Landing in Cantabria means starting to enjoy your trip almost immediately. Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport offers direct connections with several cities in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Belgium, among others, and even more routes will be added in the coming months. For those travelling this year, Cantabria is strengthening its international focus, expanding the possibilities for short European breaks and consolidating its position as an increasingly accessible destination for European travellers.

This excellent air connectivity is key to understanding why Cantabria works so well for stays of around three days. It is a compact, diverse and authentic region where, in a very short time, it is possible to combine sea, city life, historic towns, nature and gastronomy without long journeys or any feeling of rushing.

A first encounter between sea and city

From the moment you arrive, the landscape sets the pace of the trip. Intense green scenery, the closeness of the sea and Atlantic light accompany visitors from the very first minutes. Santander is an excellent starting point: an elegant city, open to the sea and very easy to explore. A walk along El Sardinero and around Santander Bay — considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world — is often the traveller’s first lasting memory. For visitors from northern Europe, the surroundings feel familiar but brighter; for those arriving from the Mediterranean, it offers a different way of experiencing the coast, more open, natural and peaceful.

Santander is also enjoying a particularly interesting moment from a cultural point of view. In the coming years, the city will strengthen its role as an urban destination thanks to the opening of major new museum spaces, further enriching a short break.

• In June 2026, the Museo Faro del Banco de Santander is scheduled to open, a new cultural space in a privileged location.

• In December 2026, the new MUPAC — the Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria — will open with a renewed and modern project.

• Finally, the future Santander branch of the Reina Sofía Museum, which will house the Lafuente Archive, will open its doors in 2027, placing the city firmly on the international map of contemporary art.

These openings make Santander an even more attractive destination for European travellers seeking to combine nature, city life and culture in just a few days.

Tasting the territory

In Cantabria, gastronomy is an essential part of the journey. On a short stay, every meal becomes a way of discovering the region. Fish and seafood from the Cantabrian Sea, locally sourced meats, traditional dishes and Cantabrian cheeses reflect a very direct relationship with the natural surroundings. This resonates particularly well with European travellers: authenticity and flavour are shared values, regardless of country of origin. Eating well, without artifice and with local produce, becomes an enduring memory of the trip.

Historic villages just a few kilometres away

Very close to Santander, Cantabria is home to some of the best-preserved historic villages in northern Spain, ideal for completing a short break without long journeys. Their manageable size, well-maintained heritage and lack of overcrowding make them especially appealing to European travellers seeking authenticity and tranquillity.

Santillana del Mar is an essential visit. Its cobbled streets, stone houses and serene atmosphere transport visitors to another era. Strolling unhurriedly through its historic centre, visiting the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana or enjoying a drink on a terrace in one of its squares perfectly captures the charm of Cantabria. Just a few minutes away lies the Altamira Cave, a world reference for prehistoric rock art.

Comillas, meanwhile, offers a unique combination of architecture, culture and sea. El Capricho by Gaudí, the Sobrellano Palace and its pontifical university give this elegant coastal town a distinctive character. Its seafront promenade and viewpoints over the Cantabrian Sea invite visitors to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for a cultural stop without sacrificing the landscape.

Other villages with strong character also deserve attention. Liérganes, set in a green environment on the banks of the Miera River, stands out for its historic ensemble of bridges, palaces and manor houses, as well as for the famous legend of the Fish Man. It is an ideal place for a calm, photogenic visit, highly appreciated by those looking for corners rich in history and nature.

San Vicente de la Barquera combines heritage with spectacular views. Its medieval castle, the Church of Santa María de los Ángeles and its old town rise above the estuary, with the Picos de Europa mountains as a backdrop on clear days. It is one of Cantabria’s most recognisable images and fits perfectly into a short itinerary.

Cartes also deserves a mention: a small, carefully preserved historic ensemble very close to Torrelavega. Its main street retains traditional mountain architecture and offers an authentic, peaceful experience away from mass tourism, perfect for a brief stop along the way.

All these places fit perfectly into a short break and are especially valued by European travellers looking for authentic, well-kept destinations without overcrowding.

Accessible and nearby nature

One of Cantabria’s greatest distinguishing features is that nature is part of the journey from the very first moment, without the need for long journeys or complex planning. On a short break, it is easy to combine city, coast and mountains, something particularly appreciated by European travellers who want to make the most of their time.

Along the coastline, cliffs, wild beaches and coastal paths offer constantly changing and spectacular scenery. The Costa Quebrada Geopark, recently designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, includes striking rock formations, hidden coves and easy routes by the sea, allowing visitors to enjoy the Cantabrian coast from multiple viewpoints — ideal for gentle walks, photography and moments of disconnection by the ocean.

Inland, the landscape quickly transforms into green valleys, meadows and gentle mountains, accessible even for those with limited time. Cabárceno Nature Park, located just a few minutes from the capital, offers a completely different experience: a natural environment where wildlife lives in semi-freedom, particularly attractive for families and for travellers seeking a different, educational outdoor activity.

Cantabria also invites visitors to discover easy, well-signposted trails, such as greenways, or short routes connecting small villages with natural viewpoints. These walks allow travellers to immerse themselves in the Cantabrian rural landscape without any prior hiking experience.

For those seeking a direct connection with the coast, beaches such as Liencres, Somo, Oyambre or Langre offer wide sandy stretches and protected natural environments, perfect for walking, breathing in fresh air or simply contemplating the scenery. Many of them are very close to urban centres and have easy access, reinforcing the feeling of nearby, uncomplicated nature.

This combination of diverse landscapes, short distances and easy access makes Cantabria an ideal destination for a short break. Nature is not an add-on, but an essential part of the journey: real, close and surprising, capable of offering intense experiences even on brief stays — something European travellers particularly value.

Cantabria, a destination that invites you to return

The proximity of the airport, the variety of activities and the ease of getting around ensure that every moment counts. A final walk by the sea, a coffee with a view or the purchase of local products — cheeses, preserves or traditional sweets — round off a getaway that feels complete, even if it is short. With more international flights, new connections and a rapidly expanding cultural offer, Cantabria is consolidating itself as an ideal destination for European travellers looking for something different.

Three days are enough to discover its essence. And to understand that Cantabria is not just a place you fly to. It is a destination to be experienced… and one you will always want to return to.

Have you lived this experience?

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Enjoy Cantabria… from the air.

Because Cantabria is infinite… in connections and in its tourism offer.