Welcome to Comillas
Sixteen kilometres west of Santillana through verdant countryside, Comillas is set across hilltops crowned by some of the most original and beautiful buildings in Cantabria. For these, the town is indebted to the first Marqués de Comillas (1817–83), who was born here as plain Antonio López, made a fortune in Cuba as a tobacco planter, shipowner, banker and slave trader, and then returned to commission leading Catalan Modernista architects to jazz up his hometown in the late 19th century. This, in turn, prompted the construction of other quirky mansions in Comillas. Adding to the town's charms are a lovely golden beach, a tiny fishing port and a pleasant, cobbled old centre.
Top experiences in Comillas
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Food and drink
Travel guides
Starting at $27.99
Comillas activities
Northern Adventure - Self Drive
ItineraryDay 1: ARRIVAL SANTANDERPass By: Seve Ballesteros-Santander AirportCollect your car upon arrival at the airport by heading to the hall and meeting an OK Rent a Car representative. Then climb into what will be your mode of transportation for this holiday and drive to your first hotel accommodation in Santander.Overnight in Santander No meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Abba Santander or similar 3*Day 2: SANTANDERPass By: Abba Santander HotelEnjoy breakfast at the hotel before you explore this posh city. Santander is, without a doubt, one of the most elegant and beautiful cities on the northern coast of Spain. Both the sea and the mountains are continually present in this city, captivating you with its aristocratic atmosphere, its 19th-century buildings, its charming outdoor terraces and its spectacular bay, considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. There are several beaches and harbours on the northern side of the city and a quaint old quarter. In the 19th century, the city was a renowned tourist resort for Spanish politicians, aristocrats and upper class. The city still holds wonderful palaces and promenades, bay-type architecture with white buildings, old cafés and a famous casino. Overnight in SantanderMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Abba Santander or similar 3*Day 3: SANTANDER – SANTILLANA DEL MAR – COMILLAS – SANTANDER (120km – 2h)Pass By: Abba Santander HotelWe suggest to drive to Santillana del Mar after breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a bit of leisure time in Santillana del Mar, an exquisitely charming cobblestoned town. Use the opportunity to visit the famous Altamira Neocave and Museum, which is nearby (entrance not included). The museum showcases the work of one of the oldest cave paintings known to man, dating back 13,000 to 22,000 years. Continue to Comillas, which is designated historic-artistic site. It has cobbled streets and squares with ancestral houses and some modernist buildings, as the stunning ‘El Capricho’, which was designed by Antoni Gaudi. Return to Santander. Overnight in SantanderMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Abba Santander or similar 3*Day 4: SANTANDER – BILBAO (100km – 1h30)Pass By: Ercilla HotelBreakfast at the hotel before leaving to Bilbao. Although the capital of the autonomous region of Euskadi – also known as the Basque Country – is Vitoria, the port city of Bilbao is, in fact, the largest of all Basque cities. The renewal of this industrial city has been continuous since the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in 1997, with various projects designed by famous architects, including a new tram system, a subway system designed by Sir Norman Foster, a pedestrian bridge, the Zubizuri bridge by Santiago Calatrava, a jagged glass-fronted public health building, and the reconversion following the indications of well-known designer Philippe Starck of a disused warehouse turned into a public multifunction building, the Alhóndiga. Overnight in BilbaoMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Ercilla or similar 4*Day 5: BILBAO – GUERNIKA - SAN SEBASTIAN - BILBAO (230km – 3h)Pass By: Ercilla HotelBreakfast at the hotel. Drive to the small town of Guernica, famous for Picasso’s well-known black and white painting. Enjoy a stroll down the promenade at La Concha beach to the sculpture named ‘El Peine del Viento’ from renowned artist Eduardo Chillida. Take the funicular (not included) up to the top of Igueldo hill for a panoramic view over the city and try the famous Basque “pintxos” (tapas/snacks) in one of the many bars in the old town. Return to Bilbao. Overnight in BilbaoMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Ercilla or similar 4*Day 6: BILBAO – SANTANDER AIPORT (100km – 1h30)Pass By: Seve Ballesteros-Santander AirportBid farewell to Bilbao after breakfast at the hotel and drive back to Santander airport to drop off the car. You'll be told the return procedure and exact designated area by OK Rent a Car when you pick up the car on arrival day. The OK Rent a Car shuttle service will transfer you to the terminal for you to catch your departure flight back home. Breakfast includedMeals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.
One Week Spanish Course At Your Tutor's Home In The North Of Spain
Our week's course includes: • Full board accommodation in a spacious room with en-suite bathroom. • Tuition from Monday to Friday. • Materials designed by our tutor's team. • Santander Airport Transfer (Santander Ferry or Coach station also included). • Small groups, maximum 10 people. • Courses available for all levels • Of course, a cup of tea at any time. We offer home-stay Spanish courses at our house in Aés, Puente Viesgo, North coast of Spain, just 20 km. from Santander. Our home is a 1780s charming and traditional house. You will love the experience of immersing yourself in Spanish in our house and you will feel right at home in no time. Find your favourite spot to work and study, and read or have a cup of tea in our patio and garden. You will find that your confidence, knowledge and fluency grows, while having the time of your life.As part of learning about Spanish culture you should get to know its food. Typical examples are tapas, jamón and chorizo, but there are many others you can try. Merche is an excellent cook and we're pretty sure that you will enjoy her food. If you want, we can even teach you how to cook a tortilla de patatas, a paella, etc.You can spend your free time enjoying one of the many walks that you can take in the area. Right on the doorstep you have an idyllic landscape with thrilling views of mountains, natural forests, green hills and valleys and rivers and waterfalls. These walks are also an excellent opportunity to see a variety of animals and birds. Our little village, Aés, has got a small supermarket and a bar, plus a playground and a sports pitch but in Puente Viesgo, 20 minutes walk from our home, you can also visit the impressive prehistoric caves of Pico Castillo, where humans lived 200,000 years ago. The caves have fascinating paintings made by humans around 40,000-19,000 BC and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After exploring all these valleys and mountains, relax in one of the most famous spas in Spain. El Balneario de Puente Viesgo offers you different treatments for relaxing, improving your health and delicious regional cuisine. Finally, if you want to have a drink or eat in town, local bars and restaurants offer good value for money in Puente Viesgo.If you feel more adventurous you can always ride one of our mountain bikes that are available for you to use.You can also take some excursions at an extra cost, either to a lively city like Santander, a medieval town like Santillana del Mar, to Comillas to see one of Gaudi's most famous buildings or to the famous Picos de Europa mountains among many other excursions you can take.