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The greatest attractions in Cantabria are its contrasts: green valleys, towering peaks, and blue waters. The coastal scenery is lovely, often lined with fine beaches, little resorts and picturesque fishing villages. There is one world that revolves around agriculture and cattle-raising, the other centres around fishing.
The coats of arms displayed on the stately homes are reminders of a proud past, while in the valleys, enclosed between mountains, rural life goes on as usual.

The coastal fringe of Cantabria from east to west is dotted with historical and tourist towns such as Castro Urdiales, Laredo, Noja and in the centre, Santander, with its lovely beaches and splendid bay. Further along towns such as Comillas, San Vicente de la Barquera and Santillana del Mar are particularly worth visiting. Inland, the Liébana valley with Potes and Mogrovejo, and Cabuérniga valley, where we find Carmona and Bárcena Mayor are a pleasure to visit.

Monumental Cities and Towns
Santander - the capital of Cantabria features the beautiful Magdalena Palace, the Paseo de Pereda walkway and the Romanesque and Gothic Cathedral.
Santillana del Mar - Truely a national monument with fine stone buildings and houses from the 15th and 16th centuries. Also the Collegiate Church, the most important example of Romanesque in Cantabria. Nearby are the Altamira Caves with museum and visitor centre.
Potes - Delightful market town near the Picos de Europa National Park. See also the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana and the Infantado Tower.
Barcena Mayor - The peaceful hamlet of Barcena Mayor, declared a site of historic and artistic interest in 1979, represents a noteworthy example of the conservation of the rural world of Cantabria.

History and Geography
Archaeological remains from the Late Palaeolithic found in different parts of the region, including Altamira and Puente Viesgo among others, are evidence of human presence in prehistoric times. The region has been known as Cantabria since antiquity, as far back as 200 BC. The 17th and 18th centuries were times of great commercial expansion characterised by heavy emigration to the New World. Nowadays, the tourism industry, including the hotel and restaurant business, as well as other service sectors, are the main pillars of the Cantabrian economy.
The region of Cantabria is located in northern Spain amid the majestic mountains and sea that bear its name. This land of extraordinary physical variety can be divided into three areas: the coastal fringe, the valleys and the high mountains. Covering an area of 5,290 square kilometres (2,063 square miles), Cantabria is administratively an Autonomous Community consisting of a single province. Its population is a little more than half a million. Winters are warm, and in the summer, temperatures rarely exceed 25º C. (77º F).

Cuisine
Cantabria is the land of fresh products of the best quality and variety, thanks to its excellent geographical conditions: sea, mountains, rivers and forests. In the mountain areas enjoy a typical cocido montañes; a bean stew made with meat and cabbage. In the Liébana valley, chickpeas are used instead of beans. Along the coast, delicious stews are made with tuna, potatoes, onion, peppers and tomato. Fish include hake, turbot, tuna and sardines. Shellfish specialities include spider crab, clams, and small shore crabs.

Festivals
February - Carnival in Santoña.
April - La Folia in San Vicente de la Barquera.
August - Day of Cantabria in Cabezón del Sal, International Festival of Santander with music and dance from around the world. And Batalla de Flores (Battle of the Flowers) in Laredo (last Sunday in August).