Cave of El Castillo

We took the 9am bus from Santander and got off in Puento Viesgo (Alsa). We arrived about 9.45/10am and it’s a short walk to the visitors centre.
We hadn’t booked in advance so were lucky as in October it was less busy although there are lots of school groups. We were able to book visits to both caves. The gentleman on reception was really helpful and spoke excellent English. He advised on timings and the walking route (quite steep but not too far) to the caves. Each cave costs €5 euros with a guided tour. The first cave guide did a bi-lingual tour while the second translated key points. Both were really knowledgeable and very committed to their role.
It was amazing! I would thoroughly recommend a visit and we left in awe of the history and felt incredibly privileged to have been able to visit.
We went later to the archaeology museum in Santander - an amazing museum which really helps to piece together the history of the caves.

The guide was so knowledgeable, expressive and spoke some English!! The tour was fabulous. One got to see the sites up close. So very worth it!!

We booked the tickets in advance as there is a limit on the number of people for each tour. The visitors center is on the way to the cave but we drove directly to the cave. They want everybody to collect tickets in the visitors centre so few people has to go back. We were lucky we had the tickets in the mobile but they warned is the office at the entry of the cave may close soon. It doesn’t make any sense. Guides are nice but tours are only in Spanish that doesn’t make much se se either. Inside the cave can be slippery.

A mind-blowing experience that is a must-see if you’re in the area. The cave is all walkable, with stairs cut into the rock where required, albeit slippery in places and with no handrails. Anyone able-bodied should have no trouble if you take a bit of care. There is approximately 200m of walking up a slighty inclined service road from the car park.

The tour was in Spanish only, which is ok if you can pick up a few words here and there. Even if not it’s pretty obvious when the guide shines a light on a handprint or artwork.

Seeing these original artworks from over 10,000 years ago is simply phenomenal. Other caves have replicas, but this is the real deal.

Definitely book ahead to avoid disappointment, and make sure you check in at the visitor centre at the bottom of the hill.

The guided tour this morning at 10:05 was simply amazing. Our guide - Spanish speaking gentleman - did speak slowly and hence with our 4 yrs Spanish on Duolingo we understood everything. His - the guide - passion for the subject came clearly through to all 6 of us and it was an really great 1 hour there.

We loved it! Hard to imagine our ancestors lived there already 150.000 yrs ago! What an incredible piece of history.

Couple of tips:
- the ticket office is directly to the left after the village. It’s easily missed and for tickets you need to be there.
- if you have booked online, they will let you in on the top of the hill too.
- try to pre-book online as the experience is incredible and it gets sold out quickly in popular times.
- The whole reservation page is in Spanish - again with our 4 yrs on Duolingo - manageable. It took us about 30 min to get the reservation.
- get coffee or sandwiches before or afterwards in the cafeteria El Parque in the village. They are both super delicious and it’s very relaxed / part if the grand hotel Puente Viesgo. Prices are ok.

Very interesting, the paintings and the geology is amazing and the guides are very knowledgeable and the expansions super entertaining.

Very interesting cave with many rock paintings, some of which are actually older than those at Altamira.
We had a very enthusiastic guide who did her best to speak both Spanish and English.
Buying tickets online is advised, but be ready for a digital fight as the ticket site does not work in English and the Spanish instructions are illogical, if not to say incomprehensible.

Unfortunately you’re not allowed to take photos, but still an amazing experience with a guide. The tour is in Spanish, but I’m sure you can request for one in part English. I understood 70% of the Spanish because our guide spoke slowly and was amazing!

Saw cave paintings from 40 thousand years ago made by the earliest homo sapiens; neanderthals lived here before. Also saw a symbol that has been interpreted as a clan marking and some other symbols that are still being interpreted. Was about a 20 min walk inside the cave, mostly on stairs. Nicest folks in the front office and guiding the tour. Because the tour was in Spanish, they told us a few things in English ahead of time and also added a few words in English during the tour. Not allowed to touch anything, take pictures or turn on flashlights inside the caves. The guide was using a flashlight with special filters.

Its a different experience compared to a British show cave as the health and safety zealots have not been allowed to take the essence of a cave away. The guide's did a very good job explaining to us as English speakers when predominantly it's a Spanish audience. And you do get to see original paintings so that gives you the connection to the past, highly recommended but you have to book and pick up your tickets at the visitor centre near the village

Not too expensive and original ancient drawings. The guide explained us the most important details in very reasonable english.

Very nice to pay a visit here when you are in this region.
Book a ticket online if you need a certain timeslot, or buy a ticket at the visitor information centre and hope for an available timeslot soon.
The entrance to the cave is approximately 1 km further up the mountain, by car.

AMAZING figures, shadows, shapes and geologic forms that shimmer and dance in the firelight. I know because I was there! No pictures from within allowed

Fantastic cave to see palaeolithic art first hand. Really enjoyed our visit and special thanks to our guide Eva who did the tour in English for us and two other English speakers. Wear sensible shoes it’s slippy!

Wonderful guided tour with our very knowledgeable and passionate guide. Unmissable experience. Well organised so that the cave art is preserved.

Wonderful experience to be in front of these original cave drawings going back even 40000 years ago! Good visit. Not crowded.

Fascinating ancient rock art. Only a few people can enter at the same time. Need reservations!!

A must see place to visit. Amazing to see the ancient paintings that were made so long ago, up to 40,000 years ago. The guide was very knowledgeable and spoke very clearly so that we could follow his explanation in Spanish.

Unforgettable experience. It was a real pleasure to learn the multiple theories around the paintings of this cave. Our guide Óscar was very knowledgeable, explained everything very well and answered our questions. Very grateful of having had the chance of visiting this cave. Thanks

Incredible cave art and an easy to access and enjoyable tour. No English option but the guide's enthusiasm was enough to showcase this amazing place. Pre booking is very strongly advised and you need to be there 15mins before to validate your ticket.

So glad I got tickets the day before. Viewing the art in the cave felt like a moment of communion with some very early humans. The tour was mostly in Spanish, and I still thought it was fantastic (though I probably missed some of the finer points).