The Best Travel Guide to Santander

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Santander

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Overview

Santander The guide was updated: 2023-04-23

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.

Facts

Population:	172,000 (2021)
Currency:	1 Euro = 100 cents
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
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

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Section in Santander

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

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.

Playa Somo

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.

Forestal Park

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.

Magdalena Peninsula

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.

Funicular del Rio de la Pila

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.

Paseo Marítimo

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.

Puerto Chico

Puerto Chico

Puerto Chico is one of Santander's liveliest areas, with a waterside promenade and several curious statues. Once a busier port, Puerto Chico is still home to sea vessels coming in and out. Take a walk by the harbour and watch local fishermen arrive with the catch of the day. There are some good-value bars, restaurants, and cafés in the area. Many locals come here on the weekends for a meal or an evening stroll.

Cuevas de Monte Castillo

Cuevas de Monte Castillo

Check out the magnificent caves at Puente Viesgo (24 kilometres from Santander), where stalactites and stalagmites stretch among incredible prehistoric paintings. The village itself is also worth a look around. Tours start at the visitor centre 1.5 kilometres above the village.

Museo Marítimo del Cantábrico

Museo Marítimo del Cantábrico

With exhibits ranging from model boats to fish skeletons and sixteen aquariums, this is a superb museum about all things nautical. Look out for the two-headed sardine and the famous 60-ton whale skeleton. If after your visit you get hungry, there's a on-site restaurant with bay views.

Club Náutico La Horadada

Club Náutico La Horadada

This yacht club on Playa de la Magdalena offers a wealth of water sports for the active beach-goer, including windsurfing, surfing, sailing, waterskiing, and canoeing. Courses in multiple water sporting activities are offered to beginners (from bodyboarding to kayaking).

Playa del Sardinero

Playa del Sardinero

This beach is the largest and the most popular one in Santander. It is divided into three parts: Playa de la Concha to the south, Primera Playa, and Segunda Playa to the north. A short walk from Segunda Playa is the Cabo Mayor lighthouse, perched on picturesque, towering cliffs.

Santillana del Mar

Santillana del Mar

Enjoy a day trip to this sensationally pretty village, 26 kilometres west of Santander. Santillana del Mar is a historic Spanish town with some interesting architectural treasures. To get there, take one of the Autobuses La Cantabria buses from the main bus station in Santander.

Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art of Santander & Cantabria

Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art of Santander & Cantabria

This museum of modern and contemporary art features works by Goya, including his portrait of Fernando VII and Zurbarán, as well as lesser-known modern pieces. There are more than 225 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, prints, video creations, and sound art.

Santander Cathedral

Santander Cathedral

This Gothic building was restored after the 1941 fire and now, it welcomes visitors to its renovated interior. Relics include the skulls of Santander's patron saints and the tomb of legendary local writer Marcelino Menéndez y Pelayo.

Cabárceno Natural Park

Cabárceno Natural Park

Cabárceno Natural Park is a nature reserve and zoo situated in Penagos–17 kilometres south of Santander. Consisting of 750 hectares, the park is located in a former open-pit iron mine on a karstic landscape. It is home to animals such as brown bears, elephants, tigers, gorillas and lions–to name a few.

Jardines de Piquío

Jardines de Piquío

Stroll around this garden park located between two beautiful beaches in Santander. Here you can admire the views over the Cantabric Sea. Besides tree-lined alleys and flowers, there are lots of play areas for children as well as well-maintained, lush green lawns.

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