From Santander: Comillas, Modernism & Capricho de Gaudí Tour
Step into the only Modernist town in Cantabria and discover a Gaudí masterpiece far from Barcelona.
The Comillas Modernist tour from Santander brings you face to face with one of northern Spain's most unexpected architectural treasures, where Catalan Modernism took root on a Cantabrian hillside. This carefully structured morning excursion covers the key landmarks of a town shaped by wealth, ambition, and artistic vision. The tour is rated easy and suits visitors of all ages and fitness levels.
Comillas owes its singular character to Antonio López y López, the first Marquis of Comillas, whose patronage attracted the leading architects of late 19th-century Catalonia to this coastal town. The result is a concentration of Modernist and Neo-Gothic buildings that stands entirely apart from anything else in the region. Understanding that backstory transforms every building you visit from a curiosity into a coherent chapter of history.
The tour departs from Santander with hotel pick-up included, making logistics straightforward for visitors based in the regional capital. A panoramic drive through Comillas rounds off the experience, offering views of landmarks that complement the guided visits. The itinerary is designed to give you both structured context and free time to explore at your own pace.
Throughout the tour your guide provides historical and architectural commentary that connects the individual monuments into a single narrative. The optional visit to the Old Major Seminary adds considerable depth for those interested in architecture, while guests who prefer independent exploration can use that time to wander the town's historic centre. Either way, the morning finishes with a clear sense of why Comillas belongs on any serious itinerary of northern Spain.
Tour Highlights
Guided visit to El Capricho de Gaudí, one of the few buildings Antoni Gaudí designed outside Catalonia, completed in 1885.
Optional guided visit to the Old Major Seminary, a landmark of Catalan Modernism designed by Domènech i Montaner and Joan Martorell.
Panoramic scenic drive past the Sobrellano Palace, the Chapel-Pantheon, and the historic Port of Comillas.
Walking tour of the historical centre of Comillas, including the 17th-century parish church and the Modernist cemetery.
Discover the sculpture of the Angel Exterminator and a Modernist fountain designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
Learn about the influence of the first Marquis of Comillas, the patron whose vision transformed this Cantabrian fishing village.
Hotel pick-up from Santander included, with the tour rated easy and suitable for all fitness levels.
Itinerary
Your guide collects you from your city hotel in Santander or from the designated meeting point in Torrelavega. The drive to Comillas takes roughly one hour and serves as an introduction to the landscape and history of Cantabria.
The centrepiece of the tour is a full guided visit to Villa Quijano, universally known as El Capricho. Designed by Antoni Gaudí in 1885 for the Cantabrian lawyer Máximo Díaz de Quijano, the building draws on sunflower motifs and musical symbolism to produce an effect unlike anything else in northern Spain.
A short walking tour through the old town introduces you to the everyday fabric of Comillas, including its 17th-century parish church, which is one of the best-preserved examples of the montañés Gothic style. This break also allows time to absorb the local atmosphere before continuing to the next site.
The former University of Comillas, designed by Joan Martorell and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, is one of the most significant Catalan Modernist buildings outside Catalonia. The guided visit includes the seminary complex and its church, which is still undergoing restoration but remains a compelling sight. Guests who prefer to skip this visit may continue exploring the town independently.
Before returning to Santander, the tour includes a scenic drive past the Sobrellano Palace and its Chapel-Pantheon, the Modernist cemetery built over the foundations of an earlier church, the Domènech i Montaner fountain, and the historic Port of Comillas. The Angel Exterminator sculpture is also pointed out along the route.
The group returns to Santander, arriving at approximately the times noted in the tour details. Drop-off points correspond to the original pick-up locations.
What Is Included
Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Santander or designated Torrelavega meeting point
- Private guided tour with professional local guide
- Guided visit to El Capricho de Gaudí (entrance fees included)
- Optional guided visit to the Old Major Seminary of Comillas
- Panoramic scenic drive through Comillas
- Walking tour of Comillas historic centre
Not Included
- Personal travel insurance
- Meals and beverages
- Gratuities for the guide (optional)
- Any purchases or personal expenses during free time
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on This Tour
Spaces on this small-group tour are limited. Secure your spot today to explore the Modernist landmarks of Comillas with an expert local guide.
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