Asón-Agüera: nature of contrasts in Cantabria

Enjoying a few wonderful days on the coast is very easy here, since it is an area with all kinds of hotels and long lovely promenades, especially on weekends. The largest beaches are in the cities. For example, Brazomar beach, in Castro Urdiales, which has the charm of a seafaring town with a stately tradition. Stroll through the alleys of its medieval centre with wooden balconies, and don't forget to visit its Church of Santa María, from the 13th century.Another example: Salvé beach, in Laredo, a beautiful coastal town where you can stroll through Puebla Vieja (which still preserves remains of its old walls) or stop at its fishing and marina ports. Did you know that many illustrious characters have come through here? The most famous, Emperor Carlos V. There is a depiction of his last landing here.  More beaches to enjoy: San Julián and Sonabia, in Liendo.

Another impressive option is the Reina viewpoint, from where you can see the Gandara waterfalls. And if you're looking to find out more about the area in general, don't miss the Collados del Asón Natural Park visitor centre, in La Gandara (Soba).If you would rather enter a cave, there are two very special ones where you can see perfectly preserved cave paintings of Paleolithic art: Covalanas and Cullalvera. Lovers of active tourism can enter caves such as those on the Cueto-Coventosa crossing, go caving or climb impressive vertical walls of limestone rock, as there are several via ferrata.