Santillana del Mar will host the 13th National Assembly of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain this weekend. This event of great institutional significance will bring together the country's leading rural and quality tourism network, comprising 122 municipalities that have been selected for their excellence in heritage conservation and their commitment to local development.

Institutional Agenda and Key Projects

The purpose of the Assembly is to carry out a detailed assessment of the activities carried out, present new strategic projects, and address the fundamental issues that define the future of the Association.

A highlight on the agenda, of particular interest to local councils and the tourism sector, will be the official announcement of the towns that will join the network in 2026.

Details of the Meeting

The opening session of the Assembly is scheduled as follows:

Date: Saturday, November 29
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Palacio Peredo Barreda – Palacio Caja Cantabria (Calle Carrera, 7 – Santillana del Mar).

Authorities Present at the Opening

The following authorities and institutional representatives will be in attendance:
- Sara Izquierdo, Mayor of Santillana del Mar.
- Francisco Mestre, President of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain.
- Pedro Casares Hontañón, Delegate of the Spanish Government in Cantabria.
- María Saiz Villar, Director General of Tourism of Cantabria.
- Juan Antonio Muñiz, Director General of the Caja Cantabria Foundation.
- Representatives of the municipalities belonging to the Association.
The holding of this Assembly in Santillana del Mar reinforces the value of institutional coordination for the promotion and safeguarding of heritage and quality tourism in rural Spain.

About the Association

The Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain, which already has 122 unique locations, was born out of the conviction and need to make the world aware of the wonderful villages that dot the Spanish landscape. The aim is to promote small municipalities, preferably rural ones, grouped under the same quality brand, through promotional activities and cultural events that the association undertakes both inside and outside Spain.
This network encompasses places of great beauty and personality that exude history and culture in equal measure, villages marked by tradition that travelers can enjoy as they explore their streets and mingle with the locals.
The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain brand is a benchmark of prestige and quality at a national and international level. The initiative is based on the French model Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, and the Spanish network is part of the Federation of the Most Beautiful Villages in the World, with networks in France, Italy, Belgium, and Japan. Other countries are creating new associations, such as Russia, Germany, Liechtenstein, Lebanon, Switzerland, and Portugal. The Association was created in Spain in 2010 and was presented three years later with a network of 14 villages. The list has gradually grown to the current 122 locations.