Santillana del Mar
City in Spain
Santillana del Mar is located in Spain. This town has a population of about 4,200 people and is situated 333 kilometers from Madrid. Visitors travel here primarily to see the Cave of Altamira and the Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain.
What to see
The primary sights in the area are the Cave of Altamira and the broader collection of Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain. These sites are recognized for their historical significance and provide insight into early human artistic expression in the region.
When to go
The climate in Santillana del Mar is temperate, with the warmest daily highs reaching 23 °C in August and 22 °C in July. These summer months also experience the lowest amounts of precipitation, with about 65 millimeters in July and 81 millimeters in August over approximately 10 rainy days each. Visitors preferring milder temperatures may consider June or September, which see daily highs of 20 °C to 22 °C. The winter months are cooler, with daily highs around 12 °C in January, February, and December. Rainfall is consistent throughout the year but is heaviest in November, which records about 171 millimeters of rain over 17 days, and October, with 133 millimeters over 13 days. Travelers should prepare for frequent rain regardless of the season, as even the drier summer months record at least 10 days of precipitation.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport, located 23 kilometers away in Santander. For travelers arriving via a larger hub, Bilbao Airport is 97 kilometers from the town.
Top sights in Santillana del Mar
Weather by month
The warmest month is August, with an average high of 23 °C. The wettest is November, with about 171 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 12 |
| Average low, °C | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 7 |
| Rainfall, mm | 132 | 108 | 111 | 122 | 96 | 73 | 65 | 81 | 90 | 133 | 171 | 143 |
| Rainy days | 16 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 15 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Santillana del Mar (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.