ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a trip
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a trip
    • Neighborhoods & highlights
    • Eat & drink
    • Food culture
    • Culture
    • Getting around
    • Accommodation
    • Plan trip
    • Nearby
    Santander
    City

    Spain

    Santander

    Santander, the capital of Cantabria, is located on a wide bay of the Bay of Biscay.

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Spain
    7. Cantabria
    9. Santander
    Santander, the capital of Cantabria, is located on a wide bay of the Bay of Biscay. Largely rebuilt after the city fire of 1941, today the cityscape is shaped by the La Magdalena peninsula with its palace, the beaches of Sardinero, and the Centro Botín at the harbour.
    Santander has a population of approximately 170,000 and is located on the northern side of a large bay that opens eastward to the Bay of Biscay. Its center, featuring the Cathedral, the market hall, and the Paseo de Pereda waterfront promenade, is situated by the harbor; it was largely rebuilt after the 1941 fire. About three kilometers to the east, the La Magdalena peninsula, home to the Royal Summer Palace, extends into the sea, beyond which lie the beaches of Sardinero. The city is easily explored by bus, and much can also be done on foot or by bike along the waterfront. In summer, Santander is a popular destination for Spanish holidaymakers.

    Sights in Santander

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Museum

    1Centro Botín

    The art centre by Renzo Piano, opened in 2017, floats on stilts above the harbour. It showcases rotating exhibitions of contemporary art; from the terraces, you look out over the bay.
    Open in Google Maps
    Castle

    2Palacio de la Magdalena

    The La Magdalena Palace, built in the early 20th century, was King Alfonso XIII's summer residence. The park is freely accessible, with a small zoo for seals and penguins and bay views. You can visit the palace on guided tours.
    Open in Google Maps
    Attraction

    3Beaches of Sardinero

    The two long sandy beaches Primera and Segunda Playa del Sardinero form Santander’s bathing quarter, lined by gardens, villas, and the Belle Époque Gran Casino.
    Open in Google Maps
    Church

    4Cathedral of Santander

    The cathedral consists of two superimposed churches: a Gothic upper church with a cloister, and the older Crypt Iglesia del Cristo, where Roman wall remains can be seen under glass plates. It was restored after the fire of 1941.
    Open in Google Maps

    Restaurants in Santander

    1

    La Bombi

    Restaurant in the center of Santander with fish and seafood.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Bodega Fuente Dé

    Traditional bodega in the center of Santander with Spanish cuisine and raciones.
    Show on Google Maps
    3

    El Figón

    Restaurant in the center of Santander.
    Show on Google Maps

    Food and Drink

    Rabas

    Fried squid strips, which are eaten as a tapa with beer in the bars of Santander.

    Mercado de la Esperanza

    The early 20th-century market hall behind the town hall offers regional fish, seafood, cheese, and Sobaos.

    Fish from Biscay

    In the fishing district Barrio Pesquero, simple places serve grilled sardines and the catch of the day.

    Spirit

    Summer Residence and New ArtFrom the 19th century, nobility and royalty spent summers in Santander. The city gifted Alfons XIII the Palacio de la Magdalena, built in the early 20th century and now used as a summer university. The Gran Casino and the villas at Sardinero also date from this period.Since 2017, the Centro Botín, an art centre designed by Renzo Piano with changing exhibitions, has stood by the harbour. The Cathedral combines a Gothic upper church with a 13th-century crypt.

    On-site exploring

    TUS city buses connect the centre with Sardinero and Magdalena. Small ferries cross from the port to Somo and Pedreña on the other side of the bay. The airport is about five kilometres south of the city, buses run to the centre. From Santander, ferries depart for Great Britain, long-distance trains to Madrid, and narrow-gauge trains along the coast to Bilbao and Oviedo.

    Accommodations in Santander

    Find perfect stay in Santander

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Campgrounds in Santander

    Find perfect campground in Santander

    Search via Google Maps
    Campgrounds nearby (15km)
    Camping.info
    Find Campgrounds
    Park4Night
    RV Parks & Camping

    Plan your trip to Santander

    Save places, build a route and plan your city trip, all in one place.

    1. 1
      1234

      Round trip

      12 days · 4 stops

      Saved

      Pick a route

      Pick a ready-made one or save places and plan your own.

      Open bookmarks
    2. 2

      Trip to Santander

      Live
      • 1Centro Botín3 days
      • 2Palacio de la Magdalena4 days
      • 3Beaches of Sardinero5 days
      Budget

      Plan your trip

      The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.

      Start trip planning
    3. 3
      9:41 No signal
      Available offline

      Use it on the road

      Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.

    Nearby

    Santillana del Mar

    Santillana del Mar

    Santillana del Mar is a medieval town with cobblestone streets, heraldic houses, and the Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana. About two kilometers away is the Altamira Cave, whose Stone Age paintings can be seen in the museum with a faithful replica.
    Cantabria

    Cantabria

    Cantabria lies between Asturias and the Basque Country on the Bay of Biscay. The capital Santander with its bay, medieval Santillana del Mar, and the Modernisme buildings of Comillas are located close to each other. Inland rise the Picos de Europa, and in caves like Altamira are found some of the most significant Paleolithic cave paintings.
    Comillas

    Comillas

    The coastal town of Comillas became a hub for Catalan architects in the 19th century, thanks to the Marqués de Comillas. It is home to Gaudí's El Capricho, the Palacio de Sobrellano, and the former Pontifical University, plus a long sandy beach.
    Bilbao

    Bilbao

    As the largest city in the Basque Country, Bilbao is an impressive example of successful urban regeneration and famous for the iconic Guggenheim Museum, which has transformed the city into a centre for art and culture.
    Llanes

    Llanes

    Llanes, a charming coastal town in Asturias, combines maritime history with impressive nature. Here you'll find a well-preserved old town with medieval walls and the historic Torreón. The lively harbour is the heart of the town, where fishing boats and Agustín Ibarrola's colourful art installation Cubos de la Memoria define the scene. Along the coast, you'll discover unique beaches like Playa de Toró with its striking rock formations or the bizarre Playa de Gulpiyuri, a small saltwater inland lake. The Paseo de San Pedro offers spectacular views of the Cantabrian Sea and the Picos de Europa in the background. It's best to visit Llanes in late spring or early autumn to enjoy mild temperatures and fewer visitors. A stroll through the old town's alleys reveals traditional Asturian architecture and cozy Sidrerías.