McRent Rental company category:Standard
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McRent Cantabria c/o Caravaning Cantabria Mobile S.L.Pol. Ind. Mies de Molladar Nave E21, 39311 CartesView map
Hiring a campervan in Cartes means starting out from a medieval village in Cantabria, strung along its old camino real, the road that once linked Castile with the ports of the coast. Right next to Torrelavega, where the Besaya valley opens out, it leads as easily to Santillana del Mar and the beaches as to the Pas valleys, the high plateaus of Campoo and the Liébana, at the foot of the Picos de Europa. One partner company has its depot here: McRent, based at Caravaning Cantabria.
The depot lies in the Mies de Molladar business park, a stone's throw from the A-67 and A-8 motorways.
1 rental partner
Where to pick up your vehicle in Cartes?
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in Cartes
| Vehicle | Winter January | Spring April | Summer July | Autumn October |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €79/day median €84/day | from €94/day median €98/day | from €143/day median €146/day | from €92/day median €96/day |
| Low-profile motorhome | from €94/day median €115/day | from €109/day median €137/day | from €141/day median €172/day | from €107/day median €135/day |
| Large motorhome | from €115/day median €115/day | from €132/day median €144/day | from €178/day median €178/day | from €135/day median €141/day |
Daily prices observed on October 29, 2026 for a 14-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 1 rental companies compared. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €900.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Cartes
1 Monte Castillo caves, the Pas valleys and Cabárceno
- Cartes
- Puente Viesgo
- Vega de Pas
- Liérganes
- Cabárceno
- Cartes
Following the Besaya upstream, you reach Puente Viesgo, where the Monte Castillo caves, a World Heritage site like Altamira, hold painted hands among the oldest in Europe. The Pas valley then climbs to Vega de Pas, home of sobaos and dry-stone herders' huts, before the descent to Liérganes and its houses bearing coats of arms.
Cabárceno park, set in a former iron mine where elephants and bears roam in semi-freedom, rounds off this short loop.
- Distance
- about 150 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
2 Campoo, the source of the Ebro and rock-cut churches
- Cartes
- Reinosa
- Fontibre
- Julióbriga
- Polientes
- Santa María de Valverde
- Aguilar de Campoo
- Cartes
The A-67 follows the Besaya gorges up to Reinosa, capital of the high Campoo valley. At Fontibre the Ebro is born, held back further on by a vast reservoir lined by the Roman ruins of Julióbriga. To the south, the Valderredible valley hides churches carved into the sandstone, such as Santa María de Valverde, before Aguilar de Campoo and its Romanesque monastery, already in Castile.
A high-altitude circuit, cool in midsummer but exposed to snow in winter.
- Distance
- about 300 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
3 The Saja and Nansa valleys to the Liébana
- Cartes
- Bárcena Mayor
- Carmona
- Puentenansa
- Lebeña
- Santo Toribio de Liébana
- Mogrovejo
- Cartes
Heading west, the Cabuérniga valley leads to Bárcena Mayor, a stone village lost in the beech woods of the Saja-Besaya natural park. The Carmona pass drops into the Nansa valley, from where small mountain roads reach the Liébana: the Mozarabic church of Santa María de Lebeña, the monastery of Santo Toribio, which keeps a revered fragment of the Cross, and Mogrovejo, set against the rock walls of the Picos.
Return via the La Hermida gorges and the Cantabrian motorway.
- Distance
- about 280 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
Weather and seasons
When to go in Cartes?
Best time
Late spring and September
May to June, September
The most pleasant months to set off from Cartes: long days, intensely green meadows and the passes of Campoo and the Liébana free of snow. The Atlantic climate remains changeable, with showers possible at any time, but Cabárceno, the caves and the mountain villages are still quiet.
High season
High summer
July to August
July and August bring Atlantic mildness rather than fierce heat, which draws many holidaymakers from southern Spain to Cantabria. Caves, Cabárceno park and the villages of the Liébana are fully booked: reserve your vehicle, visits and campsites early. On the coast, watch out for the galerna, a sudden gale blowing in from the sea.
April and October
April, October
Fickle shoulder seasons, with drizzle, mist and bright spells following one another. In autumn, the south wind sometimes brings surprisingly warm days, and the Saja beech woods take on their colours. Holy Week, in April, already fills the campsites; some only open at that time.
Winter
November to March
November to March
Winter stays mild near the coast, but it is very wet and the days are short. Higher up, snow whitens Campoo, where skiers and motorhome travellers meet at the Alto Campoo resort, and can close the passes to the Liébana. A heated vehicle and campsites open all year round are essential.
Climate in Cartes, month by month
Most pleasant months: July to August.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13 °C | 5 °C | 133 mm | 6 h/day | 14 °C |
| Feb | 15 °C | 6 °C | 104 mm | 7 h/day | 14 °C |
| Mar | 15 °C | 7 °C | 111 mm | 9 h/day | 14 °C |
| Apr | 17 °C | 9 °C | 94 mm | 9 h/day | 14 °C |
| May | 19 °C | 11 °C | 91 mm | 11 h/day | 16 °C |
| Jun | 22 °C | 14 °C | 91 mm | 10 h/day | 19 °C |
| Jul | 24 °C | 16 °C | 63 mm | 11 h/day | 21 °C |
| Aug | 25 °C | 17 °C | 61 mm | 10 h/day | 21 °C |
| Sep | 23 °C | 15 °C | 94 mm | 10 h/day | 21 °C |
| Oct | 21 °C | 12 °C | 103 mm | 8 h/day | 19 °C |
| Nov | 16 °C | 9 °C | 158 mm | 6 h/day | 17 °C |
| Dec | 15 °C | 7 °C | 130 mm | 6 h/day | 15 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Pick-up in Mies de Molladar
The McRent depot is at Caravaning Cantabria, in the Mies de Molladar business park, in the municipality of Cartes, on the southern edge of Torrelavega. The motorway junction is very close, and the supermarkets of Torrelavega let you stock up before setting off: agree on the vehicle handover time with the company.
