All history museums and attractions to visit in Cantabria

Cantabria (Spain) is a good place to visit if you are interested in history. Below we list all 28 history museums in Cantabria, to lose yourself in the place's cultural heritage and local history.

Are you a real history buff and are you looking for the best history museums to visit in Cantabria? These are the ones:

  1. National Museum and Research Center of Altamira1

    National Museum and Research Center of Altamira

     Santillana del Mar
    Visitors to the National Museum and Research Center of Altamira can participate in prehistoric technology workshops, offering a unique opportunity to learn about the tools and techniques used by early humans. The museum also hosts a permanent exhibition, 'Times of Altamira', which showcases objects not only from the Altamira cave but also from other palaeolithic caves in the Cantabria region.
  2. Vital Alsar2

    Vital Alsar

     Santander
    Vital Alsar Ramírez was a renowned sailor and scientist known for his extremely long sailing expeditions. His life was deeply intertwined with nature and the sea, and his adventures have left a significant mark on the world of sailing. Visitors interested in maritime history and exploration will find his story fascinating.
  3. Tower of Infantado3

    Tower of Infantado

     Potes
    Today, the Tower of Infantado serves as an exhibition center, showcasing various displays that reflect its rich history. Recognized as a Site of Cultural Interest since 1985, it offers visitors a unique insight into the region's past.
  4. Trasmiera Ecopark4

    Trasmiera Ecopark

     Arnuero
    The Trasmiera Ecopark is not just about the natural environment, but also about the rich cultural heritage of the region. The ecopark includes centers that showcase the diverse cultural aspects associated with the four towns that make up the municipality - Castillo Siete Villas, Isla, Soano, and Arnuero. Each town contributes its unique cultural elements to the overall experience of the ecopark.
  5. Museum of Torture5

    Museum of Torture

     Santillana del Mar
    The Museum of Torture, located in the picturesque town of Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, is a unique historical site. It houses an extensive collection of over fifty original torture and capital punishment instruments. These artifacts, which originate from Europe, span a period from the 15th to the 19th centuries. This provides a fascinating, albeit grim, insight into the methods of punishment used in the past.
  6. Julióbriga Roman City and Domus Museum6

    Julióbriga Roman City and Domus Museum

     Campoo de Enmedio
    The site of Juliobriga is traditionally associated with the ruins found in the village of Retortillo and its Villafría district, located in the municipality of Campoo de Enmedio. These ruins provide a tangible connection to the past, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the remnants of this once significant Roman city.
  7. Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria7

    Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria

     Santander
    The Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria (MUPAC) is a unique institution that specializes in prehistoric archaeology. It also houses collections from the ancient and medieval world, offering a comprehensive view of human history. Visitors can explore a wide range of artifacts and exhibits that span different periods and civilizations.
  8. Palacio de Elsedo en Liérganes8

    Palacio de Elsedo en Liérganes

     La Herrán
    The Elsedo Palace, also known as the Palace of the Counts of Torrehermosa, is a Spanish rural palace from the 18th century. It is located in the town of Pámanes, within the municipality of Liérganes, in Cantabria, Spain. This historical building offers a glimpse into the architectural style and grandeur of the 18th century.
  9. Santa Olaja Mill9

    Santa Olaja Mill

     Isla Playa
    Santa Olaja Mill, also known as Santa Olalla, is a tidal mill located in the Joyel marsh in the municipality of Arnuero in Cantabria, Spain. It is part of the Trasmiera Ecopark and is one of the few mills that are still preserved in good condition. The mill is unique as it is the only one on the European Atlantic coast that functions as an Interpretation Center for these mechanical devices and maintains a visiting schedule open to the public all year round.
  10. Royal Ordnance Factory Museum of La Cavada10

    Royal Ordnance Factory Museum of La Cavada

     Riotuerto
    The Royal Ordnance Factory Museum of La Cavada is an exhibition space situated in the town of La Cavada, within the Autonomous Community of Cantabria in Spain. The museum offers a unique insight into the history of the cannon factory that was used by the Royal Spanish Navy and in the defense of the Empire.
  11. Bullfighting Museum11

