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HomeSantillana del Mar
VillageCantabria522 km to Santiago de Compostela

Santillana del Mar

Often called the 'prettiest village in Spain', a remarkably preserved medieval town with cobblestoned streets, noble mansions, and the UNESCO-listed Romanesque Collegiate Church. Near the Altamira cave paintings.

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About Santillana del Mar

Santillana del Mar is often called the 'prettiest village in Spain', a remarkably well-preserved medieval town of cobblestoned streets and noble sandstone mansions. Despite its name (which includes 'del Mar'), the town is actually 4 km inland.

The UNESCO-listed Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana is the town's centrepiece. Nearby, the Altamira cave contains some of the finest prehistoric cave paintings in the world (a replica cave and museum are open to visitors; the original cave has very limited access).

Pilgrims will find albergues, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shops. The town is heavily touristed during the day but quiets down in the evening. It is one of the most memorable stops on the Camino del Norte.

Where to stay

Beds in Santillana del Mar, night by night

Every kind of bed in one place: online booking, direct-contact albergues, walk-ins and donativos. Live prices for your night.

October 15 to October 28Each night shows how many places you can book online and the lowest price. Select a night to see the detail.
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Thursday, October 15Albergue dorms and private rooms both count. Walk-in and donativo albergues never sell out online: arrive early in the day instead.
Prices come live from our booking partners and change with demand. Walk-in and donativo albergues are not counted here: they are in the full list at the bottom of the page.
Quick info
Coordinates43.3907°N, 4.1080°WPopulation876Elevation70 mRegionCantabriaRemaining522 kmAccommodation23 places
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Where you are on the Camino
522 kmto Santiago de Compostela
Irun38% walkedSantiago de Compostela
Previous StageSantander → Santillana del MarCamino del NorteNext StageSantillana del Mar → ComillasCamino del Norte
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Explore Santillana del Mar

The Camino through town, with prices where the beds are. Amber is the route; each pin is a place to stay.

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Things to do

Things to do in Santillana del Mar

5 things
SightWalk the Medieval StreetsThe entire village is a monument. Cobbled streets run between golden stone mansions, tower houses, and palaces, many bearing carved coats of arms above their doorways. The main street connects the two plazas, and every building along it is several centuries old. The stonework, the wooden balconies, the iron balustrades, and the flowers in the window boxes create a townscape of extraordinary beauty. Walk slowly. Look up. This is one of the finest medieval villages in Spain.
HistoryVisit the Colegiata de Santa JulianaThe 12th-century Romanesque church is the finest in Cantabria. The cloister is the highlight, with carved capitals depicting biblical scenes, animals, and fantastical creatures with a detail and expressiveness that is remarkable for their age. The church itself has a simple, powerful interior. The building is the reason Santillana exists, having been founded as a monastery to house the relics of Saint Juliana. The religious foundation attracted the noble families who built…
HistoryVisit the Altamira Museum and NeocuevaThe Museo de Altamira, about 2 km from the village, houses a full-scale replica of the original Altamira cave and its famous prehistoric paintings. The paintings are around 36,000 years old and depict bison, horses, deer, and handprints in vivid ochre and charcoal. The original cave is closed to protect the art, but the Neocueva is so faithfully reproduced that the experience is deeply moving. Standing beneath the painted ceiling and seeing the artistry of people who lived…
FoodEat Cocido MontanesThe signature dish of Cantabria is cocido montanes, a rich bean stew with chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage), cabbage, and pork ribs. Santillana's restaurants serve it alongside other Cantabrian specialities including sobaos (sweet sponge cakes) and quesadas (cheesecake made with fresh curd). The food is hearty and mountain-influenced, reflecting the Cantabrian landscape. A bowl of cocido montanes after a day of walking is deeply satisfying.
Camino MomentArrive Early or Stay LateSantillana del Mar is a popular tourist destination and the village can be crowded during the day with tour buses from Santander. The best time to experience Santillana is early morning or evening, when the visitors have gone and the cobbled streets are quiet. As a pilgrim arriving on foot in the late afternoon, you have the advantage. Check into your accommodation, rest, and then walk the village after dinner. In the evening light, with the stone glowing and the streets…
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Places to stay in Santillana del Mar

Our Koala Picks first, then donativos, albergues and hostels, hotels, and everything else. Within each group the best-reviewed places lead.

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