DISCOVER Noja with Children

This is a beautiful public park near La Magdalena Palace, which was the summer residence of Alfonso XIII. It has a small zoo, a tourist train and large play area next to the beach.

Address: Avenida La Magdalena, s/n

Opening times: 8 am to 10 pm.

For more info: Palacio de la Magdalena

This park is the best option when visiting Cantabria with children. It covers an expanse of 750 hectares and it has an exceptional room for environmental education. This is a unique facility where animals from every continent live in semi-freedom. Address: Exit 8 on the Santander-Bilbao motorway in the direction of Sarón Tel: (+34) 942 56 37 36 Cabárceno Park

Its collection of animals includes many highlights, such as primates and exotic birds, a butterfly farm and the Cuaternario Park, with painted animal species. Tel: (+34) 942 81 81 25 Santilla del Mar Zoo

Located in the northwest corner of Noja, these marshlands cover an area of ​​250 hectares and are of great scenic and ornithological value. They form a part of the Marismas de Santoña y Noja Natural Park. The best way to observe their beauty is to walk the path that leads to the mill at Santa Olaja, which is currently the marshlands' visitor centre.

For More Info: Museo Marítimo

At Calderón Docks passenger boats leave for Somo, Pedreña and Laredo on excursions around the bay. Address: 1. Santander: Paseo de Pereda / Tel: (+34) 942 21 67 53 2. Santoña: Paseo marítimo / Tel: (+34) 670 294 207 – 608 392 666 Los Reginas

Fuente Dé is an impressive glacial cirque from which the Picos de Europa can be accessed by cable car. The ascent is fun and the views at 1,850 metres altitude are unforgettable. Address: Camaleño (Liébana) Tel: (+34) 942 73 66 10 Cantur

This is a public park by the sea. It offers some of the best views of the city and a large play area. Address: Avenida del Faro, s/n. Santander Opening times: 9 am to 9 pm..

These are facilities where the ways of life and customs of old Cantabrians are recreated. Address: 1. Cabezón de la Sal / Tel: (+34) 942 70 03 32 2. Argüeso (Campo de Suso) / Tel: (+34) 942 77 97 81 – 654 332 160

This park in Rasinos, next to Cueva del Valle, has two themed routes. They show the living conditions of groups of paleolithic hunters and collectors and the stonemason's profession. Address: Centro de Iniciativas Turísticas Asón- Agüera. Telephone: (+34) 942 64 65 04 Alto Asón

This is an optical instrument capable of obtaining a flat projection of an image on part of its inner surface. In other words, it is a periscope that captures an image in the same way as the human eye. It consists of a large, hermetically sealed camera into which rays of light enter, reflected by objects outside it, through a small orifice in one of its walls. Address: Cumbre de Peña Cabarga (Medio Cudeyo) Tel: (+34) 942 27 49 62 For weekday visits please book: (+34) 690 64 46 68

The Planetarium is a specialised projector that shows the apparent movement of the sun, moon, planets, satellites and stars with great precision on a vaulted screen that represents the celestial ceiling as it can be seen from any place at any time on Earth. It is located in the western end of the Escuela Superior de la Marina Civil in Santander and close to the Palacio de Festivales at Puerto Chico. It is a place of great interest and beauty, particularly for fans of astronomy. Opening times: Monday to Saturday. Morning: 10 am to 1 pm. Afternoon: 3 pm to 7 pm. Address: Gamazo. Escuela de Náutica. Tel: (+34) 942 20 13 17 (please book)