The Cantabria region is a region with endless possibilities to make the most of a school trip: unexplored hiking trails, fairytale villages and a lot of history … If you decide to take your school trip to Cantabria you will have a lot to choose from. Here you will find the most important visits of the end of the year trip to Cantabria.
But when planning a trip, time is precious, and a school trip is short, the smart thing to do is to prioritize the activities and visits that adapt better to your school group: if they are in Primary, Secondary or High School; if they prefer coast or mountain; if the trip is culturally or adventure oriented… Anyway, there are essential visits that you cannot miss in order to make your school trip an unforgettable experience.
Santander
Of course, in the end of the course trip it is necessary to visit the capital of Cantabria. Everything this city has to offer will surprise you. In addition to having one of the most beautiful bays in the world, it has some very cool places like the Palacio de la Magdalena, former summer residence of King Alfonso XIII. If you visit the Magdalena Peninsula, make sure you see the penguins and seals that live there. You must also take a stroll along the Sardinero, «there is no other like it in the whole world». Another great attraction in Santander is the Maritime Museum. And, as in every city, explore its streets, stroll through its squares and try as many pinchos and typical dishes as you can.
Santillana del Mar and the Altamira Cave
A visit to the popular town of Santillana del Mar and the historic and incredible Altamira Cave is another must on your end-of-year trip to Cantabria. Although it is sometimes a bit overcrowded, it is one of the most beautiful villages in Cantabria. They say it is the town of the 3 lies: for not being Santa or Llana or being on the sea. Cobblestone streets, balconies with flowers all year round, typical mountain houses and the atmosphere of authentic Cantabria make Santillana del Mar a must visit.
Another tourist attraction is the Altamira Museum. A ticket to the museum gives you access to an exact replica of the Altamira Cave. It would be great to see the original cave but it is not open to the public, since it is totally protected.
Faro del Caballo Route
This beautiful route, probably the most beautiful in the region, leads to the Faro del Caballo, built in 1863 and active until 1993. To get there, you have to descend (and then climb) almost 700 steps. The lighthouse is on the cliff of Mount Buciero, at the entrance to the Santoña estuary. The access, the steep steps, were placed by the prisoners of the Santoña Prison Barracks, open between 1824 and 1924. It is well worth doing some hiking on your end-of-year trip to Cantabria!
The Redwood Forest
This is another important place to visit on your school trip to Cantabria. A fairly unknown place with a magical atmosphere. There are two and a half hectares of sequoias in an area. They are a common species on the West Coast of the United States. In fact, they were planted in Cantabria for industrial needs in the area around 1940, during the Franco era. It was decided to plant 848 sequoias in this area due to the speed with which these trees grow and thus take advantage of the wood for the industry, in this way it would not be necessary to depend on external raw materials. This forest has sequoias up to 40 meters high, and a perimeter of about two meters. Taking a walk through the forest and seeing the reddish colors of the whole area will be a nice and curious moment in your end-of-year trip.
Beaches of the Cantabrian Sea and the Costa Quebrada
The Costa Quebrada is a stretch of coastline of about 10kms, which has dizzying cliffs and paradisiacal beaches. On your end-of-year trip you cannot miss some of the most popular beaches in the area: Arnía beach, Somocuevas, Liencres, Oyambre beach, Los Locos beach in Suances, the beaches of Noja… And these are just a few examples. Take a dip and organize games on the beach, it will be unforgettable!
Guide to organize your end-of-year trip to Cantabria
We know that teachers have the most difficult task when it comes to planning and organizing the whole trip, so let us help you! Plan your school trip with Natuaventura and you won’t regret it. More than 15 years and hundreds of trips and schools all over the country are our guarantee.
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