Museo de Altamira
Santillana del Mar, Spain
A museum beside the famous Palaeolithic cave, with a faithful replica of the painted bison ceiling and exhibits on early life in the region. Allow about two hours; the original cave is closed to ordinary visits.
The Altamira cave near Santillana del Mar became the place where Palaeolithic cave art first gained worldwide attention, after Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola recognised its paintings in 1879. Because the paintings are extremely fragile, access to the original cave is strictly limited: according to the Spanish tourism website, only five people per week may enter, by appointment, and the waiting list is closed (as of October 2026). For most visitors, the Museo Nacional y Centro de Investigación de Altamira is therefore the way to experience the site.
Its best-known feature is the “Neocave”, a carefully made replica of the cave that shows it as it looked 35,000 to 13,000 years ago. The permanent exhibition, “The Times of Altamira”, uses finds to explore the art, daily life and hunting techniques of the Palaeolithic. Allow about two hours for the exhibition and the replica. The museum is in Santillana del Mar in Cantabria and combines well with a walk through the historic village.
- Nearest town
- Santillana del Mar, Spain
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 43.3777, -4.1196
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Santillana del MarMotorhome stopover2 km from Museo de AltamiraMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersWaste disposal
- Camping El HelgueroCampsite10 km from Museo de AltamiraTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- ComillasCampsite13 km from Museo de AltamiraTentsElectricityShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping Csr RuenteMotorhome stopover17 km from Museo de AltamiraTentsMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- El RosalCampsite22 km from Museo de AltamiraTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Cabuérniga CampingCampsite22 km from Museo de AltamiraTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in Spain · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Museo de Altamira?
Museo de Altamira is in Santillana del Mar, Spain, at GPS 43.3777, -4.1196. It is about 14 km from Comillas.
Can you camp near Museo de Altamira?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Area Autocaravanas Santillana del Mar - Calle de Jesús Otero Oreña, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 31 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Museo de Altamira?
Places worth a stop nearby: Santillana del Mar (2 km), La Hermida gorge (42 km), Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana (49 km) and Cares Gorge trail (Poncebos) (59 km).
When is the best time to visit Museo de Altamira?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)