Things to do in Castro Urdiales, Spain (2024)

Castro Urdiales is a charming seaside town in Cantabria, locatednear the Basque border. Perched on a hill are the city’s main landmarks,the Gothic Church of Santa María, the medieval castle of Santa Ana andthe Hermitage of Santa Ana.

The medieval vibe continues in thecity centre with its maze of narrow streets. Here you’ll find a seriesof arcaded shops, bars and seafood restaurants.

Castro Urdialesonly has a small beach, but there are much more worth discoveringfurther down the coast. Follow our one-day itinerary below to find thebest things to do in Castro Urdiales, including tips on where to eat andwhere to stay.

One Day in Castro Urdiales

Morning: Church of Santa María de la Asunción

As you arrive at Castro Urdiales, it’s hard not to notice the Iglesia deSanta María de la Asunción. This impressive Gothic church standsprominently above the town’s harbour, surrounded by a grassy field.While built in the 13th century, new elements were added until the 19thcentury. The result is a three-storey church with flying buttresses andpinnacles that resemble the French Gothic style.

Santa Ana Castle

In the same headland as the church, you’ll find the Castillo deSanta Ana. Dating back to 1163, this small castle has a classic militarystyle, with striking circular towers made of stone. It was erected atthe edge of the sea to defend Castro Urdiales against pirate attacks.Attached to one of the castle’s towers is a lighthouse added later onand used for the first time in 1853.

Puente Medieval and Ermita de Santa Ana

From the castle, walk towards the medieval bridge. Despite its Gothicstyle, some locals call it the Roman Bridge. It was built to providebetter access to the Ermita de Santa Ana. This small hermitage sits on arocky crag overlooking the sea. The building you see today dates from1941, but the site itself has been occupied since the Late Stone Age.

Afternoon: Plaza del Ayuntamiento

After touring the town’s main sights, head to Plaza delAyuntamiento. As the name suggests, this is where you’ll find theAyuntamiento aka, the Town Hall. The building resembles a castle withits crenellated clock tower and elegant arcades. Surrounding the squareare a couple of shops and cafés where you can grab a drink. You can alsospot the town’s harbour from here with its colourful fishing boats. Ifyou continue down the Paseo Menéndez Pelayo, you’ll soon reach the gatesof the Ocharan Palace. It’s a private residence, but you might be ableto peek through and see this stunning eclectic building that combines,Greek, Italian and Spanish styles.

Castro Urdiales Beaches

End your day in Castro Urdiales with a stroll along the beach. Theclosest ones to the centre are the Playa de Brazomar and Playa deOstende. Brazomar is an urban beach located in the southern end of town,while Ostende is located near the castle making it a bit more popularwith visitors.

Further west, near the village of Laredo, you’ll findeven more beaches. Among them are the vast Playa de Oriñón and the wildPlaya de Sonabia with its rocky surroundings.

Castro UrdialesTour Map

Day Trips From Castro Urdiales

• Costa Cantabria: Castro Urdialesmighthave its own sandy stretches, but there are more beaches andseaside towns worth discovering along the Costa Cantabria. From thelarge city of Santander to the smaller towns of Noja, Laredo andSantoña, you can cover most of these in one day.

• Bilbao:Located close to the Basque border, Castro Urdiales is only a 30-minutedrive from the lively city of Bilbao. Plan a day trip to this Basquecity and discover unique buildings such as the Guggenheim or theNeo-baroque theatre.

• Santander: About an hour west of thetown is Santander, Cantabrian’s capital. In this modern city, you’llfind plenty of beaches, art museums and lively food markets. The mainattractions include a Gothic cathedral and a 20th-century palace thatonce welcomed the Spanish royals.

Top Things to Do With Kids in Castro Urdiales

Castro Urdiales is a small town, so you can easily explore it on foot.Kids will enjoy playing by the beach or in one of the town’s parks.Parque de la Barrera, for example, offers a playground as well as asmall carousel.

It’s also fun to explore the medieval centre and climb up to the castle or cross the bridge to the Ermita Santa Ana.

Youcan combine your trip with a visit to other nearby cities, such asBilbao and Santander, which have even more family-friendly attractions. The Cabarceno Natural Park is about 40 min away by car from Castro Urdiales.

Where to Eat in Castro Urdiales

Sitting along the Cantabrian sea, Castro Urdiales has alwaysbeen a fishing town, making it the perfect place to try some seafood.Local specialities include sardines and anchovies, and you can find themin many of the town’s restaurants. Below are some of the best places toeat in Castro Urdiales:

• Gastrobar Amarras: Sample creativetapas at this cosy bistro in the town centre. Every dish uses qualityingredients and comes with a colourful presentation. Highlights includethe vegetable tempura, the cod with gratin and the duck with raspberrytapioca. You can come here for a meal or a mid-afternoon snack.

• Bar La Tasca: You’ll find this small bar in the lively Calle la Rúa.It’s mostly famous for its hamburgesas (burgers), but it also servesother tapas. Most dishes here cost less than €5 each.

• Asador ElPuerto: Facing the town harbour, this restaurant serves traditionalCantabrian dishes with a focus on seafood. Specialities include clams,prawns and steamed mussels. You can order à la carte or pick thethree-course menu and try a mix of dishes. Grab a seat by the terraceand enjoy the sea views while you eat.

Where to Stay in Castro Urdiales

• Sercotel Hotel Las Rocas Playa (4 stars): Overlooking the Brazomarbeach, this four-star hotel is one of the best places to stay in CastroUrdiales. It offers modern rooms with wonderful views of the city or thesea. There’s also a restaurant on-site which serves traditionalCantabrian dishes.

• Hotel Rural la Llosa de Samano (2 stars):Housed in a picturesque stone house, this rural hotel is located around2km south of Castro Urdiales. The rooms feel cosy with their woodenfurnishings and warm decor. Guests also have access to a restaurant andcharming gardens with ponds.

• Posada Casa Rosalia: On theoutskirts of Castro Urdiales, amid the countryside, you’ll find CasaRosalia. This charming guesthouse stands out with its stone façade whichis over 200 years old. It only has 10 bedrooms, making it the idealplace for an intimate stay. Every room has a rustic touch and some comewith hot tubs. Other facilities include a lounge with a fireplace, agarden and a bar.

Best Time to Visit Castro Urdiales

The best time to visit Castro Urdiales is between late June and earlySeptember. Summers in this region are quite mild, with averagetemperatures around 25ºC. This is also the best season to come if youwant to spend some time on the beach. November brings more rainy days,but it’s during this month that the town celebrates its biggest festival— the Fiestas de San Andrés. If you want to catch the lively side ofCastro Urdiales, you should plan your trip around this event.

Castro Urdiales Festivals

• Pasión Viviente: Around easter, Castro Urdiales reenacts the final daysof Jesus Christ with a religious parade in the historic centre. Theevent has been taking place since 1984. From the script to the costumes,everything is planned.

• Fiestas de San Andrés: In late November, Castro Urdiales comes alivewith the Fiestas de San Andrés. This three-day festival celebrates thetown’s patron saint and its maritime roots. Locals participate inregattas and eat plenty of snails and seabream.