Cantabria, located in the north of Spain, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. If you visit Spain as solo travel you don’t really know what to excpect. In my case it was more then great. One of the highlights of my trip was meeting incredible people at a surf camp This added a unique dimension to my adventure. I was suppose to go with some of my friends actually but in the last minute they cancelled their plan. So I decided to go either way as I was really determined to go for a surf camp. I didn’t know that would turn out in one of the best trips I had in my life. I met incredibly lovley people along the way with who I am still in touch with till this day. So I am writing this blog in hopes to encourage solo travelling as it can break you out of your comfort zone and it can bring you truly beautiful things.
Table of Contents
- Getting There
- Exploring Cantabria
- Santillana del Mar
- Bosque de Secuoyas
- Suances
- Surf Camp Experience
- Travel Tips
- Conclusion
Traveling to Cantabria is quite straightforward. You can fly into Santander Airport or take a scenic road trip through the north of Spain. Depending from where are you arriving, you can also fly to Bilbao which is much bigger city with bigger aiport and then take a bus from there to Santander perhaps. There is an app called Alsa which you can use to buy tickets. I find it cheaper to get it thru that app then to pay on spot. Having a map handy is essential for navigating the routes that Cantabria has to offer. Good thing about visiting Spain as solo travel is you get to make your own plans for arriving.
Exploring Cantabria
Santillana del Mar
Santillana del Mar is a charming medieval village that feels like stepping back in time. Its cobbled streets, historic buildings, and the famous Altamira Caves make it a fascinating destination. In my case I went quite early, around 9:30 AM and it was almost empty. Spanish people tend to go out a bit later so me and my friends took advantage of that to explore the town in peace and it was beautiful. Almost all bars and restaurants have this incredible vibe of medeival style which really makes you feel like you are in medival age. Another note is that there are not that many tourist there which makes it a hidden gem in my book. A must see place in case you are passing by.
Bosque de Secuoyas
Located in heart of Cantabria, Bosque de Secuoyas is enchanting forest, known as the Sequoia Forest of Monte Cabezón, is home to towering sequoia trees that reach impressive heights, creating a magical and serene environment. You would need car to get there as its the most easiest way to access it. There is a bus but it doesnt run often. As mentioned before this whole area is not as popular among tourists like Madrid or barcelona but for me that is the beauty of it. You get to explore this wonderfull forest and you tend to realize how many hidden things are there. We went thereright after lunch time around 2PM and enjoyed the great landscape and views this forest has to offer.
Suances
Suances is a small town/village located north of Cantabria, it has beautiful beaches like Playa de Loco where I took surfing lessons. My surfing camp was also located here, it was a beautiful experiance but more about that down below. Suances has a nice view spot which allows you to see the endless sea and coasts since it’s located on a higher altidude compare to the beach. One of the great observation spot you can find is Mirador Quinta del Amo it has a huge sign ‘I LOVE SUANCES’. There is a bakery which offers delicious pastary and if you ever find yourself there you have to try it out, its called Confitería Romanos.
Surf Camp Experience
If you are into surfing or craving for adrenaline rush then I highly reccomend to try out surfing. It is hard and it does require a bit of physical strenght but if you go to a camp it will be a lot easier which is what I did. The camp I was in was called BioSurf Camp and the people there were nothing but helpfull and friendly. First the staff of the camp was very nice, the accomodation which was tent in my case was super comfortable. I never camped before so for me this was an amazinngly comfortable experiance. As I was there bymyself I met so many wonderfull people and I had one of the best times of my life. There was breakfast included which we were having it together every morning and then we started to plan out our day and activities. Going surfing while visiting Spain as solo travel is one of the best things I did, so I highly reccommend it!
The surfing equipment was of course provided by the camp and we would go in groups of 6 to 8 people sometimes less depending on the circumstances. The instructors were friendly and helpfull.
Advices for surf begginers
To begin with, I am in no position to lecture anyone about surfing but I can give you some small advice on how to approach surfing.
- First of all don’t be shy. I know it can be quite intimidating, espectually when you are putting on a wet suit. Its very tight and you feel like you are sufficating, but it’s ok to feel that. Of course if your suit is too tight let the staff know. Talk to people.
- Take it slowly. Surfing is difficult in the beggining, its hard to get the balance first and the right technique, but with time and practice it will come.
- If you feel like you are getting tired while you are on board, take a break, trust me. Don’t push yourself, because accident will happend. Unfortunetley I know this from personal experiance.
- Ask questions, dont be afraid to ask those stupid questions. Its better to clear things out then to be in doubt when you are on board catching a wave, by that time its too late.
Travel tips for solo travel
Here are some tips if you are going to visit Spain as solo travel and to make your trip to even more enjoyable:
- Pack Light: Bring essentials but leave room for souvenirs. In my case I only brought a backpack. It was more then enough.
- Learn Basic Spanish: In my case I knew nothing, but after 5 days in camp I slowly started to pick up some phrases and it was much more fun and enjoyable.
- Stay Flexible: Be open to changing plans based on weather and recommendations from locals. Also always say yes espectually if you are alone as it will make your trip way better, you never know what you are going to get out of it, but of course be carefull as always.
- Explore Local Cuisine: Try regional dishes like cocido montañés and sobaos pasiegos.
Conclusion
Cantabria, in the north of Spain, is a destination that offers a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation. From the bustling streets of Santander to the serene landscapes of Picos de Europa, every moment is a discovery. Whether you’re planning a north of Spain roadtrip or just looking for new travel ideas, Cantabria should be at the top of your list.
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