Laredo is a town on the north coast of Spain in the region of Cantabria and is located between the cities of Santander and Bilbao. Laredo is known in the province for its 5km long beach, which is possibly the most beautiful beach in the region. The town is positioned between the river Treto and the bay of Santona.

Laredo has good and quick access, via motorway, to both Santander or Bilbao, and their ferry terminals and airport. Not being the best-known of Spanish holiday resorts, the hotel capacity of Laredo is rather limited, and most holiday-makers tend to stay in apartments, of which there are many.

 

Laredo is one of the main tourist towns on the Cantabrian coast. The town has three very different areas - the old town and its neighbourhood, the area of the newer suburbs and the extension of this towards El Puntal.

The first of these was declared to be a Historic-Artistic Site in 1970. It is the original population centre dating from the Middle Ages, and it still preserves the remains of its old walls. It is a maze of small streets, on which large stately houses from the 16th to the 18th centuries stand.

At the highest part is the parish church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion, with its Gothic layout and which has a magnificent Flemish reredos inside. The second area, which is the newer part, is the commercial, administrative and service centre.

Lastly, and probably of most interest to visitors, is the area between Plaza de Carlos V and El Puntal. Here you will find three large avenues which run parallel to one another, flanked by the town's two beaches.

Outstanding among Laredo's festivals is the Flower Battle, which is held on the last Friday in August and is a wonderful display of light and colour.