Beaches in Cantabria for stretching out summer
Cantabria has a spectacular coastline, where mountains and the sea coexist in natural harmony. With dunes, fine sand, breathtaking cliffs and film-like settings, this community is also a leading destination for surfing and for enjoying wonderful cuisine on beaches such as Oyambre, Somo, Langre, Sardinero, San Vicente de la Barquera and Laredo.
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1 San Vicente de la Barquera
San Vicente de la Barquera is home to beaches of incredible quality, including La Maza (which accepts pets) and Meron, which is more than 3km long. The town is known for water sports such as surfing, a pastime that is especially popular at Playa de Gerra.
Where to eat: El Rayo Verde is an iconic beach bar. It owes its name to the meteorological phenomenon, the green ray, popularised by Jules Verne in his novel of the same name, which occurs when the sun sinks below the horizon. Perched on the cliffs, the bar offers spectacular views of the coastline, especially at sunset, as well as live music, homemade recipes and cocktails.
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2 Oyambre beach
Between San Vicente de la Barquera and Valdáliga, in Oyambre Natural Park, Oyambre beach is one of the great jewels of Cantabria. Located at the mouth of the Ria de la Rabia, its fine, golden sand dunes make it one of the most popular and idyllic beaches in the region.
Where to eat: Right on the beach, El Pájaro Amarillo has worked with local fish markets that provide it with fresh fish and seafood since 2006. It also serves mouthwatering rice dishes. The name of the restaurant is a tribute to the legend of the first European transatlantic flight, the Yellow Bird, which successfully crash-landed on the sands of Oyambre beach.
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3 El Sardinero Beach
Located in the town of Santander, El Sardinero beach is a must for anyone visiting the capital of Cantabria. The architecture of the promenade allows you to travel 100 years back in time, when the nobility of the 1920s made this a fashionable resort. Its easy access and the quality of its sand and water make El Sardinero one of the most loved beaches in the region.
Where to eat: On the shores of El Sardinero Beach is El Serbal, which has held a Michelin star for almost two decades. Its offerings reinvent traditional regional flavours and focus on the best produce.
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4 Somo
The 4km of Somo beach offer space to relax in the sun and to practise surfing. The beach is home to the biggest surf scene in the area, with shops, schools and championships offered throughout the year. Somo is part of the Ribamontán al Mar Surf Reserve, the first to exist in all of Spain.
Where to eat: El Tronky, the restaurant run by Pedro Guevara and Isabel Peña, is considered one of the best fish grills on the Cantabrian coast. It selects the finest raw produce, from sardines to tuna.
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5 Langre beach
The cliffs surrounding Langre beach, located just a kilometre from the town of the same name, make it one of the most dramatic landscapes in the community. Also part of the Ribamontán al Mar Surf Reserve, Langre welcomes adventurers pursuing multiple sports.
Where to eat: Just five minutes away, in the neighbouring town of Galizano, is La Torre by Marañón, part of the Torre de Galizano Gastronomic Hotel. It occupies a palace built in 1872 by wealthy emigrés returning from the Americas, and here chef Javier Marañón – a disciple of Martín Berasategui – offers sustainable cuisine based on local produce.
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6 Laredo
The town of Laredo boasts more than 8km of coastline, with the best-known beach being La Salvé, opposite Monte Buciero de Santoña. This extraordinarily wide beach is surrounded by a lively promenade and combines very calm waters with fine sand. In addition to its imposing natural beauty, it is considered one of Spain’s safest beaches thanks to its terrain and seashell shape.
Where to eat: Since 1985, Camarote Restaurante, 500m from this beach, has been serving Cantabrian fish and seafood, from barnacles and lobsters to velvet crabs, cuttlefish and turbot. The menu is completed by local cheeses such as Tresviso, meats, house-made desserts and a large selection of wines.
