Santillana del Mar Zoo

What it is

A medium-sized zoo on the outskirts of Santillana del Mar, about a 10-minute walk from the centre of the town. The Cantabrian Government's Santillana leaflet describes it as a 60,000-square-metre facility that stands out for four sections: the primates, the big cats, the tropical butterflies and the waterfowl, all surrounded by a botanical collection of more than 300 species. The zoo's website organises the visit into the Quaternary park, the butterfly garden, primates, big cats, aviaries, the aqua-terrarium and mammals.

Behind it is the Fundación Zoo de Santillana, which takes part in conservation, research and recovery programmes, including the one for Sumatran orangutans. The zoo is a member of the Iberian and European associations of zoos and aquariums, AIZA and EAZA.

Price and hours

Adult, €30; child aged 4 to 12, €15; free up to age 3. The price is the same whether you go for half a day or the whole day, and the butterfly garden is included: it is not sold separately. There are discounts for large families, the unemployed, pensioners, people with disabilities and students, with proof. Groups of 20 or more organised by an association, school or town council have their own rate.

It opens every day of the year from 9:30; the website gives closing time as 18:00 and, in the FAQ, at dusk. You do not need to book: there are always tickets at the ticket office.

Getting there and parking

It is at Avenida del Zoo 2, at kilometre 2 of the CA-133 between Santillana and Puente San Miguel, about 20 minutes from Santander. From the motorway, take the exit for Santillana del Mar and follow the signs for the Altamira Museum, which also lead to the zoo. Some sat navs still have the old address, Avenida Antonio Sandi 12. There is free parking for customers, for cars and coaches, with more than 200 spaces. Phone: 942 818 125.

Worth knowing

Dogs are not allowed in. You can bring your own food and drink, or go out to the car to fetch them at lunchtime; there is a café, which needs no booking. The zoo has no architectural barriers, there are two parking spaces for people with reduced mobility and an adapted toilet at the entrance. For children, the website advertises activities such as keeper for a day, animal sponsorships and birthday parties, and an educational programme for schools. Allow half a day to see it all without rushing.

What to combine

A morning at the zoo and the afternoon in the town works very well with children: walk up to the walk through the town and the collegiate church. Very close, along the same road, is the Altamira Museum and its neocave. If the weather is good, Santa Justa beach is ten minutes away by car.