Top Santander Half-day Tours

Great experience. We were looking for a short trip from Santander. Gabriela, our guide/driver came to pick us up at our hotel right on time. She was very knowledgeable with a very good English. I’d recommend the trip.

A very pleasant tour. Beautiful places, good information.

First, El Castillo has around 300 steps. There are decent breaks in between each set of stairs as the guides explain each painting, etc, but you'll also have to walk all the way back up. Las Monedas is easier, but my mom was winded by the end, so I think I was correct to advise her not to go in the first one.Catalina was amazing in explaining everything from geology to discovery to scientific understanding. I wish we had more time at the interpretation center, I could spend a while there, but I know everyone isn't as much into reading signposts, and the official cave tours are done by museum employees & on strict timetables. As we left the next group was ready to start.Because of late cancelations, we had 4 instead of 7 for the tour, so in a way we got slightly more time I think.Get this off your bucket list as much as possible. Catalina explained that just three years ago they allowed 3 groups of 13 people each per hour, but global warming is leading to fast deterioration in the caves. Soon these could go the way of Altamira which I'm happy to have skipped due to lack of time, where the caves are totally shut down.I feel so privileged to have been able to see the oldest cave art in Europe, by just about the first homo sapiens to reach Europe. And I could be one of the last few in general public to see them.I see museum staff will use English but you'll miss most of the contexts unless you understand Spanish well. If not, get a guide who can do the whole tour in your language. You're making this journey. Might as well get to know all of it.

The cave tours were exceptional; an experience to be sought out if possible. Our driver was fine, the cave guide amazing.

This is a trip which became a pilgrimage thanks to Raphael’s knowledge and respectful explanation of the events in Garabandal 1961 and following years. Needs to be experienced highly recommended. The village is a beautiful and very peaceful

It has been a beautiful excursion to Cabárceno. The guide, Rafael, is very kind and attentive to the needs of everyone, including the elderly. Additionally, he is a great guide who makes the visit very enjoyable.

This tour was a great example of why guided visits to some places make all the difference. Santillana del Mar is lovely, and the Altamira Museum is a must for those interested in paleo-history and art, but we would have gained much less appreciation and knowledge of both places without Pepe's interpretation. We were picked up right on time at our designated meeting hotel and after gathering other members of our group of eight made our way first to Santillano del Mar, roughly 30 kilometers from Santander. The medieval structures and cloister are not as grand as the major cathedrals of Spain, but they have a wonderful charm and provide insight into what towns (as distinct from fortified cities and rural villages) were like. After making the short walk to the main square and visiting the cloister, we had about an hour on our own to enjoy some local treats (quesada and sabaos) and visit some small shops. The Altamira Museum is only about 2 kilometers from Santillana. It is located at the site of the cave with its art (paintings and wall carvings) produced between 35,000 to 13,000 years ago. Visits to the cave itself were ended about 25 years ago, and so the major attraction is now the reproduction of the cave ceiling within the museum. A replica of the ceiling surface was created, and then an artist reproduced the art using the same materials and techniques as were used by paleolithic artists. There are interpretative videos and signs within the "neocueva," but Pepe pointed out specific elements on the ceiling and provided additional information about them. Entrance to the exhibit is by timed entry. It appeared that fewer than 25 people were admitted on about 15 minutes spacing. We had about 15 minutes before our assigned entry and about 15 minutes after we left the "neocueva" to review the other exhibits at the museum and its gift shop. The collection is small, but worth taking some time to see. The experience is admittedly not the same as it would be to visit the cave itself, but the need to protect the original cave art that was deteriorating from the impacts of thousands of visitors each year is well understood.

We went to visit the park in early June. Unfortunately, the day we went in the morning, it was raining. But it stopped. We took the cable car upon arrival. A superb view despite the weather. Then we drove around the circuit. Even with the park map, we did not see everything!! This park is truly magnificent and should be visited at least once in a lifetime. I recommend it to you. Larger than Sigean and all the French parks combined. Nothing to compare!!!

Garabandal encloses religious elements outside the comum. The scenery is beautiful. Our guide, Rafael, is a person who knows firsthand the religious significance of the place and the events that happened there, and is a wonderful guide for the entire cultural and historical context that frames these events. I thank Cool Destinations for organizing and conducting this tour.

It is a sensory journey to medieval and Renaissance times. Known for its incredible conservation, this villa wraps you in an atmosphere of nobility and tranquility that makes it one of the most magical stops in northern Spain. I am Angeles-Travel Advisor Chord

As a lover of anchovies I am interested to know how they are processed. The factory provided an informative tour including a short video in English which covered everything. While we were there a public relations employee was shooting clips for social media so they are looking to spread the word.This is a beautiful part of the Cantabrian coast you should not miss. The 1 hour boat cruise have us great views of the bay and you can glimpse Laredo beach if you don't get a chance to spend time there.Our tour guide showed us parts of the historic town not normally frequented. And you can claim to have walked a few hundred metres of the Camino del Norte later.All in all a very satisfactory half day.

The trip was interesting and the downpour of rain all day was a little daunting for we big babies. Guide was very good and did everything to make our small group happy.

Experience worth living The tour is fully adapted for people with reduced mobility. The Cristina guide is an excellent communicator, funny and tolerant of the needs of all visitors. They also have more types of visit, such as via ferrata, with specialized guides We definitely recommend it

A very beautiful place with spectacular figures formed by the stalactites and stalagmites, some of which joined together.

It is worth seeing. Dario accompanied us on the visit and made it very enjoyable, with clear explanations. A 10 for him.

Well organised. We were picked up from out hotel, the guide was friendly and informative and the cave art is fascinating and beautiful, and unbelievably old. Highly recommend.