Cabárceno Nature Park
Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno
A semi-wild zoo built on a former open-pit iron mine, where elephants, giraffes and brown bears roam among karst stone forests. You can explore by car or by cable car.
The park covers about 750 hectares. It was once an open-pit iron mine, and mining left behind a strange forest of limestone rock pinnacles. About a hundred species of animals roam free in large enclosures. African elephant herds, brown bears, giraffes, rhinos and birds of prey are the most popular. The park roads are about 20 km long, so you need to drive or ride in a vehicle and stop at the various viewpoints. An aerial cable car also crosses the park. It is about 17 km from Santander. Entry costs about EUR 30-40 including the cable car, and you should allow half a day to a full day.
Opening hours
About 09:30–18:00 (extended to 19:00 in summer; check the official website)
Nearby sights
- El Pendo Cave
- Liérganes
- Santander Cathedral
- Centro Botín
- Mercado de la Esperanza
- Jardines de Pereda & Paseo de Pereda
- Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria
- Caves of Monte Castillo