    Bullfighting Museum

     Santander
    Visit the museum dedicated to bullfighting - its history as well as contemporary issues. Free entrance, right at the Santander bullring.
  12. Cantabrian Maritime Museum12

    Cantabrian Maritime Museum

     Santander
    The Cantabrian Maritime Museum, also known as MMC, is a unique combination of a museum and an aquarium. It is situated in the city of Santander, in Cantabria, Spain, and is located on the edge of the bay. The museum is dedicated to the dissemination of maritime heritage, offering visitors a chance to explore the rich history and biodiversity of the Cantabrian Sea.
  13. Centro de Interpretación de la Muralla Medieval13

    Centro de Interpretación de la Muralla Medieval

     Santander
  14. Barquillero Museum14

    Barquillero Museum

     Santillana del Mar
  15. Regina Coeli Diocesan Museum15

    Regina Coeli Diocesan Museum

     Santillana del Mar
    The Regina Coeli Diocesan Museum, also known as the Diocesan Museum of Santillana, was inaugurated in 1969. It is situated in the picturesque town of Santillana del Mar, in the region of Cantabria, Spain. This location makes it an accessible destination for tourists visiting the area.
  16. Jesus Otero Museum16

    Jesus Otero Museum

     Santillana del Mar
  17. Casa Museo de Tudanca17

    Casa Museo de Tudanca

     Santotís
    La Casona de Tudanca is a unique museum-library situated in the picturesque town of Tudanca in Cantabria. This historic building served as the regular residence of the renowned José María de Cossío until his passing in 1977. Visitors can explore the rich history and cultural significance of this place, which was once a hub of intellectual and artistic activity.
  18. Santa Ana Castle18

    Santa Ana Castle

     Castro-Urdiales
    Santa Ana Castle is a fortress situated on a rocky promontory in Castro-Urdiales. It shares the peninsula with the fortified church of Sta. Mª de la Asunción from the 13th century, the ruins of another previous church, San Pedro from the 12th century, and the hermitage of Santa Ana. This location offers a unique blend of historical architecture and natural beauty.
  19. Roman Bridge of Liérganes19

    Roman Bridge of Liérganes

     Liérganes
    The Roman Bridge of Liérganes, also known as El puente mayor de Liérganes, is a significant historical structure located in the town of Liérganes in Cantabria, Spain. This bridge is a testament to the architectural prowess of the late 16th century and serves as a symbol of the town's rich history.
  20. Centro de Interpretación del Hombre Pez20

    Centro de Interpretación del Hombre Pez

     Liérganes
    The Fish Man of Liérganes, also known as Francisco de la Vega Casar, is a legendary figure in Cantabrian mythology. This intriguing character is the focus of the Centro de Interpretación del Hombre Pez in Liérganes. The legend tells the story of Francisco, who disappeared while swimming in Bilbao in 1674 and was believed to have been transformed into a fish-like creature. He was reportedly sighted in various locations, including Denmark, the English Channel, and the coasts of Andalusia. The legend has been documented in various texts, including a book by José María Herrán titled 'El hombre-pez de Liérganes'.
  21. Centro de Interpretación de la Etnografía21

    Centro de Interpretación de la Etnografía

     Valle de Villaverde
  22. Museo de la Cantería22

    Museo de la Cantería

     Rasines
  23. Museo Etnográfico de las Villas Pasiegas23

    Museo Etnográfico de las Villas Pasiegas

     Vega de Pas
  24. Caves of Monte Castillo24

    Caves of Monte Castillo

     Puente Viesgo
  25. 25

    Centro de visitantes Caminos de la Harina

     Pesquera
  26. 26

    Museo Etnografico El Pajar

     Hermandad de Campoo de Suso
  27. 27

    Centre of Interpretation of Flavióbriga

     Castro-Urdiales
  28. 28

    Centro de Interpretación de la Vijanera

     Silió