Asturias and Cantabria

These two fascinating regions of northern Spain between the tall mountains and the Cantabrian Sea offer visitors beautiful scenery enriched with history and tradition.

Separated by the imposing massif of the Picos de Europa, Asturias and Cantabria are visited each year by thousands of tourists who are attracted by the beautiful sea and the historical artifacts inland including the main attraction of Cantabria famous for its cave paintings Altamira rock drawings made 12,000 years ago.

The works renowned throughout the world are found here well preserved by the people; however, the visit of the caves is highly regulated and thus it is unlikely you will be able to visit them during a short trip. Parts of the paintings are visible in adjacent places. The Museum of Jurassic Colunga where the wreckage of the dinosaurs is found is also interesting.

The caves of the mountains along the Cantabrian coast were used as refuge by the last Christian enclave in Spain who defeated the Moors in the year 718. Even today, the Asturias are very proud of resisting the Moorish conquest. The Christian kingdom of Asturias which was founded in the eighth century has left behind numerous churches built in the capital, Oviedo and in the surroundings.

Oviedo is an industrial city today but its three pre-Romanesque churches are still there to visit. Not far from the city are beautiful pre-Romanesque specimens in Santillana del Mar Santander, the Cantabrian capital, an elegant port city. To the west of the city there are several coastal towns with restaurants and typical local cuisine.

In Cantabria, almost half the population still lives in rural communities where farming and mainly dedicated craft traditions are still alive. Along the coast are fishing ports, tourist resorts as well as Castro Urdiales Comillas or Ribadesella, full of beautiful sea beaches.

Holiday destinations in Asturias and Cantabria

The main attraction of the area is the mountains of the Picos de Europa. The peaks of the mountains are ideal for sports, hiking or biking.

For lovers of the sea, the coast offers many tourist places suitable for bathing. The major cities are the two capitals, Santander and Oviedo, both animated and lively, with an effervescent cultural life.

How to travel in Asturias and Cantabria

The main road that passes through the two regions is the N634. For those traveling by car, the path to the reserve is an exciting tour with spectacular views over green valleys, narrow gorges and steep ravines where streams run wild. The side roads are less developed, often slow to follow. Santander is well connected via the rail network, has ferry links with England.

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