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Travel bucket list idea:

Cave of Altamira

  • Santillana del Mar, Cantabria, Spain

Last updated: 06 February, 2024

This impressive 270m cave is etched with spectacular, 14,000-year-old paintings of horses, deer and bison – some of the world’s greatest Paleolithic cave art. Unfortunately, the actual cave is now closed to visitors due to the risk of damage to the paintings; but there is a near-perfect replica in the fascinating Altamira Museum beside the site.

While you're there

Pair it with a visit to the lovely, historic town of Santillana del Mar – known as one of the prettiest villages in Spain – which is close by.

Logistics

Price from: £2
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The caves of Altamira are located off the CA-134 and are signposted from Santillana del Mar. There’s plenty of free parking onsite. Alternatively, the cave is just a 20-minute walk through pretty countryside from the centre of Santillana del Mar.

When to do it

The museum is closed Mondays and on certain dates of the year – check the website before you go.