From Unquera on the border with Asturias, as far as Castro Urdiales, on the edge of the Basque Country, the Cantabrian coast is a spectacular mix of beaches, cliffs, bays, estuaries, viewpoints, green towns with glorious history and seafaring villages that blend into a sea of sensations against the backdrop of the Cantabrian sea. A perfect tourist area with gems like Santander, the elegant capital, Comillas, Laredo, Castro Urdiales and the fishing villages of Santoña and San Vicente de la Barquera.

The natural offerings of the area mustn't be forgotten, including Oyambre and the dunes of Liencres. And then the star turn: Santillana del Mar, one of the best preserved historic art centres in Spain and home to the Neocueva de Altamira, a faithful replica of the original caves, considered the Sistine Chapel of cave art and a Unesco World Heritage Site. Other cave art in the area can be found at Puente Viesgo and Covalanas.