Top Santander Outdoor Activities

Immerse yourself in some of northern Spain’s most spectacular mountain scenery—and enjoy a seamless way to explore—on this small-group, full-day tour. Following morning pickup from your Santander hotel, head into the Cantabria countryside. You’ll take a cable-car (separate expense) up to the Picos de Europa for spectacular vistas, will visit the historical Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana, will explore the charming village of Potes, and more.

Discover one of the most prominent caves in Europe on a half-day tour to El Soplao from Santander. Join a small group and cross forests to reach the mouth of the cave system. Then, enjoy a guided tour through the cave, learning about the unique geological formations from the tour guide. After, head to a nearby lookout where you can enjoy views of the Estuary of Tina Menor.

If you are visiting Santander without transportation, don't miss the opportunity to get out of the city. This day trip makes it easy for you to see more of Cantabria with an excursion along its western shores. You will visit the Romanesque temple of Santillana del Mar, fishing villages such as San Vicente de la Barquera and viewpoints to enjoy spectacular views of the coast.

When you visit the Monte Castillo caves, be sure to see them the right way: with a professional local guide, in an intimate group that’s capped at just eight people. You’ll visit two UNESCO-listed caves, El Castillo and Las Monedas, to admire the wealth of cave art, and spend time in Puente Viesgo village and the Museum of Vega de Pas, too. Note that this is a Spanish-language tour.

Cabarceno Natural Park is home to more than 150 species of animals living in semi-freedom. On this small-group tour from Santander, get a little closer to these animals safely and easily by exploring the park in a minivan. Get hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance tickets, and the chance to see the sea lion and raptor bird demonstrations.

Get out of Santander for the day without the hassle of driving or catching public transport, on this private full-day tour to the caves at Puente Viesgo and Las Monedas. As well as checking out the archeologically significant cave paintings, you’ll visit the village of Puente Viesgo and drive up the Valles Pasiegos into the mountains. Add an optional e-bike tour if you want to get more active.

Learn all about the Picos de Europa National Park with this guided tour of the area from Bilbao, and make sure to come hungry. Your guide will be a foodie, and they will share the culture of this area with you partly through food. You’ll be tasting tapas, alcoholic beverages, and a full meal along the way. Your guide will take photos of you in the natural beauty, and tell you stories about the history, too.

Sr. Buelga is a knowledgeable guide with a bachelor in geology and lots of experience touring Spain. Included in the price are: quality meals/drinks (lunch in one of the best restaurants of the area, snacks and if desired dinner), tickets to the amazing Fuente De cable car and a professionally made photographic report of your tour. Let's design a customized tour from Santander to the Picos de Europa and back to the city stopping in selected places and villages throughout the journey. This is a private tour with a maximum of four people, it can be completely customized to the likes of the customer. Vehicle: 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser. I am focused in tourism & geology but some people consider I am a true foodie so I always point to my customers to the type of food that they like. The Picos de Europa National Park offers some of Europe's most spectacular mountain scenery. This is only a one day tour but it is just enough for an unforgettable visit to the Picos de Europa and Cantabria.

Come and embark on an adventure during this full-day pilgrimage tour of the Monastery Of Santo Toribio and San Sebastian De Garabandal. Cross La Hermida’s Gorge, marvel at awe-inspiring landscapes, join in for spiritual mass service, and experience local cuisine firsthand. Bring along your faith as you visit Pote's village followed by the hermitages of San Miguel before ending our journey at the beautiful Garabandal sanctuary. It will be one unforgettable day.

HIGHLIGHTS • Visit Cullalvera Cave • Enjoy some of the nicest landscapes in Cantabria • Cross the Natural Park of “Collados del Ason” • See the birthplace of the river Gandara • See the birthplace of the river Ason • Enjoy canoeing the Ason river (municipality of Udalla) SUMMARY Feel the excitement of taking a canoe trip down the Ason River, fall in love with the landscape of Collados del Ason Natural Park and discover one of the famous caves in Ramales de la Victoria.