On the one hand, those who arrive moved by religious tourism, with the intention of accompanying the Our Lady of La Barquera, Patron Saint of Sailors. On the other hand, those who are attracted by the history, architecture, gastronomy and unique environment offered by this small corner of Cantabria. If you are one of the latter, keep reading, because today we bring you a list of options to organize a highly varied itinerary.

Cultural route through the fishing town of San Vicente de la Barquera and its surroundings

Beyond the festive atmosphere of La Folía, the month of April is an ideal time to visit San Vicente de la Barquera calmly and discover its rich heritage. But in addition, just a few minutes from the historic centre, you will find beaches, hiking trails, charming villages and incredible viewpoints.

So, if you’re planning to attend La Folía festival, why not take the opportunity to explore a little more?

La Old Town

It is the historic centre of San Vicente de la Barquera, the heart of the town. Its narrow streets invite you to stroll leisurely and immerse yourself in its medieval past, to admire its stone facades, to photograph its balconies in bloom and to fall in love with those small corners that seem frozen in time. In addition, from the highest areas you can enjoy spectacular views of the sea.

King’s Castle

The King’s Castle is a must-see. Without a doubt, one of the most recognizable symbols of the town. The visit is quick (about 30-40 minutes), but highly recommended. Its origin dates back to the thirteenth century, which gives it great historical value. But it also offers one of the best panoramic views of the entire coast of Cantabria, featuring Oyambre Nature Park, the estuary and, on clear days, even the Picos de Europa mountains.

Its bridges and the estuary

The best known is the called Puente de la Maza, one of the longest in northern Spain at the time. Crossing it on foot is a very pleasant walk, especially at sunset. In addition, you can enjoy the picture of the mountains in the background and the reflection of the sky on the water. A perfect place to unwind.

What to see near San Vicente de la Barquera: essential getaways

Once you’ve seen San Vincente, if you have the time, we recommend spending a few hours or even a whole day discovering its surroundings. In less than 30 minutes by car, you can completely change your landscape.

Oyambre Nature Park

Oyambre Nature Park is one of those places that surprises even those who already know northern Spain well. Wide beaches, dunes, green meadows… An environment that seems to be taken from a postcard.

Beaches such as Oyambre or El Merón are ideal for a walk, surfing or simply disconnecting. In addition, access is free, which is always a plus.

Comillas

About 10 km away, you will find Comillas, one of the most interesting towns  in Cantabria from a cultural point of view. There you can visit architectural gems such as Gaudí’s Capricho. Ideal for a half-day excursion.

Picos de Europa

If you fancy a more complete plan, the Picos de Europa mountainsare relatively close (about 45-60 minutes by car). The most striking thing is that the landscape changes radically: mountains, hiking trails and fresh air.

Also, don’t worry, as you don’t need to be an expert in trekking. There are simple routes for the whole family, such as those that start at Fuente Dé, which allow you to enjoy the surroundings without much effort.

Saja Nansa Valley: the most authentic Cantabria

Another recommended option is the Saja Nansa Valley. Small villages, lush forests and a feeling of total disconnection. Ideal to escape from the crowds, enjoying nature and silence.

Take advantage of La Folía to enjoy an unforgettable getaway to San Vicente de la Barquera!

In short, it doesn’t matter if you visit San Vicente for religious devotion, curiosity or cultural tourism, the town and its surroundings offer dozens of options for all tastes. Therefore, our recommendation is that you do not stay only with the procession. Walk through its streets, taste its gastronomy, go to its viewpoints and discover its spectacular landscapes. Only then will you understand why this celebration continues to excite year after year.

Every year, music brings residents and visitors together again. The devotion to Our Lady of La Barquera and the character of the Patron Saint of Sailors are intertwined with the songs, the tambourines, the choirs and the sound of the sea.

The music of La Folía: when the sea also sings

The music of La Folía becomes an extension of the seafaring environment itself, from the first bars on dry land to the explosion at sea, accompanying, guiding and thrilling the attendees.

In fact, the presence of the “Picayas” is one of the most distinctive elements of the festival. The young women, dressed in navy blue and white and accompanied by decorated tambourines, interpret traditional songs or picayos that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Simple melodies, but deeply emotional that accompany key moments such as the arrival of the statue of Our Lady at the port or its embarkation on the fishing boat, generating great emotion among the locals.

La Folía’s leisure programme: music, tradition and joy in the street

In addition to the maritime procession, the leisure program of La Folía features many other activities. For several days, San Vicente de la Barquera is transformed into a living stage where music and gastronomy become the protagonists.

From the church to the port: the musical journey

The tour begins early in the morning with the Wake-Up Call by the Band of Bugles and Drums, and its classic parade through San Vicente, until it reaches the Church of Santa María de los Ángeles, where the mass takes place. The Barquera Choir participates in the religious service and, once it concludes, the music continues through the streets of the town. In the afternoon, with the transfer of the statue to the port, during the journey, the sounds of bugles, songs and tambourines create a festival atmosphere that is also full of solemnity.

