Park of Montagnola (Parco della Montagnola) is an enchanting green space nestled in the heart of the city. With its lush vegetation, meandering pathways, and charming pond, the park provides a picturesque setting for leisurely strolls, picnics, or simply basking in the beauty of nature.

Tucked into the Akamas Peninsula’s rugged coastline, the Baths of Aphrodite — a mossy grotto where water trickles into a shallow pool — feels more like a quiet woodland chapel than a grand spa. According to legend, this was where the goddess bathed and first locked eyes with Adonis. The site’s magic lies in its simplicity: a single ancient fig tree drapes shade over the spring, its roots tangled in the rocks like something from a Pre-Raphaelite painting. More than just a photo stop, the baths anchor the Aphrodite Natural Trail, a network of walking routes through the peninsula’s botanical gardens and coastal cliffs. The easiest (200 metres) path winds past oleanders and carob trees to a babbling stream, while longer hikes like the 5-kilometre Adonis Trail reveal sea views and hidden coves. Practicalities are well managed: a car park, clean toilets, and a no-frills café sit near the entrance, while the Archaeological Museum of Marion-Arsinoe (15 minutes’ drive) adds context for mythology buffs. Come early to beat the coach tours; dawn light through the fig leaves makes the grotto glow.

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.