Loveland Castle, also known as Château Laroche, is a full-scale medieval-style castle built single-handedly by Harry D. Andrews, a World War I veteran, starting in the 1920s. Constructed using stones from the Little Miami River and bricks molded from quart milk cartons, Andrews dedicated over 50 years to this labor of love. When you visit, you can wander through the castle’s towers and narrow halls, check out some old-school medieval weapons, and just soak in the quirky, one-of-a-kind vibe. It's a fun and odd little stop with beautiful gardens and a peaceful riverside spot to hang out afterward.

The beach across the bay from Santander is much-loved for its soft sand and relative tranquillity. There is a surf school–the first of its kind in Spain–on the beach, too (Escuela Cántabra de Surf, Calle Isla De Mouro, 12). The best way to get there is by regular boat service run by Los Reginas on the Paseo Marítimo.

This compact yet informative museum details the history of Cantabria with artefacts from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages, plus interactive exhibits. Explanations are provided in both English and Spanish.