Santillana del Mar
Member of Los Pueblos más Bonitos de España
Locals call it the town of three lies: not holy, not flat and not by the sea. The name actually comes from Santa Juliana, whose medieval abbey gave rise to the town and whose Romanesque collegiate church anchors cobbled lanes of honey-coloured stone towers and mansions. The Altamira cave, with its famous prehistoric art, lies two kilometres to the west.
Highlights
- The Colegiata de Santa Juliana and its Romanesque cloister
- The Altamira cave and its museum, two kilometres away
- Plaza Mayor, with the 14th-century Torre del Merino and Torre de Don Borja
- Handmade sweets sold by the nuns of the Regina Coeli convent
- The Museo Diocesano Regina Coeli, a museum of religious art
Summary based on Wikipedia and Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA), written with AI assistance.
Population: 4,189
Things to see
Travel guide (Wikivoyage)
Santillana del Mar is a picturesque and very touristy village in Cantabria in northern Spain, lined with medieval buildings. It's also famous for the prehistoric art in the Altamira Caves 2 km west. Together with its outlying villages it had a population of 4200 in 2025.
Events through the year
- Auto Sacramental y Cabalgata de ReyesParade of the Three Kings with costumed scenes and a nativity contest
- Las MarzasTraditional Cantabrian songs welcoming spring
- Festival Internacional de Títeres
- Festival Capa y EspadaArtistic fencing displays around the town and an international course
- Fiestas de Santa JulianaProcession, mass and dance for the patron on 28 June
- Santillana al AireOpen-air concerts, theatre and film screenings
- Fiestas de San RoqueFolk music, street parades and a romería
- Festival de Música InfrecuenteConcerts of world music and early music
Dates follow the traditional patterns described on Wikipedia and Wikivoyage: check locally before you travel.
Based on Wikipedia (Santillana del Mar (ES), Santillana del Mar (IT)) (CC BY-SA).
Local food & wine
- Sobao pasiegoSweet
- Tableta con lecheSweetSimple sponge cake of eggs, flour, sugar and lemon peel
Based on Wikipedia (Santillana del Mar) (CC BY-SA).
Where to sleep
48 places to stay within 3 km
- Hotels 28
- B&Bs and guest houses 7
- Campsites 5
- Hostels 4
- Apartments and chalets 4
Search for rooms:Booking.comAirbnbGoogle Maps
Data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Thermal baths nearby
- Hot spring: Pileta de captación del manantial · ~50 min by car
Data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Nearby member villages
- Comillas · 15 km
- Carmona · 26 km
- Bárcena Mayor · 29 km
- Liérganes · 30 km
- Potes · 50 km