Santillana del Mar is one of the most beautiful towns in northern Spain, known for its cobbled streets, medieval architecture and remarkably well-preserved Old Town. Tucked away in Cantabria, it offers a peaceful and historic escape from the city, and makes for an easy day trip from nearby Santander.
On a day trip to Santillana del Mar, you can explore the town’s most iconic sights, from the UNESCO-listed Cave of Altamira to the Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana. Add in a stroll through the atmospheric Plaza Mayor, a stop at a local museum, and time to relax in the medieval centre, and you’ve got the perfect itinerary for a slow and scenic day in the north of Spain.
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Is Santillana del Mar worth visiting on a day trip?
Absolutely! Santillana del Mar is recognised by many as one of the most beautiful towns in Spain, including French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. It earns this title from its well-preserved medieval town centre. With stone buildings and historic architecture, visiting Santillana del Mar is like taking a step back in time, and you can explore a slice of Spain’s history on its streets.
The town is very small, meaning a day trip to Santillana del Mar is the perfect way to visit. With one day here, you’ll be able to explore the whole town and its attractions, including the Altamira Cave on its outskirts.
How to get to Santillana del Mar
Santillana del Mar is found in Cantabria, in northern Spain, and its nearest city is Santander. You can board a direct bus from Santander to Santillana del Mar, which takes 40 minutes. Make sure you check the bus timetable and plan your journey in advance, as there are only a few buses every day.
Alternatively, you can drive to Santillana del Mar. There are several paid parking lots on the outskirts of the medieval town, meaning you can park for the day and walk into the town.
The best things to do on a day trip to Santillana del Mar
Cave of Altamira (Cuevas de Altamira)
The Cave of Altamira boasts UNESCO World Heritage Status thanks to the prehistoric cave art inside. The illustrations inside were the first ever instances of Palaeolithic art to be discovered, marking huge significance for scientists and researchers.
Today, you can visit the Altamira Museum next to the cave to discover the story of this remarkable piece of history and explore a replica of the cave with its art.
Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana
The most iconic building in Santander is the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana. Named after Juliana of Nicomedia, who gave the town its name, the Romanesque gem dates back to the 12th century. With its weathered stone façade and surrounding cobbled square, it’s one of the best examples of Santillana del Mar’s famed medieval architecture.
Plus, the interior is just as impressive. Head inside to admire stained-glass windows and intricate stone details. You can also visit the cloister, a peaceful courtyard surrounded by arcaded walkways.
Jesús Otero Museum
Spanish sculptor Jesús Otero was born in Santillana del Mar and lived most of his life in the town and the surrounding region. He specialised in stone carving, with many of his works depicting animals – a nod to his life in the Cantabrian countryside. Before his death, he donated his entire collection of work to the town, and they opened the Jesús Otero Museum.
The small museum is free to visit and features an indoor exhibition space as well as a sculpture garden. Look out for the 3D model of Santillana del Mar in the garden too!
The Old Town & Plaza Mayor (Town Square)
Make sure you head to the town’s main square, Plaza Mayor, on your day trip to Santillana del Mar. You’ll find some of the town’s most important buildings here, including the Town Hall, the Torre de Don Borja, and other spots that were once home to noble families.
You should also take plenty of time to explore the rest of the medieval town centre. You could stroll down pretty much every street to take in the cobbled ground, stone architecture and wooden accents. You’ll find cafés and restaurants dotted around the town where you can relax and take in the atmosphere.
Museo de la Tortura
Tucked down a side street in the centre of town is probably one of the most gruesome museums in all of Spain – too much for some, but fascinating for others. The Museo de la Tortura houses a wide variety of artefacts used by the Spanish Inquisition (and others around Europe) for the purposes of torture.
The museum is small, but you’ll discover an interesting and dark side to Spain’s history here, and it’s worth a visit if you can stomach it!
Book a day trip to Santillana del Mar
Dive deeper into the culture of Santillana del Mar or see more of Cantabria on an organised day trip. You could opt for an in-depth small group tour of the medieval town, including a trip to the Altamira Caves. Or, take a day trip to Santillana del Mar that includes other gems of Cantabria like El Capricho de Gaudí and San Vicente de la Barquera.
Check out these guided tours to Santillana del Mar.
I would love to explore more of Spain, Santillana Del Mar looks perfect! I love your pictures too!
Wow, what a beautiful place! You’ve definitely put this on my radar (I do love a medieval town!), and I love that the name is a total lie! 😀
I visited it right before the lockdown and I agree – it’s super beautiful!
I only regret not having the opportunity of visiting the Cueva de Altamira, but hopefully will be back in the future to visit it 🙂
I visited Santillana Del Mar when I studied abroad in Salamanca. It is such a beautiful little Spanish village. Your photos are stunning from there. 🙂
It looks like a charming city! I have never heard about it before! Thanks for making me discover it!
Great article. I am planning to stop by there on a Northern Spain road trip and this was just what I needed. Thanks!
I’m so glad you enjoyed! Enjoy your road trip 🙂