El Soplao

San Vicente de la Barquera


This extensive 20km cave system, exploited as a lead and zinc mine before 1979, makes for a popular outing inland from San Vicente. The one-hour visit goes 400m into the cave in a mine train, then continues on foot. Booking ahead is highly recommended. For thrill-seekers, the ‘adventure’ tour (€32, 2½ hours) travels 3km into the cave, opening up an extraordinary subterranean world. It’s 30km southwest of San Vicente: turn east off the CA181 at Rábago and continue 7km uphill.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby San Vicente de la Barquera attractions

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The eastern inlet bordering San Vicente, the estuary of the Río Escudo, is spanned by the long, low-slung, 15th-century Puente de la Maza.

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San Vicente’s 13th-century castle, one of Cantabria’s best preserved, rises near the top of the old part of town. Sights inside are limited, and exhibits…

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6. Antigua Universidad Pontificia

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7. Museo de la Emigración

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8. Palacio de Sobrellano

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With this marvellous 1888 building, the Marqués de Comillas’ summer palace, Modernista architect Joan Martorell truly managed to out-Gothic real Gothic…

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