Santillana del Mar, Llanes & Comillas Private Tour: 8h Coast

Three medieval and modernist towns in one unhurried day on the Cantabrian coast

A private 8-hour tour of Santillana del Mar, Comillas, and Llanes on the Cantabrian coast, with an air-conditioned vehicle and a guide who sets the pace to your preference. You walk the cobbled streets and mansions of Santillana del Mar, tour Comillas' Gaudí-designed Capricho and Palacio de Sobrellano, and explore Llanes' medieval center and fishing port where Agustín Ibarrola's Memory Cubes sit by the sea. Pickup is included from either Oviedo or Gijón, and the tour runs in English or Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour Santillana, Comillas, and Llanes

• Walk Llanes historic center
• Visit Llanes fishing port and Memory Cubes
• Enjoy Cantabrian Sea views at Paseo de San Pedro
• Explore Comillas modernist architecture
• Admire Gaudí's Capricho and Palacio de Sobrellano
• Stroll Comillas historic center
• Walk Santillana del Mar cobbled streets
• Discover Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana

The experience

How do you see three of the Cantabrian coast's most distinctive towns without the pace of a group tour? This private tour strings together Santillana del Mar, Comillas, and Llanes across eight hours, with an air-conditioned vehicle and a guide who moves at your speed. You're not following a fixed schedule or waiting for stragglers: the route bends to what interests you, and you linger where the light hits the stone or the view holds your attention.

Llanes comes first: a medieval town declared a Historic-Artistic Ensemble, where you walk through narrow alleys and past the old walls, then down to the fishing port to see Agustín Ibarrola's Memory Cubes installed on the rocks and the Paseo de San Pedro opening onto the Cantabrian Sea. Comillas follows, known for its modernist architecture. You'll stand in front of Gaudí's Capricho, tour the Palacio de Sobrellano and the Pontifical University, and wander the historic center where Indian colonial wealth left its mark. Santillana del Mar, one of Spain's best-preserved medieval villages, closes the day: cobbled streets lined with sunlit mansions and stately palaces, and the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, a Romanesque landmark carved from local stone.

Pickup happens from Oviedo or Gijón depending on which option you choose at checkout. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and the vehicle is air-conditioned for the drive between towns. Infants travel on an adult's lap. The tour suits all fitness levels. Most of the day is walking at an easy pace through town centers, with no strenuous climbs or long distances.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for the full 8 hours.
• pickup from Oviedo or Gijón.
• guide in English or Spanish.
• walking tours through the historic centers of Santillana del Mar, Comillas, and Llanes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour from Gijón09:30includes pickup

Tour from Oviedo09:00includes pickup

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 09:30

Book up to2h before

AgesFrom age 4

GroupPrivate

Audio guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 49 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Optimus Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the Oviedo departure if that's your base in Asturias, or the Gijón option if you're staying closer to the coast. The private format means you set the rhythm: linger in Santillana del Mar's medieval streets or spend extra time at Comillas' modernist villas without holding up a group.

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Santillana del Mar actually like to walk through?

Santillana del Mar is a medieval village with cobbled streets lined with sunlit mansions and stately palaces, centered around the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, a jewel of Cantabrian Romanesque architecture. The whole village is preserved as a Historic-Artistic Ensemble, so the buildings and layout have survived largely unchanged for centuries.

Can I see Gaudí's work in Comillas?

Yes. Comillas is home to the Capricho, Gaudí's famous villa, which you'll see on the tour. You'll also visit the Palacio de Sobrellano and the Pontifical University, both modernist landmarks that define the town's architecture.

What are the Memory Cubes in Llanes?

The Memory Cubes are an art installation by Agustín Ibarrola positioned on the rocks of Llanes' fishing port. They're visible from the Paseo de San Pedro, the waterfront promenade that overlooks the Cantabrian Sea.

Where does the tour start, and can I choose the departure time?

The tour includes pickup from either Oviedo or Gijón, depending on which option you select at checkout. The guide will confirm the exact pickup time and location once you've booked.

How much walking is involved across the three towns?

You'll walk through the medieval centers and along the waterfront of each town at a leisurely pace, but there are no long hikes or strenuous climbs. The tour suits all fitness levels, and you can rest or move faster depending on your preference.