Santillana del Mar is a charming town in Cantabria, known for its medieval charm and impressive historical heritage. Its cobbled streets and grand manor houses take you back in time, while its proximity to the Altamira Cave, with its famous prehistoric paintings, makes it a must-visit cultural destination. The town also boasts iconic landmarks such as the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, along with a great selection of museums, craft shops, and delicious local cuisine.
Parking meter
Park in Santillana del Mar
Park in blue zone...Santillana del Mar
With the regulated parking service, we provide visitors and residents of the cities with a place to park in areas where, due to saturation issues, it's difficult to find an available spot.
Regulated parking zones in Santillana del Mar
Operating hours
From 15th March to 31th October:
- 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday to Sunday.
Rates
- 15 minutes (minimum): €0.50
- 30 minutes: €0.75
- 45 minutes: €1.00
- 1 hour: €1.50
- 2 hours: €2.25
- 3 hours: €2.75
- 4 hours: €3.25
- 5 hours: €3.75
- From 5 to 24 hours (max.): €4.50
Blue zone rate
- 2 days: €7
- 3 days: €10
- 4 days: €13
- 7 days: €20
Where to park in Santillana del Mar?
Santillana del Mar is one of Cantabria's most visited destinations and one of the towns with the greatest historical and cultural heritage in northern Spain. Its cobbled streets, historic centre, Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana and proximity to the Altamira Caves attract thousands of visitors every year, alongside the everyday activity of local residents, shops and tourist businesses.
Its popularity means that finding parking near the centre can be more challenging at certain times of the year. Access points to the historic centre, the most popular tourist areas and the surroundings of the main points of interest tend to have high demand for parking spaces, particularly at weekends, during bank holidays and in high season.
To make your visit more convenient, Telpark lets you manage your parking from your mobile, check your tickets and organise your journeys quickly and easily, helping you avoid wasting time looking for somewhere to park.
Use the Telpark app to park in Santillana del Mar
If you're visiting Santillana del Mar, the Telpark app can make managing your parking much easier. Available foriOS and Android, it allows you to manage different aspects of your parking directly from your mobile.
From the app, you can check your tickets, access payment receipts and keep all your parking sessions organised in one place. You'll also have the peace of mind of using the safest and most reliable app for your mobility and parking needs.
Parking options in Santillana del Mar
Santillana del Mar offers different options for leaving your vehicle, both in designated parking areas and on the street. However, the high number of tourists visiting the town means that some areas close to the historic centre can experience significant demand for parking spaces throughout much of the year.
For this reason, deciding where to park in advance can help you make the most of your visit and explore the town at your own pace.
Regulated parking in Santillana del Mar
To improve parking availability and manage parking in the busiest areas, Santillana del Mar has regulated parking areas in certain parts of the municipality.
Some of the main types of on-street parking include:
- Blue zone in Santillana del Mar: designed to encourage vehicle turnover in areas with high demand.
- Short-stay parking spaces in Santillana del Mar: intended for quick visits and short errands.
- Loading and unloading zones in Santillana del Mar: reserved for commercial and delivery operations during the established hours.
- Parking spaces for people with reduced mobility in Santillana del Mar: designated and adapted spaces subject to current regulations.
How to pay for blue zone parking in Santillana del Mar?
Managing regulated parking in Santillana del Mar is easy with the Telpark app. Simply select "Start parking", enter the required details and choose how long you want to park.
As well as avoiding the need for coins and parking meters, you can extend your parking time directly from your mobile whenever local regulations allow it. The app will also notify you before your ticket expires and allows you to download payment receipts or check your parking sessions whenever you need to.
Tips for getting around Santillana del Mar
Traffic in Santillana del Mar is generally calm, although the influx of tourists can significantly increase traffic on certain dates. The roads leading to the historic centre and the main points of interest tend to be the areas with the highest number of vehicles.
Planning your parking before you arrive can help you avoid unnecessary journeys and enjoy a more comfortable visit.
Areas with restricted or heavy traffic in Santillana del Mar
- Historic centre: the town's main tourist area.
- Around the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana: particularly popular with visitors throughout the year.
- Access routes to the historic centre: experience higher visitor numbers during high season.
- Access area to the Altamira Caves: particularly busy during holiday periods.
- Shopping and dining areas: experience significant tourist and pedestrian activity.
Other ways to get around Santillana del Mar
In addition to travelling by car, there are other ways to get around Santillana del Mar and reach different points of interest in the surrounding area.
Getting around Santillana del Mar by bus
Bus services connect the town with other municipalities in Cantabria and make it easier to travel around the region.
- Timetable: varies depending on the route.
- Frequency: depends on the route and time of year.
Getting around Santillana del Mar by public transport
Santillana del Mar has good road connections with nearby towns such as Torrelavega, Comillas, Suances and Santander.
- Timetable: services are available throughout much of the day.
- Frequency: varies depending on the route and destination.
Getting around Santillana del Mar on foot
Exploring Santillana del Mar on foot is one of the best ways to discover the town. Its historic streets, squares and monumental buildings invite you to take your time and enjoy one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Spain.
Things to do in Santillana del Mar: must-see places
Once your parking is sorted, it's time to discover some of the most iconic places in this historic Cantabrian town. Heritage, art and tradition make Santillana del Mar a must-visit destination for anyone travelling around Cantabria.
Landmarks and places to visit in Santillana del Mar
Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana
The town's most representative monument and one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Cantabria.
Santillana del Mar Historic Centre
A beautifully preserved medieval area where you can wander through cobbled streets and admire historic buildings.
Altamira Museum and Research Centre
The perfect introduction to the history of the famous Altamira Caves.
Altamira Caves
One of the world's most important archaeological sites and a major reference point for prehistoric cave art.
Torre de Don Borja
One of the municipality's best-known historic buildings.
Plaza Mayor
A lively square surrounded by traditional Cantabrian architecture.
Regina Coeli Diocesan Museum
An interesting museum housed in a former Dominican convent.
With Telpark, you can spend more time exploring the streets of Santillana del Mar, discovering its historic heritage and enjoying one of the most charming towns in northern Spain without worrying about parking.