The Cantabrian coast has always been one of the best places in Spain to eat seafood cooked over the embers, and 2027 gives travellers even more reason to visit. Santander is preparing a major cultural year, while the fishing towns around its bay and the anchovy capital of Santoña keep serving the produce that made the region’s reputation.
This route follows the best fish grills and seafood tables of the coast, from the anchovy factories of Santoña to the grills of Pedreña and Somo, with Santander as an easy base. Iberinbound Travel presents it for groups and individual clients who want to travel through Cantabria with their appetite first.
Why Santander and Cantabria Are on the 2027 Map
Santander is receiving fresh international attention for 2027. It has been reported as one of the 25 destinations on National Geographic’s Best of the World 2027 list, with its expanding museum scene as the main reason.
Faro Santander, a new art centre in the former Banco Santander headquarters overlooking the bay, opened in September 2026 in a building redesigned by David Chipperfield. In 2027, Madrid’s Reina Sofía Museum is also due to open a new cultural centre in the city, and the Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria plans to move into a new building.
For visitors, this means a very natural pairing: a morning of art in Santander, followed by a long seafood lunch on the other side of the bay.
The Route: Four Stops for Seafood Lovers
Pedreña: Grilled Sardines with Views of the Bay
Pedreña lies south of the Bay of Santander and offers excellent views of the Cantabrian capital. It is known for sardines, bonito and sea bream, and for large fish served to share, grilled and opened along the back.
Grill houses here also serve portions of mussels and the typical squid, which pair well with a glass of local wine. One of the best-known is El Tronky, a fish grill opened in 1993 overlooking the bay and famous for its sardines.
Getting there is part of the pleasure. Boats from the port of Santander reach Pedreña in about 15 minutes, running every 30 to 40 minutes.
Somo: Lobster Rice and Razor Clams
Somo is a summer town famous as the surfing capital of the bay, with around twenty surf schools. It is also an excellent place to eat. You can enjoy anchovies, grilled prawns and razor clams, among many other delicacies.
Look out for rice with lobster and for salads made with spider crab, prawns with pink sauce, or cod. Boats from Santander take about 25 minutes to reach Somo, and it is a short walk over the Cubas estuary bridge to Pedreña, so the two stops can easily be combined in one day.
Isla: Wild Fish and Fresh Shellfish
Isla is the place for the best wild fish in the area, such as turbot, sea bream and sea bass.
You can also snack on portions of barnacles, prawns and clams, along with the typical Cantabrian anchovies. All of the produce is fresh and comes from the area itself.
Santoña: Anchovies, Sardines and Cuttlefish with Onions
Santoña is the undisputed capital of Cantabrian anchovy preserves, and a visit here is essential. Alongside the anchovies, you can enjoy portions of sardines, belly or cuttlefish with onions (what is known as squid), collected directly from the coasts of Santoña and Laredo.
The town now offers more than a meal. A tourist-train Anchovy Route combines a sightseeing tour of Santoña with the Anchovy Art Gallery, including a pincho and wine tasting, and a visit to a traditional anchovy factory.
Dates for Your 2027 Diary
The Cantabria Anchovy and Preserve Fair has been held in Santoña since 1999. In 2026 it combined showcookings, a “Selected Anchovy” blind-tasting competition and a Gilda Route, in which bars across the town prepare their own version of the classic anchovy, olive and pepper pintxo.
The 2026 edition ran from 24 April to 3 May. Please confirm the 2027 dates before you plan your trip, as spring is the best time to experience the fair.
Starred Cooking Beyond the Grill
If your group wants to add a fine-dining experience to the route, Cantabria has six restaurants with a Michelin star as of the 2026 guide. In Santander, El Serbal, in the Sardinero area, holds one Michelin star and is the reference for modern regional cooking with a focus on seafood.
A little inland, in Villaverde de Pontones, Cenador de Amós, led by chef Jesús Sánchez, holds three Michelin stars.
Travel the Cantabrian Coast with Iberinbound Travel
Based in Barcelona, Iberinbound Travel (iberinbound@iberinbound.com) is an incoming agency specialising in Meetings & Incentives, Classic and Pilgrimage Tours, Sport and Student groups, and City Breaks for groups and individual clients travelling to Spain and Portugal.
We cater for those who expect the very best of everything and appreciate the extra touches that make a great tour even greater. Our knowledge of the country and our efficient negotiation with suppliers ensure the best value for money for our clients.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Santoña for anchovies?
Spring is the best time, as the Cantabria Anchovy and Preserve Fair is held in Santoña each year. In 2026 it ran from 24 April to 3 May and included showcookings, a “Selected Anchovy” competition and a Gilda Route in the town’s bars. Please confirm the 2027 dates before booking.
How do I get from Santander to Pedreña and Somo?
Boats leave the port of Santander every 30 to 40 minutes and take about 15 minutes to reach Pedreña and about 25 minutes to reach Somo. Pedreña and Somo are also connected on foot by the bridge over the Cubas estuary, so both stops can be combined in one day.
Which seafood should I try on the Cantabrian coast?
Santoña anchovies are the essential starting point. Other highlights include grilled sardines, bonito, sea bream, turbot, sea bass, barnacles, razor clams, grilled prawns and rice with lobster, depending on the town you visit.
Are there Michelin-starred restaurants in Cantabria?
Yes. As of the 2026 guide, Cantabria has six restaurants with a Michelin star. In Santander, El Serbal holds one star, and Cenador de Amós, in Villaverde de Pontones, holds three.
Can Iberinbound Travel organise a Cantabrian coast trip for my group?
Iberinbound Travel is an incoming agency specialising in Meetings & Incentives, Classic and Pilgrimage Tours, Sport and Student groups, and City Breaks for groups and individual clients travelling to Spain and Portugal. Contact our team to discuss a Cantabrian coast programme for your clients.
Have another question about travelling the Cantabrian coast? Visit our full FAQ page or contact our team, and we will reply within 24 hours.
Data: Festivales de España, Michelin Guide España 2026, Hola and Rus Tourism News, 2026.