Santander: The Complete Guide

Playa El Sardinero Santander E1714477793345
© Pixabay

Santander, located along Spain’s northern coast in Cantabria, is a city that seamlessly blends coastal beauty with urban charm. The city’s El Sardinero Beach is one of its most iconic attractions, offering golden sands, turquoise waters, and a picturesque promenade perfect for leisurely strolls. Along the coastline, visitors can also enjoy the stunning views from the Palacio de la Magdalena, a regal estate perched on a cliffside, which provides a breathtaking panorama of the Bay of Biscay. Santander’s relaxed yet elegant atmosphere makes it an ideal destination for those seeking both seaside tranquility and vibrant city life.

Beyond its beaches, Santander’s city center is filled with bustling streets, inviting plazas, and cultural landmarks. The Centro Botín, an architectural marvel designed by Renzo Piano, showcases contemporary art and creative exhibitions, adding a modern touch to the city’s heritage. The Mercado de la Esperanza, a traditional market, is the perfect place to experience local flavors, offering fresh seafood, regional cheeses, and artisanal goods. Whether wandering through elegant boulevards or indulging in fresh produce at a market stall, Santander provides an engaging urban experience infused with local character.

Food lovers will appreciate Santander’s rich gastronomic offerings, deeply rooted in Cantabrian traditions. The city’s seafood is exceptional, with dishes like rabas (fried squid) and marmita de bonito (tuna stew) showcasing the best of local flavors. Visitors can enjoy waterfront dining at one of Santander’s many seafood restaurants or explore cozy taverns tucked into the old town. With its mix of stunning beaches, cultural depth, and delicious cuisine, Santander is a dynamic destination that captures the essence of Cantabria’s coastal charm.

History of Santander

Santander in Antiquity

Santander’s earliest settlements date back to prehistoric times, with archaeological evidence suggesting that ancient communities thrived in the region. The city later became an important site during the Roman era, serving as a strategic coastal settlement with trade links across the empire. Roman influence can still be traced in some remnants of infrastructure, particularly in nearby coastal routes and fortifications that hint at its role in maritime commerce.

Santander in the Middle Ages

During the medieval period, Santander developed into a bustling port town under Christian rule, playing a significant role in trade and naval activity. The construction of key religious sites, including Santander’s early churches and monasteries, highlighted the city’s growing importance as a cultural and ecclesiastical center. The medieval layout of Santander began to take shape, with fortified defenses and a thriving marketplace contributing to its economic expansion.

Santander in the Age of Exploration

With Spain’s expansion into the Americas, Santander emerged as an essential port, facilitating maritime connections between Europe and the New World. The city became a hub for shipbuilding and international commerce, attracting merchants and naval officers. This period marked a time of prosperity, with Santander benefiting from the economic and cultural exchanges brought by overseas expeditions.

Santander in the 19th and 20th Centuries

Santander underwent significant growth during the 19th century, becoming an important center for trade and industry. The city expanded with new infrastructure, elegant boulevards, and cultural institutions that showcased its rising status. However, the 1941 Great Fire of Santander devastated large sections of the city, leading to extensive reconstruction efforts in the decades that followed. Post-war revitalization transformed Santander into a modern yet historically rich destination, blending heritage with urban development.

Santander Today

In contemporary times, Santander continues to thrive as a coastal city renowned for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant cultural scene, and maritime traditions. The city balances its historical legacy with modern innovations, offering visitors a mix of historic landmarks, scenic waterfronts, and dynamic urban experiences. Whether exploring its preserved architectural gems or enjoying its coastline, Santander stands as a testament to the resilience and evolution of a city shaped by centuries of history.

Visiting Santander for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Santander on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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Best things to do and See in Santander

Best Day Trips from Santander

A day trip from Santander offers the perfect opportunity to escape the urban rhythm and discover the surrounding region's charm. Whether you're drawn to scenic countryside, historic villages, or cultural landmarks, the area around Santander provides a variety of easy-to-reach destinations ideal for a one-day itinerary. If you are looking to rent a car in Spain I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Catedral de la Asunción de Santander

Catedral De Santander
CC BY-SA 3.0 / SaraGarc
The Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Santander or  Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady is a Gothic cathedral located in the city centre of Santander. The cathedral is in two sections. The lower church,Iglesia del Santísimo Cristo, is from the early 13th century. The upper church is from the 14th and the cloister from the 15th,…
Location: Catedral de Santander Calle Somorrostro, s/n 39002 Santander Cantabria Spain | Hours: 10am-1pm & 4.30-7pm Mon-Fri, 10am-1pm & 5-8pm Sat & Sun | Price: €1 | Distance: 8.9km
Visiting Catedral de la Asunción de Santander

We recommend to rent a car in Spain through Discover Cars, they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies. Book your rental car here.

Botín Center

Centro Botin Santander Sapin
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Tiia Monto
The Botín Center, is a futuristic two-block building, opened to great fanfare in 2017, as an art center, located in the city of Santander.  The building forms part of a larger urban renovation project of the area aimed to establish the city as one of the cultural and leisure capitals of the Bay of Biscay region. The iconic building was designed…
Location: Centro Botin Muelle de Albareda Paseo de Pereda, s / n 39004 Santander Cantabria, Spain | Hours: 10am-9pm Tue-Sun Jun-Sep, to 8pm Oct-May | Price: galleries adult/child €8/free | Website | Distance: 8.9km
Visiting Botín Center

Here is a complete selection of hotel options in Santander . Feel free to review each one and choose the stay that best suits your needs.

Paseo de Pereda

Cantabria. Santander. Palacete Del Embarcadero. Paseo De Pereda. Spain
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Tomás Fano
Paseo de Pereda is an 800-metre waterfront walkway that stretches between Santander Cathedral and Puertochico . The promenade is lined with some of the most emblematic and beautiful 19th-century buildings of the city that now house bars and restaurants with terraces. The buildings have ashlar walls and are multi-storey and have viewpoints and balconies facing the sea. The walkway is…
Location: Paseo marítimo de Santander Paseo de Pereda, 27 39004 Santander Cantabria Spain | Hours: 24 Hours | Distance: 9.0km
Visiting Paseo de Pereda

Jardines de Pereda

Jardines De Pereda Santander
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Jesús Gómez Fernández
The Pereda Gardens are located in Santander on land reclaimed from the sea that was used as a port dock in 1805. The park was officially inaugurated in 1905 coinciding which coincided with the celebration of an Exhibition of Arts and Industries. José María de Pereda The gardens are named after 19th-century Cantabrian writer José María de Pereda, whose bronze…
Location: Monumento a José María de Pereda 39004 Santander Cantabria Spain | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 9.0km
Visiting Jardines de Pereda

La Magdalena Park

La Magdalena Park
CC BY-SA 3.0 / CeliaDespistada
La Magdalena Park is a park area situated on a headland 3 km east of the center of Santander. It has a large kids’ playground, wooded parkland with beaches, a small zoo with seals, sea lions and penguins, a lighthouse. There are the three caravels here, which are a monument to Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente.  The boats were built…
Location: Parque de La Magdalena Calle Familia Real, 8 39005 Santander Cantabria Spain | Hours: 8am-10pm | Price: Free | Distance: 10.1km
Visiting La Magdalena Park

Palacio de la Magdalena

Palacio De La Magdalena Santander
The Palacio de la Magdalena or Magdalena Palace, is a palace located on the Magdalena Peninsula of the city of Santander, Cantabria, Spain. It is located in the place where the old Fort of San Salvador de Hano was, which protected the entrance to the bay. Built by the architects Javier González Riancho and Gonzalo Bringas Vega the building has an…
Location: Magdalena Av. de la Magdalena, 1E 39005 Santander Cantabria Spain | Hours: Tours hourly 11am-1pm & 4-6pm Mon-Fri, 10am-noon Sat & Sun Oct–mid-Jun, 10am-noon Sat & Sun mid-Jun–Sep | Price: Tours €3 | Website | Distance: 10.2km
Visiting Palacio de la Magdalena

