If you are planning on doing a trip to the town of Potes, you must know that you will find here one of the most beautiful landscapes that you have ever imagined. It belongs to the region of Cantabria, more specifically to the area of the Valle de Liébana, a place of great natural and geographical importance, as this area is where the capital of this province is also found.
This is a strategic place in terms of its geographical location, and also very attractive for tourists. Within it you will find plain areas, although it is also surrounded by mountains. It is also one of the most populated towns in the province of Cantabria, with approximately 1,400 inhabitants.
Tourism here has become one of the main activities this area offers, thanks to the increasing number of visitors it receives more and more each year, who come seeking for its culture or its nature, or both.
One of the main other economic activities in this area has become its accommodation offer in general but, more specifically, rural tourism, which has meant a considerable increase in the number of visitors. This is the result of the great geographical and protected natural conditions, which are always respected by the kind of rural tourism you will find here.
Potes is a place full of nature, and one of great variety of landscapes, as two of the most important rivers of this area are met in the vicinities of this town: the Quiviesa, and the Deva, as well as four different valleys.
This town is also known as the town of bridges and towers. Other stories about this place, which have now become legend, are the many wars and battles that took place here in the Middle-Ages, especially those held between the house of the Manrique, and the house of the Mendoza.
This place has been, without question, home to a convulsed history and many other things you will be surprised to learn about, so don’t miss your chance of soaking into the history of its place as you walk along its streets and discover it.
We have made a short list for you of the places we recommend you visit during your stay in Potes, and which will allow you to get to know more this place, and each of its spots ad secrets, hidden in this area.
You will find here three different Cultural Heritage Sites, which are the Vila de Potes, where you will find the Torre del Infamado, another important part of its heritage, and the old Convento de la Villa, which is in the process of being turned into the town hall.
The church honoring San Vicente, whose local festivities are celebrated on the 22nd of January, is nowadays considered one of the most important historical monuments in Potes.
The old Convento de Raimundo was built in the 17th century, but it is nom longer a religious building, but a venue for art exhibitions, that will also allow visitors to know and discover a little bit more about the ‘comarca’ or geopolitical subdivision of Liébana, and about one of its more important mountains; the Picos de Europa.
And, of course, you mustn’t forget to stroll by the streets and alleys of the old town, where you will surely be surprised the magic of its architecture, its typical houses, and the impressive views of the valley.
Potes is a very peculiar and unique place, so much so, that it has its own microclimate very different to its surrounding areas and which has allowed for the crops of the black poplar, vines, and walnut trees to grow in excellent and singular conditions, resulting in some of the most popular, local products: orujo.
This is a place where rain falls very often during most of the year, even during the driest months, such is the month of July here.
The lowest temperature here usually doesn’t reach the 7ºC, which means that we strongly recommend you pack some warm clothes and an umbrella, just in case so that the weather doesn’t catch you unprepared.
If there is a key aspect of the tourism of this place, that id its local gastronomy, very distinctive and representing the essence of this place with a great variety of local products.
If there is a star dish that represents the gastronomy of Potes, that is ‘cocido lebaniego’ a stew elaborated with a local variety of chickpeas which makes for a perfect hot meal for the coldest days.
Meat is another protagonist of the local gastronomy, since this is also a place of great livestock pastures. Some of the most popular meat products here are boar and the roe deer, amongst others, and are usually eaten roasted.
The local cheese here, handmade according to the traditional way of elaborating cheese, are one of the delicacies you will be able to try here.
As we mentioned before, the region of Liébana is famous for its liquors, which will put a perfect end to any of your meals here, together with some of the traditional local desserts, such as the ‘frisuelos’, one of the most popular sweet delicacies here.
Finally, one of the things you should take into account if you finally decide to come to Potes, is the kind of transport you will be taking, since it will determine what is the best route that will take you there.
If you are coming by car, motorways are your best and quickest option, taking you a 4 hour journey if you are coming from the center of the peninsula, for example.
You can also come here by bus or train, since there are several bus and train stations very close to Potes, connecting with the rest of Spanish provinces.
