Escalante, Cantabria: Holiday Guide for UK Travellers
Provincia de Cantabria · Cantabria · Spain · 763 residents · on the coast
Escalante is a small coastal village in Cantabria, on Spain's green northern shore, home to just 763 people and sitting only 7 metres above sea level. Its main landmark is the Castillo de Montehano, a castle listed as a cultural property, about a mile from the village. For British travellers the appeal is practical as much as scenic: Santander airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly 22 minutes' drive away, and the ferry port at Santander is around 15 miles off. Summers are mild rather than scorching, with August highs around 25°C, and the coastal towns of Santoña and Laredo lie within a few miles.
Why go
- The Castillo de Montehano, a listed castle, stands about a mile from the village centre.
- Santander airport, with direct UK flights, is roughly 22 minutes' drive from Escalante.
- Mild summers peaking around 25°C in August suit travellers who prefer warmth without fierce heat.
Top sights in Escalante
Castle Walks and Bookable Tours
The headline sight is the Castillo de Montehano, a castle recorded as a cultural property of Escalante and sitting about a mile (1.5 km) from the village. It is close enough to reach on foot or by a very short drive, and it gives the visit a historical anchor in an otherwise quiet, low-lying coastal setting.
Escalante itself is small, so most travellers combine the castle with outings along this stretch of the Cantabrian coast. Tours and tickets in the area can be booked directly on this page, where the booking cards show what is currently available.
Castillo de Montehano
castle · 1 mile from the centre
Tours & tickets in Escalante
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Escalante can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Escalante
Staying in a Small Coastal Village
With a population of 763, Escalante is a quiet base rather than a lively resort. Expect a peaceful, village pace close to sea level, with the castle on the doorstep and very little in the way of nightlife.
Travellers wanting more going on in the evenings often look at the larger neighbouring towns of Santoña, about 3 miles away, or Laredo, about 5 miles away, while those after city life can consider Santander, around 15 miles off. This page shows live hotel prices for Escalante and the surrounding area.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Escalante and the villages around it is a hire car from Bilbao (BIO), about 45 min away.
Best time to visit Escalante
When to Visit Escalante
- 13°CJan193 mm
- 14°CFeb115 mm
- 17°CMar87 mm
- 17°CApr90 mm
- 19°CMay130 mm
- 22°CJun117 mm
- 24°CJul52 mm
- 25°CAug72 mm
- 23°CSept133 mm
- 22°COct147 mm
- 18°CNov172 mm
- 14°CDec116 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The climate data does not single out ideal months, but the pattern is clear. July is the driest month, with around 52 mm of rain, and July and August are the warmest, with daytime highs of 24°C and 25°C and nights around 16°C to 17°C. June and September are also pleasant at 22°C to 23°C, though both bring more rain.
Winter is the wettest stretch: January sees about 193 mm of rain and November around 172 mm, with highs of only 13°C to 18°C. Rain is frequent all year, with 13 to 19 rainy days a month, so packing a waterproof is sensible whenever you go. Sea temperature figures are not available.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C | 6°C | 193 mm | 5 h |
| Feb | 14°C | 6°C | 115 mm | 6 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 8°C | 87 mm | 8 h |
| Apr | 17°C | 9°C | 90 mm | 10 h |
| May | 19°C | 11°C | 130 mm | 11 h |
| Jun | 22°C | 15°C | 117 mm | 11 h |
| Jul | 24°C | 16°C | 52 mm | 11 h |
| Aug | 25°C | 17°C | 72 mm | 10 h |
| Sept | 23°C | 15°C | 133 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 22°C | 13°C | 147 mm | 7 h |
| Nov | 18°C | 10°C | 172 mm | 6 h |
| Dec | 14°C | 6°C | 116 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
Three airports with direct flights from the United Kingdom serve Escalante. Santander is the closest, about 16 miles away and roughly 22 minutes by car. Bilbao, a larger airport, is about 32 miles away, around 45 minutes' drive. Asturias is a further option at about 127 miles, roughly three hours by road.
For those bringing their own car, Brittany Ferries sails to Santander from Portsmouth (around 24 to 32 hours) and from Plymouth (around 20 hours); the port is about 15 miles from Escalante. Bilbao's port, about 25 miles away, is served from Portsmouth in around 28 to 32 hours. Driving the whole way from Calais takes roughly 13 and a half hours.
By air
- Bilbao (BIO)32 miles, about 45 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Santander (SDR)16 miles, about 22 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Asturias (OVD)127 miles, about 3 h by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 13 h 25 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Santander (15 miles), Bilbao (25 miles).
Escalante is good for
Around Escalante
Day Trips Along the Coast
Santoña, about 3 miles away, and Laredo, about 5 miles away, are the nearest towns, each with a population of around 11,000. Ramales de la Victoria, a smaller inland town, is about 12 miles off.
Santander, Cantabria's capital, and the coastal town of Castro-Urdiales are each about 15 miles away. Penagos lies around 16 miles off, Liencres about 21 miles, and Balmaseda, across the border in the Basque Country, around 23 miles away.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Escalante is a village of fewer than 800 residents, so services are limited; car hire makes it far easier to reach supermarkets, restaurants and the neighbouring towns of Santoña and Laredo.
Rain falls on at least 13 days in every month, even in summer, so a light waterproof is worth packing year-round. If arriving by ferry, Santander's port is only about 15 miles away, making it a short first drive after the crossing.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Escalante?
Santander airport is the nearest, about 16 miles away and roughly 22 minutes by car, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Bilbao, about 32 miles away and around 45 minutes' drive, also has direct UK flights.
Can I take a ferry from the UK to near Escalante?
Yes. Brittany Ferries sails to Santander from Portsmouth in around 24 to 32 hours and from Plymouth in around 20 hours; the port is about 15 miles from Escalante. Bilbao, about 25 miles away, is reached from Portsmouth in around 28 to 32 hours.
How hot does Escalante get in summer?
Summers are mild. August is the warmest month, with daytime highs around 25°C, and July reaches about 24°C. Nights in high summer sit around 16°C to 17°C, so the heat is gentle compared with southern Spain.
Does it rain a lot in Escalante?
Rain is common all year, with 13 to 19 rainy days each month. July is the driest month at about 52 mm, while January is the wettest at around 193 mm, followed by November at roughly 172 mm.
What is there to see in Escalante?
The main sight is the Castillo de Montehano, a castle listed as a cultural property, about a mile from the village. Tours and tickets in the area can be booked on this page, and Santoña and Laredo are a few miles away.
How long does it take to drive to Escalante from Calais?
Driving from Calais takes roughly 13 and a half hours. Many British travellers prefer the ferry to Santander, whose port is about 15 miles from Escalante, to avoid the long drive through France.