Isla’s beaches (Arnuero) are among the best in Cantabria, leading the community’s commitment to the Blue Flag Programme. In the Blue Flags 2024 campaign in Cantabria, Isla stands out with two awarded beaches, El Sable and La Arena, which have rarely missed their appointment with the blue flag, and two “Blue Centres”, Molino Santa Olaja and Casa de las Mareas, where an environmental education programme about the coastline is offered.
It has also obtained the Blue Trail rating for two routes:
- “Cliffs of Cabo Quejo”, which links the beaches of El Sable and La Arena along the cliffs, and is a wonderful example of rural tourism in Cantabria.
- “Marisma Joyel Route”, which runs through this area declared a Natural Park, Marismas de Santoña, Victoria and Joyel, and offers guided visits, self-guided visits and a family gymkhana, to explore this ecosystem.
Arnuero has met its goal of developing an appropriate, high-quality public use—full of activities—and at the same time guaranteeing the environmental conservation of the spaces, turning its beaches into barrier-free, inclusive places where everyone can enjoy themselves in the same way, regardless of physical limitations.
Tourism in Cantabria has in the Arnuero Town Hall a clear champion of what it represents as “the best of Cantabria”. More than 10 years have passed since Arnuero implemented the “Integrated Management System for Isla’s Beaches” with the aim of offering beaches of high environmental quality and services. Recognition of this project by visitors has been steadily increasing, as have certifications for its coastline. Thus, after several years with the Blue Flags flying over its shores, in 2011 the certification of “Q for Tourist Quality” and “ISO 14001 for environmental quality” were achieved for the beaches of La Arena and El Sable. It was these very same beaches that obtained “Universal Accessibility Certification” as the culminating point of all the work carried out.
So, the tourist looking for accessible beaches with all services can choose the beaches of El Sable and La Arena, while the small coves and sandy stretches scattered along their estuaries such as Playa de Arnadal, Los Barcos, the coves of the Ría de Quejo, or the untouched beach at the mouth of the Ría de La Arena, are for those seeking another kind of adventure—getting lost in more intimate natural spaces—though always with the guarantee of proper cleanliness, conservation and basic services.
Within its strategic plan “ECOPARQUE DE TRASMIERA”, Arnuero has ensured that the beaches integrated in it are now considered natural spaces within a surrounding environment to which the estuaries, cliffs and salt marshes belong, distinguishing themselves from the classic sun-and-beach tourism model and contributing decisively to the care of marine species and the conservation of protected ecosystems. The effort to integrate was also materialised in 2020, when it received a special distinction for the integration of people with disabilities, which is also included in the ADEAC programme.
Within the Active Tourism proposals in Cantabria, Arnuero also plays a key role, bringing the services of its beaches to a higher level with a wide-ranging programme of entertainment activities on its beaches to promote health and leisure: Zumba, volleyball, paddle tennis or football are part of its proposal to keep active while enjoying a holiday.
ECOPARQUE DE TRASMIERA, CULTURAL LEISURE IN THE MIDST OF NATURE
The Ecoparque de Trasmiera is Arnuero’s plan (Cantabria) to integrate beach management with an attractive cultural and nature tourism proposal. It offers a wide range of centres and activities that have become a tourist landmark, not only in Cantabria but across the whole of Northern Spain. www.ecoparque.info
At Casa de las Mareas, the Marisma Joyel Visitors’ Centre, visitors are brought closer to the marsh ecosystem in a modern and fun way to introduce the flora and fauna of the Natural Park at Marisma Joyel.
Molino de Santa Olaja is presented like a boat in the middle of the water, to show how milling is carried out using the energy of the sea, as it was in medieval times—prompting the visitor to reflect on how clean energy from the tides is harnessed.
The Art Observatory is a bastion of Cantabrian contemporary art, standing as a witness to the thousands of people from Trasmiera who helped build the historic heritage.
At the Centro de Tradiciones Salvador Hedilla, famous figures from Arnuero are recognised, as well as traditions and customs closer to the present day.
The Ecoparque Information offices, in Quejo and in Marisma Joyel, make it easier to learn about the values of all the natural spaces in Arnuero and all the activities in the extensive cultural, leisure and nature programme. The Chamber Music Competition, IslaJazz, the International Festival of Santander, the Isla Chilli Fair, the Vino Costa Cantabria Fair and many more events bring culture to this region.
The opening of the Santiago Camino Information Office in Isla’s Historic Quarter and of the Pilgrims’ Hostel will complete the network of centres and activities that are a Cantabrian tourist reference point.
All this work, planned in the long term, has brought recognition for Arnuero far beyond the local sphere, even beyond Cantabria. By way of example, distinctive awards, prizes and certifications such as the FITUR 2015 Award for the best cultural tourism product, the EDEN 2011 Award (European Destinations of Excellence), the Hispania Nostra 2012 Prize for the recovery of heritage and the Special Mention by the Jury of the Europa Nostra Awards 2014, in the category of heritage conservation. Recently, the Horeca 2022 Prize from the Cantabria Hospitality Association was received for its contribution to improving the tourist offering in the region.
And above all, the pride of the citizens and of the Town Hall itself, which has worked hard to offer visitors inclusive, high-quality tourism alternatives that are accessible to everyone.