Santillana del Mar
A medieval stone village in Cantabria, northern Spain, with cobbled lanes, old mansions and the Altamira museum, which holds a replica of the cave paintings.
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Santillana del Mar is a small medieval village in Cantabria, on Spain's northern coast. Its old center is built of stone, with noble mansions set along narrow cobbled lanes. Many of the houses date from the late medieval and early modern periods, and several still show carved coats of arms above their doors. The Romanesque collegiate church of Santa Juliana sits within the old town and is the main building to see on foot, so most of the sights are a short walk apart.
The second draw is the Museo de Altamira on the edge of town. It holds a replica of the Altamira cave, because the original cave, with its prehistoric paintings, is closed to protect it. Book the museum in advance, since the original cave is not open to casual visitors. Santillana works as a half-day stop, but one night lets you walk the lanes before and after the day-trip hours. For a longer trip, the coast at Comillas and Santander is within reach.
Santillana del Mar in five
- Visit early or stay one nightCoaches arrive from late morning, and the lanes narrow with visitors. An evening or early morning stroll shows the village at its best.
- Park outside the centerCars are restricted in the historic lanes, and parking is at the edge of the village. Allow a few minutes' walk and carry only what you need.
- See the Altamira museum for the cave replicaThe original cave is closed to most visitors. The nearby museum shows a replica and exhibitions. Check hours and ticket details on the official site.Santander
- Visit the collegiate church and cloisterThe Romanesque church is the village's main monument. Check opening hours on the official page before you plan the day.
- Link it with Comillas and San VicenteBoth are short drives along the coast and give a fuller day.San Vicente de la Barquera
Need to know
- Airport
- Santander (SDR), about 25 min by road
- Getting there
- Car or bus from Santander in about 30–40 minutes
- Getting around
- Walk; the village is tiny and pedestrian
- Best base
- Inside the village, or Comillas nearby
- Time needed
- Half a day, or an overnight
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Cool, wetJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 151 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°CoolFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- MarchRain17 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°MildMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 126 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°SpringAprilRain
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Mild, greenMayRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°WarmJuneRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh23°Low17°Warm, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustClear12 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Warm, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Mild, quieterSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°MildOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- NovemberRain17 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°WetNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 181 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- DecemberRain15 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Cool, wetDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 142 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
Average daily high and low in Santillana del Mar, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Santillana del Mar
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
6
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 88%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 45%
Santillana del Mar
09:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°7°45%Monday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Tue12°7°58%Tuesday: Rain. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Wed12°6°10%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu14°5°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri14°5°10%Friday: Fog. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat13°6°16%Saturday: Fog. High 13°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun21°8°33%Sunday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 33%.
Updated 09:08 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
What's on in Santillana del Mar
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- JanLa VijaneraCantabria, a day trip
- JulVitoria-Gasteiz jazz festivalBasque Country, a day trip
- Jul–AugFestival Internacional de SantanderSantander, a day trip
- AugGreat Week of BilbaoBilbao, a day trip
Before you go to Santillana del Mar
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Rules for Santillana del Mar, checked
- Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (exteriores.gob.es) before you fly.
- Non-EU travelers may be checked under the EU Entry/Exit System at the border. See the European Commission's EES page for current rules.
- The original Altamira cave is not open to casual visitors. Book a Museo de Altamira visit ahead, since entry slots are limited.
- For police, fire or ambulance in Spain, dial 112, the EU-wide emergency number.
Plan around Santillana del Mar
Regions, trains, entry rules and money for the whole country
Read the guideSantanderThe nearest city, 30 minutes east by road
Read the guideComillasA modernist town with a Gaudí villa, a short drive west
Read the guideSan Vicente de la BarqueraA fishing harbor with beaches and Picos views
Read the guidePicos de EuropaThe mountain range behind the coast
Read the guideSantillana del Mar FAQ
Is Santillana del Mar worth visiting?
Yes, as a half-day stop for its medieval lanes and the Altamira museum nearby. It is small, so most visitors pair it with Comillas or Santander.
Why is it called the town of three lies?
It is a local joke that Santillana is not holy (santa), not flat (llana) and not by the sea (del mar). The name comes from a saint, Santa Juliana, and the village sits inland.
Can you see the Altamira cave?
The original cave is closed to most visitors to protect the paintings. The nearby museum has a replica, which is the usual way to see the art.
How long do you need in Santillana del Mar?
A couple of hours for the village, plus time for the museum. A single half-day is enough, and a night is a bonus for the calmer evening.
What is the best time to visit Santillana del Mar?
May, June, September and October are mild and quieter. July and August are busiest. Winter is cool and wet, and the village is much quieter.