Written by Celine Fournier, David Garcia, Javier Garcia
31/08/2025
Paulino Acosta Santana, Pexels
Potes is a captivating medieval town nestled within the Cantabrian Mountains, serving as a primary gateway to the stunning Picos de Europa National Park. It attracts visitors with its rich historical architecture, vibrant local culture, and exceptional opportunities for outdoor adventures, all set against a backdrop of breathtaking natural scenery.
The town offers a welcoming atmosphere where visitors can socialize in numerous patisseries, bars, and restaurants found within its charming center. During the annual Fiesta del Orujo in November, thousands gather for live music, tastings of the traditional spirit, and cultural performances, creating a lively community experience. For evening entertainment, Pub La Ruina provides a vibrant disco club environment for tourists and locals to mingle.
Top 5 Things to do in Potes
Activities include exploring historic townscapes, visiting a significant pilgrimage site, enjoying panoramic mountain views, and experiencing local culture and gastronomy.
1. Stroll Through Potes' Historic Old Town
Wandering through the cobbled streets of Potes reveals a captivating blend of medieval architecture, stone bridges, and traditional buildings. It is pleasant to discover the hidden 'barrios' and the pedestrian pathways that follow the river, providing many scenic photo opportunities. The town's atmosphere encourages leisurely exploration of its charming nooks and crannies.
Cost: Free
Transport: The historic old town is easily explored on foot as it is the central area of Potes.
2. Visit the Torre del Infantado
The 15th-century Torre del Infantado stands as a robust symbol of Potes' rich history. Once a ducal home and a prison, it now hosts an exhibition on Beatus of Liébana and his 'Beatos' codex collection. Ascending to the viewpoint offers magnificent panoramic vistas of Potes, the surrounding mountains, and the Picos de Europa backdrop.
Cost: General admission is €4.00 for visitors over 13 years old. A reduced rate of €2.00 applies to children aged 4-12, seniors over 65, pensioners, youth card holders, and accredited pilgrims.
Transport: The Torre del Infantado is centrally located within Potes and is accessible by walking.
3. Explore the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana
Just a short distance from Potes, the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana is a revered pilgrimage site, significant for housing the Lignum Crucis, believed to be the largest preserved piece of the True Cross. Visitors can experience the serene atmosphere, learn about its history, and explore the tranquil grounds with views of the Cantabrian mountains. Organized tours are available, or one can undertake a scenic walk to reach the monastery.
Cost: Entry to the monastery is typically free. Guided tours from Potes or Santander may incur costs, for example, a day tour from Santander including the monastery and Potes costs around US$92.93 - US$116.00.
Transport: The monastery is approximately 3 km from Potes. It can be reached via a walk or a short taxi ride. Specific public transport options from Potes are limited, making a car or taxi the most practical choices. It is often included in organized day trips from nearby cities like Santander.
4. Ride the Fuente Dé Cable Car and Hike in Picos de Europa
The Fuente Dé Cable Car offers a dramatic ascent into the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park, whisking passengers up 753 meters in just four minutes to an altitude of 1,823 meters. From the upper station, visitors are greeted with breathtaking limestone landscapes and panoramic views of the central massif. This area serves as a starting point for various hiking trails, catering to different fitness levels, and provides exceptional opportunities for nature photography and wildlife spotting.
Cost: A round-trip ticket for adults generally costs between €20 (low season) and €30 (high season). Children's tickets (4-12 years) range from €6 to €12 for a round trip. Tickets can be purchased on-site or in advance online to avoid queues.
Transport: Fuente Dé is located about 23 km from Potes at the end of the Camaleño Valley. Public transport from Potes directly to Fuente Dé is not regularly available. The most common ways to get there are by car, taxi, or as part of an organized tour from Potes or Santander. Driving through the Camaleño Valley offers scenic views.
5. Experience the Potes Monday Market and Local Gastronomy
Potes hosts a traditional market every Monday, offering a vibrant display of local produce, regional cheeses, cured meats, and handcrafted items. This market provides an excellent opportunity to engage with local culture and sample traditional Cantabrian delicacies, such as 'cocido lebaniego' (a hearty chickpea stew) and game meats. Be sure to try 'orujo,' Potes' famous artisanal liquor, which is celebrated during the annual Fiesta del Orujo in November.
Cost: Costs vary depending on purchases and dining choices. Sampling market goods and eating at local restaurants generally aligns with typical Spanish food prices, where a meal can range from €20-40.
Transport: The market is held within the town center of Potes, easily accessible on foot.
At TFA Travel we believe in travel for all. Our mission is to enable people to explore the world as easily as possible without having to pay a travel agent a huge commission.
Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
