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Facts about Cantabria

Cantabria: Wild Beauty, Ancient History and Seafaring Tradition

Cantabria is a hidden treasure in the north of Spain; a land where nature displays its force in every corner. Here, green meadows stretch to the horizon, the Picos de Europa rise imposingly and the Cantabrian Sea breaks with energy against cliffs and golden beaches. Its essence is authentic, its history goes back to prehistoric times and its gastronomy is a pleasure for the senses.

Santander, its capital, is an elegant and luminous city. Its bay, considered one of the most beautiful in the world, frames an urban center where tradition and modernity combine. The Palacio de la Magdalena, a former royal residence, offers spectacular panoramic views, while the beaches of Sardinero are an invitation to relax. In the center, the Mercado de la Esperanza market is bustling with the freshness of seafood, reflecting the region's strong fishing identity.

But if there is one place where the history of Cantabria can be felt intensely, it is in the Caves of Altamira. Its cave paintings, more than 36,000 years old, are a unique testimony to prehistoric art, which has earned it recognition as a World Heritage Site. Although the original cave is closed to the public, the Altamira Museum allows visitors to admire a faithful reproduction of its impressive painted bison.

Beyond history, Cantabria is a destination of pure nature. The Picos de Europa National Park, shared with Asturias and Castile and León, is a paradise for hikers and lovers of the outdoors. The ascent to the Fuente Dé cable car is breathtaking, with views that are lost among the mountains. And in the depths of the earth, the Cueva del Soplao surprises with its impressive geological formations.

The Cantabrian coast is another spectacle in itself. Wild beaches like Oyambre, endless dunes like Liencres or small fishing villages like San Vicente de la Barquera make each stretch of the coastline unique. Comillas, with its modernist architecture and Gaudí's El Capricho, is one of the region's cultural jewels. And Santillana del Mar, with its cobbled streets and medieval mansions, is a journey back in time.

Cantabrian gastronomy is a reflection of its geography: sea and mountains in every dish. The hearty and tasty cocido montañés (a local stew) is ideal for cold days; the traditionally-made anchovies from Santoña are a delicacy of the Cantabrian Sea; and the region's cheeses, such as Tresviso or Picón de Bejes-Tresviso, delight the most demanding palates. For dessert, the sobaos pasiegos and the quesada provide the sweet finishing touch to any meal.

Cantabria is a region of festivities with its own identity. The Battle of Flowers in Laredo fills the streets with color and joy; the festivities of San Juan in San Vicente de la Barquera light up the night with ancestral bonfires; and the mountain pilgrimages keep the rural essence of the region alive.

Natural, authentic and full of history, Cantabria makes anyone who discovers it fall in love. Here, every corner is a surprise; every landscape, a picture postcard.