Holidays in Cantabria near Santander north Spain, rent an apartment, house or villa

Virgin mountains, mysterious caves and a fabulous coastline: Cantabria offers great variety in undiscovered Spain.

Far away from the Spanish Costas, Cantabria bordering the north coast is unspoilt by mass tourism. The high Cantabrian Mountains attract nature lovers who seek beauty and solitude amongst the limestone peaks. Deep under the rock lies a treasure classified as a World Heritage Site, the Altamira Cave. The cave is decorated with paintings of animals and handprints dating from 16,000 to 9,000 BC. These paintings are carefully protected and there is currently a three year waiting list for access to the caves. However, you can see a reproduction at a nearby museum.

Also nearby is the lovely medieval town of Santillana del Mar. This is a great place to taste traditional Cantabrian food, such as the pork, bean and cabbage dish cocido montanes, and to soak up the atmosphere amongst the narrow cobbled streets set with elegant, centuries old houses.

• Holidays in Spain

The Cantabrian mountains provide a dramatic landscape for outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, rafting and hang gliding. The landscape provides a refuge for rare wildlife such as the brown bear and wolves. More common animals such as chamois and red deer also find a home here. In the south-west of the region rise the majestic Picos de Europa, which are known for dramatic glacial scenery.

For rest and relaxation, head down to the lovely coastline around the main town of Santander. This is an excellent city to try locally caught seafood such as rich fish stews or delicate shellfish and chill out on a sandy beach.

Villas, holiday cottages and apartments to rent in Cantabria: