
Cabárceno Park, Spain
Located in the heart of Cantabria, Cabárceno Park is not a conventional zoo or a natural park. It is a space naturalized by the hand of man, from the primitive beauty of its karst landscape, over the 750 hectares of an old open-pit mining operation.
Place Description
Cabárceno Park is designed for educational, cultural, scientific and recreational purposes. It houses more than 100 species of animals from the five continents in semi-freedom, which are distributed in large surface enclosures where one or several species coexist.


In this park, animals live in semi-freedom conditions, in large spaces that replicate their natural habitat as faithfully as possible. In addition to the animal exhibition areas, the park has botanical routes, recreation areas, viewpoints, restaurants, cafeterias and play areas for children.
Tourist Interest
Cabárceno Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cantabria. Each year, it attracts thousands of visitors who come to enjoy the natural beauty of the park and to learn about the different species of animals it houses.
One of the main attractions of the park is the possibility of seeing the animals in an environment that resembles their natural habitat. Visitors can see African elephants bathing in the lake, brown bears climbing the mountains and lions resting in the savannah.
In addition to observing the animals, visitors can enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the park from the numerous viewpoints. They can also learn about the flora and fauna of the park through the botanical routes and educational talks that are regularly offered.
Surroundings of Tourist Interest
The surroundings of Cabárceno Park also offer a large number of tourist attractions. A short drive away is the city of Santander, with its beautiful bay, its beaches and its lively nightlife.
For nature lovers, the Liencres Dunes Natural Park offers stunning landscapes of dunes and beaches. In addition, the region of Cantabria is famous for its prehistoric caves, such as the El Castillo cave and the Altamira cave, both declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
Cabárceno Park and its surroundings offer a wide variety of experiences for all tastes, from observing animals and nature to culture and history.
Gastronomic Products from El Parque de Cabárceno
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Mountain Stew
The Mountain Stew is a traditional dish from the region of Cantabria, where El Parque de Cabárceno is located. This dish consists of a stew of white beans, accompanied by pork meat, chorizo and black pudding. It is a hearty and very tasty dish, perfect for replenishing energy after a day exploring the park.
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Bejes-Tresviso Picón Cheese
This cheese is one of the most emblematic products of Cantabria. It is a blue cheese, with a strong and spicy flavor, which is made by hand in the towns of Bejes and Tresviso. It is a product with Protected Designation of Origin, which guarantees its quality and authenticity.
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Pasiegos Sobaos
The Pasiegos Sobaos are a typical sweet from Cantabria, perfect to enjoy at breakfast or snack time. It is a fluffy and very tasty cake, made with butter, sugar, eggs and flour. They are famous for their crimped paper wrapping, which gives them a characteristic shape.
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Liébana Orujo
The Liébana Orujo is a brandy that is made in the region of Liébana, in Cantabria. It is obtained from the distillation of the grape remains after the wine is made. It is a strong drink, with a high alcohol content, which is usually taken as a digestive after meals.
Outstanding Gastronomic Places in Cabárceno Park
Aside from being an incredible place to enjoy nature and animals, Cabárceno Park also offers a variety of options to enjoy local cuisine. Here are some of the most outstanding places:
Los Osos Restaurant
Located in the heart of Cabárceno Park, Los Osos Restaurant offers a unique culinary experience. Here you can enjoy a variety of traditional dishes from the region, such as mountain stew and game meat, in an unparalleled natural environment. In addition, the restaurant has a large terrace from which you can enjoy spectacular views while tasting your food.
El Lago Tavern
El Lago Tavern is a perfect place to enjoy a quick and delicious meal in Cabárceno Park. This establishment offers a wide variety of sandwiches, burgers and combined dishes, as well as a selection of drinks and desserts. In addition, its location by the lake makes it an ideal place to take a break and enjoy the scenery.
El Mirador Restaurant
El Mirador Restaurant is another of the outstanding gastronomic places in Cabárceno Park. This restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes from Cantabrian cuisine, such as squid rings, onioned bonito or sirloin with Cabrales cheese. In addition, from its terrace you can enjoy impressive panoramic views of the park.
Sporting Activities in Cabárceno Park, Spain
Cycling
Cabárceno Park is an ideal place for cycling enthusiasts. You can travel the park's paths, enjoying the natural beauty and observing the animals in their habitat.


Impulsa la pasión por la aventura en los más jóvenes con la Schwinn Remix, una bicicleta de montaña infantil diseñada específicamente para niños entre 5 y 8 años. Con ruedas de 20 pulgadas y un marco SmartStart en acero ligero, esta bicicleta combina durabilidad con un manejo óptimo adaptado a los pequeños ciclistas. La suspensión frontal y las 6 velocidades ofrecen una experiencia de conducción suave y adaptable a diversos terrenos. Perfecta para exploradores en ciernes, la Schwinn Remix en su vibrante color azul, es la compañera ideal para aventuras inolvidables. Fomenta el amor por el ciclismo desde temprana edad; elige la Schwinn Remix para el próximo gran viaje de tu pequeño.
Hiking
The park offers several hiking routes that will allow you to explore its diversity of flora and fauna. It's a perfect activity for nature and photography lovers.


Mejora tu equipo de aventura con el set de 10 Bomstar Mosquetones con cierre de resorte, tu aliado esencial para el camping, la pesca, el senderismo o cualquier viaje. Fabricados en aluminio duradero, estos ganchos ligeros pero resistentes son perfectos para asegurar tu equipo, organizar tus pertenencias o incluso colgar objetos rápidamente. Fáciles de usar y versátiles, los mosquetones Bomstar son una necesidad para cualquier entusiasta del aire libre. No esperes más para simplificar tu vida al aire libre; adquiere tu set de mosquetones Bomstar hoy y prepárate para cualquier aventura con confianza.
Climbing
For the more adventurous, Cabárceno Park offers the opportunity to practice climbing on its impressive rock formations. It's an activity that requires some physical preparation, but undoubtedly offers spectacular views.


Mejora tu equipo de aventura con el set de 10 Bomstar Mosquetones con cierre de resorte, tu aliado esencial para el camping, la pesca, el senderismo o cualquier viaje. Fabricados en aluminio duradero, estos ganchos ligeros pero resistentes son perfectos para asegurar tu equipo, organizar tus pertenencias o incluso colgar objetos rápidamente. Fáciles de usar y versátiles, los mosquetones Bomstar son una necesidad para cualquier entusiasta del aire libre. No esperes más para simplificar tu vida al aire libre; adquiere tu set de mosquetones Bomstar hoy y prepárate para cualquier aventura con confianza.
Horseback riding
The park also offers the possibility of horseback riding, a different and fun way to travel and enjoy the natural environment.


Protege a tus pequeños jinetes con el casco Covalliero Beauty VG1. Diseñado para brindar seguridad y comodidad en cada monta, este casco es esencial para los amantes de la equitación más jóvenes. Con certificación VG1, garantiza una protección confiable en cualquier aventura ecuestre. Su ajuste preciso y acolchado suave aseguran una experiencia cómoda y segura para los niños mientras exploran el mundo de la equitación. Además, su diseño moderno y colores vibrantes les encantará a los pequeños jinetes. ¡Haz clic ahora para darles el regalo de seguridad y estilo en cada paseo!
Places near Cabárceno Park (Spain)
If you are in Cabárceno Park and wish to explore a bit more, here we present some nearby cities and towns that offer unique tourist and gastronomic experiences: