Our campsite in Cantabria lies between Santander to the west and Bilbao in the Basque country to the east. However, we highly recommend a trip a little further west to explore the medieval city of Santillana del Mar and its Altamira Museum.
Contrary to what its name suggests, Santillana del Mar doesn’t sit right beside the sea. In fact, this medieval town is somewhat ironically known as the “villa de las tres mentiras”. Or the Town of the Three Lies, as it is neither “santa” (holy), nor “llana” (flat), nor “tiene mar” (on the sea).
Fortunately, Santillana del Mar is full of surprises and there are plenty of other reasons to visit it. For a start, it is one of the key stopping points on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. The cobbled and pedestrian streets weave their way through the many buildings constructed between the Middle Ages and the 18th century:
A trip to Santillana del Mar is very much worth the effort, if only for a wander through its streets steeped in an authentic historical atmosphere. However, you won’t be able to stop off there without a visit to the Altamira Museum!
The Cave of Altamira is one of the main tourist attractions of this Cantabrian village and one of the best known in northern Spain. This cave offers a glimpse into a very distant past, many centuries before the Medieval period that shaped much of Santillana del Mar. When on holiday at a campsite in Cantabria, you’ll be able to come along and admire its cave paintings that date from the Upper Palaeolithic era. The cave itself remains closed to the public to protect and preserve the ancient works. However, you can tour the Altamira Museum to observe the replicas and discover more about their history.
In short, you can spend an excellent day out at Santillana del Mar during your holiday in Cantabria. Less than an hour’s drive from the village, our Yelloh! Village Punta Marina campsite will be thrilled to welcome you and offers all the amenities you could wish for, including all-comfort mobile home rentals, quality services plus activities for children and grown-ups alike! In addition, you can make the most of the swimming pool on site, or head to the nearby beaches to cool off in summer.
In Santillana del Mar you’ll find a whole host of activities. Stroll through the authentic narrow streets and take the opportunity to browse the shops and craft workshops to stock up on locally-made goods. The sweet-toothed among you will love the traditional leche con bizcochos – a glass of fresh milk and sponge cake. Finally, outside the town, the natural surroundings are ideal for hiking or horse riding.