Cabo Mayor Lighthouse

Faro De Cabo Mayor 3
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Tiia Monto
The Lighthouse of Cabo Mayor presides over the entrance to the Bay of Santander and has done so since 1839. In 2001 the lighthouse became completely automated and parts of the tower and the attached buildings were converted to be used as an arts center. Located in the most north-easterly point of the city, surrounding the lighthouse are the Parque…
Location: Faro de Cabo Mayor Avenida del Faro Pintor Eduardo Sanz, s/n 39012 Santander Cantabria Spain | Distance: 12.2km
Visiting Cabo Mayor Lighthouse

Bilbao

Bilbao Spain E1714477930770
Bilbao is a large city in northern Spain, in the province of Biscay and in the Basque Country. Featuring a striking mix of Gothic and contemporary architecture the city was transformed in 1997 when the glittering Guggenheim was opened making it the Basque Country's artistic center.  The city is located 16 kilometres south of the Bay of Biscay on the…
Visiting Bilbao
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Vitoria-Gasteiz

Vitoria   Plaza De La Virgen Blanca
CC BY-SA 1.0 / Zarateman
Vitoria-Gasteiz is the seat of government and the capital city of the Basque Country and the province of Araba/Álava in northern Spain. It hosts the autonomous community's House of Parliament, the Government headquarters, and the Lehendakari's official residence. The municipality, which includes the city and the surrounding 63 agricultural villages, is the largest in the Basque Country, covering a total…
Visiting Vitoria-Gasteiz
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Burgos

Burgos
Burgos, a city in northern Spain and the historic capital of Castile, offers a captivating blend of medieval grandeur and vibrant urban life. Nestled at the confluence of the Arlanzón river tributaries on the edge of the Iberian central plateau, Burgos enchants visitors with its well-preserved architecture, inviting plazas, and cultural richness. The Cathedral of Burgos, a UNESCO World Heritage…
Visiting Burgos
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San Sebastián

San Sebastian 2000624 1920
San Sebastián, located in Basque Country, is a city renowned for its breathtaking coastal scenery, world-class cuisine, and elegant charm. One of its most famous attractions is La Concha Beach, a stunning crescent-shaped bay with golden sands and clear waters that make it perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or taking a relaxing seaside stroll. The beachfront promenade, lined with historic railings…
Visiting San Sebastián
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Logroño

Logrono Rio Ebro Scaled
CC BY-SA 4.0 / LBM1948
Logrono lies mainly undiscovered among the vineyards of La Rioja. Not only the capital of Rioja, Spain's wine growing region it is also possibly its gastronomical capital with a great selection of pintxos (Basque tapas) bars.  The town is full of of tree-studded squares, narrow streets and hidden corners.  Logroño is a city rich in history, originally the Roman town of Vareia, it grew…
Visiting Logroño

Gijón

Gijon
Gijón, set along the rugged coastline of Asturias, is a city where maritime heritage and modern vibrancy converge. Its Playa de San Lorenzo, a sweeping bay with golden sands, is the perfect place to take in the fresh ocean air or enjoy a walk along the Paseo del Muro, a scenic promenade offering uninterrupted sea views. Just beyond the beach,…
Visiting Gijón
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Where to Stay in Santander

Santander offers a variety of excellent accommodations, whether you want to stay close to its picturesque beaches, immerse yourself in the lively city center, or enjoy a quiet retreat with stunning coastal views. El Sardinero is a fantastic choice for those who want direct access to Santander’s most famous beach, with elegant promenades, fine restaurants, and breathtaking sea views. This area is ideal for visitors looking to combine relaxation with a sophisticated atmosphere. A recommended stay here is Hotel Santemar, offering stylish accommodations just steps away from the beach.

