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The picturesque medieval town of Santillana del Mar is a well preserved historical masterpiece. A village handed down through the generations, it is still governed by town-planning laws created in 1575. The cobblestone streets and flower-filled balconies make it a photographer’s paradise. See if you agree:

Santillana Del Mar, rustic stone buildings dripping with colourful balcony flowers.
This is the memory I will always have of Santillana Del Mar, rustic stone buildings dripping with colourful balcony flowers.

Located in Spain’s Cantabria region, Santillana del Mar is near the Northern border of Spain. Don’t be fooled by the town’s name. It is often referred to as a name telling three lies as it is neither holy (santo), flat (llana), nor by the sea (del mar).

Church of the Colegiata in Santillana Del Mar, Spain
The 12th-century Church of the Colegiata, a Romanesque church and former Benedictine monastery, is probably the most famous building in the town. Located inside are the remains of Santa Juliana (or Santa Illana) who is the town’s actual namesake.
Church of the Colegiata in Santillana Del Mar, Spain
Church of the Colegiata seen from the other side.
Horse riding in Santillana Del Mar, Spain
While we could (and did) walk the entire town, the girls took an opportunity to ride horses with 14-year-old Alberto. They saw the hills and the beach in the distance. Hubby and I enjoyed cafe con leche at a local coffee shop.
Almost seeming out of place amongst the beauty, the town has a torture museum (Museo de la tortura – Inquisicion). The graphic descriptions, images, and ancient torture devices on display are a harsh reminder of the realities of the Spanish Inquisition. I would NOT recommend this museum for children. Although, I think I was the only one in our family to have nightmares.

A few more favourite shots:

Santillana Del Mar, Spain

Crosses carved into the stones on a wall near the Church of the Colegiata in Santillana Del Mar, Spain
Pilgrims have carved crosses into a stone wall near the church.

House in Santillana Del Mar, Spain

Santillana Del Mar, Spain

Outside Cuevas del Monte del Castillo in Santillana Del Mar, Spain
Looking down on the town from the entrance to Cuevas del Monte del Castillo.

Travel Tips for Santillana Del Mar and the Cantabrian Coast:

  • Parking in Santillana Del Mar can be quite a challenge. Only locals or are staying at a hotel with a garage can park a car in the old town (drop off is allowed). Even if you do have parking available, the arrival to Santillana del Mar is a bit confusing. GPS was not that helpful, but ringing the hotel proprietor proved successful.
  • We selected Santillana del Mar for its central location between Altamira (UNESCO cave), Comillas (home to Gaudi’s summer home), and Santander (capital of Cantabria). We extended our stay.
  • Plan ahead to visit at least one of the dozen or so local caves. Be aware that many of the caves you can visit in Northern Spain and Southern France are exact replicas of the original cave, now closed to the public for preservation. This includes two of the most famous: Altamira and Lascaux in France.
  • We opted to visit Cuevo de la Castello (El Castello Cave). Cameras are not allowed inside. We saw cave drawings with one hand print being uranium-thorium dated back 40,000 years.
  • Mueso del Altamira is my top recommendation.  On Thursday and Saturday, they have free workshops. (Advanced sign up required)  Don’t worry if you don’t speak Spanish; they are visual and quite fun. We learned how to hunt by throwing spears. I would have starved.

Have you been to Santillana Del Mar or the Cantabrian Coast?

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Santillana Del Mar Spain. This is just one of a collection of colourful images

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Comments

  1. Our second stop in Spain after disembarking from a ferry in Bilbao in 1976 . My mum , my sister and I in a commer van . We were from a small country town in out back Australia , and had never travelled before . The shop selling leather goods and postcards looks the same as I remember . We saw the cave paintings at Altamira before they were closed to the public a year later . We camped at a spot out of the village . It was very green , and I remember a beautiful gypsy girl .

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  2. Santillana del Mar is so amazing! I loved the pictures with so many flowers and that rustic feels. Looks like a great place to explore in Spain. I have only read about torture museums and the picture above looks disturbing indeed. I would probably skip this one if I were to check out Santillana del Mar – I’m amazed by the story behind its name as well. A great find here!

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  3. It looks absolutely gorgeous! And how have I not heard of it before? I need to add this to my list for when I go to Spain – I still haven’t been!

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    • I don’t think most people have heard of it before. There are so many great places to visit in Spain, I guess some just don’t get the attention they deserve.

