Santander

Santander, the bride of the sea

Max 22ºC / Min 16ºC

Cantabria

A city that seems plucked from a fairy tale, its life revolves around its bay, recognized as one of the most beautiful in the world.

Santander (Cantabria), in northern Spain, blends lush green mountain landscapes with the white sands of its beaches, combining stately buildings and palatial structures with avant-garde architecture, all while retaining an unmistakable echo of its fishing heritage. Many cities within a city, perfect for discovering.

City of monarchs and fishermen

Santander was the destination par excellence for royalty at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. A stroll through the old town, with its majestic buildings, transports visitors back to that distinguished past - a legacy best embodied by the Magdalena Palace, the city’s crown jewel. This iconic building, located in the highest part of the peninsula of the same name, is one of the essential sights of Santander, allowing you to observe (and photograph) an impressive panoramic view of “the bride of the sea”, as the city is affectionately known, framed by the beach and mountains.Santander blends this magical palatial atmosphere with a fishing tradition that can be enjoyed today, especially in the city's renowned fishing quarter: the ideal place to savour the most traditional local cuisine, so closely linked to the sea, with dishes like rabas (fried calamari), maganos (calamari with onions), or clams in marinara sauce.

This identity, characterised by contrasts, is complemented by the ‘new’ Santander, a city that also looks to the future and embraces the latest cultural and artistic trends. A good example is the modern Centro Botín, designed by the architect and Pritzker Prize winner Renzo Piano, alongside Faro Santander, the Banco Santander Foundation’s new cultural venue. Housed in the historic Pereda building, the bank’s former headquarters, it brings together art, culture and technology in an initiative open to all.

With the family

Santander is a perfect city for a family holiday, as apart from its sights and culinary attractions, it also has activities children will love, such as boat trips around the bay, a stroll through the La Magdalena Marine Park, or a visit to the Maritime Museum. Enjoying a sunny day on one of its beaches is another must-do activity in the area: don't miss El Sardinero, El Camello, Mataleñas, La Concha or Los Peligros.

Santander, in full sail

The promenade in Santander (Cantabria) features enough attractions to deserve a visit, especially since its bay, included in the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays…

Views of Santander and the Magdalena Palace from El Puntal beach

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View from the Cable natural viewing point. Fuente Dé. Cantabria

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Two days in Santander

Santander is one of the most charming and beautiful cities on Spain’s north coast, and an ideal destination for a short break Santander.…

View of Santander and La Magdalena Palace

Cantabria: spectacular scenery

Come to Cantabria in northern Spain, and enjoy a holiday with…

A week in Green Spain

We suggest a route from east to west covering the four regions…

Two days in Santander

Santander is one of the most charming and beautiful cities on…

Santander, in full sail

The promenade in Santander (Cantabria) features enough…

Practical information

How to get there - transport information

Select the means of transport to see how to get there or how to get around at your destination.

How to get to aeroplane

Santander-Seve Ballesteros Airport is 5 kilometres from the city, about a 15-minute drive on the S-10.
Taxi services are available, as well as a bus service that connects to the city every 40 minutes between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm.
Connections with Madrid, Barcelona, the Canary Islands, Seville, Valencia and Málaga and also direct connections with other European cities such as London, Edinburgh, Brussels, Bucharest and Dublin, among others.
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How to get to train

Santander Railway Station is located right in the city centre with connections to other Spanish cities, such as Madrid, Alicante, Bilbao, Palencia and Valladolid, among others.
Located opposite the bus and coach station.
Santander is also a stop on tourist trains such as the Transcantábrico Gran Lujo or the Costa Verde Express.
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How to get to bus

Santander’s bus and coach station is located right in the city centre, offering regular bus services, with numerous national coach connections and some international ones to countries like France and Belgium.
Located opposite Santander railway station.
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How to get to boat

The port is located very centrally and makes it possible to access the city on foot.
It serves two regular ferry routes connecting to Portsmouth and Plymouth (United Kingdom).
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How to get there by road

The main road link to Santander is the A-67 motorway, which connects to the A-1.
Another important road connection is the A-8 or Cantabrian Highway, which runs through the north of Spain.
Please note that street parking in the city centre is limited to a maximum of two hours and is not free (except Saturday afternoons and Sundays). There are many commercial car parks.

Practical information

Most of the sights and points of interests are in the city centre, so it’s easy to explore on foot.
Due to the old town’s characteristic sloping streets, there are several stretches of ramps and escalators, as well as a cable car, to assist you getting around.
If you are travelling by car, please note that street parking in the city centre is limited to a maximum of two hours and is not free (except Saturday afternoons and Sundays). There are many commercial car parks.

How to get around in bus

The city buses run from approximately 6.30 am to 11.30 pm, although it is advisable to consult the timetables for each line.
Three night bus services also operate between approximately midnight and 5:00 a.m.
Various types of travel passes are available, including a rechargeable card, at kiosks and tobacconists.
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How to get around in other means of transport

Taxis in Santander are white with a sky blue horizontal line across them.
There is a tourist bus which visits the main points of interest in the city.
Another option is to explore the Magdalena Peninsula in the tourist train, popularly known as El Magdaleno.
There is also a municipal bike-sharing service, TUeBICI, with multiple stations in the city centre, offering daily passes (as well as monthly and annual passes).
Several companies offer boat trips around the Bay of Santander.