Things to do in Comillas

El Capricho de Gaudí

El Capricho is a villa in Comillas (Cantabria), Spain, designed by Antoni Gaudí. It was built in 1883–1885 for the summer use of a wealthy client, Máximo Díaz de Quijano, who died a year before the house was completed. Gaudí, who designed only a small number of buildings outside Catalonia, was involved with other projects at Comillas. He was the assistant of Joan Martorell on another summer residence, the palacio de Sobrellano. El Capricho belongs to the architect's orientalist period, during the beginnings of Gaudi's artwork. El Capricho allows to see all the foundations on which Modernisme is based, anticipating Europe's avant-garde Art Nouveau. The tower has been compared to a minaret. After the death of Máximo Díaz de Quijano, this building was used such as a summer house for the most economically and politically powerful people. The building fell into disrepair after the Spanish Civil War, a state in which it continued despite being declared a National Monument in 1969. In 1977, the last descendant of the López-Díaz de Quijano family sold the property and it was restored and turned into a restaurant in 1988. Finally, in 2009, the building became a museum.

Monumento Natural de las Secuoyas del Monte Cabezón

Monumento Natural de las Secuoyas del Monte Cabezón is a redwood forest that is home to a rare grove of giant redwoods from the Pacific West Coast of the United States, making it particularly unique in Europe. Planted in the 1940s, this forest was officially designated as a natural monument in 2003 due to its unique ecological value. Strolling through, a trail gently guides visitors deep into the redwood grove. The towering trunks reach for the clouds, and the dense canopy almost blocks out the sky. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled light and shadows, creating a scene that is both serene and spectacular. Here, the redwoods stand silently, witnessing the passage of time and the elements. Although they come from a foreign land, they have taken root, grown, and thrived in this green ocean. You don't need to travel far to breathe the fresh air, listen to the whispering leaves, and experience a sense of peace away from the city's hustle and bustle.

El Soplao

El Soplao, located in Rionanza, Cantabria, Spain, is an underground treasure trove that blends natural wonders with historical relics, attracting visitors from around the world. Visitors can enter the caves in a simulated mine cart, experiencing a magical journey through time. Trails are set up inside the caves for deeper exploration. Key exhibits include the "Hall of Ghosts," the "Opera Hall," and the "Hall of Fat," each with its own unique geological landscape. To cater to diverse visitor needs, El Soplao offers a variety of tour options. The standard tour is suitable for all groups, with professional guides explaining the cave's geological formation and historical background. For more adventurous visitors, there's also the "Exploration Tour," which provides helmets, flashlights, and non-slip boots and leads visitors deeper into the more primitive mine tunnels for a thrilling adventure.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Cantabria

Cave of Altamira

Cave of Altamira, known as the "Sistine Chapel" of prehistory, is a prehistoric cave located near Santillana del Mar that was discovered in 1869. Research indicates that the cave was inhabited between 11,000–17,000 years ago, and the 270m deep cave preserves a large number of rock paintings and some ancient symbols. The cave is currently closed to the public, and visitors need to book in advance.

Parque natural de Oyambre

Villapresente's Labyrinth

Villapresente's Labyrinth is an attraction that combines nature and entertainment. Designed by local designer Manuel San Emeterio and officially opened in 2013, the maze spans approximately 5,000 square meters and comprises thousands of neatly trimmed cypress trees, forming an intricate network of green pathways. The maze's design draws inspiration from traditional European garden mazes while incorporating modern horticultural concepts, making it both visually appealing and explorable. Villapresente's Labyrinth is considered one of the largest botanical mazes in Spain. Visitors can navigate through the labyrinth through various paths, challenging themselves to find their way to the center. Observation points and small sculptures along the way add visual interest to the exploration. Because the maze utilizes living plants, the scenery changes with the seasons, showcasing varying shades of greenery and light and shadow, making it particularly vibrant in spring and summer.

Castillo del Rey

National Museum & Research Center of Altamira

National Museum & Research Center of Altamirais a cultural institution dedicated to the conservation, research, and exhibition of the Cave of Altamira and its surrounding prehistoric sites. As one of the national museums in Spain, its core mission is to educate the public about Paleolithic art and culture while preserving this fragile World Heritage site. A striking highlight of the museum is the "Neocave." Due to the influx of large numbers of visitors in the last century, which led to increased carbon dioxide levels and humidity changes that put the precious prehistoric murals at risk of irreversible damage, the original cave is now subject to extremely strict visitor limits or is closed entirely. To compensate for this, the museum has introduced this 1:1 artificial replica. Through a rich collection of excavated artifacts, multimedia presentations, and interactive scenes, it vividly recreates the daily lives, hunting techniques, and spiritual world of hunter-gatherers from tens of thousands of years ago.

Acantilado El Bolao

Comillas Beach