Cantabria is a region that truly comes to life in autumn, with valleys covered in beech and oak forests, stone-built villages, scenic roads and a rich gastronomic heritage. It's an ideal season for exploring the area, thanks to quieter surroundings and landscapes painted in shades of ochre, yellow and red. This selection highlights six villages to visit in Cantabria in autumn, stretching from the Liébana region to the Pas Valleys.
Potes
Potes is one of Cantabria's essential autumn destinations. Located in the heart of the Liébana region, it features a historic centre of narrow streets, bridges spanning the Quiviesa River and landmarks such as the Torre del Infantado. The deciduous forests covering the surrounding hillsides provide a spectacular display of autumn colours.
The village also serves as an excellent base for exploring the La Hermida Gorge, the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana and Fuente Dé, where a cable car gives access to the higher areas of the Picos de Europa.
Bárcena Mayor
Situated within the municipality of Los Tojos, Bárcena Mayor lies in the heart of the Saja-Besaya Natural Park. Its collection of traditional mountain houses, cobbled streets and wooden balconies offers an excellent example of Cantabrian rural architecture, surrounded by forests and waterways.
The park covers 24,500 hectares and is home to extensive forests of beech, oak, chestnut and other deciduous species. Autumn is one of the best times to explore the footpaths and trails around the village.
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Carmona
Nestled between the Saja and Nansa valleys, Carmona occupies a rural landscape where livestock farming remains an important part of local life. Declared a Historic-Artistic Site, the village preserves traditional mountain houses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
An autumn visit combines the village's charm with the chance to explore the wider Nansa region. The CA-281 road winds through mountain scenery and picturesque hamlets, while the surrounding oak, beech and chestnut forests take on their seasonal colours.
Puente Viesgo
This village stands on the banks of the Pas River, surrounded by hills, meadows and woodland typical of the Pas Valleys. Its riverside promenade and the area around the spa provide a peaceful setting for exploring the village without having to walk too far.
Its main cultural attraction is Monte Castillo, home to the caves of El Castillo and Las Monedas. Both can be visited with advance booking and form part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex of Palaeolithic cave art on Spain's Cantabrian coast.
La Gándara
La Gándara, the capital of the municipality of Soba, is one of the best villages for exploring the Collados del Asón Natural Park in autumn. It retains a traditional mountain atmosphere while providing useful services for visitors exploring this eastern part of Cantabria.
The village offers access to some of the park's most iconic landscapes, including the source of the Asón River. Here, water plunges over a dramatic waterfall surrounded by vegetation that becomes especially vibrant during autumn.
Cabezón de la Sal
Cabezón de la Sal is a practical choice for those seeking an easy walk among remarkable trees. Located between Cantabria's western coast and its inland regions, the town combines a lively centre with easy access to nature.
Just outside the town lies the Monte Cabezón Redwood Forest, which contains around 800 trees planted in the 1940s for forestry purposes. The route is short and accessible, and in autumn the soft light filtering through the trees creates a particularly striking setting.
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