Santander

Travel Guide
Palacio de la Magdalena which includes a garden and heritage architecture
Stroll down sweeping sandy beaches and waterfront promenades in this magnificent seaside city that has lured vacationers since the 19th century.

Santander is Cantabria’s major hub and an exciting seaside city in northern Spain. The city has broad appeal for its wide beaches, boutique shopping and vivid dining scene. Check the surf or explore the busy city harbors. The city’s historic district is a charming neighborhood with belle époque grandeur and elegant civic landmarks.

Wide beaches and a series of harbors border Santander’s northeastern area, alongside the mouth of the gorgeous Bahía de Santander. This bay area is where you’ll find the popular seaside resorts for which the city is now known. Visit the handsome beachside neighborhood of El Sardinero to see some of the city’s most exquisite heritage architecture. The waterfront has a wide promenade with a collection of beautiful buildings, including hotels, restaurants, cafés and the impressive Gran Casino del Sardinero. Stroll along the broad promenade or check out 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers) of golden sands on Sardinero’s popular beach. Swim in the gentle waves or relax on the sand. Other popular beaches in the Santander municipality include Los Peligros and San Marcos.

The southern part of Santander is where you’ll find the city’s preserved historic district, where a selection of buildings survived the fire that raged through the city in 1941. Among the downtown treasures are the Cathedral of Santander and the Palacio de la Magdalena. Walk out toward the bay’s headlands to see the Cabo Mayor Lighthouse and explore the grassy coastal park. Walk along the Paseo de Pereda to find cafés with bayside views. Try delicious local seafood dishes that include the region’s specialties: clams, squid, sardines and seabream.

Learn about the region’s history at the Cantabrian Regional Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology or check out the Cantabrian Maritime Museum.

Santander is the capital of the Cantabria region. Reach the city via its airport or make use of the network of trains, buses and ferries that connect the city to other major Spanish hubs. Choose from Santander’s wide range of accommodations, from luxury resorts to charming seaside villas in the wider municipality. The city is a popular vacation spot for Spaniards, so visit outside of peak periods to avoid the crowds.

Where to stay in Santander

Banco Santander featuring heritage architecture

Santander City Centre

5/5(19 area reviews)

Santander City Centre is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Plaza Porticada or Centro Botín.

Santander City Centre
Monumento a Los Raqueros which includes outdoor art, a bay or harbor and a statue or sculpture

Puertochico

The beaches and waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Puertochico. A stop by Chico Port or Bay of Biscay might round out your trip.

Puertochico
This very high statue of a woman looking through a telescope in central Santander is called Into the future

Cabildo de Arriba

The pristine beaches and captivating waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Cabildo de Arriba. A stop by Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Consolacion or Sotileza Mural might round out your trip.

Cabildo de Arriba
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Castilla-Hermida

Pristine beaches and captivating waterfront views are well-reviewed features of Castilla-Hermida. Make a stop by top sights like La Marga Park while you're exploring the area.

Castilla-Hermida
Cantabria Maritime Museum which includes marine life and interior views

San Martín

Notable for its beaches, shopping, and waterfront views, San Martín is a sought-after destination for many travelers visiting Santander. If you want to see some sights in the area, check out Cantabria Maritime Museum or Chico Port.

San Martín
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Tetuán

Pristine beaches and captivating waterfront views are well-reviewed features of Tetuán. Make a stop by top sights like The Cathedral while you're exploring the area.

Tetuán
Hotel Santemar
Hotel Santemar
4 out of 5
C/ Joaquin Costa, 28, Santander, Cantabria
The price is ¥11,423 per night from May 27 to May 28
¥11,423
per night
May 27 - May 28
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (748 reviews)
Lovely hotel Would highly recommend
"The room was really clean.The bed was very large and comfortable Staff very friendly"

Reviewed on May 2, 2024

Hotel Santemar
Hotel Bahia
Hotel Bahia
4 out of 5
C/ Cádiz, 22, Santander, Cantabria
The price is ¥13,861 per night from May 19 to May 20
¥13,861
per night
May 19 - May 20
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (996 reviews)
"Lovely hotel in a great location. Perfect for a long weekend."

Reviewed on May 6, 2024

Hotel Bahia
Hotel Chiqui
Hotel Chiqui
3 out of 5
Avda. Manuel García Lago 9, Santander, Cantabria
The price is ¥14,909 per night from Jun 11 to Jun 12
¥14,909
per night
Jun 11 - Jun 12
Stay at this 3-star golf hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (685 reviews)
"I like overall everything."

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

Hotel Chiqui
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Apartamentos River Santander
Apartamentos River Santander
3 out of 5
Ojaiz 166, Santander, Cantabria
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Santander Ferry Terminal and El Sardinero ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (65 reviews)
"I would have rated the property much higher save for two issues. The good part was that the property was well located for us near major routes. It was spacious and clean. The bad part was that we didn't have any heat for the first half of our stay when outside temperature was 2 degrees. The other ..."

Reviewed on Dec 19, 2023

Apartamentos River Santander
Casa Reyna en Santander. Cerca de Todo
Casa Reyna en Santander. Cerca de Todo
Santander
Book a stay at this golf condo in Santander. Enjoy an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Santander Ferry Terminal and El Sardinero Beach are located ...
Casa Reyna en Santander. Cerca de Todo
Apartamento Reformado en Pleno Centro
Apartamento Reformado en Pleno Centro
Santander
Stay at this apartment in Santander. Enjoy an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Santander Ferry Terminal and El Sardinero Beach are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (14 reviews)
Lovely
"Great place. My third time here."

Reviewed on Feb 2, 2024

Apartamento Reformado en Pleno Centro
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Santander

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
27
" "5 - Excellent 58.69565217391305%
4 - Good
16
" "4 - Good 34.78260869565217%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 4.3478260869565215%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 2.1739130434782608%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Nov 2, 2019

Wonderful port city with beautiful views over the water.

5/5 - Excellent

PatrickCQ
Oct 2, 2019

Beautiful city with great beaches, and walkable areas. Fantastic food and great people. Highly recommended.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Sep 17, 2019

Great place to base from to visit the nearby caves with prehistoric art! We truly enjoyed our guided visits to 5 different of these caves over two days. Don’t stop with Altamira.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Sep 15, 2019

Beautiful place.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Aug 20, 2019

good location and kind staff.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jul 21, 2019

We loved the Playa Los Peligros beach near the hotel. Also the boat ride around the bay is a must and the hop on hop off bus helped us get a lay of the land.