About Comillas

Perched on the Cantabrian coast between rolling green hills and the Bay of Biscay, Comillas is a small seaside town of around 2,200 residents that punches far above its weight in charm and history. Founded centuries ago as a modest fishing and farming village, Comillas transformed dramatically in the 19th century when it caught the attention of Spanish royalty and wealthy industrialists returning from the Americas — the so-called “indianos” — who built lavish mansions and commissioned works from leading architects of the era, including a young Antoni Gaudí. Sitting at low elevation right along the shoreline, with dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and pastoral meadows framing the town, Comillas today feels like an open-air museum of Modernist and Eclecticist architecture wrapped in an authentic, unpretentious Cantabrian fishing-village atmosphere.

Heritage, Architecture & Local Sights

Comillas’ most famous landmark is undoubtedly El Capricho, Antoni Gaudí’s whimsical summer villa built for the Marqués de Comillas, distinguished by its sunflower-tiled minaret tower and Moorish-influenced details. Visitors can explore its interiors and gardens, and specialized experiences like the Gaudí’s El Capricho Secret Tour offer deeper insight into its hidden design symbolism. Nearby, the Palacio de Sobrellano and its adjoining chapel, designed by Joan Martorell, showcase neo-Gothic grandeur, while the hilltop Pontifical University building (Universidad Pontificia de Comillas) dominates the skyline with its Catalan Modernist silhouette. The atmospheric Casco Antiguo (old town) is filled with cobbled lanes, the Plaza de la Constitución, and the parish church, all leading down to the harbor and the town’s iconic cemetery, designed in part by Josep Lluís Domènech i Montaner, with its haunting Ángel Exterminador sculpture overlooking the sea.

Living & Lifestyle in Comillas

Life in Comillas moves at a relaxed, community-driven pace typical of Cantabria‘s coastal towns. Summers bring a lively influx of Spanish tourists drawn to Playa de Comillas, a wide sandy beach ideal for families and surfers alike, while winters are quiet, damp, and green, with mild temperatures rarely dropping below freezing but frequent Atlantic rain. Housing is a mix of restored stone townhouses, indiano-era mansions, and more modest modern builds, with property prices notably lower than Spain’s Mediterranean hotspots, making it appealing to retirees and remote workers seeking authenticity over glitz. Amenities are modest but sufficient — local shops, pharmacies, cafés, and a weekly market — with the larger towns of Santillana del Mar and Santander within easy reach for bigger supermarkets, healthcare, and international schooling options.

Gastronomy & Regional Specialties

Cantabrian cuisine is built around exceptional seafood and hearty mountain cooking, and Comillas is no exception. Local restaurants such as Mesón La Montaña serve traditional Cantabrian fare including cocido montañés (a rich bean, cabbage, and pork stew), rabas (fried squid rings), sorropotún tuna stew, and freshly grilled rodaballo and merluza from nearby waters. Anchovies from Santoña, quesada pasiega for dessert, and the region’s creamy Cantabrian cheeses round out the table, often paired with a crisp Albariño or the increasingly popular local Vidadillo wines. Sidra (cider) also makes an appearance, echoing the culinary bridge between Cantabria and neighboring Asturias.

Access & Transportation

Comillas is well connected via the A-8 motorway, which runs along Spain’s northern coast connecting Santander to Asturias and the Basque Country. The nearest train station is in Cabezón de la Sal, roughly 20 minutes away, with regional FEVE/Renfe services linking to Santander. Regular ALSA bus services connect Comillas directly to Santander and Torrelavega. The closest airport is Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport, approximately 45 minutes by car, offering domestic and select European routes, while Asturias Airport near Oviedo provides an alternative for wider international connections.

Essential Spain Travel & Living Guides

Top Sights & Landmarks in Comillas:

  • Mesón La Montaña: Cozy tavern serving local fish and mountain stewCuisine TypeCantabrianAddressPlaza del Mar 3Website UrlOfficial websiteLatitude43.3841Longitude-4.2919
  • El Capricho: Gaudí’s oriental-style summer villa crowned by a minaret-like tower, showcasing his unique architectural vision.TypeHistoric Villa Landmark
  • Playa de Comillas: Scenic beach overlooking the Bay of BiscayTypeSandyLength M900FacilitiesShowers, lifeguards, beach barsBest TimeJune to SeptemberCoordinates43.393700,-4.288000

Available cost-of-living values

Verified rent values are not available for this city.