Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno

The Cabárceno Nature Park is a unique nature and animal park near the city of Santander in the northern Spanish region of Cantabria. It is located on the site of a former iron ore open-cast mine and covers an area of around 750 hectares. The park was opened in 1990 and is now considered one of the most important projects for environmental education and species conservation in Europe.

Cabárceno Park is home to over 120 animal species from all five continents, including elephants, giraffes, bears, lions, tigers, rhinos, hippos and gorillas. The animals live in spacious enclosures that are modelled on their natural habitats and offer them plenty of freedom to roam. The park attaches great importance to species-appropriate husbandry and the breeding of endangered species.

What makes the Cabárceno Nature Park so special is the combination of nature, animals and spectacular scenery. The former mining landscape with rugged rock formations, tunnels and caves gives the park a dramatic backdrop. Visitors can observe the animals from different perspectives – on foot, by car or on one of the modern cable cars, which offer a unique view of the enclosures and the grounds.

A visit to the park is a very special experience for families, nature lovers and photographers. In addition to animal watching, there are also rest areas, playgrounds, a restaurant and picnic areas. The well-maintained paths and roads make the park accessible for pedestrians, pushchairs and wheelchairs.