has a continuous schedule from morning to night, and can be visited every day of the week. The price of the ticket is around 3 or 4 euros. We like to inform the people also to only take the visit in case they are quite psyched
9. Museo y Fundacion Jesus Otero
Overall Ratings
4 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By toniShanghai - Shanghai
This museum founded and dedicated to Jesus Otero is just by the main church in Santillana del Mar. It is free to enter and we both enjoyed the visit. Before this visit we hadn't heard of this guy and liked much of the work on show there, most especially the wooden carvings of Christ in the main room. These are spectacular. Much of the rest is bas relief and again we enjoyed very much. It's also an attractive building and free, what's not to like!
10. Museo Diocesano Regina Coeli
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Amazon122s - Santa Comba Dao, Portugal
You can find this museum in the building who was the formal “Convent of the Sisters Domenico’s – Regina Coeli”, the museum has being created in the year 1967, and has been so the first diocesan museum from Spain. Behind the Museum is a great car park.
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