Barcena Mayor

Highlights

  • • Historic-Artistic Site since 1979: oldest inhabited village in Cantabria
  • • 16th-17th century mountain houses with wooden balconies
  • • Cocido montanes: the most celebrated in the entire region
  • • Cobblestone streets closed to vehicles
  • • At the gates of the Saja Reserve and Ucieda Forest

Description

Barcena Mayor is a small hamlet at 495 metres altitude in the municipality of Los Tojos, considered the oldest inhabited village in Cantabria. Declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1979, its cluster of 16th and 17th-century mountain manor houses remains intact: stone, oak timber, south-facing balconies and slate roofs line cobblestone streets closed to traffic.

The village thrives on gastronomy and rural tourism. Its restaurants serve the region's most celebrated cocido montanes: white beans, cabbage, chorizo, black pudding, ribs and bacon in two courses. In autumn, game stews and wild mushrooms from the forest complete the menu.

Set in the Cabuerniga Valley at the gates of the Saja Reserve, Barcena Mayor is a starting point for hiking routes to the Ucieda Forest and the high pastures of Saja-Besaya.

Key Information

Visit Duration

2-3 hours

Related Destinations

Guide

Essential information for visiting Barcena Mayor

Location

How to get there

By carBy public transport
Practical Information
Visit Duration
2-3 hours
Historical Facts

Declared Historic-Artistic Site in 1979. Houses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. Mentioned in medieval documents of the Monastery of Santillana.

Things to do

Activities and experiences near Barcena Mayor

20

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers about Barcena Mayor

Cars are left at a free car park at the village entrance. The centre is pedestrian only.
Several village restaurants serve cocido year-round. Book ahead on weekends and holidays.
2-3 hours for the village walk and a meal. Add a hiking route towards Ucieda for half a day.