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Altamira Museum

Archaeology · Cantabria

Altamira Museum tickets

You can visit the museum and the Neocueva. The original cave takes no new requests.

The museum ticket doesn't cover the original cave: access, limited to five people a week at most, is through a waiting list formed in 2002 that is closed to new requests.

Official price: €3
Free: Sat from 14:00 and Sun all day
Opening hours: Tue–Sat 9:30–18:00 (May–Oct until 20:00), Sun and holidays 9:30–15:00

See tickets on Tiqets

Official prices and opening hours

Official price

General: museum and Neocueva€3
Reduced, with proof€1.50
Altamira Museum annual card€25
State Museums annual card€36.06
Under-18s, over-65s, students aged 18 to 25, Carnet Joven holders, unemployed people, pensioners, large families, with proofFree

Free

Free for everyone on Saturdays from 14:00, on Sundays all day, and on 18 April, 12 October and 6 December; those Saturday afternoon and Sunday tickets are issued only at the ticket office on the day of the visit. With proof, free entry applies to under-18s, over-65s, students aged 18 to 25, Carnet Joven holders, people with a disability, unemployed people, pensioners, large families and teaching staff, among others.

Booking

Two routes: the ticket office on the day, from 9:30 and first come, first served until the day's tickets run out, or online at least one day ahead. An online ticket is valid only for the stated service, date and time; you must arrive 15 minutes early, and there are no changes or refunds. All visitors need a ticket, children included.

Opening hours

November to April: Tuesday to Saturday 9:30 to 18:00. May to October: Tuesday to Saturday 9:30 to 20:00. Sundays and public holidays, 9:30 to 15:00. The ticket office closes 30 minutes before the museum.

Closed

Every Monday, 1 and 6 January, 1 May, 16 September and 24, 25 and 31 December.

Address

Calle Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola s/n, 39330 Santillana del Mar (Cantabria)

Checked on 4 November 2026 · Sources

What you actually get to see

Be clear on this before you drive out: your ticket gets you into the Museo Nacional de Altamira, not the original cave.

The original cave has very tightly limited access, five people a week at most. Entry is by appointment, through a waiting list formed in 2002 and reactivated in 2020. The museum contacts people on it in order of their requests. The list is closed to new names, so that visit can't be bought.

The Neocueva is what you'll see: a rigorous three-dimensional reproduction, based on the study of prehistoric techniques and materials, with the polychrome ceiling and its bison, horses, deer and goats. It's part of the permanent exhibition.

Three ways in

Free at the ticket office. Saturdays from 14:00 and Sundays. These can't be obtained in advance, only at the museum's ticket office on the day.

Same day at the ticket office. Available tickets start going out at 9:30, first come, first served. On public holidays and in peak holiday periods, the museum advises coming early or buying ahead.

Online, at least a day ahead. Valid only for the stated day and time. You must arrive 15 minutes early, and there are no changes or refunds. If you're entitled to free entry, go to the ticket office with your document. General tickets don't need this.

Everyone needs a ticket, children included.

Hours and discounts

It opens Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30–18:00 from November to April and until 20:00 from May to October. Sundays and public holidays, 9:30–15:00. The ticket office closes half an hour earlier. It doesn't open on Mondays.

With a RENFE long-distance train ticket, shown within 48 hours of your journey, you pay 50% less. The museum recommends downloading its free app for the visit.

Reaching Santillana

By car, take the A-8, exit 234. Without one, Puente de San Miguel local train station is 6 km away, and there are Torrelavega–Santillana and Santander–Santillana buses. More plans in the Cantabria guide, with Cabárceno and El Capricho de Gaudí.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the original Altamira cave?

In practice, not unless you're already on the list. Access is limited to five people a week at most, 260 a year, from a waiting list formed in 2002. That list is closed and no new requests are accepted.

What is the Neocueva at Altamira?

A rigorous three-dimensional reproduction of the cave, in the museum's permanent exhibition. It shows Altamira as it was between 35,000 and 13,000 years ago, with its painted polychrome ceiling.

How much are Altamira Museum tickets?

€3 for the general ticket and €1.50 reduced. Under-18s, over-65s and some other groups get in free with proof, but they still need a ticket.

When is the Altamira Museum free?

Saturdays from 14:00, Sundays all day, and on 18 April, 12 October and 6 December. Saturday afternoon and Sunday tickets are issued only at the ticket office on the day.

Do you need to book the Altamira Museum?

You don't have to: the ticket office gives out the day's tickets from 9:30, first come, first served. Online tickets must be bought at least one day ahead. In summer and on public holidays the museum recommends getting tickets in advance.

Where is the Altamira Museum?

