For almost 200 years this rocky outcrop has been home to Santander’s lighthouse, where there’s now an art gallery, café and monuments to the area’s history.
Located just north of Santander, Cabo Mayor seems a world away with its rugged coastline and simple, whitewashed architecture. Visit at sunset to spend some time amidst art inspired by the sunlight that shines on the bright rocks of the the Catalonian coast. Long a destination for people from Santander, Cabo Mayor has figured in many moments in the region’s long history and now hosts a series of monuments that offer a glimpse into Santander’s soul.
Walk up to the lighthouse, which has guided ships in this area since the 1800s. Spend some time appreciating the architecture and the suite of adjoining buildings which once housed the lighthouse keeper and his family.
Go into the Art Center, which hosts a collection of more than 200 pieces including a series by Eduardo Sanz of the lighthouses of the Spanish coast. Go back outside and walk to the edge of the cliff, feeling the wind off the ocean on a hot summer’s day.
Hike trails on a tour of the monuments that are spotted all around the area. Learn a little bit about Santander’s troubled past at the monument to Falangists who were killed here by Republicans during the Spanish Civil War.
Head west to the site of the former Puente del Diablo, a natural bridge that has now collapsed, and El Pantéon del Inglés, which was built in the late 19th century by a local man to honor his English friend. Return to the lighthouse for a drink as the sun sets, turning the ocean gold.
Drive to Cabo Mayor in 15 minutes from the center of Santander, to the south of the point. The lighthouse is a pleasant hour’s walk from Santander proper, or a bus can bring you half of the way. Parking is available near the lighthouse, but can be limited during the summer months. The lighthouse galleries are open Tuesday to Sunday on mornings and evenings, and the on-site café is open during regular hours.
