What to do and see in Cantabria, Spain: The Best Cultural Tours

April 8, 2022 Kaleigh Reichenbach

Cantabria (/kænˈtæbriə/, /-ˈteɪ-/; Spanish: [kanˈtaβɾja]) is a historic Spanish community and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community (province of Biscay), on the south by Castile and León (provinces of León, Palencia and Burgos), on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea (Bay of Biscay).
Restaurants in Cantabria

1. Comillas & Capricho De Gaudí

Exploring Cantabria
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

HIGHLIGHTS • Visit the Mansion known as Capricho de Gaudí  • Visit the Major Seminary  (optional visit) • Tour around the city to see the Sobrellano Palace, the source of the three pipes and the sculpture “Ángel Exterminador”.  TOUR DETAILS • Departure: 9:30 am • Finish Time: 14:00 pm (approx.) • Pick-up from your city hotel. If outside the city, meeting at our office (C/ Castelar, 49 -39004 Santander), next to “Palacio de Festivales”

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Entrance fee to visit "Capricho de Gaudí" building

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By gretellh

Sartre was right, Santillana del Mar is simply beautiful. The charming town makes you feel like traveling back in time. It is a must to visit. The Caves of Altamira are mesmerising

2. 8-Day Spain Tour: Northern Spain and Galicia from Madrid

Community of Madrid, Community of Madrid Julia Travel Madrid
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4.8 based on 4 reviews

Depart from Madrid in this 8-day tour with an air conditioned deluxe coach to enjoy an intense itinerary through the north of the Iberian Peninsula: Spain and Portugal. Enjoy panoramic sightseeing tours of San Sebastian, Bilbao and La Coruña and guided tour in Santiago de Compostela, the tour escort will be glad to help you in any way you need. Ready to come abroad?

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Panoramic sightseeing tours of San Sebastian, Bilbao and La Coruña., Guided city tour of Santiago de Compostela., Tour escort during the tour., Air conditioned deluxe motor-coach., Travel insurance.

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified

Reviewed By 1Anonymousreviewr

As a mother with two children, this was not it. Boring, exhausting for my smallest child and none of us learned anything from here. Stay away!

3. Picos & Potes

Abba Santander Hotel, Calle Calderón de la Barca, 3, 39002 Santander, Cantabria, Spain Exploring Cantabria
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HIGHLIGHTS • You will cross the Hermida gorge by van • You will have the opportunity to take the Cable Car in Fuente Dé and go up to Picos de Europa at a height of 1.823 m • You will take lovely photos of the Picos de Europa area • You will enjoy free time to visit Potes, capital Liébana • You will discover the Monastery of Santo Toribio SUMMARY In this full-day excursion, you will discover the beautiful mountain region of Liébana. We will drive to Fuente Dé, where you will enjoy some free time to take the Cable Car to go up to Picos de Europa if you wish (entrance fees not included). You will also visit the Monastery of Santo Toribio, one of the four holy places of Christianity for hosting the Lignum Crucis. Finally, we will arrive at the village of Potes, the capital of the region, and considered one of the most beautiful towns in Spain for its cobbled streets, stone houses, and bridges. In Potes, you will enjoy some free time for lunch and shopping if you wish.

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Transport by private vehicle, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Local taxes

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By gretellh

Sartre was right, Santillana del Mar is simply beautiful. The charming town makes you feel like traveling back in time. It is a must to visit. The Caves of Altamira are mesmerising

4. 12-Day Spain Tour: Northern Spain and Galicia from Barcelona

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, 08820 El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain Julia Travel
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

Depart from Barcelona in this 12-day tour with an air conditioned deluxe coach to enjoy an intense itinerary through the north of the Iberian Peninsula: Spain and Portugal. Enjoy panoramic sightseeing tours of San Sebastian, Bilbao and La Coruña and guided tour in Santiago de Compostela, the tour escort will be glad to help you in any way you need. Ready to come abroad?

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Panoramic sightseeing tours of San Sebastian, Bilbao and La Coruña., Guided city tour of Santiago de Compostela., Tour escort during the tour., High speed AVE train Barcelona-Zaragoza (tourist class), Transfer from station to city center in Zaragoza., Air conditioned deluxe motor-coach., 11 nights accommodation at selected class hotel, Travel insurance.

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified

Reviewed By globaltraveler85

The guide was SO informative and interesting. You get to see the whole church, skip the long line and learn a ton of history about the Sagrada Familia. Worth every penny.

5. 8-Day Guided Tour North of Spain & Portugal from Barcelona

Hotel Catalonia Barcelona 505, Carrer de Muntaner, 505, 08022 Barcelona, Spain VPT Viajes Para Todos

Enjoy a 8 multiday tour through Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Bilbao,  Santander,Santillana, Covadonga, Oviedo, La Coruña, Santiago de Compostela, Rias Bajas, Vigo, and Portugal from Barcelona. End of the tour will be in Madrid. We have change this itinerary to make better this tour.

Inclusions: Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Transportation by air conditioned coach with free WI-FI onboard and Multi-lingual tour escort., Breakfast, Sightseeing tour with local guide in Santiago and Porto., Travel Insurance., Visit to a wine cellar with a tasting of Porto wine., Municipal Tax in Porto.

