Santillana del Mar Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Colegiata Santillana del Mar (Cantabria - Spain). Romanesque art of the twelfth century.
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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.

Posada Mediavia

Posada Mediavia

3 out of 5
Mediavia 34, Barrio Ubiarco Santillana del Mar Cantabria
The price is £37 per night from 29 May to 30 May
£37
29 May - 30 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this pension in Santillana del Mar. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Playa de Santa Justa and Hermitage ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (99 reviews)
Limpio. personal agradable

Reviewed on 14 Jan 2026

Posada Mediavia
Hotel Cuevas - Adults Only

Hotel Cuevas - Adults Only

4 out of 5
Avda Antonio Sandi 4 Santillana del Mar Cantabria
The price is £91 per night from 11 May to 12 May
£91
11 May - 12 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Santillana del Mar. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (168 reviews)
Great stay, welcoming staff, wonderful breakfast, very close to the historic center. We’ll be back in the summer so we can use the pool area which looked amazing!

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2025

Hotel Cuevas - Adults Only
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 5 May to 6 May
£65
5 May - 6 May
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! (142 reviews)
En general la ciudad es preciosa, y el hotel está bien ubicado , justo a la entrada de la ciudad . El personal es muy amable y servicial.

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

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 ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (26 reviews)
Everything was great! Location, Spaces, the rooms where perfect!

Reviewed on 5 Nov 2025

Apartamentos Estela de Altamira
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! (51 reviews)
Quality House
Ernesto and his wife were excellent hosts. Quality house with great pool and games room.

Reviewed on 27 Aug 2024

House with pool and games room in Santillana del Mar
Apartamentos La Gloria

Apartamentos La Gloria

3 out of 5
Bº Las Quintas, 20 Santillana del Mar Cantabria
Stay at this apartment in Santillana del Mar. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and a garden. Popular attractions Santillana del Mar Zoo and Museum of ...
8/10 Very Good! (3 reviews)
Apartamento limpio. Menaje completo. Tazas de desayuno pequeñas.

Reviewed on 5 Oct 2025

Apartamentos La Gloria
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

Cities near Santillana del Mar

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