Living and Teaching English in Cantabria

Green coastlines, cliff walks, cider bars, and mountain day trips.

Cantabria at a Glance

Cantabria Overview

If you are thinking about teaching English in Cantabria, picture Spain’s lush north where the Costa Cantábrica meets the Cantabrian Mountains and the edges of the Picos de Europa. Santander anchors the region with seaside promenades, café life, and compact-city convenience, while smaller coastal and mountain towns add fishing-harbor charm and quick access to trails. Cantabria has about 591,000 residents, with most people in and around Santander.

Daily life is relaxed and outdoorsy with café con leche mornings, market-fresh groceries, and lots of walking. You will get around via city buses in Santander, Cercanías for nearby routes, and regional buses or trains for villages and trailheads. Expect mild, often rainy coastal weather and cooler, crisper conditions inland and in the mountains.

Why People Love Cantabria

“I’ve visited Cantabria a few times now and I love this region! Mix of coastline, mountains, and beautiful small towns. Beaches in Cantabria are well-known for surfing!”

Lourdes, RVF Team

“I love teaching and living in Cantabria because the people are friendly and the food is fresh. I also love the lifestyle because it allows me do stuff outside of teaching like meeting up with friends.”

Molly D., RVF Participant

“Cantabria is the way to go if you like being outside! Much like Asturias, Cantabria is nature heavy with great outdoor hiking, backpacking, mountain views, and beaches. Picos de Europa is a great place to start! “

Petter, RVF Team

Local Culture & Attractions

Cabárceno Nature Park

Year-round surfable beach

Palacio de la Magdalena in Santander

City beaches in Santander

Picos de Europa day hikes

Where to Live in Cantabria

Santander – Centro/Puerto Chico: seaside promenades, cafés, walk-everywhere.
Santander – Sardinero/Universidades: beach vibe, parks, student energy.
Torrelavega – Centro: lower rents, fast regional links.
Castro Urdiales – Old Town: coastal living, commuter buses to Santander/Bilbao.
San Vicente de la Barquera: fishing-town pace, gateway to Picos.

Tip: Choose housing near your school’s TUS bus line or a Cercanías stop; coastal–inland trips are frequent and short.

Quick Facts

Population: ~590–593k across the region (2024–early 2025). Comparable to Wyoming (state) or the Harrisburg–Carlisle metro.
Famous For: Altamira (prehistoric art), Santander bayfront & Magdalena, green coast beaches, Picos de Europa access.
Travel: Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport (SDR) handled ~1.095M passengers in 2024; city buses (TUS), Cercanías Cantabria commuter rail, and regional buses cover towns and trailheads.

Cost Snapshot

Rent (room in shared flat): €150–€350 ($175-$408) typical in Santander; lower in smaller towns depending on quality and location.
Groceries: ~€170–€230 ($198-$268)
Public transport (monthly): TUS Santander offers multi-trip cards and passes; typical monthly pass ~€30 ($35) reported locally. Cercanías offers Abono Mensual Ilimitado for commuter routes.

Top 3 Can’t-Miss Experiences

Peninsula & Palacio de la Magdalena (Santander)

Breezy walks, small beaches, and bay views from the palace park.

Tip: Walk the peninsula first, then book a guided palace visit if you want to go inside since tour times and availability can vary by day/season.

El Capricho de Gaudí (Comillas)

World-famous Paleolithic art interpreted through faithful replicas and exhibits.

Tip: Book tickets ahead in high season and leave time to slowly walk the exterior, the gardens, and the tower details, since the best Gaudí moments are in the little angles and mosaics.

Picos de Europa from Cantabria

Gorge and balcony trails above Liébana; spectacular day trips in good weather.

Tip Use Fuente Dé as your launch point for big views, and check the forecast before you go, conditions can shift fast in the mountains.

🌿 green-coast days 🌊 cliff-path walks 🐟 port-side tapas  ☔ cozy-rainy afternoons 🥾 mountain-weekends 🛥️ bay-view sunsets

RVF Staff Picks

(top places staff suggests)

Playa de Langre: It’s popular with surfers but still feels wild and uncrowded, perfect for a quiet beach day away from the touristy spots.
San Vicente de la Barquera: charming coastal town with stunning beaches, a historic castle, and vibrant local culture.
Collados del Asón & the Asón waterfall: A glacial-carved park of beech woods and limestone walls with a dramatic spring-fed cascade (Nacimiento del Asón) and quiet hiking viewpoints.
Secuoyas del Monte Cabezón: An eerie, wind-swaying redwood grove (800+ trees planted in the 1940s) that’s now a protected natural monument—short, peaceful loop walk.
Cueva de Covalanas (Ramales de la Victoria): Intimate guided visits to Paleolithic red-paint animal figures (~19,000 years old) with strict caps on group size—raw, unforgettable cave art.