Best Travel Guide Santander | ArrivalGuides.com

SantanderGuide was updated: 2025-06-19

Santander is famous for its fabulous beaches and its elegant holidaymakers: King Alfonso XIII used to spend his summers here nearly a hundred years ago, and the town is still popular among fashionable madrileños who like to be seen sauntering along the El Sardinero seafront with its belle époque architecture. When the sun goes down, the town is busy, with great restaurants and a lively bar scene. It is also a good place from which to explore the pristine countryside of Cantabria.

Do & See

Santander is a city favoured by Spanish holidaymakers–the abundance of beautiful sandy beaches, natural parks, and dramatic cliffs make it perfect for the outdoorsy. However, a lively nightlife and curious museums (one that certainly deserves attention is the Cantabrian Prehistory and Archaeology museum) ensure there is something for everyone. For a day trip out of town, head to the scenic village of Santanilla del Mar or the prehistoric caves at Puente Viesgo.

Menéndez Pelayo Library

The impressive collection contains 41,500 volumes gifted to the town by writer and thinker Menéndez Pelayo. The building right behind the historic (early 20th century) library used to be the former home of this celebrated scholar.

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Playa Somo

The beach across the bay from Santander is much-loved for its soft sand and relative tranquillity. There is a surf school–the first of its kind in Spain–on the beach, too (Escuela Cántabra de Surf, Calle Isla De Mouro, 12). The best way to get there is by regular boat service run by Los Reginas on the Paseo Marítimo.

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Forestal Park

TirolinasGo Santander Forestal Park is an adventure park with fun outdoor activities located in a pretty setting in the woods. Here you can slide down 220-metre-long zip lines, cross some rope bridges and walkways, or simply enjoy an active day outdoors with different games and circuits available for the whole family.

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Magdalena Peninsula

The well-maintained Magdalena Peninsula is the city's most attractive area for a pleasant walk, enjoying the views over Santander's two scenic bays, and taking some memorable photographs. The Magdalena Castle is located here, too. There is also a small animal corner with live seals and penguins.

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Funicular del Rio de la Pila

If you find yourself by Río de la Pila street, do take a quick (a mere 3 minutes) ride up on the funicular to the Mirador Río de la Pila, from where spectacular views over the city below and the ocean waters unfold. The ride is free of charge, and the elevator has a maximum capacity of 20 people.

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Paseo Marítimo

This one-kilometre-long boardwalk stretches from the Estación Marítima (Ferry Station) to Puerto Chico and features several points of interest including the Palacete de Embardadero and sculptures of the raqueros–children who used to dive naked into the sea to gather coins thrown by passers-by.

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Population:	172,000 (2021)
Currency:	1 Euro = 100 cents
Emergency Numbers:	Emergency: 112 Fire: 080 Civil Guard: 062
Newspapers:	El País, ABC & El Mundo (Spain’s main national newspapers) Crónica de Cantabria: www.cronicadecantabria.com El Diario Montanés: www.eldiariomontanes.es
Opening Hours:	Shops are open from 9/10 am to 2 pm, and from 5/5:30 pm until 8/8:30 pm. Banks are open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm.
Tourist Information:	Oficina de Turismo de Santander Paseo de Pereda, Santander +34 942 20 30 00 Mon–Fri 9am–7pm, Sat & Sun 10am–2pm