What to see and do in Santoña?

It is said that there the caravel named the Santa María was built, one of the ships that led to the discovery of America. Discover Santoña, a place full of history and beauty, where the past meets the present in a unique setting.

Santoña is a very prominent town in the region with a great historical influence. It is said that the caravel named Santa María was built there, one of the ships that took part in the discovery of America. Additionally, it is the birthplace of the important cartographer known as Juan de la Cosa, who created the first world map in the history of humanity.

The municipality’s main activity is mining, but it is also a fishing village, where you can find a wide variety of fresh fish in its port. Historically, it has been considered one of the main fishing ports in the region. The location of this town, just a few kilometers from the Camino del Norte as it passes through Laredo, has allowed it to receive hundreds of tourists seeking beautiful landscapes, bird watchers, rural tourism enthusiasts, and nature reserves.

Monuments to Photograph in Santoña

The San Carlos Fort, the oldest in the town, built in the mid-17th century as a defensive barrier in the bay. The San Martín Fort, built at the same time as the aforementioned one and with the same defensive function. It is now a cultural center. The Mazo or Napoleon Fort, built by this character as reinforcement for the town's defense. Additionally, you can find a significant concentration of batteries and powder magazines dating back to the time of Napoleon.

Activities You Can Do in the Santoña Region

Route of the Horse Lighthouse

If you like physical activity, you can take the challenge of descending 685 steps and 111 more to take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear waters of this beautiful and rocky place. The construction of the stairs was made on the rock itself, and as you descend, you can see the carved shapes of the slopes created by the wind and the force of the waves.

The lighthouse is located on the slopes of Monte Buciero and can be accessed via a circular path. Due to the large number of visitors, it was nominated as the Best Spot of 2014 by the Guía Repsol, although it is no longer active.

Route of the Fisherman's Lighthouse

Also located on the slopes of Monte Buciero and built in 1864. From there, the view of the Cantabrian Sea is unbeatable. However, as it is the only active lighthouse, it is not possible to access it.

Route to the Forest Ecosystems

At least 2 km cross Monte Buciero from Fuerte Mazo to the Horse Lighthouse, which you can walk while getting to know the flora and the various ecosystems formed in the dense forest.

Route to discover the peaks of Monte Santoña, Peña Ganzo, Buciero, and Atalaya through an 8 km circular path.

Route of the Fishing Tradition

An 8 km journey leading to the three forts, the bullring, the promenade, and the main monuments of the town. This is a route that can be taken by all types of people, as it poses no significant difficulty.

Visit to the Natural Reserve of the Marshes

An ecological environment of great importance where birds can be observed. This wetland is home to a wide variety of mollusks, fish, mammals, and other species that are protected in the tranquil waters of this spectacular natural space, which has been recovered by environmental authorities and is a reference site to visit within the Camino Santiago Stages.

Santoña's Gastronomy to Delight Your Palate

The region is famous for its delicious anchovies, which you can pair with an exquisite local red or white wine. You can also enjoy tortilla pinchos from Santoña or have grilled sardines with chili.

Other typical dishes include marmite, bocartes in a casserole or fried bocartes, albóndigas de verdel, hake cheeks, and other important dishes that you definitely must try.

Lastly, you cannot leave without tasting the traditional desserts of the locality, of which we will mention two that you must try: quesadas pasiegas and sobaos.

To enjoy the beauty of Santoña from the outside, you can take a boat ride and take incredible photographs of the town, the lighthouses, and the forts that surround it. It is undoubtedly one of the best plans you can make while touring the Cantabrian Sea.