The Cantabrian capital, Santander, is located in a great bay, and benefits itself with ample cultural shows that unfold, mainly, during summer time, thanks to the International University Menendez Pelayo and the International University of Santander, located in the Palace of the Magdalena, that offer summer courses. The casino in El Sardinero Harbour, is another landmark that this cosmopolitan city offers.

Few kilometers away from Santander is Santillana del Mar, a beautiful village that, along with Barcena Mayor, is one of the oldest populated sites in Cantabria. It is a medieval village considered Historic Artistic Set since 1889.

Prehistoric art has one of its most important monuments in the cave paintings of Altamira, declared Historical Human Heritage by UNESCO. Since the caves have restricted access to avoid their deterioration, a trustworthy reproduction of the original Cave of Altamira, just next to the original one, allows people to enter in the magical universe of the world-wide well-known "Sistine Chapel of the Palaeolithic Art". The Altamira Museum is also considered as one of most important ones in Palaeolithic rests. In addition, other prehistoric caves in the region can be visited, as well as the Church-cave of Santa Maria de Valverde.

One of the main Jacobean routes, the Way of the North or the Cantabrian coast, crosses Cantabria from east to west. Another religious pilgrimage through the region takes us to the monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana, the place where presumably the relic of the Lignum Crucis is conserved (supposedly the largest piece of Christ´s Holy Cross that exists).

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Santander Beach

Hotels in Santander