Los Corrales de Buelna

Day Trips

Touch down in Santander airport and transfer to your hotel in Los Corrales de Buelna, then settle in over a strong café and fresh pasiego butter toast. Enjoy a guided stroll through the tree-lined Calle La Veguilla, acquainting yourself with local life and charming shops. Learn about the town’s history at the Palacete del Embarcadero and snap photos of the surrounding hills.

Head to the Parque de la Viesca for a leisurely picnic under ancient oaks, sampling regional cheeses and sobaos. Wander along the Besaya River, stopping at the medieval church of San Juan Bautista to admire its Gothic features. Pop into a family-run tapas bar for a caña and a platter of cured Cantabrian ham.

Experience authentic Cantabrian cuisine at a mesón where local fishermen serve grilled anchovies and fresh hake. Stroll through the illuminated streets, inhaling the scent of eucalyptus and chimenea smoke. Conclude with a nightcap of orujo by the warm glow of a traditional hearth.

Depart early for the nearby village of Santillana del Mar, famed for its perfectly preserved medieval core. Wander cobblestone alleys flanked by stone houses with carved wooden balconies. Visit the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana to marvel at Romanesque arches and chapels.

Explore the reproduction of Altamira Cave, where prehistoric art comes alive on the cave walls. Enjoy a leisurely lunch of stuffed peppers and local white wine at a family-run tavern. Stroll through the Museum of Altamira to learn about paleolithic life and cave conservation.

Return to Los Corrales de Buelna and unwind at a riverside bar with a cold sidra on tap. Chat with locals about their family traditions and seasonal fiestas. End the evening with churros dipped in rich hot chocolate at a beloved neighborhood churrería.

Set off for Monte Logo in Cabárceno Natural Park, arriving as the park gates open to beat the crowds. Observe brown bears, elephants, and Iberian lynx roaming in vast semi-wild enclosures. Take the early-morning birdwatching trail to spot vultures circling overhead.

Board the Panoramic Cable Car for sweeping views of lush valleys and granite peaks. Picnic amid the park with local bread, cheese, and Cantabrian apple cider. Join a keeper talk at the sea lion pool and feed the curious marine mammals.

Head back to Los Corrales de Buelna and relax your muscles with a well-deserved pintxo and local beer. Share photos of the day’s wildlife encounters with fellow travelers. Savor a plate of traditional cocido montañés before turning in for the night.

Travel to Santander and begin at the Palacio de la Magdalena, perched on a rocky peninsula overlooking the sea. Meander through royal gardens and admire the Belle Époque architecture. Stop by the tiny beach for a quick paddle in the Cantabrian waves.

Explore the bustling Mercado del Este for fresh seafood tapas and local produce. Wander the cobbled streets of the old town, pausing at the Santander Cathedral and its ornate cloister. Enjoy a seafront lunch of rabas (fried squid rings) by the port.

Watch the sunset from Playa del Sardinero, then dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant serving modern Cantabrian cuisine. Sip a glass of Albariño while listening to live jazz in a cozy bar nearby. Return to Los Corrales with fond memories of Santander’s coastal charm.

Head west to Comillas, discovering Antoni Gaudí’s whimsical El Capricho and the elegant Sobrellano Palace. Wander seaside promenades lined with modernist villas. Savor freshly baked sobaos and quesadas in a local patisserie.

Drive along the Costa Quebrada to Playa de Oyambre and recline on its golden sands. Dip your toes in the Atlantic and watch surfers conquer gentle waves. Enjoy a picnic of smoked mussels and crusty bread under a windswept pine.

Continue to San Vicente de la Barquera for a romantic riverside dinner featuring grilled langoustines and local green pepper soup. Stroll the old fishing port as lanterns twinkle on the tidal flats. Return home under a star-filled Cantabrian sky.

Rise early for a scenic drive to Fuente Dé cable car in the Picos de Europa National Park. Ascend 800 meters in minutes, revealing dramatic limestone peaks dusted with pine forests. Set off on a gentle alpine trail to a mountain refuge for panoramic views.

Enjoy a hearty picnic of local chorizo, artisan bread, and mountain cheese near a crystal-clear spring. Continue hiking deeper into the valley, encountering chamois and golden eagles overhead. Return via a wildflower-lined path, breathing in the scent of heather and juniper.

On your way back, sample Cantabrian stew called olluco or cocido lebaniego in the town of Potes. Sip a glass of robust red wine from the Liébana valley as dusk falls. Arrive home in Los Corrales de Buelna ready for a restful night.

Journey to the Liébana valley and visit a family-run bodega to learn about regional grape varieties like Mencía and Prieto Picudo. Tour sun-drenched vineyards and press rooms, sampling early-morning must. Pair fresh bread with tuna-leaf olive oil and homemade terrine.

Indulge in a multi-course lunch at a mountain inn, featuring local beans, cured meats, and artisan cheeses. Attend a short cooking demonstration to master the secrets of cantabrian seafood empanadas. Stroll through Potes’ historic lanes, browsing for local honey and fig preserves.

Return to Los Corrales de Buelna at twilight and treat yourself to a private rooftop wine tasting. Share stories with the winemaker over a flight of reds paired with Cantabrian anchovy canapés. Wind down with a nightcap on your terrace, gazing at the distant Sierra del Escudo.

Set off for the picturesque port town of Castro Urdiales and explore its 12th-century Gothic church of Santa María de la Asunción. Climb the medieval tower for panoramic sea views. Sample fish tacos from a bustling market stall.

Drive along the coast to Laredo’s vast beach, strolling the golden stretch at low tide. Relax under beach umbrellas and indulge in freshly grilled sardines at a chiringuito. Stop at local boutiques for handcrafted jewelry and ceramics.

Dine on clam chowder (almejas a la marinera) beside the Estuary of Santoña before returning to Los Corrales. Sip a smooth vermouth on ice as the harbor lights dance on the water. End your evening with a moonlit walk along the riverbank.

Embark on a guided trek through the ancient beech forests of Saja-Besaya Natural Park. Listen for the call of the Eurasian jay and catch glimpses of roe deer among moss-covered oaks. Pause by a mountain stream to admire crystal-clear waters.

Picnic on local chorizo and apple-cider sandwiches beside a calm riverbank. Continue hiking to a secluded waterfall, where you can dip your feet in the cool pool. Learn about the park’s flora and fauna from your expert guide.

Return to Los Corrales de Buelna and soothe tired muscles with a soak in a traditional spa. Savor a rustic dinner of roast lamb and seasonal vegetables at a countryside inn. Share your day’s adventure over a final glass of cider under vaulted wooden beams.

Ease into the final day with a guided yoga session in a serene garden, framed by mountain vistas. Enjoy a detox smoothie made from local berries and fresh Cantabrian yogurt. Reflect on your journey while breathing in crisp morning air.

Spend your last hours exploring artisans’ workshops in Los Corrales de Buelna, selecting souvenirs like hand-woven baskets and regional jams. Relish a farewell lunch of tapas featuring anchovies, datiles con bacon, and local cheeses. Take a final stroll along the river, capturing memories in photographs.

Treat yourself to a gourmet farewell dinner at a riverside restaurant, where innovative chefs serve fusion dishes inspired by Cantabria. Raise a toast with sparkling cider and share highlights from your immersive trip. Depart under the stars, carrying the spirit of Cantabria with you.