La Gándara Travel Guide

Santander

A waterfront promenade with statues of children by the water, a pier with boats, and a white building with red accents.
A bronze sculpture of two figures by a body of water.
A bronze statue of a figure in a crouched position by a body of water.
A bronze sculpture of a child and an adult by a waterfront.

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.

Stay near popular La Gándara attractions

Homenaje al Navegante Vital Alsar

You can find out about the history of Santander with a visit to Homenaje al Navegante Vital Alsar. Wander the beautiful beaches and waterfront in the area.
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Top hotels in La Gándara

Hotel Santemar

Hotel Santemar

4 out of 5
C/ Joaquin Costa, 28 Santander Cantabria
The price is ₹10,007 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
₹10,007
₹11,008 total
27 Sept - 28 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Santander. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"The hotel is clean and in a very convenient location, especially if you want to stay close to the Sardinero area. You can find free parking around the hotel, but you’ll need to be patient and keep looking. The housekeeping staff and luggage attendants were very nice, friendly, and helpful. Unfortunately, ..."

Reviewed on 23 Aug 2026

Hotel Santemar
Hotel Bahia

Hotel Bahia

4 out of 5
C/ Cádiz, 22 Santander Cantabria
The price is ₹11,130 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
₹11,130
₹12,243 total
27 Sept - 28 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santander. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
"I was surprised to see there was no kettle with complimentary teabags in the room, which I’d expect in a 4 star hotel. Having stayed in other 4 star hotels in Spain, Italy and Switzerland recently, where there were teabags and a kettle, I was disappointed after arriving late at night and not being ..."

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2026

Hotel Bahia
Ibis Styles Santander

Ibis Styles Santander

3 out of 5
AVENIDA DE PARAYAS 2A Santander
The price is ₹8,592 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
₹8,592
₹9,451 total
27 Sept - 28 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santander. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (470 reviews)
"Empleados muy amables, y habitaciones limpias y cómodas."

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2026

Ibis Styles Santander
Hotel Chiqui

Hotel Chiqui

3 out of 5
Avda. Manuel García Lago 9 Santander Cantabria
The price is ₹9,322 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
₹9,322
₹10,254 total
27 Sept - 28 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Santander. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (914 reviews)
"Good points...the staff on the desk were helpful. Negative things..parking was disappointing and stressful. No spaces...queues to try to park...awful experience. I was very disappointed in the infinity pool. Most of it is about 10-15 cm deep so it looks pretty on a photo but is hardly a swimming ..."

Reviewed on 23 Aug 2026

Hotel Chiqui
Eurostars Hotel Real

Eurostars Hotel Real

5 out of 5
Paseo Perez Galdos 28 Santander Cantabria
The price is ₹20,257 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
₹20,257
₹22,282 total
20 Sept - 21 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Santander. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
Eurostars Hotel Real
Estudios Aranzazu

Estudios Aranzazu

2 out of 5
Mies del Valle, 4 Santander Cantabria
The price is ₹5,794 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
₹5,794
₹6,374 total
27 Sept - 28 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this aparthotel in Santander. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
7.4/10 Good! (279 reviews)
"Clean room and comfortable bed, it is basic facilities so nothing fancy but its a good location to visit the city with a bus stop going to the beach and other places close by"

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2026

Estudios Aranzazu
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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.

Where to stay in La Gándara

Find the best La Gándara areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A large, ornate archway with a clock above it, flanked by buildings with balconies.

Santander City Centre

Travellers come to Santander City Centre for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Jardines de Pereda and Plaza Porticada while you're in town.

A coastal walkway with red brick flooring, white railings, and red columns.

El Sardinero

While visiting El Sardinero, you might make a stop by sights like El Sardinero Beach and Jardines de Piquio.

A street with colorful buildings, a church, and a pedestrian bridge.

Cabildo de Arriba

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

A statue of a man on a pedestal by a waterfront with boats and a building in the background.

Puertochico

The pristine beaches and captivating 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.

A marina with various boats docked, a waterfront promenade, and buildings in the background.

Castilla-Hermida

Beaches and 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.

La Gándara Travel Guide