03/09/2026
Before there were museums, there was Altamira.
Home to some of the world’s oldest known figurative artworks, the Cuevas de Altamira offer an extraordinary glimpse into life more than 20,000 years ago. The cave’s iconic bison, painted in ochres and charcoal, are considered masterpieces of prehistoric art, earning Altamira the nickname the Sistine Chapel of Paleolithic art.
Located just outside the medieval town of Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, Altamira is an ideal stop on a journey through Spain’s lush Green Coast. Pair a visit with a stroll through Santillana’s cobbled streets, a long seafood lunch overlooking the Bay of Biscay, or continue west towards the dramatic landscapes and coastal villages of Asturias. It’s a reminder that some of Spain’s most extraordinary cultural treasures are found far from the usual route.