You are in: Laredo

Laredo

The town of Laredo, which is located on the east Cantabrian coast, is in a setting of great natural beauty, dominated by the green meadows of its hills and the intense blue of the sea. Visitors are immediately attracted to the beautiful sands of La Salvé, a fabulous beach of more than 4 km of fine white sand on which lies one of the greatest sand dune areas known. From the viewpoints located on the Fortress of Rastrillar (a defensive construction), the tunnel and the promenade, you can feel the lashing of the sea and discover the many beauty spots of Laredo.

But Laredo has much more to offer visitors than its great natural beauty. We are sure you will appreciate the considerable artistic value of its heritage and its culture. The gothic church of Santa María de la Asunción presides over the old town with its splendid historical and artistic features. This old town was in fact the original nucleus of the town and dates back to the Middle Ages. Remains of the old walls can still be seen to this day. The area comprises six rúas (streets) and el Arrabal and constitutes the oldest “old town centre” in Cantabria.

Interior Iglesia Santa María

The Church of Santa María de la Asunción (Saint Mary of the Assumption)

This is, without doubt, the jewel of Laredo’s architecture. It was declared a National Monument in 1931 as it is one of the finest examples of gothic on the Cantabrian Coast. The current church was built in the context of the granting of the municipal charter to Laredo in 1200. It enjoyed a period of greatness after the Reconquest of Seville in 1248. The people of Laredo distinguished themselves in that enterprise and the king showed his recognition by awarding them several pieces of the chains that had held the boats at the Triana Bridge. These can now be seen on the ceiling of the church. Its structure comprises five naves, reflecting the various artistic periods, and its most valued treasure is the altarpiece of Nuestra Señora de Belén (Our Lady of Bethlehem), a Flemish work of the mid 15th century.

Guided visits:
To book in advance, phone 687 681 640
Price: €1 (to preserve our heritage)

Tourist Information Office
Alameda Miramar, s/n. 39770 Laredo
Phone Nº: 942 611 096 • Fax: 942 611 096
Website: www.laredo.es
E-mail: laredo@cantabria.org

IF YOU FEEL LIKE A STROLL

The Old Town

Here you will find the charming little streets and alleys that form the greatest historical and artistic ensemble to be found in Cantabria. We suggest you walk into the history of Laredo and that you try the wonderful local dishes served at the many restaurants there. In summer you may enjoy a coffee, or something stronger, in the beautiful Marqués de Albaida Square. It really is second to none.

A PICTURE POSTCARD

The lashing of the sea

After passing through the tunnel of La Atalaya, we come to the Abra del Túnel view point. From here we can observe the spectacular effects produced by the Cantabrian Sea. Over time the sea has lashed against the natural stone walls and created the Beach of La Soledad, a stony beach. If the tide is low, you will be able to see this natural phenomenon. If the sea is rough, you will see the waves breaking and discover the true nature of the Cantabrian Sea.

A FEAST FOR THE PALATE

Local cuisine

We strongly recommend you try our tuna fish, cuttlefish, “respigos” (tender turnip leaves), anchovies, and many other dishes. Just go along to any of the restaurants, “asadores”, inns or taverns in Laredo. You can enjoy these dishes on their own or accompanied by such delights as red peppers, Cantabrian cheeses, etc.

ATMOSPHERE

The academic life

During the months of July, August and September Laredo becomes the academic centre of the University of Cantabria and there are always lots of courses, lectures and cultural events taking place.

UNIQUE TO LAREDO

The Beach of La Salvé

The shape of a shell, this beach of 4.25 km of fine white sand is internationally renowned for its tranquility and the safety of its waters. The beach currently holds the UNE 187001:2008 “Q of Tourism Quality” and the UNE-EN ISO 14.001:2004 “Environmental Management” certifications.

SHOPPING

The Market and the Street Markets

Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping in Laredo. There is a great range of products and prices in the shops in the centre of Laredo. Stocks Fair is held on March. This gives locals and visitors the chance to purchase items from previous collections at lower prices. The main market, known here as the “Mercado de Abastos”, is located just opposite the Old Town Hall of Laredo. Here you can buy fresh food of all types: fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and seafood.
Several other markets take place in the course of the year, coinciding with the good weather and the town’s fiestas. The Crafts Fair takes place in July and August. The Ecological Market is held on the first Monday of each month. The “Popular Flower Battle Market” is held on the last Friday in August. And the Renaissance Market is held on the end of September.