| Cantabria is an autonomous community of northern | | | | picturesque sandy beach with plenty of parking |
| Spain with a coastline that overlooks the Cantabria | | | | nearby and a fishing port at one end. The beach at |
| Sea. The region is bordered by the Basque Country | | | | Laredo is over 4km long and has fine golden sand |
| to the east, Castilla Leon to the south, and Asturias | | | | overlooked by a long promenade. It also offers good |
| to the west. Cantabria has much to offer visitors to | | | | conditions and lifeguard facilities for those interested |
| the region with a mixture of mountainous massifs, | | | | in surfing. |
| rolling lush meadows and picturesque fishing ports. | | | | Cantabria National Parks |
| Santander is the region's capital and is the best place | | | | Cantabria has many national parks for those |
| to start any venture around the province as most | | | | interested in the flora and fauna Spain has to offer. |
| places can easily be reached within a 3-hour car drive | | | | The Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa was the |
| Santander, capital of Cantabria | | | | first Spanish national park to receive this classification |
| Santander is a modern commercial city and one of | | | | in 1935. The Picos de Europa Mountains are spread |
| Spain's main ports of arrival for ferry passengers | | | | over the three provinces Asturias, Leon and Catalonia |
| from Britain. In 1941, Santander fell victim to a great | | | | and contain 3 massifs characterised by constant |
| fire, which burned for 2 days fanned by strong | | | | rainfall and often snowfall on the peaks. The Nature |
| southerly winds. Only one person was killed while the | | | | Reserve offers some fantastic extremes of |
| city was plunged into chaos and much of the historic | | | | landscape including vertical drops of over 2km, hillside |
| centre was destroyed. The oldest remaining building | | | | forests of oak, beech, maple and walnut trees, |
| to be found in Santander today is the cathedral. | | | | meadows of green pasture land and the great |
| Cantabria Holiday Attractions | | | | Covadonga lakes. |
| Much of the tourism that comes to the region head | | | | This northern region of Spain is a great destination |
| towards the summer holiday resorts to be found | | | | for discovering some of the natural delights of this |
| along the northern coastal strip. El Sardinero near | | | | diverse country. Beautiful beaches and dramatic sheer |
| Santander is one of the most popular beaches for | | | | cliff faces dominate the coastline, while the Picos de |
| visitors to the capital city. It can get busy along its | | | | Europa can be found just 25km from the coast. |
| 1.3km length during the summer months, but the | | | | Cantabria has a good selection of Nature Reserves |
| wide promenade, which is one of the prettiest in | | | | both within the mountainous areas and along its |
| Spain, runs the whole length of the beach and there | | | | northern coastal stretch. With fantastic scenery and |
| is a good supply of hotels and eateries to choose | | | | a wonderful diverse range of flora and fauna, these |
| from. At one end of the beach can be found | | | | offer some excellent walking and hiking opportunities |
| Magdalena Park, which offers a beach playground, | | | | for visitors who want to experience the more |
| mini zoo and train circuit. The town of Comillas has a | | | | rugged side of Spain. |