When summer packs up and leaves, Cantabria doesn’t go quiet. Autumn brings golden light, thinner crowds, and that perfect in-between temperature — not the August heat, not the deep winter cold. For those of us who live here, it’s genuinely the best season to rediscover the region.
It’s also a good chance for us to enjoy our own region at a slower pace, since visitor numbers drop noticeably once autumn sets in, even though tourists keep coming.
So if you’re wondering what to do in Cantabria in autumn, here are 5 great plans that mix the sea, prehistoric caves, nature and heritage — all within easy reach of Santander.
Before your autumn trip to Cantabria
If you’re coming from outside the region, we’d recommend renting a car to move between these plans at your own pace. Don’t forget travel insurance with IATI (with a 5% discount for Glutendtrotters readers), and if you’re travelling from outside the EU, an eSIM from Holafly (also with a 5% discount for you) so you’ve got data from the moment you land.
1. Boat trip around Santander Bay
Seeing Santander from the water is a completely different perspective, and in autumn, with less boat traffic and softer light, the trip is even better. The boat tour around Santander Bay passes Magdalena Palace, El Sardinero, Cabo Mayor and Santa Marina Island, heads out toward the beaches of Loredo and Somo, and finishes by the Botín Centre before heading back. One hour total, with a guide on board.
📍 You can book this 1-hour boat trip around Santander Bay in advance to guarantee your spot, especially on weekends.
Read also: Top 10 Things to Do in Santander in a Day
2. The Pas Valley Greenway
For a more active plan, the Vía Verde del Pas (Pas Valley Greenway) is one of the best options for autumn in Cantabria: a former railway line converted into a walking and cycling trail that crosses several villages in the Pas Valley, through woodland that turns amber and russet this time of year.
Keep in mind that not every section is always open: some stretches near Villaescusa reopened recently after maintenance work, so it’s worth checking the current state of the route before you set off.
3. Puente Viesgo caves: 40,000-year-old rock art
Inside Monte Castillo, next to the village of Puente Viesgo, lies one of the most important rock art complexes in Europe. Of the five caves with Palaeolithic paintings here, four are UNESCO World Heritage sites: El Castillo, La Pasiega, Las Chimeneas and Las Monedas. The paintings in El Castillo have been dated to over 40,000 years old, among the oldest known in the world.
Only two of the caves can be visited, El Castillo and Las Monedas, in small groups with an official guide to protect the paintings, and booking ahead is essential: tickets bought online must be validated at the Monte Castillo reception before your visit, and there’s a daily visitor cap. Book your tickets on the official website.
4. Altamira Neocave and Santillana del Mar
Another autumn classic, right next to Santillana del Mar. Worth clarifying upfront so there’s no surprise: the original Altamira cave isn’t open to visitors, except through a very limited weekly lottery (the Collective Visit Programme). What you can visit without a special draw is the Neocave, an extremely faithful replica of the polychrome ceiling, together with the Altamira Museum. Book your guided visit here.
Combine it with Santillana del Mar, just minutes away — one of Cantabria’s prettiest historic towns, and especially charming in autumn without the summer crowds.
Santillana is one of our favourite spots to enjoy in autumn. We love a slow wander through its streets, with a stop for a delicious gluten-free dessert at Las Quintas. Highly recommended!
If you’d rather sit down for a meal, Restaurante Celina Bonita, in Santillana’s old town, is listed in Cantabria’s official tourism guide as offering gluten-free options. Confitería Las Quintas, according to the Celicidad guide, has a bakery workshop and café with gluten-free sweet products. At either place, let the staff know you’re coeliac when you book or order.
Read also: Santillana del Mar: Complete Guide
5. The Sequoia Forest at Cabezón de la Sal
If one plan sums up autumn in Cantabria in a single image, it’s this one: a forest of giant sequoias that turns a spectacular coppery colour this time of year. A short, easy walk suitable for the whole family, and one of the most photographed spots in the region come October and November.
This place is really special for Manuel and me. We’ve been here more times than we can count, just the two of us and with the girls too. The height of the trees is striking, but so is the quiet. There are also hiking trails through the surrounding area if you want to make more of a day of it.
Read also: The Sequoia Forest of Cantabria
Glutendtrotters tip
Autumn in Cantabria is unpredictable: bright sunshine in the morning, rain by midday is a common pattern. Always pack a light waterproof layer, and if you’re combining several of these plans in one day, leave extra time in case the weather forces a change of plan along the way.
These 5 plans are easily enough for a full weekend, or you can spread them across several autumn trips. All of them are under an hour from Santander, so you can take your time without needing an early start.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best autumn activities in Cantabria?
A boat trip around Santander Bay, the Pas Valley Greenway, the Puente Viesgo caves, the Altamira Neocave next to Santillana del Mar, and the Sequoia Forest at Cabezón de la Sal are five of the best ways to enjoy Cantabria in autumn.
Can you visit the original Altamira cave?
No, access is only possible through a very limited weekly lottery (the Collective Visit Programme). Most visitors see the Neocave instead, a faithful replica of the polychrome ceiling, together with the Altamira Museum.
Do you need to book ahead for the Puente Viesgo caves?
Yes, booking in advance is strongly recommended, as visits run in small groups with an official guide and there’s a daily visitor cap. Tickets bought online must be validated at the Monte Castillo reception before the visit.
How long is the Santander Bay boat trip?
The Santander Bay boat trip lasts about one hour and includes a guide sharing the history and legends of the city and the surrounding towns.
Is the Pas Valley Greenway always fully open?
Not always — some sections can close temporarily for maintenance. It’s worth checking the current state of the route before planning your visit.
Where can you eat gluten-free near Santillana del Mar?
In Santillana del Mar, Confitería Las Quintas (Calle Juan Infante, 20) has a bakery workshop and café with gluten-free sweet products, according to the Celicidad guide, and Restaurante Celina Bonita, in the old town, is listed with gluten-free options in Cantabria’s official tourism guide. At either place, let the staff know you’re coeliac when you book or order.
