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Santander is an overlooked destination along Spain’s northern coastline. Situated in the Cantabria region, Santander boasts sandy beaches, gorgeous coastline, fantastic museums and an epic culinary scene. We spent a full week leisurely enjoying the best things to do in Santander, Spain – and believe it’s actually quite underrated!
While Spanish people have been holidaying in Santander for ages, foreigners have mostly used it as a transit city. Our decision to visit Santander, Spain was a last-minute resolve – even though our flights had been booked for months.
The original plan was to land at the Santander Airport, rent a car and drive deep into Picos de Europa National Park. However, just days before arrival, we realized that we had missed a key detail. An international driver’s permit was required for the car rental – and our plan completely fell apart.
Rather than canceling non-refundable flights, we scrambled to come up with Plan B. After rejecting the idea of using the limited public transit to get to Picos de Europa and nixing a revisit to Basque Country, we pondered the obvious. Why not just stay in Santander?
With our initial plan, we were so focused on the national park, we hadn’t even considered if Santander was worth visiting. In hindsight, not spending at least a few days in the city would have been a huge miss. With its relaxed vibes, scenic landscapes and scrumptious fare, Santander proved to be a sublime vacation destination!
12 Things To Do in Santander, Spain
During our week-long stay, we discovered an incredible number of fun things to see and do in Santander. Our list outlines our top picks – plus, we share additional nearby options and a map of attractions later in the article.
#1 Visit Santander Cathedral
The historic Cathedral is a Santander landmark that is not to be missed. Sometimes called Cathedral Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion, the structure is unique in that it is comprised of two separate churches, one built on the top of the other.
The lower portion, named the Church of Holy Christ and now the crypt, dates to the 13th century. It was built to host the relics of San Emeterio and San Celedonio – the Patron Saints of Santander. There is no fee to enter, and we freely toured the dimly lit space.
The upper chamber was built in the 14th century as part of an abbey. The high ceilings and stained-glass windows make it feel bright and airy compared to the area below. Highlights include the exquisite cloisters, the portal carvings and Baroque altars. There is a small fee to enter.
Top Sightseeing Tip: The Catedral de Santander is the most famous church in the city, but it’s one of many that can be visited. The 19th century Church of Santa Lucia, the Renaissance-style Parroquia de la Anunciacion and the beautifully decorated Church of el Sagrado Corazon are three other Santander churches that we enjoyed going to.
#2 Discover Magdalena Peninsula
Home to a sumptuous palace and lush nature, the Magdalena Peninsula offers several fun things to do in Santander, Spain. We easily spent half a day exploring the sights and taking in the grandiose views.
The top tourist attraction is the impressive Palacio de la Magdalena, which served as the summer residence of the Spanish Royal Family during the early 1900s.
Designed using an array of architectural styles and presenting an elaborately decorated interior, the palace is only open for a limited number of guided tours. Unfortunately, they were sold out during our stay.
The nearby Man and Sea Museum is an intriguing display of historic ships. Most interesting is the raft, which Santander local Vital Alsar sailed from Ecuador to Australia in the 1970s.
Next to the boats is the Marine Park, an open-air zoo of sorts that houses seals and supposedly penguins in rather small habitats. We couldn’t find any information about the animals, so it was unclear if they were rescued or simply held captive.
All that said, the top reason we recommend visiting the area is to enjoy the great outdoors. On the south side of the peninsula are two long, sandy beaches: Playa de la Magdalena and Playa de los Bikinis.
The eastern shoreline is marked by craggy cliffs and secluded swimming spots. Plus the elevated perch provides super views of the Faro de la Cerda Lighthouse and the Island of Mouro (also topped with a lighthouse).
Tips for Exploring: The spit of land sits at the mouth of the Bay of Santander and is easy to reach by bus or via a 2-mile walk. Once there, we recommend exploring on foot. However, a tourist train is available, as well.
#3 Sink Your Feet into the Sand on Santander Beaches
Santander is most famous for its beaches – so spending time on the golden grains is a must do on your vacation! When heading to the beach, don’t forget a towel and plenty of sunscreen. While the weather is generally temperate and ocean persistently cool, the sun is still intense.
The best beaches in Santander are found along the east-facing shoreline that stretches from Magdalena north to Faro Cabo Mayor Lighthouse. At low tide, several beaches merge into one lengthy stretch of sand that runs for about a mile.
El Sardinero is the most popular Santander Beach, attracting sunbathers, novice surfers, brave swimmers and Las Palas paddleball players. At high tide, El Sardinero is separated by the elevated Jardines de Piquio Garden into First Beach (Primera Playa) and Second Beach (Segunda Playa).