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  4. Such a beautiful little city with a very deceiving name. It surely is a photographer’s dream with all these flowered balconies. The workshop you attended sounds fun, I wonder how it must be to hunt with a spear.

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  5. Looks like quite the charming medieval town! Exception being maybe the torture museum – I’ve visited one in the past and they are quite graphic indeed – will probably give that a pass! Horse riding though I would love, as well as just wandering leisurely through the town and appreciating the architecture 🙂

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  7. Santillana del Mar is indeed a revelation. What a charming town and seems so pristine and untouched by the ravages of time. Maybe the reason for its charm and endearing quality is that it has been spared the footfalls of many tourists. The torture museum looks like a blemish on the beautiful town, but then adds to its intrigue.

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  8. What a gem you’ve discovered! I love the overflowing flowers and medieval buildings and the old church. And I sure hope the number of “Torture Museums” I’ve come across in Europe is not really an indication of how much torture was used! We saw one in Rothenburg ob der Tauber and also in Toledo.

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    • This we the second one we had come across. The first was in Moscow and I skipped it while hubby went in with the girls. Apparently that one was much more sedate, and just interesting, so they wanted to go to this one. It was a graphic surprise.

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  9. Great shots, as usual.

    I would love to see that Inquisition museum!

    I’m thinking of renting a car in Barcelona next month and driving around the countryside. Is this easily accessible/doable as a day trip?

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  10. Wow, Rhonda, these photos look absolutely stunning. I have never heard of this Spanish town, but I will sure to visit it on my next trip to Spain. Thanks for the recommendation.

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  11. I travelled around northern Spain a few years ago and absolutely loved it. It’s so different to the south of Spain. Your photos bring back fond memories of a wonderful region. The food was amazing and the scenery was so green and picturesque.

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  12. These are the exact type of places that we love to visit! Those balconies with flowers certainly are super cute and great tip about the parking!

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  13. Such a lovely pictures!! Santillana del Mar is one of my favorite places in North Spain. Perfect place to skip the hot summer from Madrid 🙂

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  17. That first photo with all the bright-colored flowers is so lovely — one to frame for sure! I would be on the horses with the kids. What fun!

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  23. Amazing place!! and those flowery balconies looks beautiful. I just wish to do same with my balcony 😉 I loved reading & the beautiful flowery town.
    Thank for sharing.

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  30. I love torture museums like this (Museo de la tortura – Inquisicion). Usually these museums are in buildings. I like this one that is outside. Sorry that you had nightmares. BOO!
    Have a scary night Rhonda. See ya.

    Cruisin Paul

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  33. I love the flower-festooned balconies! What a lovely idea. And the final pic with the orange roofs appearing in all that green is just wonderful! I think I’d bypass the torture museum, though. lol

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  35. Hi Rhonda,

    Janis & I visited Santillana del Mar last year as part of our Spanish road trip, after leaving Bilbao & heading towards Oviedo. It’s a fabulous place, full of history & charm (plus a few tourists too.) Love your post, you really capture the medieval atmosphere of the place.

    I also agree with the challenges of getting into the town if you’re staying, those lanes are narrow. As we were visiting we parked just off the main road, made life much easier. I assume you tried the cider of the region? I had to wait until I was safely parked up in Oviedo, but it’s an interesting experience.

    And I have to agree a photographer’s paradise.

    Cheers,

    Janis & Gary

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    • Our hotel had a car park, so we drove inside. I am sure parking outside the town would have been easier. As for the cider, yes, we always try the local specialities.

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  38. you are so right – it DOES seem a paradise for photographers. great place and great shots. I had to giggle while reading your post. 🙂

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  40. This is indeed a very colorful town. I’ve never heard about it till now. I’d love to return to Spain and visit some of these beautiful little towns.

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  41. It looks beautiful there those balconies look fantastic love the buildings, I have always liked Spain used to go regularly each year.

    Have a tanfastic week and thanks for punning by

    Adios 🙂

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  42. That looks brilliant. I only went on a horse once – never again, but wandering around enjoying the sights and the cafes, now that’s my style 🙂

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  43. I just feel in love with those balconies full of flowers! Such a beautiful house! I wish I could live in that mediterranean environment. You have to feel lucky to be able to get there!

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    • I agree, and yes we do feel really lucky. I have taken so many photos of window boxes and doorways. It is really lovely here.

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    • I LOVE horse riding. Melissa not so much but she still laughed when her horse kept eating grass from hedges on the side of the road.

      Reply

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