Travel bucket list idea:
Cave of Altamira
Santillana del Mar, Cantabria, Spain
Last updated: 06 February, 2024
This impressive 270m cave is etched with spectacular, 14,000-year-old paintings of horses, deer and bison – some of the world’s greatest Paleolithic cave art. Unfortunately, the actual cave is now closed to visitors due to the risk of damage to the paintings; but there is a near-perfect replica in the fascinating Altamira Museum beside the site.
While you're there
Pair it with a visit to the lovely, historic town of Santillana del Mar – known as one of the prettiest villages in Spain – which is close by.
Logistics
Price from: £2
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
The caves of Altamira are located off the CA-134 and are signposted from Santillana del Mar. There’s plenty of free parking onsite. Alternatively, the cave is just a 20-minute walk through pretty countryside from the centre of Santillana del Mar.
When to do it
The museum is closed Mondays and on certain dates of the year – check the website before you go.
