Castles, caves, fairytale villages, and nature for holidays with family

Cantabria is a highly recommended destination for families in search of holidays that combine nature, heritage, and cultural activities suited to little ones. From medieval castles and fairytale villages to coastal routes, spectacular caves, and interactive centers, the region presents some distinctive proposals to enjoy as a family, without sacrificing on educational content or entertainment. These are experiences designed for parents and children to share memorable moments in a safe environment. Your family trip through Cantabria can begin at Argüeso Castle, a fortress located in the Campoo region that offers themed tours and summer activities such as workshops and concerts. In nearby Valderredible, the Santa María de Valverde church—carved from the rocks—and its interpretation center offer an educational exploration of what these religious spaces were like many years ago.

Argüeso Castle (Hermandad Campoo de Suso, southern Cantabria), a defensive, Gothic-style construction (13th–15th centuries), offers up the most remarkable example of a rock castle in Cantabria © Shutterstock

Continuing along the underground route, the El Soplao Cave presents an unforgettable experience for little ones, not only thanks to its geological formations but also because this site is accessed via a ride on a mining train. Altamira and its Neocave complete this journey with a series of family workshops allowing visitors to experience prehistoric cave art without even having to enter the original cave. In the Nansa and Peñarrubia valley, the Cades Ironworks offers one of few active demonstrations of a hydraulic mill available today. On this tour, you’ll come to understand how the forging machinery and mill operated, immersing visitors in rural life from bygone eras. Charming villages and nature in freedom Mogrovejo, in the heart of Liébana, is another must-visit spot for families. With barely fifty inhabitants, this mountain village served as one of the settings for the film Heidi and has retained that fairytale charm today. Just a few miles away, the Cabárceno Nature Park brings together animals from five continents to live in semi-wild conditions across its 750 hectares. This site can be explored by car, bus, electric bicycle, or along a guided tour, including access to restricted areas.

The Cabárceno Nature Park is home to more than 120 animal species from five continents, including bears, cheetahs, elephants, and zebras, living in semi-wild conditions © Shutterstock

On the coast, the town of Comillas unites modernist architecture with educational attractions for children. Gaudí’s Capricho invites families on a tour ending with some creative activities in its “Gauditeca”. Further east, in the city of Santander, the Magdalena Palace allows visitors to discover a series of gardens and wooden sculptures along a route that encourages the youngest in the family to explore. This adventure comes to an end at the Costa Quebrada Geopark, a coastal strip with a series of accessible routes among unique geological formations. Meanwhile, other attractions include guided trips on the waves, rounding off a diverse, educational offering adapted to the needs of family tourism.