At the south end of Playa de El Sardinero is Playa del Camello. The sandy cove is marked by rugged rocks, which we found enhances the scenery. The largest promontory hosts a peculiar Santander attraction: a small statue of Neptune as a Child (or Monumento a Neptuno Niño).
Playa de Matalenas is nestled in a deep cove to the north of El Sardinero. This beach is accessed by a steep staircase and bounded by sheer cliffs. If we had to choose one beach in Santander as our favorite, it would definitely be Mataleñas!
Getting There: It takes about 45 minutes to walk from the Santander center to Playa Sardinero. A fun route is via the historic Antiquo Tunel de Tetuan, an old train tunnel turned into a pedestrian path. Alternatively, several bus lines run to Plaza Italia and the Gran Casino that sits at the top of Sardinero Beach.
#4 Wander around Central Santander
Although occupied since ancient times, the Santander City Center of today is relatively new. A devastating fire in 1941 destroyed nearly all of the original Medieval town.
In its place, modern street plans, spacious squares and fashionable dwellings were built. While we highly encourage meandering, there are a few must-see places you won’t want to miss.
Plaza Porticada (also called Plaza de Velarde) is the city’s most stately square. Featuring a neoclassical design, the space is ringed with government buildings and an arcaded lower level.
To the east, the wide and expansive Plaza de Pombo exudes a touch of elegance with an ornate 19th century bandstand at the center and leafy trees providing shade.
Plaza Ayuntamiento (or Town Hall Square) marks the beginning of the city’s best shopping street, Calle Burgos. The pedestrianized area is lined with boutiques and shops, like Casa del Libro, an atmospheric bookstore.
La Alameda de Oviedo continues west from Calle Burgos. In our opinion, it’s the best walking street in the entire city. The broad pedestrian lane dons a canopy of trees and is adorned with ornamental streetlamps.
Sightseeing Tip: We believe that wandering is one of the top Santander, Spain things to do and were content exploring without an agenda. However, those who would rather follow an organized route can use this Self-Guided Walk provided by the tourist office.
#5 Shop at a Santander Market
The local markets are the best places in Santander to get an introduction to the city’s vibrant gastronomy. Fresh-caught fish, in-season produce and delectable meats and cheeses are all on display.
Far and away, the best market in Santander is Mercado de la Esperanza, which is housed in a 2-story, cast iron building that dates to 1896. With more than 80 vendors – some of which spill out onto the plaza – the space is a fantastic feast for the senses.
Mercado de Mexico is another fresh food market in Santander. Situated next to the bullring on the site of a former slaughterhouse, this market attracts more locals than tourists.
Our visit coincided with a day that only a few fishmongers were open. However, we heard that on Tuesdays and Fridays the market extends into the adjoining plaza with merchants trading a range of goods.
Mercado del Este is a renovated city center market that has been transformed from a traditional trading space to a trendy food court. It’s a great stop for sampling food on the spot – and it’s open everyday from 8am until 11:30pm!
Tips for Visitors: Other Santander market hours vary by day. For example, Mercado de la Esperanza opens at 8am and closes at 2pm. However, on Thursdays and Fridays, it re-opens from 5 until 7:30pm…but is closed on Sundays.
#6 Indulge in Tempting Tapas
We challenge anyone visiting Santander, Spain to resist the temptation of tapas! From the exquisitely prepared bar-top ‘Pinchos’ to tapas-portioned raciones, the small-plate fare is a regional specialty and an absolute must-try for travelers.
Some of the best tapas restaurants are located on the historic streets of Calle Arrabal and Calle del Medio. Plaza Canadio and Mercado del Este are two other tapa-saturated spaces. That said, spots serving tapas pretty much dot the entire city center.
Our favorite way to eat a meal in Santander is to hop from one tapas bar to the next, consuming just a few from each eatery before moving on. We share our advice for finding the tastiest tapas in our guide to Santander Restaurants.
Foodie Tip: Eating in Santander is certainly not limited to tapas. Local restaurants also serve full meals of fresh fish, traditional soups and delicious burgers. We highlight specialty cuisine in our food post mentioned above!
#7 Parade down Paseo de Pereda
One of the top activities in Santander, Spain is strolling along the waterfront on Paseo de Pereda. The pedestrian promenade extends along the bay from the Santander Port to the Puerto Chico Fisherman’s Marina. The route, also called Paseo Marítimo, is highlighted by museums, monuments and memorials.
Some of the points of interest are the Grua de Piedra (a historic crane that remains as a symbol of the industrial past), the Palacete del Embarcadero (dating from 1932, now hosting free art exhibitions) and the Los Raqueros Statues (commemorating orphans who would dive into the sea for spare change).
