San Vicente de la Barquera Holidays: Caves, Coast & Castle
Provincia de Cantabria · Cantabria · Spain · 4,158 residents · on the coast
San Vicente de la Barquera is a small coastal town of around 4,000 people on the Cantabrian shore, sitting barely 10 metres above sea level. Its own castle stands in the town itself, the Faro de Punta Silla lighthouse is under a mile away, and Oyambre Natural Park begins less than 2 miles out. Within a short drive inland lie some of northern Spain's most celebrated caves, led by El Soplao, while sandy beaches such as Playa de La Franca line the coast towards Asturias. Summers are mild rather than scorching, peaking around 24°C in August, and Santander airport, with direct flights from the UK, is roughly 40 minutes away by car.
Why go
- The Cave of El Soplao, the area's best-known cave, lies just 6 miles from town.
- Oyambre Natural Park starts under 2 miles away, ideal for walks along protected coastline.
- Santander airport has direct UK flights and is only about a 40-minute drive away.
Top sights in San Vicente de la Barquera
Caves, Coast and a Town Castle
The headline sight is the Cave of El Soplao, about 6 miles from town, with the Rábago-El Soplao fossil site, a protected area, close by at a similar distance. Further caves are scattered within easy reach: the Cave of Chufín (7 miles), Cueva del Pindal with its prehistoric art (7 miles), the cave of La Loja (8 miles) and Cueva de los Marranos (9 miles). It is rare to find so many caves within half an hour of a seaside base, and most suit families.
Closer to home, Oyambre Natural Park is under 2 miles away, the Castillo de San Vicente de la Barquera stands in the town itself, and the Faro de Punta Silla lighthouse is less than a mile out. The San Emeterio lighthouse sits about 7 miles away, and Ferrería de Cades, a museum, is roughly 6.5 miles inland.
For the beach, Playa Mendía (7 miles), Playa El Vivero (8.5 miles) and Playa de La Franca (9 miles) are all family-friendly. Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly from this page.
1cave
2cave
3cave
4protected area_Arqueoloxicu.jpg/500px-Cueva_de_la_Loja_(01)_Arqueoloxicu.jpg)
5cave
6castleCastillo de San Vicente de la Barquera
In the centre · Photo
cultural property in San Vicente de la Barquera, Spain
7lighthouse
10beachPlaya de La Franca
9 miles from the centre · Photo
11protected areaRábago-El Soplao fossil site
6 miles from the centre · Photo
12lighthouse
Cueva de los Marranos
cave · 9 miles from the centre
Playa El Vivero
beach · 8 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in San Vicente de la Barquera
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around San Vicente de la Barquera can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in San Vicente de la Barquera
Choosing Your Base in Town
With a population of just over 4,000, San Vicente de la Barquera is a quiet place to stay rather than a lively resort. Staying in the town puts the castle on your doorstep and the Faro de Punta Silla within an easy stroll, while the edge of town brings you closer to Oyambre Natural Park.
Because the caves and the larger beaches are 6 to 9 miles away, a base with parking makes sense if you plan to explore. Live hotel prices are shown on this page so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach San Vicente de la Barquera and the villages around it is a hire car from Santander (SDR), about 41 min away.
Best time to visit San Vicente de la Barquera
When to Visit the Cantabrian Coast
- 14°CJan156 mm
- 14°CFeb90 mm
- 16°CMar76 mm
- 17°CApr63 mm
- 18°CMay97 mm
- 21°CJun82 mm
- 23°CJul60 mm
- 24°CAug61 mm
- 23°CSept109 mm
- 22°COct175 mm
- 18°CNov116 mm
- 15°CDec108 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
This is green Spain, and rain falls in every month, typically on 12 to 18 days. July and August are the warmest and driest months, with highs of 23 to 24°C and around 60 mm of rain, which makes them the most reliable for beach days. September stays warm at 23°C but gets wetter.
October is the wettest month, at about 175 mm, followed by January at around 156 mm. Winters are mild, with daytime highs of 14°C, so spring and autumn suit walkers and cave visitors who don't mind packing a waterproof. May has the most rainy days, around 18.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 6°C | 156 mm | 6 h |
| Feb | 14°C | 6°C | 90 mm | 7 h |
| Mar | 16°C | 8°C | 76 mm | 8 h |
| Apr | 17°C | 10°C | 63 mm | 10 h |
| May | 18°C | 11°C | 97 mm | 10 h |
| Jun | 21°C | 15°C | 82 mm | 10 h |
| Jul | 23°C | 17°C | 60 mm | 10 h |
| Aug | 24°C | 18°C | 61 mm | 9 h |
| Sept | 23°C | 15°C | 109 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 22°C | 14°C | 175 mm | 7 h |
| Nov | 18°C | 11°C | 116 mm | 7 h |
| Dec | 15°C | 7°C | 108 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 airport (SDR) is the closest, about 29 miles away and roughly a 40-minute drive, with direct flights from the UK. Bilbao (BIO), around 75 miles away, takes about 1 hour 45 minutes by car, and Asturias (OVD), about 83 miles away, is roughly a 2-hour drive. Both also have direct flights from the UK.
If you prefer to bring your own car, Brittany Ferries sails to Santander port, about 30 miles away, from Portsmouth (roughly 24 to 32 hours) and Plymouth (around 20 hours). Bilbao port, about 68 miles away, is served from Portsmouth in roughly 28 to 32 hours. Driving the whole way from Calais takes around 14 hours.
By air
- Santander (SDR)29 miles, about 41 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Bilbao (BIO)75 miles, about 1 h 47 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Asturias (OVD)83 miles, about 1 h 58 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 13 h 56 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Santander (30 miles), Bilbao (68 miles).
San Vicente de la Barquera is good for
Around San Vicente de la Barquera
Day Trips Along the Coast
Comillas is the nearest neighbour, just 6 miles away. Santillana lies about 15 miles east, and at around 18 miles you can reach the seaside town of Suances, the larger centre of Torrelavega, or cross into Asturias for Llanes.
Inland, Potes is about 19 miles away and Puente Viesgo about 22 miles, while Posada in Asturias is roughly 24 miles west. All are comfortable outings with car hire.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips Before You Go
Pack a waterproof whatever the month: even in July and August, rain falls on around 15 days. Caves make an excellent fallback on wetter days.
Car hire pays off here. The town is small, and most of the caves and the larger beaches sit 6 to 9 miles away, with Santander airport a short drive for collection.
Questions people ask
Which airport is closest to San Vicente de la Barquera?
Santander airport (SDR) is the closest, about 29 miles away and roughly a 40-minute drive. It has direct flights from the UK. Bilbao and Asturias airports are alternatives, each around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours away by car.
Can I take a ferry from the UK to San Vicente de la Barquera?
Yes. Brittany Ferries sails to Santander, about 30 miles away, from Portsmouth (roughly 24 to 32 hours) and Plymouth (around 20 hours). There is also a Portsmouth to Bilbao route, landing about 68 miles from town.
What is the weather like in summer?
Summers are mild. July and August reach highs of 23 to 24°C, with lows around 17 to 18°C, and are the driest months at about 60 mm of rain. Showers are still common, on roughly 15 days a month.
Is San Vicente de la Barquera good for families?
Very much so. Several caves, including El Soplao and Chufín, are within about 7 miles, the castle is in town, and family-friendly beaches such as Playa Mendía and Playa de La Franca are between 7 and 9 miles away.
How far is the Cave of El Soplao?
The Cave of El Soplao is about 6 miles from San Vicente de la Barquera, making it an easy half-day trip. The Rábago-El Soplao fossil site, a protected area, is close by. Tickets and tours can be booked from this page.