Santander City Centre

Santander

Banco Santander featuring heritage architecture
Monumento a Los Raqueros featuring a river or creek, outdoor art and a statue or sculpture
Mercado La Esperanza showing markets, interior views and food
Jardines de Pereda showing a bridge and a river or creek as well as a couple
Banco Santander which includes heritage elements

Wander through the picturesque gardens and along the coastal boulevard, enter the vast cathedral and examine the fascinating monuments in the heart of Santander.

Stunning gardens, a lively market and spacious plazas are what characterize the Santander City Center. Overlooking scenic Santander Bay, this central district is full of intriguing monuments, fascinating museums and living history in the form of Cantabrian customs and traditions. Try the “rabas” fried calamari and the paella for an insight into the local flavors.

Further your culinary study at the large and historic Mercado La Esperanza. Enter the market’s eponymous 19th-century building and chat with the friendly vendors occupying stalls serving jams and marmalades alongside all types of cheeses, meats and fish.

Stroll along the quaint alleys of this old town quarter and you’ll soon find the Jardines de Pereda. This enchanting set of gardens displays a range of sculptures and a fountain dedicated to acclaimed female author Concha Espina.

Adjoining the gardens’ eastern side is the Paseo de Pereda, a promenade with excellent views of the sea. Inspect its Monumento a los Raqueros, featuring statues of the children who were forced to work in the harbor. Walk to the western edge of the boulevard to encounter the Centro Botín, which puts on regular art exhibits and events.

Learn about the history of the region at the Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria. It displays many of the artifacts excavated from digs in the caves dotted around the area. Get a sense of the religious history of Santander by visiting its churches. Examine the ecclesiastical artworks in the Parroquia Santisimo Cristo, which forms the lower half of Santander Cathedral.

A little southwest of the Magdalena Peninsula, this district incorporates the historic center and the nucleus of the city of Santander. It is a little east of the Pesquero neighborhood and overlooks Santander Bay. Arrive at the Santander railway station and explore the area on foot. You can also fly to the Santander Airport and drive north for 10 minutes to get here.

The Santander City Center showcases the historical highlights and cultural delights of the Cantabria region.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Santander City Centre Hotel Deals

Hotel Bahia
Hotel Bahia
4 out of 5
C/ Cádiz, 22, Santander, Cantabria
The price is ¥24,838 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
¥24,838
¥27,322 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Mostly it was good. Parking facilities were a disappointment because we couldn’t use them. Our small car was towing a small trailer, and this was enough to prevent us using the hotel car park. We had to park 450m away and pay 28.50 euros."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Hotel Bahia
Hotel Silken Coliseum
Hotel Silken Coliseum
4 out of 5
Plaza de los Remedios, 1, Santander, Cantabria
The price is ¥18,170 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
¥18,170
¥19,987 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (918 reviews)
"Lovely hotel room which smelled like rosemary and lemon. Beautiful position in a lovely town, and helpful staff"

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Hotel Silken Coliseum
Soho Boutique Palacio de Pombo
Soho Boutique Palacio de Pombo
3 out of 5
CALLE MARCELINO SANZ DE SAUTUOLA, 2, Santander
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Santander Ferry Terminal and El ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (37 reviews)
"The reception staff are great, friendly and efficient. The communal spaces are tired and need decorating or at least a deep clean. Our room was lovely and big and relatively newly renovated, again attention to detail on repairs/deep cleaning is needed. Great location."

Reviewed on Apr 14, 2025

Soho Boutique Palacio de Pombo
Hostal La Mexicana
Hostal La Mexicana
2 out of 5
Calle de Juan de Herrera, 3, Santander
The price is ¥10,829 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
¥10,829
¥11,911 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Santander Ferry Terminal ...
8/10 Very Good! (119 reviews)
"Only stayed one night as it is close to the airport, but couldn’t fault it."

Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025

Hostal La Mexicana
NUEVA PENSIÓN REAL
NUEVA PENSIÓN REAL
2 out of 5
Plaza de la Esperanza 1, 1, Santander, Cantabria
The price is ¥11,384 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
¥11,384
¥12,522 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this guesthouse in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi and housekeeping. Popular attractions Santander Ferry Terminal and El Sardinero Beach are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (15 reviews)
"Fantastic little hotel in the center of town. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025

NUEVA PENSIÓN REAL
Hotel Santemar
Hotel Santemar
4 out of 5
C/ Joaquin Costa, 28, Santander, Cantabria
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥23,204 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
¥23,204
¥25,524 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
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! (884 reviews)
"excellent service"

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

Hotel Santemar
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.

Other neighborhoods around Santander City Centre

Monumento a Los Raqueros featuring a river or creek, outdoor art and a statue or sculpture

La Gándara

Notable for its beaches, shopping, and waterfront views, La Gándara is a sought-after destination for many travelers visiting Santander. If you want to see some sights in the area, check out Plaza de Canadio or Chico Port.

La Gándara
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
Monumento a Los Raqueros showing a statue or sculpture, a bay or harbor and outdoor art

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
Default Image

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
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 Chico Port or Gran Casino del Sardinero.

San Martín
Default Image

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

Santander City Centre