Santander - Llanes

After saying our goodbyes to Esther, the hostel’s maid, and the receptionist, we loaded our suitcases into the van and set off under yet another beautiful Spanish sky.

Following our morning coffee, we headed out on the S-20 and A-67 toward Santillana del Mar, one of the most picturesque medieval towns in northern Spain. The town is remarkably well preserved, and the craftsmanship of generations of stone masons and carpenters is evident everywhere. Cobblestone streets wind between historic buildings with wooden balconies overflowing with colorful flowers. The combination of local stone and timber gives the town a timeless character that makes it easy to imagine life here centuries ago.

From there, we continued through rolling green hills and farmland to the coastal town of Comillas. Nestled beside a sheltered bay, the town boasts a beautiful sandy beach and a relaxed atmosphere. We stopped for lunch and enjoyed a refreshing Salade Niçoise while taking in the seaside surroundings.

The journey then became even more scenic as the N-634 and N-621 carried us through dramatic mountain valleys and along deep river gorges carved into the rugged landscape. Time and again, the road descended toward the coast before climbing back into the mountains. The terrain was far more dramatic than we had expected, and around nearly every bend another impressive view appeared.

We arrived in Llanes shortly before 4:00 PM, about an hour before check-in time. Our accommodation, Apartamentos San Pedro, turned out to be an excellent choice. The spacious three-bedroom duplex apartment is within easy walking distance of the town center and provides plenty of room for our two-night stay.

The day ended with dinner at La Rebotica Gastrotaberna, where the spare ribs were the highlight of the evening. Adding to the experience was our friendly waiter from the Dominican Republic, whose warm personality and attentive service made the meal even more enjoyable.

Another wonderful day along Spain’s northern coast had come to an end.Read more