Santillana del Mar
VillageSantillana del Mar is known across Spain as the village of three lies: neither holy (santa), nor flat (llana), nor on the sea (mar).
What it actually is
An almost intact village of escutcheoned stone houses and cobbled streets, two kilometres inland. Its survival is deliberate: the collegiate church became a national monument in 1889.
The Colegiata, and when to come
The anchor is the Colegiata de Santa Juliana, a 12th-century Romanesque church and former Benedictine monastery; its cloister, added around 1200, holds the best Romanesque carving on this coast. The warning is timing: every coach itinerary stops here.
Frequently asked questions
Why three lies?
It plays on santa, llana, mar: not flat, not coastal, named for a saint.
Is Altamira near?
Yes — the museum is about two kilometres away, a five-minute drive.
When is it quietest?
Before ten in the morning or after six; staying overnight is surest.
Explore more of the Costa de Cantabria
Santillana del Mar is one of many destinations on the CostaMap interactive map — browse beaches, coves, castles and viewpoints across the coast.