2025 Santillana del Mar Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)
All Trip Moments about Santillana del Mar
Hidden Gem Road Trip in Northern Spain
🌊 In-Depth Guide to Galicia + Basque Country & Beyond✨
🚗 Transport Tips:
Rent a car in Madrid/Barcelona for maximum freedom! Northern Spain's mountainous roads are best explored by wheels🚙~ One-way drop fees are pricey, so loop routes save money!
🗺️ 4-Day Itinerary:
𝘿𝙖𝙮1: Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum → Pintxos in Old Town → Overnight in San Sebastián
𝘿𝙖𝙮2: La Concha Bay → Cantabria's Altamira Cave Paintings
𝘿𝙖𝙮3: Asturias' "Window to Nature" cliffs → Medieval Oviedo
𝘿𝙖𝙮4: Santiago de Compostela Cathedral → Sunset at Cape Finisterre "End of the World"🌅
🌟 Must-Visit Spots:
▫️ Bilbao|Guggenheim Museum (Titanium-clad futuristic marvel📸)
▫️ San Sebastián|La Concha Bay (Europe's most stunning bay! Heart-stopping blue💙)
▫️ Asturias|"God's Bridge" natural arch (Straight out of Game of Thrones⚔️)
▫️ Galicia|Santiago Pilgrimage Route finale (Ancient cobblestone path radiates spirituality✝️)
🍴 Foodie Hits:
✔️ Basque pintxos (La Viña's cheesecake = heaven!🧀)
✔️ Galician octopus Pulpo a la gallega (Paprika + olive oil = perfection🐙)
✔️ Asturian cider Sidra (Watch servers pour from heights – epic🍎)
📦 Packing List:
✅ EU adapter + car charger
✅ Windproof jacket (Atlantic gales are no joke🌪️)
✅ Hiking shoes (Nature spots demand walks)
✅ Spanish translation app (English is scarce in small towns)
💡 Fun Facts:
❗ Cape Finisterre ("Land's End") was considered Europe's edge by Romans
❗ Altamira Caves require bookings 3 months ahead!
❗ Asturian cider is Spain's strongest – drink responsibly🍻
✨ Northern Spain is an emerald secret, blending Atlantic wildness with medieval charm. Save this guide for your spontaneous escape!💚
Santillana del Mar: the village of the 3 lies
Santo (saint)
Llana (flat)
Del Mar (by the sea)
None of these are true about this Northern Spanish village where every signs has to be in traditional black but that doesn’t mean that a visit isn’t worthwhile.
A selection of historic timber buildings, quaint shops and cafes, a fantastic 11th century church and views of the Cantabrian countryside make it a worthwhile stop on the way to the UNESCO world heritage site of the Altamira Caves. #spain #village
Santillana del Mar
There are many characteristic towns in northern Spain. Santillana del Mar, located on the seaside in Cantabria, is one of the places particularly recommended by Spanish friends. It is also known as the most beautiful town in Spain!
Santillana del Mar is a medieval town full of history. You can find many buildings built in the Middle Ages, and most of them are well preserved! The town is relatively quiet, there are not too many tourists, and walking inside is very relaxing and peaceful! Interestingly, this town is not near the sea. We all joked that the name violates the Trade Description Ordinance 😅
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Santillana Zoo 🦒🦏🐘
#2024wish
Just had an absolutely delightful time at Santillana Zoo! 🦁🌳 Nestled in the quaint town of Santillana del Mar in northern Spain, this zoo is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. 🇪🇸 The entrance fee was quite reasonable, around €12, making it an affordable yet enriching experience. 🎟️💰
The zoo may be smaller compared to some others, but it's bursting with charm and character. 🐾 The animal enclosures are well-maintained, and you can tell the staff genuinely care for the animals' welfare. 🐵🦜 I particularly enjoyed the educational talks and feeding sessions, which added an extra layer of engagement. 📚🥕
From majestic big cats to adorable meerkats and colorful parrots, there's a wonderful variety of creatures to admire. 🐯🐾 Plus, the lush greenery and scenic surroundings make it a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. 🌿🏞️
Santillana del Mar itself is a charming medieval town with cobbled streets and historic buildings, perfect for a leisurely stroll after visiting the zoo. Nearby attractions like the Altamira Caves, known for their prehistoric art, add to the allure of this enchanting destination. 🏰🎨 #SantillanaZoo #NatureEscape #SpanishAdventure
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