beach
Santander & El Sardinero
An elegant coastal city with a spectacular crescent bay, grand belle epoque beach promenades, and the striking Botin Centre.
8 km · about 15 min drive
EuropeSpainCantabria
El Astillero
Cantabria, Spain · Europe
About El Astillero
El Astillero works well as a base: 10 minutes from Camargo, 48km from El Soplao Cave.
El Astillero is in Cantabria, Spain, with about 18,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Camargo, about 5 km away.
El Astillero (English: "The Shipyard") is a town and municipality in the province and autonomous community of Cantabria, northern Spain. It is near the provincial capital of Santander, and it is known for its shipyard, and for hosting of Spanish national Rowing Championships. Its location is geographically defined byRead more
the estuaries that surround it. It is located between the municipalities of Camargo (formerly part of El Astillero), Villaescusa, Piélagos, Medio Cudeyo and Marina de Cudeyo. Located at the foot of Peña Cabarga, is 7.5 kilometres away from the capital, Santander, and is 20 metres above sea level.
The confluence of the rivers and the coast of the bay is a large expanse of wetlands where various migratory birds nest throughout the year. The municipality covers an area of 6.80 km.
Where to Stay in El Astillero
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near El Astillero?
Within an hour or so of El Astillero: Santander & El Sardinero (8 km), Palacio de la Magdalena (9 km), Santillana del Mar (23 km), Cave of Altamira (24 km).
Are there any good drives near El Astillero?
The nearest famous roads are Desfiladero de la Hermida, Garganta del Cares Road (Poncebos) and Puerto de San Glorio.
Where is El Astillero?
El Astillero is in Cantabria, Spain, about 5 km from Camargo.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 18,108
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Cantabria
- Timezone
- Europe/Madrid
- Coordinates
- 43.4009, -3.8205
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Spain
Guardia Civil (traffic police): 062. Two warning triangles required in vehicles.
Full driving guide for SpainTags
Worth the detour from El Astillero
7 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Palacio de la Magdalena
An eclectic royal summer palace on a sea-girt peninsula in Santander, ringed by beaches and a small free-roaming zoo of seals and penguins.
9 km · about 15 min drive
landmark
Santillana del Mar
A flawlessly preserved medieval town of cobbled lanes and golden-stone manor houses, dubbed 'the town of three lies' by Sartre.
23 km · about 25 min drive
ancient ruins
Cave of Altamira
The 'Sistine Chapel of Paleolithic Art,' containing stunning 36,000-year-old polychrome bison paintings on cave ceilings.
24 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Comillas & El Capricho de Gaudi
A charming Cantabrian coastal town featuring one of Gaudi's earliest and most whimsical buildings, the sunflower-adorned El Capricho.
38 km · about 45 min drive
beach
Playa de Oyambre
A wild golden arc of dune-backed sand within a protected natural park, framed by green meadows and the distant Picos de Europa.
42 km · about 50 min drive
natural wonder
El Soplao Cave
An old mining cave turned underground wonderland of rare eccentric stalactites that defy gravity, reached by a little mine train.
48 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near El Astillero
4 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.
- 66 kmVizcaya Bridge (Puente Colgante)The world's oldest transporter bridge, a UNESCO iron giant that ferries cars and people across the Nervion estuary in a hanging gondola.
- 70 kmDesfiladero de la HermidaSpain's longest gorge carves a dramatic 21km road between towering limestone walls along the Deva river into the Picos.
Driving in Spain
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.55/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€4.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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