10 Santander & Asturias Tours to Build a Day Around

1.1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 579 reviews · 1 hour · from $17Our pick

Take a one-hour boat ride from Los Reginas around Santander Bay, with Spanish commentary on the city’s history and landmarks. You’ll pass Puertochico, Magdalena Palace, Sardinero, Somo, Loredo, El Puntal, and the Botín Center, with indoor seating, an open upper deck, toilets, and a bar onboard.

“It was good, my daughter enjoyed it. The guide only spoke spanish and we didnt understand a bit. But still we love the experience.”

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2.From Oviedo: Covadonga, Cangas de Onís, and Lastres Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 475 reviews · from $48

Travel from Oviedo to the Covadonga Lakes, Basilica, Cangas de Onís, and coastal village of Lastres in 11 hours. You’ll ride an air-conditioned bus, hear Asturian history from a guide such as Santiago or Inés, and have free time for lunch and exploring.

“The countryside, mountains, and lakes were absolutely beautiful. The guide was also very knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions we had alongside his usual bit of history and information. I went at the beginning of December when it's more rainy and frosty, so bits of the field and path were a little muddy. I would recommend wearing shoes you can potentially get dirty/wet as well as walk in. The lunch after is not included in the price, but it's a quaint town and the guide also gave us recommendations on where to eat.Read more”

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3.From Gijón: Covadonga, Cangas de Onís, and Lastres Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 282 reviews · from $48

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Gijón to Covadonga’s glacial lakes, its basilica and sacred cave, Cangas de Onís, and Lastres. Guides such as Santiago, Esmeralda, and Martin have earned praise for friendly explanations, though English commentary may be shorter than Spanish.

“Excellent service by Buendia Travel. Santiago was knowledgeable about historical information, courteous, had time control over the group. Was a really good experience. The lakes itself are pretty and have amazing views. Also we went to the The Santa Cueva de Nuestra Señora de Covadonga that it is a Catholic sanctuary located in the Picos de Europa in Cangas de Onis, Asturias. The Cave, is surrounded by wonderful mountain scenery, the basilica, a holy cave, a museum and a Collegiate church. The basilica can be seen for miles around as its two spires are distinctive and Covadonga sits half way up a mountain. The Holy Cave of Covadonga has an…”

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4.El Capricho Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 242 reviews · 1 day - 2 months · from $8Best value

Explore El Capricho, one of Gaudí’s three buildings outside Barcelona. Choose a self-guided visit with exhibitions and optional audio guides, or join a guided tour that covers the mansion’s history and main floor before you continue on your own.

“Me encantó nuestra guía , Lucia . Fue una visita excelente, profesional y ameno .”

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5.Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 208 reviews · from $102

Travel from Santander through the Hermida Gorge to Santo Toribio Monastery, Fuente Dé, and Potes. Your English- or Spanish-speaking guide handles the mountain roads, while you choose free time at Fuente Dé for the cable car or seasonal horseback riding. Small-group vans are available.

“Wonderful experience with a knowledgeable guide, we learnt so much, the scenery was fantastic and we had fun trying the local mountain food in Potes village.”

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6.From Oviedo: Luarca, Cudillero and Avilés Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 154 reviews · 10 hours · from $50

Travel by private bus from Oviedo or Gijón with a bilingual guide to Luarca, Cudillero, and Avilés. See La Regalina chapel, Cudillero’s hillside streets, and Avilés’ old center. The day includes guided walks, free time for lunch, and moderate walking.

“Loved the sites - beautiful towns. Our guide did a really nice job of explaining everything. One thing that could be improved is if tour could be done in just either all English or all Spanish. It was a bit tiring to hear presentation in both languages.”

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7.City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 124 reviews · from $30

Use Santander’s red open-top bus to reach the cathedral, Centro Botín, Sardinero beaches, Cabo Mayor, and Magdalena Palace. Your ticket also covers a return train to the palace. Audio commentary comes in four languages, and you can board at any stop.

“The staff were very friendly, advised us to keep hold of the ticket. One bus driver pulled back over for us as we ran for the bus. Great commentary in numerous languages on the tour. Loved the fact you can hope on and off all day. Recommend downloading the App allows you to track the buses arrival times. Fully recommend this tour”

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8.Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 114 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $80Top rated

Travel from Santander by minivan with guides such as Pepe, Rafael, or Gabriela. Walk Santillana del Mar’s medieval lanes, optionally enter its Romanesque church, then tour Altamira’s museum and faithful Neocave replica. Expect bilingual Spanish-English commentary and about 50 minutes of free time in Santillana.

“Fabulous trip! What a great opportunity to see historic sights within half an hour’s drive from Santander. Our guide, Pepe, was helpful and kind. He shared great information about the Santillana and the caves art of Altamira. Highly recommend!”

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9.Guided Tour of the Factory + Anchovy Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 114 reviews · 45 min · from $8

Meet at Ana María Conservas in Santoña for a Spanish guided visit to the cannery and anchovy museum. On weekday mornings at 12:30, you may watch production in progress, then see old fishing tools, an octavillo demonstration, a seabed-style exhibit, and finish with an anchovy tasting.

“Voor ons beetje moeilijk in het Spaans, kunnen geen Engels”

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10.From Cangas de Onis: Lakes of Covadonga Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 111 reviews · from $36

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Cangas de Onís to the Lakes of Covadonga, then visit the Basilica and Holy Cave. Your live guide speaks Spanish with English explanations. You also get free time for Asturian food and cider in town.

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