Santemar
Santander - Joaquín Costa, 28
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Nestled between the sea and the mountains of northern Spain, Santander, the capital of the Cantabria region, is a city with an elegant past overlooking a picturesque bay.
Chosen as a holiday destination in the late 19th and early 20th century by aristocrats and the wealthy bourgeoisie attracted by its mild temperatures, which offered some refreshment from the torrid summers of the central regions, Santander was for decades a chic resort but was able to turn to mass tourism when the splendours of the past were waning.
Today, it is one of the most famous seaside resorts in northern Spain and a popular tourist resort with Spaniards, who choose it as their summer holiday destination for its beautiful beaches with excellent facilities, variety of bars and restaurants, excellent surf schools and a couple of interesting cultural attractions. It is also a stop on the Camino de Santiago, where pilgrims and hikers can find rest and recreation in preparation for their next destination.
Although the old town was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1941, evidence remains here and there of the golden age when Santander saw the rise of an upper middle class linked to the growth of maritime trade with the Spanish colonies.
The nostalgic charm of the elegant historical buildings combined with the evocative natural landscapes make Santander an ideal destination for a weekend or beach holiday with all the comforts of a city.
Santander offers a perfect balance of history, culture and nature. From its urban beaches to its avant-garde museums, the city offers diverse experiences that satisfy every type of traveller, from families to art lovers, from history buffs to gourmets.
The Centro Botín, designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, is the symbol of contemporary Santander. This extraordinary building, which seems to float on the water of the bay, has become the city’s new cultural heart since its inauguration in 2017. The structure, composed of two volumes clad in pearly ceramics that reflect the light of the sun and the sea, houses exhibition spaces dedicated to contemporary art, an auditorium and panoramic terraces.
The centre is not just a museum, but a true public space that has transformed the city’s waterfront, creating a new connection between the historic centre and the bay. The surrounding gardens, Jardines de Pereda, were completely redesigned as part of the project, creating a green oasis in the heart of the city.
Playa del Sardinero is Santander’s most famous beach, an elegant stretch of golden sand divided into two strands (Primera and Segunda del Sardinero) by a rock formation. This urban beach, which stretches for almost two kilometres, is surrounded by a charming belle époque promenade, testimony to the city’s past as a tourist destination for the Spanish aristocracy.
The paseo marítimo that runs along the beach is dotted with historical buildings, including the Gran Casino del Sardinero and the elegant Hotel Real, which retain their early 20th century charm. The area is perfect for scenic walks, with numerous bars and restaurants offering spectacular ocean views.
The Magdalena Palace is one of the most recognisable symbols of Santander. Built between 1908 and 1912 as the summer residence of the Spanish royal family, this magnificent eclectic-style building dominates the peninsula of the same name, offering panoramic views of the bay and the Cantabrian Sea.
The palace, surrounded by a vast public park, now hosts cultural events and the international summer university. The peninsula’s park is an ideal place for walks, with a mini-maritime zoo and replicas of old boats telling the city’s maritime history. The views of the bay and surrounding beaches are some of the most spectacular in Santander.
The Santander Cathedral, with its peculiar two-tiered structure, tells the city’s thousand-year history. The lower church, dating back to the 13th century, is one of the few buildings that survived the great fire of 1941. This Romanesque crypt, dedicated to Christ of the Good Journey, preserves important medieval architectural elements.
The upper cathedral, rebuilt after the fire, combines Gothic elements with a modern structure. The cathedral complex also includes the cloister and the diocesan museum, where one can admire important sacred art and archaeological finds that testify to the city’s history.
The Mercado de la Esperanza is the gastronomic heart of Santander. This historical market, built in modernist style in 1904, is a perfectly preserved example of early 20th century iron architecture. The building, with its characteristic glass and metal structures, houses one of the liveliest and most authentic markets in the city.
Inside, stalls offer the best of Cantabrian gastronomy: from freshly caught fish to local cheeses, from seasonal vegetables to traditional preserves. The market is an ideal place to discover the authentic flavours of the region and observe the daily life of the people of Santander.
Puerto Chico is the historic fishing port of Santander, now transformed into an elegant tourist marina. This area retains the charm of its seafaring past while evolving into one of the city’s liveliest neighbourhoods, with numerous bars and restaurants serving the best of Cantabrian cuisine.
