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:
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).
A few more favourite shots:
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.
Note: Based on world conditions, we advise checking official channels including cancellation policies prior to booking. Also, with often reduced capacity, booking ahead becomes more important.
Have you been to Santillana Del Mar or the Cantabrian Coast?
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Craig
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 .
Reshma
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!
Rhonda Albom
Honestly, the torture museum is one destination I wish I avoided. Some of the hideous images got stuck in my head. The rest of the town is well worth a visit.
Lauren
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!
Rhonda Albom
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.
Dave
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.
Rhonda Albom
The workshop was really interesting, even with my only basic understanding of the language.
Megan Jerrard
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 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Yes, the torture museum is quite a contrast to the rest of the town. In retrospect, I would have skipped it too.
carla abanes
The places looks awesome!! You were right that this is photographers heaven!
Sandy N Vyjay
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.
Rhonda Albom
Also, the houses have been passed down, so the people who live there feel a personal connection to the community that would be present in a more transient town.
Tami
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.
Rhonda Albom
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.
Trekking with Becky
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?
Rhonda Albom
Heed my warning, that museum is quite graphic. It is shocking the cruelty that man is capable of .
Barb
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.
Rhonda Albom
It’s funny, we didn’t stay here because of the town, but rather for its proximity to the caves. The town was just a huge bonus.
christina
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.
Rhonda Albom
It is quite different from the south, and I love them both. However, for some peace and relaxation, I prefer the north.
Claudia
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!
Rhonda Albom
Me too. I just don’t always know where to find them.
shere
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 🙂
Rhonda Albom
I think if I lived in Madrid, I would visit here quite frequently.
Mandy
This town looks absolutely amazing! I’m swooning over your images!
Rhonda Albom
It is amazing.
Sagar Nepal
What a beautiful heritage, balconies of ancient buildings looks amazing.
Rhonda Albom
It is such a neat place.
Buckeroomama
I love medieval towns –the cobblestones, the feeling that a town had kind of “frozen” in time. Lovely photos!
Rhonda Albom
Sintra really does feel like a city frozen in time.
Sharon
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!
Rhonda Albom
I have so many framed pieces on my walls already, somehow that one just didn’t make it. Maybe it’s time for a rotation.
Elizabeth
What beauty! The flower covered terraces are so lovely!
Rhonda Albom
I could have (and probably did) stand there in awe for hours.
indah nuria savitri
I haven’t been there but love to come and visit…so beautiful..
Rhonda Albom
I knew it was charming, but it really exceeded all our expectations.
Bill
What a beautiful history town to visit. Thanks for taking me there
Rhonda Albom
Happy to take you along
Deb Nance
I’m always on the lookout for a good location for my Last Home. That town looks like a good one!
Rhonda Albom
From what I have read, most of the houses are handed down from generation to generation. You might need to marry into a family if you want to live there.
pienilintu
Beautiful place to visit!
Rhonda Albom
It sure is!
Amruta Telang
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.
Rhonda Albom
I know people who could create flower masterpieces like that, but it is not a talent that I have. I fear my balcony would just look overgrown.
Amy Franks
I like how the flowers brighten everything up and I wonder how old the crosses on the walls are?
Rhonda Albom
I wondered about the age of the crosses too, but all I could find out was that they were carved by pilgrims.
Jim, Sydney, Australia
Looks like a beautiful place
Rhonda Albom
It was almost magical.
Patrick Weseman
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful site. Very nice.
Sandee
I love all the balcony flowers too. Wow, they are fantastic.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
Rhonda Albom
You would love this town, except for the travel involved to get here.
Teresa Kindred
Those houses with the flowers…oh my! I just love traveling with you, or through you! Thanks for sharing!
L. Diane Wolfe
How gorgeous! I’d love to have plants and flowers growing all over my house like that.
Rhonda Albom
Me too. I think the world would be a happier place is everyone did this.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
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
Rhonda Albom
Sorry to disappoint you, but this one is inside. There were just a few displays outside, before you pay. Inside was much more graphic and horrific.
Tanja (the Red phone box travels)
love that flowery house!
Rhonda Albom
Me too. It is probably one of my all time favourite shots.
Kristin Aquariann
Magnificent! I hope I get to explore the place in person someday.
Rhonda Albom
The Cantabrian region is really beautiful, but so often skipped for the South.
Lexa Cain
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
Rhonda Albom
If I could go back and do it over, I would skipped the torture museum too.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Like a moment of time, preserved forever. Beautiful place. I’d definitely check out the museum.
Rhonda Albom
Great description, and I hope is preserved forever this way. As for the museum, remember you have been warned, it is quite gruesome.
Janis & Gary
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
Rhonda Albom
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.
ladyfi
Gorgeous shots! I just adore those flower-adorned balconies.
Rhonda Albom
Me too. We saw a lot of them in Spain, but this town is the best I have seen.
Carol
You’re right! This is a beautiful town. Love the landscape, houses, flowers, really lovely.
klara
you are so right – it DOES seem a paradise for photographers. great place and great shots. I had to giggle while reading your post. 🙂
Photo(Geo)grapher
What beautiful and colourful town!
Rhonda Albom
It is a photographer’s paradise.
Anda
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.
Rhonda Albom
We drove from La Coruna to the Pyrenees Mountains in France across the Atlantic coast.
stevebethere
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 🙂
Rhonda Albom
This would be one of the closer cities in Spain to the UK. Have you been here before?
Tony Payne
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 🙂
Annamari
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!
Rhonda
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.
Julie
I would have loved to have hopped on the horse.
Sarah
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.
Lynne
You can’t see everything, but you are doing a good job of trying!
Rhonda
LOL – not everything, but as much as we can.