Loredo beach, in Ribamontán al Mar, is one of the longest beaches in Cantabria: 1,400 meters of golden sand, free parking for more than 100 cars, and accessible facilities. The surf can be strong, so it's worth checking the flag before swimming. It's about 45 minutes by car from Bareyo along the Santander bay.
The coastline running from Somo to Loredo forms one of the longest strips of sand in northern Spain, and Loredo occupies the far end, away from the surf crowds of Somo and a little more sheltered from the wind. This isn't a hidden cove or a secret spot: it's a big, open beach built for spending the whole day without having to hunt for space.
Unlike the coves of Trasmiera, you don't need to hike in or track the tide closely to enjoy it here. Access is straight off the road, parking is generous, and the facilities cover the basics. That said, the surf can pick up considerably on stormy days, so it's not the calmest beach for young children without close supervision.
What Loredo beach is like, and what sets it apart
Loredo runs 1,400 meters long and about 80 meters wide at low tide, with fine golden sand that merges almost seamlessly into Somo's, forming a single stretch of sand several kilometers long. The surf tends to be strong and wind-driven, which makes it an appealing spot for surfing or bodyboarding without heading all the way to Somo's surf scene — though it's also worth keeping in mind if you're travelling with young children or aren't confident swimmers. Behind the sand runs a line of low dunes that separates the beach from the marshland meadows, a contrast you won't always find on the bay's more urban beaches. It's worth checking the flag before swimming, and if the sea is rough, it's best to stay close to shore or head for the more sheltered stretch nearer the village.
Parking and access to Loredo beach
You get there by car on the CA-440, which links Loredo to the rest of Ribamontán al Mar. The car park isn't attended, but it holds more than 100 vehicles, which is a relief compared to other beaches in the area where finding a spot in August is a lottery. The beach has adapted access for people with reduced mobility, an amphibious beach wheelchair available in season, showers, and foot-washing points. Coming from Bareyo, the most direct route follows the Santander bay through Solares and Puente Arce; you can also drive to Santander, about 25 minutes, and take the Los Reginas ferry across to Somo, though from there Loredo is still a walk or a short drive away.
The Derby of Loredo: the horse-racing tradition that fills the sand
Every year, in early August at low tide, the beach turns into an improvised racecourse for the International Derby of Loredo, a horse race held on the sand since 1956 that's been declared a Regional Festival of Tourist Interest. Alongside the thoroughbred races, the program includes pony races, dressage displays, and activities for all ages, and the fair-like atmosphere makes it one of the liveliest plans of the summer in Ribamontán al Mar. If your dates don't line up with the event, it's still worth knowing about — it explains a good part of why locals are so fond of this beach.
What you need to know
Loredo beach is in the municipality of Ribamontán al Mar, next to Somo. It has a lifeguard and flag system during swimming season, showers, foot-washing points, and adapted access with a beach wheelchair. Parking is free and unattended, with room for more than 100 cars. There are several beach bars and cafés along the promenade for a bite without leaving the sand, and dogs aren't allowed on the main stretch during swimming season. From Bareyo, allow about 45 minutes by car along the Santander bay, or combine a drive to Santander with the ferry to Somo if you'd rather avoid the road. The Ribamontán al Mar tourist office publishes beach conditions and updated service information every season.
Since 1956, this beach has turned once a year into the only horse racecourse in Cantabria that gets washed away by the next tide.
If your visit lines up with the fiestas of the Virgen de Latas, the hermitage that gives this part of Ribamontán al Mar its name, our guide to the fiestas of the Virgen de Latas in Loredo has the full program for the maritime procession and the pilgrimage. And if after a day at a big beach you fancy something quieter, Bareyo Residences is less than an hour from here, with the Camino de Santiago at the door and two villas.
