Comillas Holidays: Cantabria Coast Village Guide
Provincia de Cantabria · Cantabria · Spain · 2,156 residents · on the coast
Comillas is a coastal village of around 2,156 people on Spain's green northern shore in Cantabria, sitting just 25 metres above sea level. It is small enough to walk end to end, yet its centre holds an unusual cluster of sights within a few hundred metres: the museum of El Capricho, the Palacio de Sobrellano and the neo-Gothic Capilla-Panteón de Sobrellano. Playa de Comillas lies a short stroll away, with the broader sands of Oyambre and La Rabia a couple of miles west. Summers are mild rather than scorching, peaking around 24°C in August, and Santander airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is about half an hour's drive away.
Why go
- El Capricho, Palacio de Sobrellano and its chapel-pantheon all sit within a quarter of a mile.
- Mild summers top out around 23 to 24°C, ideal for walking rather than baking.
- Santander airport, with direct UK flights, is only 24 miles away, about 34 minutes by car.
Top sights in Comillas
Palaces, Museums and Atlantic Beaches
The village of Comillas itself is the main draw, a place with a strong cultural and slightly unusual character. Within about 0.2 miles of the centre you will find El Capricho, now a museum, and the neo-Gothic Capilla-Panteón de Sobrellano, also run as a museum. A few steps further, around a quarter of a mile out, stands the Palacio de Sobrellano, a listed cultural property.
For the coast, Playa de Comillas is roughly 0.3 miles from the centre. Head about 2.2 miles out for Playa de Oyambre and 2.3 miles for Playa de la Rabia. Around 2 miles away lies the Cueva de La Meaza, an archaeological site that suits a half-day outing.
Tours and tickets for Comillas and the surrounding area can be booked directly on this page.
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2museum
3palace
4beachPlaya de Comillas
In the centre · Photo
5beachPlaya de Oyambre
2 miles from the centre · Photo
6museumCapilla-Panteón de Sobrellano
In the centre · Photo
neo-Gothic chapel-pantheon in Comillas, Cantabria, Spain
Cueva de La Meaza
archaeological site · 2 miles from the centre
Playa de la Rabia
beach · 2 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in Comillas
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Comillas can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Comillas
Old Centre or Beach Edge
With a population of around 2,156, Comillas is a quiet base rather than a lively one. Staying in or near the centre puts El Capricho, the Sobrellano palace and Playa de Comillas all within a short walk, which suits couples and families who prefer to leave the car parked.
Those after more space and sand might look towards the Oyambre and La Rabia side, a little over 2 miles out, where you trade village life for the beaches. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options across both areas.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Comillas and the villages around it is a hire car from Santander (SDR), about 34 min away.
Best time to visit Comillas
When to Visit Comillas
- 14°CJan168 mm
- 14°CFeb93 mm
- 16°CMar84 mm
- 17°CApr60 mm
- 18°CMay114 mm
- 21°CJun84 mm
- 23°CJul60 mm
- 24°CAug65 mm
- 23°CSept102 mm
- 22°COct164 mm
- 18°CNov140 mm
- 14°CDec131 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
This is the mild, damp north of Spain, so plan for comfort rather than guaranteed sunshine. July and August are the warmest months, with highs of 23 to 24°C and lows of 17 to 18°C, and they are also among the driest, with around 60 to 65mm of rain over 12 or 13 rainy days. June and September are pleasant too, at 21 to 23°C, though September turns wetter.
The wettest stretch runs from October to January, with January around 168mm and October around 164mm. Winter highs sit at about 14°C. Spring is mild but showery, with May recording 19 rain days. No sea temperature data is available for Comillas.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 7°C | 168 mm | 6 h |
| Feb | 14°C | 7°C | 93 mm | 7 h |
| Mar | 16°C | 8°C | 84 mm | 8 h |
| Apr | 17°C | 10°C | 60 mm | 10 h |
| May | 18°C | 12°C | 114 mm | 10 h |
| Jun | 21°C | 16°C | 84 mm | 10 h |
| Jul | 23°C | 17°C | 60 mm | 10 h |
| Aug | 24°C | 18°C | 65 mm | 10 h |
| Sept | 23°C | 15°C | 102 mm | 9 h |
| Oct | 22°C | 14°C | 164 mm | 7 h |
| Nov | 18°C | 11°C | 140 mm | 6 h |
| Dec | 14°C | 8°C | 131 mm | 6 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and the Drive
Santander (SDR) is the closest airport, 24 miles away and about 34 minutes by car, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Bilbao (BIO) is 70 miles away, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes' drive, and Asturias (OVD) is 88 miles away, about 2 hours 5 minutes; both also have direct UK flights.
If you want to bring your own car, Brittany Ferries sails to Santander, just 25 miles from Comillas, from Plymouth (about 20 hours) and Portsmouth (about 24 to 32 hours). Portsmouth also has sailings to Bilbao, 63 miles away, taking about 28 to 32 hours. Driving all the way from Calais takes roughly 14 hours behind the wheel.
By air
- Santander (SDR)24 miles, about 34 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Bilbao (BIO)70 miles, about 1 h 39 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Asturias (OVD)88 miles, about 2 h 5 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 13 h 52 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Santander (25 miles), Bilbao (63 miles).
Comillas is good for
Around Comillas
Day Trips Along the Coast
San Vicente de la Barquera is the nearest neighbour, about 6 miles west, and Santillana lies roughly 9 miles east. Torrelavega, the largest town nearby with around 55,000 residents, is 12 miles away, while the seaside town of Suances is about 13 miles.
Further afield, Puente Viesgo sits 17 miles away and Liencres 19 miles. Inland, Potes is around 23 miles away, and you can cross into Asturias to reach Llanes, about 24 miles west.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Pack a waterproof whatever the month: even July and August see 12 or 13 rainy days, and spring and autumn are noticeably wetter.
Comillas is a small village, so expect a calm pace. The main sights are walkable, but car hire is worth considering for the outer beaches a couple of miles away and for day trips along the coast.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Comillas?
Santander airport (SDR) is the nearest, about 24 miles away or roughly 34 minutes by car, and it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Bilbao and Asturias airports are alternatives, both with direct UK flights, at about 1 hour 40 minutes and 2 hours 5 minutes' drive respectively.
Can I take a ferry from the UK to near Comillas?
Yes. Brittany Ferries sails to Santander, about 25 miles from Comillas, from Plymouth in around 20 hours and from Portsmouth in around 24 to 32 hours. Portsmouth also has sailings to Bilbao, about 63 miles away, taking roughly 28 to 32 hours.
When is the best time to visit Comillas?
July and August are the warmest months, with highs of 23 to 24°C, and among the driest, at around 60 to 65mm of rain. June and September are also mild. October to January is the wettest period, so summer suits beach days best.
Is Comillas good for a family holiday?
It works well for families who like culture and the coast. El Capricho, the Palacio de Sobrellano and the chapel-pantheon are all close to the centre, Playa de Comillas is about 0.3 miles away, and Oyambre and La Rabia beaches are just over 2 miles out.
Do I need car hire in Comillas?
Not for the village itself, as the main sights and Playa de Comillas are walkable. A car is useful for Oyambre and La Rabia beaches, the Cueva de La Meaza and day trips such as Santillana at 9 miles or Potes at 23 miles.