Santillana del Mar Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A coastal landscape with a sandy beach, a river mouth, and green hills in the background.
A coastal town with cliffs, a beach, and a clear blue sea.
A historic building with a red-tiled roof, arched windows, and a bell tower.
A lush green valley with rolling hills, scattered houses, and a clear blue sky.
A rural village with terraced fields, traditional stone houses, and a prominent tower.

Breathe in more than 22,000 years of history by exploring the beautiful cobbled streets of Santillana del Mar.

Discover one of Cantabria's best kept secrets with a pleasant holiday in Santillana del Mar. In the surrounding area, you'll find the cave of Altamira, declared a World Heritage Site and home of one of the most famous cave paintings in the world.

The cave of Altamira has made this municipality an essential destination, especially for ardent history lovers. Be captivated by this historical landmark, which tells the history of Humanity from 22,000 years ago thanks to the paintings and etchings that decorate the cold rock of the cave.

Known as the “town of the three lies” in Spanish, as it isn't sacred (santa), it isn't flat (llana) and it doesn't have any sea (mar), Santillana del Mar offers a great many other places of interest, such as its old town, which is well worth a visit. Choose one of our cheap trips to Santillana del Mar, and discover its famous buildings: admire Torre del Merino or Torre de Don Borja, two of the town's oldest towers find other hidden treasures in its charming streets, such as Palacio Valdivieso or Palacio de Velarde, and check out the collegiate church of Santa Juliana, an old monastery that houses a famous chartulary and dates back to the 12th century.

Thanks to package holidays to Santillana del Mar, you can enjoy the region's specialities, such as tableta con leche and sobao sponge cakes or quesada puddings What's more, you can go on day-trips outside the municipality, as Santander is only 18 miles away and it is only 40 miles to get to the Picos de Europe mountain range.

Santillana del Mar's climate is rather damp, so don't rule out showers, but you needn't worry about the weather: the temperature is usually pleasant, with an average annual temperature of 14°C.

What are you waiting for? Book your flight + hotel to Santillana del Mar to discover one of the towns with the greatest historical value in Spain.

Hotel Bestprice Santillana

Hotel Bestprice Santillana

3 out of 5
Calle Revolgo 16 Santillana del Mar
The price is £43 per night from 15 Sept to 16 Sept
£43
15 Sept - 16 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Santillana del Mar. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Calle de Santo Domingo and Regina ...
9/10 Wonderful! (63 reviews)
"Easy check in, clean, close to everything"

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2026

Hotel Bestprice Santillana
Hotel San Marcos

Hotel San Marcos

4 out of 5
Avda Antonio Sandi 27A Santillana del Mar Cantabria
The price is £73 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
£73
13 Sept - 14 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Santillana del Mar. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Calle de Santo Domingo and Regina ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (41 reviews)
"Our stay was excellent.: the location, the accommodations , the staff and a great breakfast."

Reviewed on 23 Aug 2026

Hotel San Marcos
Hotel Museo Los Infantes

Hotel Museo Los Infantes

3 out of 5
Le Dorat, 1 Santillana del Mar
The price is £65 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
£65
21 Sept - 22 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Santillana del Mar. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Regina Coeli Diocesan Museum ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (161 reviews)
"Excellent Breakfast ,plenty of choice and Eggs and Bacon cooked to order. The restaurant also very good."

Reviewed on 26 Aug 2026

Hotel Museo Los Infantes
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Apartamentos Estela de Altamira

Apartamentos Estela de Altamira

3 out of 5
Avda del Zoo s/n Santillana del Mar
Stay at this aparthotel in Santillana del Mar. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Santillana del Mar Zoo and Calle de ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (28 reviews)
"The price is like an apartment of a 4 star hotel. But they charge you for everything. Including using the indoor swimming pool (that is not heated by the way), cleaning the apartment, any extra towel for the pool. There was not even soap to wash our hands.. On the other hand you can hear everything ..."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2026

Apartamentos Estela de Altamira
Akla Hotel Suites Santillana

Akla Hotel Suites Santillana

3 out of 5
Plaza de las Arenas 3 Santillana del Mar CB
Stay at this apartment in Santillana del Mar. Enjoy free breakfast and Wi-Fi (surcharge). Popular attractions Museum of the Inquisition and Torre de Don Borja ...
Akla Hotel Suites Santillana
House with pool and games room in Santillana del Mar

House with pool and games room in Santillana del Mar

Santillana del Mar, Viveda Cantabria
Stay at this family-friendly villa in Santillana del Mar. Enjoy private pools, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Área Natural de Especial ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (56 reviews)
"Lovely house and Ernesto and his wife are great hosts"

Reviewed on 1 Sept 2026

House with pool and games room in Santillana del Mar
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Santillana del Mar attractions

Things to do

Cities near Santillana del Mar

Explore a world of travel with Expedia