La Gándara

Santander
Monumento a Los Raqueros which includes outdoor art, a bay or harbor and a statue or sculpture
Vacation in a northern Spanish town that is set amid spectacular natural landscapes and close to an ancient cave system decorated with Paleolithic art.

With evergreen valleys, ancient forests, waterfalls, green meadows and limestone caves, La Gándara and its surroundings are scenic gems in the heart of Green Spain. Make the town your base for exploring the beautiful Cantabrian countryside in northern Spain.

Go hiking in forests of beech trees and Cantabrian holm oaks in Collados del Asón Natural Park. This protected part of the Cantabrian Mountains is located just west of La Gándara. Enjoy a canoeing expedition on the Asón River, sections of which run through the park. Nearby is the Mirador de La Gándara. From its purpose-built viewing point you can see the waterfalls that are the source of the Gándara River. More hiking opportunities await in the Valley of the Asón and on the walking trails that pass through Astrana.

Drive through Cabárceno Natural Park to see hundreds of free-roaming animals, such as lions, rhinos, jaguars, elephants, Bengal tigers and ostriches. This wildlife area in the mountains covers 1,850 acres (750 hectares) of the Peña Cabarga Nature Reserve.

Discover how ancient peoples adapted to this part of the world when you visit the Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The limestone caves are renowned for well-preserved Paleolithic cave paintings, some of which date back to 35,000 B.C. Although the Altamira Cave is closed to protect the paintings, the adjacent museum has a walk-through replica of the cave and reproductions of the paintings. Study artifacts that depict how Paleolithic people used to live.

If you want to explore inside caves, drive south of La Gándara for about 40 minutes to the Monumento Natural de Ojo Guareña. This is a vast complex of karst caves that has guided tours.

Reach La Gándara by flying into Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport, about 220 miles (350 kilometers) away. Make the rest of the journey to the green and mountainous surroundings by bus or rental car.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


La Gándara Hotel Deals

Hotel Silken Rio Santander
Hotel Silken Rio Santander
4 out of 5
Avenida Reina Victoria, 153, Santander, Cantabria
The price is ¥8,658 per night from Apr 4 to Apr 5
¥8,658
per night
Apr 4 - Apr 5
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (424 reviews)
"The property was nice, clean, inviting, and peaceful. The staff was very informative and helpful. Enjoyed our stay and totally recommend it!"

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Hotel Silken Rio Santander
Hotel Bahia
Hotel Bahia
4 out of 5
C/ Cádiz, 22, Santander, Cantabria
The price is ¥12,051 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
¥12,051
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (996 reviews)
"the room was perfect for the family. Kids had bunker beds but AC wasn’t cooling 👎. Great location!"

Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024

Hotel Bahia
Hotel Chiqui
Hotel Chiqui
3 out of 5
Avda. Manuel García Lago 9, Santander, Cantabria
The price is ¥13,133 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥13,133
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 3-star golf hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (662 reviews)
"Very nice"

Reviewed on Mar 16, 2024

Hotel Chiqui
Hotel Silken Coliseum
Hotel Silken Coliseum
4 out of 5
Plaza de los Remedios, 1, Santander, Cantabria
The price is ¥10,238 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
¥10,238
per night
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (760 reviews)
A great hotel
"Great hotel well located and good cafe bar"

Reviewed on Feb 19, 2024

Hotel Silken Coliseum
Hotel Santemar
Hotel Santemar
4 out of 5
C/ Joaquin Costa, 28, Santander, Cantabria
The price is ¥8,927 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
¥8,927
per night
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (734 reviews)
Lovely hotel in a great location.
"Lovely hotel,a 5 minute walk from the beach and a 10 minute bus ride from the city centre.Our room was spotless and beautifully decorated with a nautical theme.Though we didn't use any of the hotel's facilities, there was an on site gym,disco,bar and restaurant."

Reviewed on Oct 9, 2023

Hotel Santemar
Gran Hotel Sardinero
Gran Hotel Sardinero
4 out of 5
Plaza de Italia 1, Santander
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a beach locale. Popular attractions El Sardinero Beach and Palacio de la Magdalena ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (412 reviews)
"This was my second time staying at this place, the staff has always been super nice and attentive. Rooms are comfortable, although it would be great to have a full size mirror in there. And just a tad more space in the room so you can open the suitcase and still be able to walk around the bed. There ..."

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2024

Gran Hotel Sardinero
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around La Gándara

Monumento a Los Raqueros which includes outdoor art, a bay or harbor and a statue or sculpture

Puertochico

The beaches and waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Puertochico. A stop by Chico Port or Bay of Biscay might round out your trip.

Puertochico
Banco Santander featuring heritage architecture

Santander City Centre

5/5(19 area reviews)

Santander City Centre is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Jardines de Pereda or Plaza de Pombo.

Santander City Centre
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Tetuán

Pristine beaches and captivating waterfront views are well-reviewed features of Tetuán. Make a stop by top sights like The Cathedral while you're exploring the area.

Tetuán
Cantabria Maritime Museum which includes marine life and interior views

San Martín

Notable for its beaches, shopping, and waterfront views, San Martín is a sought-after destination for many travelers visiting Santander. If you want to see some sights in the area, check out Cantabria Maritime Museum or Chico Port.

San Martín
This very high statue of a woman looking through a telescope in central Santander is called Into the future

Cabildo de Arriba

The pristine beaches and captivating waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Cabildo de Arriba. A stop by Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Consolacion or Sotileza Mural might round out your trip.

Cabildo de Arriba
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Castilla-Hermida

Pristine beaches and captivating waterfront views are well-reviewed features of Castilla-Hermida. Make a stop by top sights like La Marga Park while you're exploring the area.

Castilla-Hermida

La Gándara