2 km from Santillana del Mar, in Cantabria, with free supervised parking on site.

Sources

Facts taken from the official websites, quoted in their original language. Has something changed? Write to info@museums.es.

Official website: Museo Nacional y Centro de Investigación de Altamira
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/cueva-altamira/visita-a-la-cueva.html — La cueva de Altamira tiene un régimen de acceso controlado y muy limitado de visita pública. Este régimen de acceso, aprobado por el Patronato del Museo establece un máximo de cinco personas a la semana (260 personas al año).
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/cueva-altamira/visita-a-la-cueva.html — En estos momentos la lista de espera está cerrada. No se aceptan nuevas solicitudes.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/cueva-altamira/visita-a-la-cueva.html — Esta lista de espera es una lista ya preexistente, conformada en el año 2002.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/cueva-altamira/visita-a-la-cueva.html — Desde el Departamento de Reservas del Museo se está contactando con las personas que figuran en esa lista de espera para concertar las visitas, en riguroso orden de las solicitudes originales.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/que-hacer/exposicion-permanente/neocueva.htm — La Neocueva es una reproducción tridimensional rigurosa, basada en el conocimiento científico y en el estudio de las técnicas y materiales empleados en época prehistórica.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/horario.html — De martes a sábado de 9:30 a 18:00 h. Domingos y festivos de 9:30 a 15:00 h.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/horario.html — De martes a sábado de 9:30 a 20:00 h. Domingos y festivos de 9:30 a 15:00 h.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/horario.html — Todos los lunes del año; 1 y 6 de enero; 1 de mayo; 16 de septiembre; 24, 25 y 31 de diciembre.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/horario.html — El horario de taquilla finaliza 30 minutos antes del cierre del museo.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/horario.html — Durante los meses de verano, en los que el museo recibe mayor afluencia de visitantes, recomendamos obtener las entradas con antelación
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/horario.html — Recomendamos descargar la APP gratuita para hacer la visita guiada por el Museo.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/tarifas.html — General: 3 €
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/tarifas.html — Sábados desde las 14.00 horas y domingos todo el día
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/tarifas.html — Los usuarios de RENFE pueden reducir el 50% presentando su billete de tren de larga distancia dentro de las 48 horas posteriores a su viaje.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/tarifas.html — Menores de 18 años y mayores de 65 años.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/compra-entradas.html — Las entradas disponibles para cada día comienzan a entregarse a las 9:30 en la taquilla según orden de llegada.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/compra-entradas.html — La adquisición de entradas con el sistema venta anticipada se realizará al menos con un día de antelación al de la visita, nunca el mismo día.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/compra-entradas.html — Las entradas adquiridas con los servicios de venta anticipada no admiten cambios ni devolución.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/compra-entradas.html — Las entradas para sábados por la tarde y domingos son gratuitas siempre y se obtienen únicamente en la taquilla del museo el día de la visita.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/compra-entradas.html — Imprescindible máxima puntualidad (15 minutos antes de la hora seleccionada). En caso contrario perderá su derecho de entrada.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/compra-entradas.html — Es necesario sacar entrada para todas las personas que visiten el museo, incluidos los menores de edad.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/compra-entradas.html — La adquisición de entradas gratuitas requerirá la presentación en taquilla del documento oficial correspondiente
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/localizacion.html — El Museo de Altamira se encuentra situado a 2 km del núcleo urbano de Santillana del Mar
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/localizacion.html — El Museo dispone de aparcamiento gratuito vigilado en el interior del recinto para coches y autobuses.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/localizacion.html — Estación de tren de cercanías Puente de San Miguel. A 6 km del museo
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/cueva-altamira/visita-a-la-cueva.html — La Comisión Permanente del Patronato de Altamira tomó la decisión de reactivar la mencionada lista de espera en el año 2020
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/que-hacer/exposicion-permanente/neocueva.htm — La Neocueva nos presenta Altamira tal y como era hace entre 35.000 y 13.000 años
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/que-hacer/exposicion-permanente/neocueva.htm — Sorprende el techo de polícromos con sus bisontes, caballos, ciervos, cabras y signos pintados y grabados.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/compra-entradas.html — En los periodos de mayor afluencia de visitantes como son los días festivos o periodos vacacionales recomendamos obtener las entradas en taquilla en las primeras horas de apertura o realizar su compra de forma anticipada.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/compra-entradas.html — La adquisición de entradas de tipo general no requerirá de validación en taquilla.
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/localizacion.html — acceso desde Asturias y País Vasco por Autovía A-8/E-70 (Salida 234 hacia Santillana del Mar).
cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira/visita/localizacion.html — Líneas de autobús Torrelavega - Santillana y Santander - Santillana.