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities, Hotel drop-off

Reviewed By 325gusc

Well organized, informative and knowledgeable. The duration was about an hour through 26 royal rooms, with a huge amount of ceiling portraits and hanging tapestries. An incredible adventure

6. Pilgrimage Day: Monastery Of Santo Toribio & San Sebastian De Garabandal

Exploring Cantabria

HIGHLIGHTS You will... • cross the Gorge of “La Hermida” by van • make a pilgrimage on foot from Potes to the Monastery of San Toribio (about 45 min). • participate in the pilgrimage mass (12.00 am) • visit the hermitages of San Miguel • enjoy a "Cocido Lebaniego" (stew with chickpeas and meat) • visit the village of Potes • visit San Sebastian de Garabandal and its sanctuary • love the landscapes of this part of Cantabria SUMMARY This is a lovely pilgrimage day for you to enjoy a peaceful day in the beautiful Cantabrian mountain's landscape. We propose you to do a short pilgrimage to the Monastery Santo Toribio from Potes (3km) and to participate in the Pilgrim's mass. To complete this beautiful day, you will visit San Sebastian de Garabandal, a small village where the Virgin Mary appeared in the early 60's.

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Transport by private vehicle, Lunch, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, All taxes

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Reviewed By gretellh

Sartre was right, Santillana del Mar is simply beautiful. The charming town makes you feel like traveling back in time. It is a must to visit. The Caves of Altamira are mesmerising

7. Magic Christmas Tour in Santillana

Nortegas, Av de la Reina Victoria, 2, 39004 Santander, Cantabria, Spain Santillana del Mar, Spain

The exclusive tour only in the Christmas period! This special times brings magic Santillana. Its many historic buildings attract thousands of holidaymakers every year.Together with the professional local guide, you will visit the most beautifully decorated places. You will feel spellbound with the charming atmosphere in the streets which you can feel only this time of the year! What is the story of the Christmas tree? Who was the first to decorate it in the world? What magical things can happen during the Christmas period? Have you heard about Christmas spells? You will hear miraculous Christmas legends about Santillana. You will visit the old-fashioned Christmas Market in the city. What makes it so popular? What local products is must taste at Christmas? Fill your heart with the joy and experience magic of Santillana.

Inclusions: Tour Guide

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8. Northern Spain tailored tours by car Asturias Galicia Basque Country and more

Tours privados Asturias

Northern Spain private tour in 8 days. 8 days private Tour by car with a profesional private chauffeur mainly highlights of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and basque Country. In Galicia; Walk around the old town of Santiago de Compostela.  Arrive to the "end of the world" Finisterrae and visit "La Torre de Hercules a lighthouse of first century.  Ribeira Sacra wineries tour following Sil river. in  Lugo we´ll walk the Roman walls. Asturias says hello with a rice and lobster st Rinlo. later will stop in Silence Beach Vidio Cape and Cudillero. Gijon and Oviedo, we´ll see higlghts of both cities. Cangas de Onis, covadonga Lakes and Covadonga Sanctuary.  Cantabria.  Santander. Comillas. Santillana del Mar.   Basque Country. Bilbao,  Gernika , San Sebastián. We can tailoring your tour once you finish your reservation.

Inclusions: Lunch, Lunch, Round-trip private transfer, Driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by private vehicle, Fuel surcharge, Gratuities

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Reviewed By Emma B

We had a brilliant time on the tour to Covadonga Lakes. The day was full and well worth the money. Our guide spoke good English and was very informative and friendly. We saw many places and stopped at lovely cafes for coffee breaks. Truly recommend! ????

9. 5 Day Tour through northern Spain

Exploring Cantabria

This is an unforgettable 5 days private tour to know the most beautiful places in northern Spain. You will have the flexibility to choose the hotels and restaurants and we will pick you up at your chosen hotels and restaurants at each stop. We are also willing to make small adjustments to the program if requested. On this tour, you will also enjoy a guided visit to the most important towns in this area: Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Santander, and Bilbao.

Inclusions: Private transportation, 4 private guided visits: Bilbao, Santander, Oviedo & Santiago de Compostela , Entrance fee to Guggenheim Museum & Guided visit, Entrance fees and regular guided visit to the Neocave- Altamira Museum (in Spanish), Entrance fees and regular guided visit of El Capricho de Gaudí (English visit), Entrance fees and private guided visit to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Driver expenses (accommodation, meals, ...), Transport expenses (tolls, parkings,fuel, etc...)

Exclusions: Food & Drinks, Acommomodation, Other entrance fees, Gratuities

Reviewed By gretellh

Sartre was right, Santillana del Mar is simply beautiful. The charming town makes you feel like traveling back in time. It is a must to visit. The Caves of Altamira are mesmerising

10. Santoña and Santander Guided Tour with Hotel Pick up from Bilbao

Servicios Turisticos Integrales - Day Tours

We will depart Bilbao early morning, direction Santoña to arrive at this little fishing village. There, we will visit a traditional canned anchovy’s company. We will learn about the manufacturing process of this high quality Cantabrian product while discovering the importance of the canning industry in the town and its evolution during the twentieth century. Then, we will go to Santander, capital of the autonomous community of Cantabria, a cozy and quiet coastal city, with a wide bay facing south whose beauty has made it considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world. We will make a panoramic visit to the city and have free time to enjoy it. Return to Bilbao and finish about 2:30pm.

Inclusions: Anchovie Tasting, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Gratuities, Lunch, Alcoholic Beverages

Reviewed By gildineleclerc

It was great to visit the little town and the surroundings. We are lucky at this period it is not as busy, but you can still find great spots to enjoy

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