For travelers who prefer being at the heart of the city’s dynamic energy, Santander City Center provides easy access to key landmarks such as Plaza Porticada, Centro Botín, and the charming shopping streets lined with traditional cafés. Staying here allows visitors to explore Santander’s cultural scene and enjoy its lively nightlife while still being a short walk from the waterfront. A great option in this area is Hotel Bahía Santander, a modern hotel with stunning bay views and convenient proximity to local attractions.

If you’re looking for a more tranquil escape with panoramic scenery, the Peninsula of La Magdalena offers a serene setting surrounded by green spaces and coastal beauty. This area is perfect for visitors who want to enjoy nature while staying close to historical attractions like the Palacio de la Magdalena and Cabo Mayor Lighthouse. A fantastic stay in this area is Eurostars Hotel Real, an elegant hotel with breathtaking sea views and luxurious amenities.

Using the our Hotel and Accomodation map, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in Santander. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay.

Santander Accommodation Map

Best Time to Visit Santander

Santander in Spring

Spring is an ideal time to visit Santander, as the city awakens with mild temperatures, blooming parks, and fewer crowds than the peak summer season. The coastal landscapes look stunning, making it the perfect time for walking along the El Sardinero promenade or enjoying the scenic views from Palacio de la Magdalena.

A highlight of spring in Santander is Semana Santa (Holy Week), which features religious processions and cultural events throughout the city. The pleasant weather also makes it an excellent time for outdoor activities, whether exploring Santander’s historic old town or venturing to nearby natural spots like Parque de Cabárceno.

Santander in Summer (Best)

Summer is the most popular season to visit Santander, offering warm temperatures, vibrant festivities, and lively coastal attractions. Beach lovers will find El Sardinero Beach at its finest, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and seaside dining. The city thrives with open-air events, making it a great time to enjoy Santander’s nightlife and waterfront concerts.

The biggest cultural event of the season is Semana Grande de Santander, held in late July, featuring parades, music performances, traditional dances, and fireworks. The city also hosts the International Festival of Santander, a prestigious event celebrating classical music, theater, and ballet.

Santander in Autumn

Autumn in Santander offers a quieter, more relaxed experience, with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists. It’s an excellent time to explore Santander’s museums, local markets, and historic sites without the summer crowds. The coastal scenery remains beautiful, with golden hues reflecting off the Bay of Biscay.

The Festival del Mar takes place in October, celebrating Santander’s maritime heritage with boat displays, seafood tastings, and cultural exhibits. Food lovers can also take advantage of the Cantabria Gastronomic Festival, showcasing regional specialties like marmita de bonito and fresh local cheeses.

Santander in Winter

Winter in Santander is mild compared to other regions of Spain, making it a great time for a cozy and peaceful escape. While beach activities are limited, visitors can enjoy picturesque walks along the Paseo Pereda, explore the Centro Botín, or indulge in delicious Cantabrian cuisine at traditional taverns.

December brings the Christmas markets, where festive lights, artisanal crafts, and seasonal treats create a charming atmosphere. Additionally, Carnaval de Santander in February fills the city with vibrant costumes, lively parades, and cheerful celebrations.

Annual Weather Overview

  • January 12°C
  • February 13°C
  • March 13°C
  • April 16°C
  • May 18°C
  • June 20°C
  • July 23°C
  • August 23°C
  • September 22°C
  • October 20°C
  • November 15°C
  • December 14°C

How to get to Santander

By Air: Santander is served by Santander Airport, with flights from major cities in Spain and some international destinations. The airport is located just 5 kilometers from the city center, with easy bus and taxi services available to transport visitors to the heart of the city.

By Train: Santander’s train station connects it to major Spanish cities, including direct routes from Madrid and Bilbao. The journey from Madrid takes about 4 hours, offering a scenic route through the Spanish countryside.

By Bus: Buses to Santander run frequently from cities across Spain. This is often the most economical way to travel, with the bus station centrally located, making it convenient for accessing the city’s main attractions.

By Car: Driving to Santander offers the flexibility to explore the Cantabrian coast at your own pace. The city is well-connected by the Spanish motorway network, with clear routes from Madrid, Bilbao, and other cities. If you are looking to rent a car in Spain I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

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