Santander or Bilbao by air
Santander airport is about half an hour's drive away, the most convenient option for reaching Cartes. Bilbao airport, better served by international flights, is about 130 km away along the A-8. If you land late, plan a night in Torrelavega or Santander and collect the vehicle the next morning.
Book caves and cable car
The Monte Castillo caves are visited in small groups, by reservation, and the Altamira museum, in Santillana del Mar, shows a faithful replica of the original cave, which is almost closed to the public. In summer, book your time slots too, and expect long queues at the Fuente Dé cable car, at the far end of the Liébana.
Strolling the camino real
The main street of Cartes, lined with houses bearing coats of arms and the Manrique tower, is narrow and best explored on foot. Leave the motorhome on the edge of the village or in Torrelavega, then walk up the old royal road, used for centuries by convoys carrying wool and wheat from Castile.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Cartes
Where can I pick up a motorhome in Cartes?
McRent is our partner company in Cartes. Its depot, McRent Cantabria, is hosted by Caravaning Cantabria in the Mies de Molladar business park, south of Torrelavega. The exact address and meeting time appear in your booking confirmation; let the company know how you are arriving, whether by train, plane or car.
How much does motorhome hire in Cartes cost?
The rate varies greatly with the season, the length of hire and the type of vehicle, from a compact camper van to a family motorhome. Run a search with your dates: you will get the actual prices offered by the company, mandatory fees included, bookable straight away. July and August trips are the most expensive.
Can I return the vehicle in another city?
McRent has other depots in northern Spain, including at Loiu near Bilbao, in Gijón, in Irun near San Sebastián, in Lugo and in A Coruña. If the company accepts a one-way hire for your dates, any fees are included in the displayed price as soon as you enter the return city in your search.
What is there to see in Cartes before hitting the road?
The village is a listed historic ensemble thanks to its camino real, the old royal road between Castile and the coast, still lined with noble houses bearing coats of arms. The Manrique tower, a fortified medieval residence, is its main monument. An hour is enough for a stroll before heading to Santillana del Mar or nearby Torrelavega.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Cartes with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Excellent service, speed, and courtesy
T.
Spain · Sep 2025
Trustpilot
EXCELLENT IN EVERY WAY. HIGH-QUALITY VEHICLE. FRIENDLY STAFF. NO PROBLEMS.
Isabelle L.
Spain · Jul 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Very good price and good service
Serge G.
Spain · Mar 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Cartes
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in Spain?
For a motorhome, campervan or camper van under 3.5 tonnes, a category B licence is enough. If your licence was not issued in the European Union, bring an international driving permit. McRent also states, in the offer conditions, the minimum driver age and the number of years a licence must have been held.
Where can I sleep in a motorhome in Cantabria?
The region has many campsites and motorhome areas, both on the coast and in the inland valleys. Simply parking overnight is sometimes tolerated, as long as nothing is set up around the vehicle, but many municipalities and protected areas, such as the Picos de Europa, prohibit it: follow the signs and check the local rules.
Are the roads of Campoo and the Liébana passable in winter?
The A-67 motorway, which crosses the Campoo uplands, is cleared of snow as a priority, but minor roads and the passes towards the Liébana or Castile can be closed after a snowfall. Check road conditions before setting off and ask the company whether the vehicle has winter tyres or snow chains.
How do I get to Cartes without a car?
Torrelavega, Cartes' immediate neighbour, is linked to Santander by frequent commuter trains and regular buses; the coastal railway line towards Asturias also stops there. From the station, a taxi reaches the Mies de Molladar business park in a few minutes.
Can I take the motorhome to France or Portugal?
The French border is about two and a half hours' drive away along the A-8, with Galicia and Portugal further west. Crossing into another country depends on the company's conditions and the insurance: check the permitted countries and any surcharge in the offer before planning such a route.
When should I book a motorhome in Cartes?
With a single depot on site, the number of available vehicles is limited: for July, August and Holy Week, book several months in advance. In spring and September, a few weeks are often enough, and winter offers the widest choice, especially for the most sought-after camper vans.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Cartes
Cartes offers a discreet and practical starting point, away from the bustle of Santander, at the crossroads of Cantabria's two main routes: the A-8, which runs along the coast, and the A-67, which climbs towards Castile. In less than an hour, you can reach the lanes of Santillana del Mar and the beaches of the coast as easily as the decorated caves of the Besaya or the Pas pastures.
Further on, the high plateaus of Campoo, the source of the Ebro and the rock-cut churches of Valderredible reveal a little-known Cantabria, while the Liébana leads into the heart of the Picos de Europa. McRent, based at Caravaning Cantabria, offers motorhomes and camper vans for these valley and mountain roads. And with a temperate summer, free of crushing heat, the region lends itself to touring when the rest of Spain swelters.