When the Virgin arrives at the port, the music changes and becomes more open and cheerful. It is the prelude to embarkation and the grand maritime procession.

The procession on the high seas: the most awaited moment

The high point of the celebration is the moment when the statue of Our Lady of La Barquera is loaded onto a boat decorated with flowers and flags. Dozens of boats accompany the crossing while sirens, songs and cheers sound.

When Night Falls: The Music of La Folía Invites You to Dance Until You Drop

The music in La Folía does not stop when the procession returns to land. On the contrary, it becomes more festive and carefree. From noon, and as the evening approaches, the streets are filled with traditional rhythms and popular melodies that invite you to stay a while longer, with Raíces Barquereñas and the town’s Folklore School. A party that lasts well into the night with the orchestras and the disco in the Plaza Mayor del Fuero, where fatigue takes a back seat and the body endures… empowered by the music.

It’s okay if you don’t know how to dance, you just have to let yourself go.

Cultural tourism: music, landscape and living tradition

La Folía is also a benchmark for cultural tourism in Cantabria, combining heritage, landscape and tradition.

The surroundings of Oyambre Nature Park and the Saja Nansa Valley offer an incomparable setting for the celebration, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of routes, active tourism options and spectacular views of the coast.

Gastronomy and sounds of the north: the perfect end to the experience

We cannot talk about La Folía without talking about gastronomy. Music also whets your appetite. In fact, music, food and parties form an inseparable whole. In the streets of San Vicente it is common to find options such as the Sorropotún (especially in the summer months with the arrival of the coastal tuna of the North) which, without a doubt, you must try. And there is no better way to understand a culture than by experiencing it with all your senses.

All this surrounded by an environment that will captivate you from the first moment: the estuary, the horizon of the Bay of Biscay and, if the day is clear, even the Picos de Europa mountains as a backdrop.

The religious acts of La Folía in San Vicente de la Barquera

During the festival of La Folía, an authentic spiritual itinerary is organized that structures the entire celebration and where Our Lady of La Barquera, patron saint of sailors, is the undisputed protagonist.

The presence of Our Lady marks every moment of the festival. From her transfer to her final embarkation for the procession. The tour featuring the statue begins and ends at the Sanctuary of La Barquera, located at the entrance to the port, a beautiful fifteenth-century building known as “La Capilla.”

Holy Saturday: Solemn Procession and Spiritual Preparation

The beginning of La Folía takes place on Holy Saturday, in the middle of Easter, one day before the Resurrection, giving way to everything that is to come during the festival, which is celebrated one or two weeks later according to the calendar of the tides.

It is a solemn day in which Our Lady is taken from her sanctuary to the Chapel of Las Hijas de Cristo Rey, in the Procession of the Torches, where the statue is accompanied by the neighbours in quiet reflection. The image of Our Lady dressed in a mourning mantle, a detail that symbolizes both pain and hope.

La Folia Sunday: the maritime procession and the culminating moment

La Folia Sunday is the big day. Towards mid-afternoon, the young “picayos” carry the statue to the port, followed in procession by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of La Barquera, the Fishermen’s Guild, civil and religious authorities and the people, where its embarkation is prepared. Without a doubt, one of the festival’s most impressive moments.

The statue is placed on the pier, surrounded by decorated boats, flags and flowers. Afterwards, the sailors put it on a decorated fishing boat, and that is when the maritime procession begins, accompanied by dozens of boats.

It is impossible not to be moved to see how the cortege advances along the estuary while firecrackers, sirens and songs sound forth.

The “picayas,” the music and the traditional spirit of La Folía

One of the most unique elements of La Folia are the “picayas.” Their presence provides a beautiful contrast with the solemnity of the religious act. Young women dressed in navy blue and white who accompany the tour with blue and white tambourines, the official colours of the festival and of San Vicente.

The “picayas” sing throughout the route, both on land and on boarding. Their lyrics are full of references to Our Lady and the sea, creating an almost hypnotic atmosphere that reaches its culmination in the Avenida de los Soportales.

Religious, nature and cultural tourism

The festival also offers the opportunity to discover the town’s seafaring architecture; tour the Old Town; savour traditional dishes such as Sorropotún; and enjoy beautiful landscapes, from the surroundings Oyambre Nature Park to the valleys of the Saja Nansa region.

San Vicente de la Barquera: the perfect setting to experience seafaring devotion

In short, San Vicente de la Barquera is one of the most emblematic towns in northern Spain. Its location, between the sea and the mountains, gives it a unique character within the infinite Bay of Biscay.

In fact, the setting itself contributes to the excitement of the event. The port, the estuary, the historic centre and the open horizon invite you to enjoy the festival in an authentic and emotional way.

Stroll through its streets, share the excitement of the procession or simply let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere… It’s all part of an experience that, without a doubt, deserves to be lived at least once in a lifetime. And why not this year?

During these days, the town is transformed and filled with entertainment. Decorated streets, the smell of tradition and music all day long. But in addition, San Vicente has a privileged location to enjoy well-known routes such as the Northern Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago) or the Camino Lebaniego, and unique nature sites such as Oyambre Nature Park or the surroundings of the Saja Nansa region, which makes it a highly varied destination.

