Cantabria

The Atlantic coast of Spain is a mixture of rugged headlands, offshore islands, sweeping bays of golden sands and lush green hills. The scenic area is overlooked by the spectacular ‘Picos de Europa’ mountain range, which rises to a height of 2,613m at its summit. The Costa Verde (green coast) is characterised by a warm temperate climate, fertile soils and plentiful seas. For contemporary art enthusiasts, a visit to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is a must, followed by some delicious tapas. Palaeolithic art can be viewed at the Altamira cave museum, which is very near the beautifully preserved medieval town of Santillana del Mar. The nearby port of Santander is the historic capital of Cantabria and the former Royal Palace still occupies the beautiful Magdalena peninsula at the entrance to the bay.