Find your perfect hire car at Santander Parayas Airport
Step off the plane at Santander Parayas Airport, pick up the keys to your rental and unlock Spain’s wild northern coast. You set the pace.Hiring a car gives you the freedom to discover Spain’s relatively undiscovered coast without restriction – just the open road ahead.
Plan your journey from Santander Parayas Airport
Santander Parayas Airport is around a ten-minute drive (via the S-10) from Santander, the capital of Cantabria, and an excellent starting point to enjoy some of the most beautiful countryside in Spain.
An elegant city, Santander has much to offer. Its wide sandy bay is the perfect host for lazy beach days. El Sardinero is a particularly idyllic setting. This long beach is actually made up of two stretches of golden sand, separated by gardens (Jardines de Piquio). Sunbeds are available for hire and water sports like jet-skiing are popular here.
After a morning swim, head to the Barrio Pesquero and Puerto Chico (the fishing quarter) for lunch. Here you’ll find many restaurants specialising in squid and fresh seafood dishes, as well as tapas. Try Cantabria’s signature dish, cocido montanes (a delicious mountain stew).
That’s not forgetting the sights of Santander. The spectacular gothic cathedral is well worth visiting, as is the Romanesque Church of the Holy Christ. There are also a number of cultural attractions including the Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology, which features one of the most valuable Palaeolithic collections in Europe. The Cantabrian Maritime Museum, dedicated to marine biology and maritime history, is another top place to spend an afternoon.
Explore Santander and Cantabria from the comfort of your Avis hire car.
Frequent renters get upgraded – and additional days for free – by signing up for Avis Preferred loyalty benefits. Simply choose a date and time and we’ll prepare your quality hire car.
Beyond Santander Parayas Airport
Set on Spain’s north coast, Cantabria is a charming province often referred to as “Green Spain” because of its stunning natural landscapes. Aside from the fantastic views, expect excellent food, a wealth of cultural heritage and a number of fascinating pre-historic caves to explore during your trip.Parque Natural de las Dunas de Liencres
Drive for just 20 minutes via the A-67 and you’ll reach one of Cantabria’s most famous natural attractions – the Parque Natural de las Dunas de Liencres. Declared a Natural Park in 1986, it presents a stunning 195 hectares to explore, featuring sandy coves, a pine forest and spectacular sand dunes.
Cabarceno Wildlife Park
For a fun family day out, head to Cabarceno Wildlife Park. Drive 25 minutes via the CA-142 from Santander Parayas Airport and you’ll be able to enjoy this 750-hectare nature reserve and all it has to offer. Home to over 100 animal species all roaming freely, including elephants and bears, the park provides a unique wildlife experience. There are a number of car parks here, as well as restaurants and a children’s park.
El Soplao Caves
Just under a one-hour drive from Santander Parayas Airport (via the A-67 and A-8) are the El Soplao Caves. This system of underground caves and tunnels is sure to impress, featuring some unusual formations. Take a guided tour and explore the atmospheric passageways, the most famous of which are named Los Fantasmas, La Gorda and La Opera. This is an absolute must-see during your Cantabria road trip.
All this and more awaits you in Santander, Cantabria and beyond. Just take the wheel and drive.