1. The Holy Saturday procession

Although it is one of the festival’s most sobre moments, it is also one of the most emotional. On Holy Saturday, in the middle of Easter, before the Resurrection, the image of Our Lady of La Barquera, dressed in a mourning mantle, is taken from her Sanctuary of La Barquera, at the entrance to the port of San Vicente de la Barquera, to the Chapel of Las Hijas de Cristo Jey, in the so-called Procession of the Torches.  accompanied by residents and visitors in an atmosphere of meditation.

2. The Mass and the preparation of the grand “Foliero Sunday”

A week or two later, depending on the calendar of the tides, “Foliero Sunday” begins with a solemn mass in the Church of Santa María de los Ángeles, where the people, tourists and authorities gather before the big event.

Afterwards, the streets of the town are filled with excitement and movement with traditional Cantabrian music. It is the prelude to the great event of the day, when the Patron Saint of Sailors is taken back to the sea.

3. The maritime procession: the heart of La Folía

This is, without a doubt, the most anticipated moment, when the party reaches its maximum expression. Without a doubt, one of the most impressive maritime processions in the north of the peninsula.

From five in the afternoon, the image of Our Lady of La Barquera is carried from the parish church to the port by the Brotherhood of Our Lady, wandering through the Old Town. Meanwhile, the bells are ringing and the residents walk towards the sea, in the midst of applauses and traditional songs.

Once at the pier, Our Lady is placed on a fishing boat of the Fishermen’s Guild adorned with flags. The scene is spectacular: dozens of ships accompany her while the sound of firecrackers, horns and salutes fills the air.

4. The “Picayas” and traditional songs

One of the moments that most often surprises visitors is that of the “Picayas”. It is a traditional figure of this festival, represented by groups of girls dressed in navy blue and white – featuring the sailors’ gala uniform – who accompany the procession with the traditional songs or picayos and their tambourines decorated in blue and white, the official colours of the festival and of San Vicente, as far as the Avenida de los Soportales,  before embarking, when they perform before Our Lady.

5. Seafood gastronomy and festive atmosphere

Local gastronomy also occupies a leading place within the festival. You can’t miss trying dishes such as Sorropotún, the area’s typical seafood stew, or fresh fish from the Bay of Biscay, while enjoying the nightlife in the Plaza Mayor del Fuero.

Enjoy an unforgettable experience at the La Folía festival!

There are trips that are remembered and others that are experienced. La Folía is not just another festival. The sound of the sea, the devotion of the locals and the soul of Cantabria create an atmosphere that can hardly be explained in words. Everything is authentic. That is why those who live it, never forget it.

All this featuring the spectacular surroundings of Oyambre Nature Park, a place where you can enjoy that feeling of calm that is only found in certain corners of the north.

Therefore, our recommendation is that you do not just come to see it, come and be part of it and experience it from the inside!

In this blog you will find precisely everything you really need to enjoy it, before, during and after the festival. From the full programme to advice on where to stay, what to eat, how to get around the town and, of course, how to understand all the events and traditions that take place when the big day arrives.

What will you find on La Folía’s blog?

In our blog, we not only tell you everything about the festival, but we also give you tips to enjoy it even more. All the useful information in one place.

What happens on Saturday? What happens on Sunday? What time does the maritime procession start? What are the moments you can’t miss?

What is La Folía in San Vicente de la Barquera like?

The festival revolves around devotion to Our Lady of La Barquera, patron saint of sailors. A celebration in which the whole town is involved. The highlight is usually the maritime procession. In our blog, we will explain how it is organized, when the movement in the port begins, how Our Lady embarks and why dozens of boats accompany her.

Where to stay during La Folia

We will also give you advice on accommodation. During these days, San Vicente de la Barquera gets quite crowded, so it is important to book in advance.

In our blog, you will find recommendations on the most convenient areas to sleep near the port, options in nearby towns and what type of accommodation fits best depending on whether you are traveling as a couple, as a family or in a group.

What to eat at La Folía: a taste of the sea in every dish

Another of the great attractions of the area is its food. And during La Folía, even more so. In our blog you will also find gastronomic recommendations: what to order, where to eat and which dishes you should not miss.

We will talk about its delicious seafood cuisine, its typical products and those dishes that are part of the identity of Cantabria, such as Sorropotún, the official gastronomic product of San Vicente.

Practical tips to make the most of the festival

We want you to come and experience La Folía without stress or surprises. Therefore, in addition to the programme and cultural activities, you can find very practical recommendations:

• What time to arrive at the port to see the procession well
• Which areas have the best visibility
• How to get around town on busy days

Enjoy an unforgettable experience in San Vicente de la Barquera!

Let yourself be enveloped by the magic of the Bay of Biscay, the joy of its people and the seafaring essence that defines this town. Discover the culture, the devotion to Our Lady of La Barquera and the festive atmosphere that floods every corner.

Experience the music, the singing, the local gastronomy and the charm of a landscape that you will remember for a lifetime!