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TOURISTIC ROUTES
San Vicente de la Barquera is an ideal starting-point for some of the most interesting excursions that can be made in northern Spain.
Cantabria Map


1. COASTAL VILLAGES Santillana del Mar
*OYAMBRE Natural Park, of great ecological and landscape value; Merón and Oyambre beaches, La Rabia estuary..
COMILLAS, interesting urban area with many imposing mansions; Sobrellano palace (Neo-Gothic/Modernist). Gaudí's Capricho pavillion, (Modernist); Pontifical University (Neo-Gothic with Mudejar influences).
SANTILLANA DEL MAR, Remarkably well-conserved medieval village of exceptional architectural interest; Collegiate church (12th century Romanesque); Regina Coeli convent (museum of religious relics);  Altamira Caves  ("Sistine Chapel" of Stone Age art). Santillana Zoo, the 4th best Spanish zoo http://www.cantabriainter.net/zoosantillana .


 
 
 

2. CABARCENO WILDLIFE PARK:

One of the prime attractions in Cantabria, where animals from the five continents can be seen in semi-liberty within a park area of 800 hectares. The park is installed in an area of abandoned opencast iron ore workings; the karst landscape exposed by mining activities is unique in Europe.

3. RESERVA NACIONAL DEL SAJA

Saja National Wildlife Reserve: CARREJO- natural history museum; CABUERNIGA - numerous rural hamlets with typical montañesa architecture; CARMONA - delightfully-conserved village and Los Mier palace; SAN SEBASTIAN DE GARABANDAL- legends of appearances of the Virgin; TUDANCA - excellent example of montañesa village with mansion (La Casona) open to public; La Cohilla reservoir in POLACIONES; RICLONES - Chufin and Micolón caves (Stone Age Art).

4. PICOS DE EUROPA Telesférico de Fuente De

La HERMIDA gorge; Mozarabic church (10th century) of Santa María de Lebeña; 12th century Romanesque church of Santa María de PIASCA; Santo Toribio de LIEBANA monastery (Gothic); POTES  architecturally interesting town centre and Torre del Infantado; MOGROVEJO medieval tower and mountain village; FUENTE DE cable car; Puertos de Aliva- alpine pastures in the heart of the Picos de Europa.


 

5. LAGOS DE COVADONGA

CANGAS DE ONIS: medieval " Puente Romano"; La Riera - good examples of Asturian rural architecture; COVADONGA Puente de Pelayo-tourism office was formerly terminus of steam tramway from ARRIONDAS; San Fernando Basílica (completed 1901); Cueva Santa -Chapel (1874); "Marriage Fountain"; The Queen's View point; Lake Enol-Shep- Herds Meeting Hall; industrial archaelogy (early 20th century manganese mining); 10 Km path to Ordiales view-point; Lake Ercina - mountain landscapes.


 

6. RUTA DEL CARES Cabrales

Footpath following the river Cares, between the central and western massifs of the Picos de Europa, linking Puente PONCEBOS and CAIN. 11 Km. and about 3 hours each way; (easy walking suitable for anyone in reasonable health).


 

7. EAST ASTURIAS Llanes

Coastal towns: Llanes, Ribadesellla, Villaviciosa...


 

8. SANTANDER Palacio de la Magdalena

Cantabria capital , with several beaches as Sardinero. Magdalena palace, Piquio garden, Cathedral, Sardinero Gran Casino , International Menéndez Pelayo University , International festival...-.
 
 

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39540 San Vicente de la Barquera
Cantabria
SPAIN