Cantabria

Cantabria is on the northern coast of Spain and is considered a comunidad histórica, or historic community, and is famed for its capital port city, mountainous national park, caves and history. The Cave of Altamira offers a museum showcasing replicas of cave art from the Palaeolithic era. At Cueva El Soplao, you can go potholing in over 12 miles of cave complex with stalactites, stalagmites and other rock formations. Centro Botín is an arts and cultural space designed by famed architect Renzo Piano. For historic architecture, the Palacio de la Magdalena is a palace built in the early 20th century on the shores of the ocean.

Just steps away from the Palacio is the Magdalena Peninsula, which offers miles of soft sand and surf as well as a small zoo where kids will thrill to the many animals on display. More animal encounters can be had at Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno zoo and nature reserve. The Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria offers the chance to take a walk back in time with thousands of ancient artifacts.