Santillana is the eternal embrace between the power of the Cantabrian Sea

Here, the sea and the rock come together at Costa Quebrada to tell us a story spanning 120 million years. The best example is right nearby, at Santa Justa Beach, where a small chapel nestles beneath the fold of a spectacular cliff. It’s a unique landscape that connects the power of the Cantabrian Sea with the prehistoric magic of Altamira."

The UNESCO Costa Quebrada Global Geopark, centered on Santillana del Mar, is defined by three key concepts: its unique geological connection, its iconic local landmark, and its chronological significance.

The geological setting: Santillana is part of a 40-kilometer coastline shaped by the sea that shares the San Román-Santillana Syncline, a structure that invisibly links the geology of the coast with the prehistoric interior.

The Essential Landmark: The town of Ubiarco (in the municipality of Santillana del Mar) is notable for Santa Justa Beach and its chapel nestled into the cliff, which serves as the best visual representation of this heritage within the municipality.

The Timeline: Our park serves as an open book chronicling 120 million years of Earth’s history, intertwining seascapes with cultural treasures such as the Altamira Cave.

Learn more

COSTA QUEBRADA