Torrelavega is an industrial city and gateway to Cantabria. Look beyond the built-up city centre and you’ll find leafy parks, striking contemporary architecture and excellent eateries. The city is a great base for day trips to the neighbouring town of Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, where some of the best-preserved Paleolithic cave art in the world was discovered.
Things to do in Torrelavega
Iglesia de la Virgen Grande soars over Torrelavega and features a striking red-brick façade. Inside is an enormous central dome built with the same ochre-coloured bricks. The contemporary church is a short walk from a bustling square where you’ll find cafes, tapas bars and bistros.
Enjoy a scenic stroll in Manuel Barquin Park. The park is the city’s signature green space and features tree-lined paths and grassy areas. See tree species from around the world, including oaks, pines, palms, and maples. The outdoor auditorium hosts concerts and live music on weekends.
Visit Museo de Altamira and learn about some of the best-preserved prehistoric cave art in Spain. The museum is in the nearby town of Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, where the world-famous Cave of Altamira is located. The cave is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is where some of the first Paleolithic cave paintings in the world were discovered. Inside the museum are full-size replicas of the chambers, complete with ochre-and-charcoal paintings.
Dine at local restaurants and enjoy local Cantabrian cuisine. Try specialty seafood dishes like “merluza en salsa verde” fish served with green herbs, “maganos encebollados” squid baked with onions and “cachon en su tinta” cuttlefish cooked in a jet-black sauce. Bakeries sell crispy, sugar-coated “palmeritas” puff pastries.
Getting around Torrelavega
Parts of Torrelavega are pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot, while taxis are a fast and affordable way to cover longer distances. The city is in Cantabria, a 20-minute drive from Santander. Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is a four-hour drive away.