Tucked along Spain’s northern coast, Santoña stands proudly as the country’s anchovy capital. The town’s most worthwhile tours focus on its seafaring soul. The excellent Factory Tour brings visitors straight to the heart of anchovy production, complete with tasty samples and an informative museum stop. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the Canning Factory and Marshes Tour, which perfectly pairs industrial heritage with local ecology. The entertaining Napoleonic Tour, featuring a costumed guide, brings the town’s military past to life. These tours are remarkably authentic, well-organized, and distinctly local. Let’s explore the essential details of each top tour.
Key Points
- The Anchovies Factory Tour in Santoña, Cantabria, Spain offers a snack-inclusive experience with anchovy fillet tasting for a maximum of 30 travelers, priced from $13.65 per person.
- The Guided Tour of the Factory and Museum at the Ana María Canned Food Factory provides a 45-minute guided visit, featuring a cannery tour, shopping, and tastings, with costs starting from $6.17 per person.
- The Canning Factory and Marshes Tour in Santoña is a two-hour experience that highlights the town’s fishing culture, ecological significance, and anchovy canning insights, with product tastings included.
- The Characterized Napoleonic Tour in Santoña offers an immersive historical experience, guided by a performer portraying Napoleon, exploring the town’s fortifications from the War of Independence, priced at $13.37 per person.
- The tours in Santoña generally receive positive reviews, addressing any communication issues, and providing both educational and sensory experiences suitable for history buffs and culinary enthusiasts.
Tour to the Anchovies Factory and Santoña Marshes With Tasting
As visitors embark on this tour, they’ll have the opportunity to explore the renowned Anchovies Factory and the captivating Santoña Marshes.
Located in Santoña, Cantabria, Spain, the tour begins at the VILLA DE SANTOÑA mural, with free parking available nearby. Participants will enjoy snacks and a tasting of anchovy fillets during the visit.
Though not wheelchair accessible, the tour is stroller-friendly and allows service animals. With a maximum of 30 travelers, the tour is priced from $13.65 per person and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours prior.
While the tour has received mostly positive reviews, issues regarding communication have been addressed through partial refunds and apologies.
Read our full review: Tour to the Anchovies Factory and Santoña Marshes With Tasting Review
Book now: Check availability
Guided Tour of the Factory + Anchovy Museum
Visitors can embark on a guided tour that showcases the inner workings of the Ana María Canned Food Factory and the captivating Santoña Anchovy Museum.
The 45-minute experience starts at C. Baldomero Villegas, 38, Santoña, and costs from $6.17 per person.
The tour includes visits to the cannery, shopping, and tasting. While the live factory visit is temporarily cancelled, the museum visit remains available.
The museum offers a sensory experience, featuring a unique seabed-inspired building and a guided tour with historical fishing utensils.
Visitors can also witness a live demonstration of octavillo creation and taste award-winning Conservas Ana María anchovies.
Read our full review: Guided Tour of the Factory + Anchovy Museum Review
Book now: Check availability
Santona: Canning Factory and the Marshes Tour With Tasting
Travelers can embark on a captivating two-hour tour that immerses them in the vibrant fishing culture of Santoña.
The Santoña: Canning Factory and the Marshes Tour with Tasting offers a unique opportunity to explore the coastal town’s ecological significance and its renowned anchovy industry.
Visitors will discover the Las Marismas Reserve, a vital wetland that serves as a winter refuge and migratory passage for birds and fish.
The tour also includes a visit to an anchovy canning factory, where participants can learn about the fillet manufacturing process and enjoy product tastings.
Suitable for various traveler types, this experience provides an insightful glimpse into Santoña’s rich heritage and natural wonders.
Read our full review: Santona: Canning Factory and the Marshes Tour With Tasting Review
Book now: Check availability
Santona: Characterized Napoleonic Tour
Though strategically located between Santander and Bilbao, the fishing port of Santona has earned a unique place in history as the “French Gibraltar” or “Gibraltar of the North” during the Napoleonic era.
Visitors can now explore this rich history through the Characterized Napoleonic Tour, led by a guide portraying Napoleon himself.
The tour offers a chance to discover Santona’s fortifications significant during the War of Independence, with the option to visit either the San Martín or San Carlos fortifications.
For just $13.37 per person, the tour provides a Napoleonic diploma and a map of Santona, delivering an immersive historical experience in a single day.
Read our full review: Santona: Characterized Napoleonic Tour Review
Book now: Check availability
The Sum Up
Santona offers a range of engaging tours showcasing its anchovy heritage and natural wonders. Visitors can explore the Anchovies Factory, the Santoña Marshes, and even a Napoleonic-themed tour. These experiences provide a unique opportunity to discover the town’s rich history and culinary traditions. Whether you’re interested in food, nature, or history, Santona has a tour that’s sure to captivate.