Else Beekman
Cantabria wants to avoid being seen as “the Ibiza of the north.” In an effort to limit mass tourism and protect its natural areas, the region has implemented measures to regulate access to certain popular locations.
These include the famous Sequoia forest in Cabezón de la Sal and the Faro del Caballo in Santoña. There, authorities are now considering drastically reducing the number of visitors.
Increasing tourism in the north
Cantabria does not receive the massive numbers of visitors like the Balearic or Canary Islands. However, tourism is on the rise. In August 2024, hotels in the region counted around 223,000 tourists. This is an increase of more than 5% compared to the previous year. This trend is expected to continue, partly due to climate change making cooler destinations, such as the northern part of Spain, more attractive.
Restrictions in Cabezón de la Sal and Santoña
To protect natural areas from overcrowding, measures are being taken to regulate tourist flows. In the Sequoia forest of Cabezón de la Sal, around 200,000 people visit annually. Consequently, leading to damage to the trees and the ecosystem. The local government is now considering introducing a free reservation system to limit the number of visitors to 300-350 per day, especially during peak periods like Easter.
At the Faro del Caballo, a popular destination with a steep descent of 763 steps, visitor restrictions have also been imposed. This summer, a pilot programme was introduced where visitors had to make reservations in advance to visit the site. This system proved successful and is likely to be reintroduced during the summer months next year.
Reactions to mass tourism
The residents of Cantabria have also made their voices heard. In May and July, thousands of people took to the streets to protest against large tourism projects, including the construction of a golf course and holiday homes. Their message was clear: “We don’t want to be the Ibiza of the north.”
Also read: Asturias does not want to be Benidorm