Free walking tours in Somo and what to see

Must-sees

Somo is a coastal village in Ribamontán al Mar, on the eastern shore of the bay of Santander. Its great attraction is the beach, a very long stretch of sand that joins Loredo beach and is backed by a protected dune system. It is one of the places where surfing first took off in Spain, and it is still full of schools and boards. From the promenade you can see Santander across the water.

At the end of the beach is El Puntal, a spit of sand reaching into the bay that you can walk along at low tide. A regular boat crosses to Santander in a few minutes and is the easiest way to visit the city. Further east, the coast continues with beaches such as Langre, surrounded by cliffs.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Somo. The usual activities here are surf lessons and courses, guided kayak or paddleboard trips around the bay, and nature walks through the dunes. For pay-what-you-like free walking tours you need to cross to Santander, where they usually cover the centre, the Paseo de Pereda and the Magdalena peninsula. Trips to the Cabárceno nature park or to villages such as Santillana del Mar also leave from Somo.

How long to spend

One day is enough for the beach and a surf lesson. If you add a visit to Santander by boat, allow two. With three or four days you can round things off with El Puntal, Langre beach and a trip into inland Cantabria. In summer it pays to spend the early hours on the beach and save sightseeing for the afternoon.

Where to stay

The best option is to stay near Somo's seafront promenade, a few minutes from the beach and the ferry pier. Neighbouring Loredo is quieter and still has direct access to the sand. If you prefer more atmosphere and services, you can sleep in Santander and cross to Somo for the day.