The promenade along the harbour offers impressive views of moored boats and the bay, while the surrounding streets are home to some of the city’s best seafood restaurants. The area is particularly lively on summer evenings, when locals and tourists mingle in the many outdoor venues.
The MUPAC (Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria) houses one of the most important collections of Palaeolithic art in Europe. The museum tells the history of the region from prehistoric times to the Roman era, with a focus on the findings from the numerous Cantabrian caves.
The collections include important archaeological finds, including prehistoric tools, mobile rock art and objects from the Bronze and Iron Ages. The museum offers an interactive and educational experience, ideal for families and ancient history enthusiasts.
Santander has built its tourist reputation above all on the availability of beautiful beaches that are easily accessible and offer good services.
It is good to remember that the water in this part of Spain is a bit cold, because it is ocean water. However, Santander’s beaches are surrounded by beautiful natural scenery and are therefore attractive all year round. Because of the water temperature and the winds, they are also perfect for those who want some refreshment from the torrid summer heat.
Santander’s most famous beach is Playa del Sardinero8, a 1.5 km-long stretch of golden sand overlooking the open sea. Behind it are some of the most expensive summer residences in the area, including some emblematic palaces from the early 20th century such as the Grand Casino.
The beach is also popular with surfers who, especially in autumn and winter, find ideal conditions for practising their favourite sport. The Sardinero beach can be reached from the centre by bus.
To the north of Sardinero is Playa de Mataleñas9, a bay of golden sand bordered by two imposing rocks, very popular in the summer months. It can be reached on foot by a scenic coastal path from the Sardinero beach.
More suitable for those seeking tranquillity are Playa del Puntal10 and Playa De Somo11, on the opposite side of the bay from the centre of Santander. Suitable for surfers and those looking for a bit of relaxation, perhaps sipping a drink in one of the lively chirinquitos, they can be easily reached by ferry, wind permitting.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
The region around Santander offers numerous opportunities for interesting excursions. To best explore Cantabria, we recommend hiring a car, although many destinations can be reached by public transport.
The Cabárceno Natural Park, located only 15 km from Santander, is a unique experience. This former mining site has been transformed into a huge natural park where animals live in semi-freedom in a spectacular karstic landscape. The park is home to over 150 species of animals from all continents and offers activities for the whole family, including birds of prey shows and educational demonstrations.
Santillana del Mar is considered one of the best-preserved medieval villages in Spain. Located 30 km from Santander, this picturesque village resembles an open-air museum, with its stone houses, noble palaces and splendid Romanesque Collegiate Church. Nearby is the famous Altamira Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its famous Palaeolithic cave paintings.
The town of Comillas, 45 km from Santander, is famous for its modernist heritage, in particular for Gaudí’s Capricho, an eccentric villa designed by the famous Catalan architect. The historic village, with its papal palace and elegant residences, offers a fascinating insight into 19th century architecture.
The Cantabrian Coast offers some of the most beautiful beaches in northern Spain. Places like Liencres, with its protected dunes, or Somo, a surfer’s paradise, are easily accessible from Santander and offer spectacular coastal landscapes and opportunities for water sports.
The Sardinero district is the most exclusive area of Santander, perfect for those seeking a luxury stay with sea views. Historic and modern hotels in this area offer direct access to the beach and the city’s main beach attractions. The area is particularly popular with families for its tranquillity and proximity to the sea.
The Old Town is the beating heart of the city, ideal for those who want to be in the midst of cultural and gastronomic life. Here you will find boutique hotels, traditional guesthouses and tourist flats that allow you to experience the authentic atmosphere of the city, with easy access to the main monuments and lively nightlife.
The Puerto Chico area offers an excellent compromise between central location and tranquillity. This area, overlooking the marina, is home to medium-high category hotels and modern flats, perfect for those seeking comfortable but quieter accommodation than the historic centre.
Santander is connected by direct low-cost flights; there are also many domestic flights connecting Santander to all major Spanish cities.
If you are already in Spain and want to travel by land, we recommend a rental car as trains are infrequent and the journey can take several hours.
By car, you can reach Santander from Madrid in less than five hours, and with a rental car you have the possibility of making wonderful day trips visiting other attractions in the area.
What's the weather at Santander? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Santander for the next few days.
Santander is the capital of the small Spanish region of Cantabria, squeezed between the Atlantic Ocean to the north, the Basque Country to the east and Asturias to the west. It overlooks the sea and Bilbao, the nearest Spanish city, is 100 kilometres away.
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