Famed for its Modernista buildings, Comillas is a small coastal town in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Since the late 19th century, it has been a popular summer retreat for the Spanish royal family and served as the country’s capital for just a day on the 6th of August in 1881 to accommodate a meeting between King Alfonso XII and the Council of Ministers.
Things to do in Comillas
One of Comillas’ most impressive buildings is El Capricho, a 19th-century villa designed by Antoni Gaudi as a summer residence for Maximo Diaz de Quijano. Accessible to the public (with the help of an audio guide), it draws on influences from Moorish and Catalan architecture and is topped by an elaborately decorated tower that resembles a minaret.
Next door is the Sobrellano Palace, a magnificent Neo-Gothic mansion dating back to 1888. Designed by Joan Martorell, its grandiose main hall, carved-stone staircases and stained glass windows can be admired on guided tours. Highlights of the interior include an ornately carved fireplace by Gaudi and a mural depicting the history of its former owner, the Marques de Comillas.
Sprawling west of Comillas is Oyambre Natural Park, which encompasses the dune-backed beaches, cliffs and estuaries of the San Vicente and La Rabia rivers. Occupying the Punta de la Silla Lighthouse is an interpretation centre where you can learn about the ecological value of the park before setting out to explore on foot. Connecting to Playa Oyambres and Comillas is the seven-kilometre-long Los Cambaros Trail.
Getting around Comillas
Comillas is around 40 minutes’ drive from Santander and Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect from towns and cities across northern Spain to Comillas while the town is small enough to explore on foot.