Valles Pasiegos

Extensive area of open-cast mining landscaped into a hilly wildlife park and zoo. The animals have large enclosures, which also means that some animals may be hard to spot. Some animals are shown during shows - like birds of prey. The price includes unlimited pass for cable car that rides over most of the park, providing unusual view. The whole zoo is drive-through and due to that and long distances, hardly walkable. There are also two bus lines available, though. There are two restaurants available in the middle of the are.

Interpretive centre and access to two caves inhabited from the last Ice Age to the medieval era. Unlike others such as Altamira, you see the original cave art here, such as the lions and giraffe that lived in this region 34,000 years ago. Tours within the caves should be booked in advance, as there are very few slots; tour prices include the Centre admission.

Sobaos are a local dessert, a little sponge cake. This is the bakery and shop, with a small museum.

All those cannon pointing from forts over palm-lined promenades or bristling from gun-decks of Spanish warships: some 26,000 of them were made here from the 17th century, made possible by local iron-mining, and high-temperature furnaces to forge steel. This and similar factories closed in the 19th century when Spain lost its empire, and the foundries of Germany and Britain could make much mightier cannon.

A small museum inside a typical Pasiego house showing traditional crafts and culture.