Beyond the Puerto Chico Marina are a few more attractions. The Dique de Gamazo Dry Dock was once part of the shipyard and the Duna de Gamazo Steps offer a place to rest with sensational views out to sea.
Good to Know: The entire length of the waterside pathway features a designated biking lane. It’s great if you want to explore on two wheels – but if you are on foot, watch where you’re walking!
#8 Search for Santander Street Art
Santander fully embraces the contemporary culture of street murals, which has resulted in a collection of bright and colorful public artworks.
For several years, the city hosted the Desvelarte Festival that invited Spanish and international artists to create paintings on city buildings. Today, one of the fun and free things to do in Santander, Spain is searching for these murals.
My favorite mural is Marujas, a 2017 painting by Spanish artist Marina Capdevila. The large artwork depicts three aging women not yet ready to give up their youth.
The 2019 Dog Mural by a Santander local, Quique Ortiz, is another favorite. It perfectly captures the intimate comfort of canine friends.
Finding the Art: We have pinned our two favorite murals on our map below. This one from the tourist board can be used to find them all!
#9 Trek along Costa Quebrada North Coastal Path
Featuring a menagerie of extraordinary geological landforms and majestic seascapes on the Bay of Biscay, the Costa Quebrada Geological Park is absolutely one of the top things to see in Santander.
The area covers the northern shoreline from the Santander Cabo Mayor Lighthouse west to Cuchia – and a coastal path traverses the entire stretch.
The ideal way to experience the dazzling coastline is to take a bus from Santander to La Maruca – then complete a one-way walk east along the North Coast Path to the lighthouse. From there, continue around Playa de Matalenas and the golf course to El Sardinero Beach.
We savored every step of the North Coastal Path and were greeted with staggering views around each bend. Be aware, however, that the 5-mile hike is completely exposed and without amenities – so bring plenty of water, snacks and sun protection.
Trekking Tip: Not up for a trek? No worries. You can still get a peek of the impressive shoreline from the lighthouse. From there, it’s a short jaunt to Panteon del Ingles Chapel, then double back and relax at the El Faro Cafe Bar!
#10 Marvel at the Exhibits in a Santander Museum
It seems that the city was designed to beckon people outdoors. In our opinion, Santander exploring, eating and relaxing are all best done outside. However, the museums in Santander are excellent, which is ideal when the weather is not.
On a particularly gloomy day, we found refuge at the Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria. The subterranean venue navigates the timeline of the region with ancient artifacts and interactive exhibits. Plus, it’s free on Sunday evenings!
The most renowned museum in Santander, however, is Centro Botin. Housed in a spaceship-like building that was designed by Renzo Piano (famed architect of London’s Shard and Paris’ Centre Pompidou), the museum hosts rotating exhibits of contemporary art.
For families traveling with kids, the Maritime Museum (Museo Maritimo del Cantabrico) is a top pick. It features an aquarium, whale skeletons and model ships.
Budget Travel Tip: There are a few free museums in Santander, too. We thoroughly enjoyed the photography exhibit at Naves de Gamazo Art Museum. There are also free displays at Centro de Arte Faro Cabo Mayor and Palacete del Embarcadero, but both were closed for renovations during our visit.
#11 Find More Spectacular Scenic Views
We seldom pass on the opportunity to take in a view. While the best vistas in Santander are from the coastal cliffs, there are two great viewpoints right in the heart of the city. Even better, there are no admission fees to access these spots, making them two of the top things to do in Santander for free!
For a quick view of Santander Bay, there is no better elevated vantage point than from the rooftop platforms at the ultra-modern Centro Botin Art Museum Building. Exterior stairs (and an elevator) ascend to viewing decks that offer an elevated perch.
The much higher – and, in our opinion, more impressive – view is from the top level of the Funicular del Rio de la Pila. Designed to help locals tackle the sharp incline, the outdoor elevator has become a favorite tourist attraction.
Did You Know: Santander is quite hilly! No need to fret, though. The city has installed escalators on the steepest streets, making the climb easy. You can find moving sidewalks on Calle Rio de la Pila and Calle Lope de Vega.
#12 Relax in a Pretty Santander Park
The dense city center is marked by pockets of green space. These parks are ideal for an afternoon picnic or simply as a place to relax and recharge.
The most central spot is Jardines de Pereda; the triangular garden is situated between Centro Botin and Paseo de Pereda. Featuring poignant statues and a manmade pond, we think the double-decker carousel is the park’s best attribute.
Parque de Matalenas, on the other hand, is the city’s prettiest park. The public space is tucked behind gates along the coastal path north of El Sardinero Beach. Top characteristics are the landscaped grounds, blooming flowers and an ivy-covered pergola.
Hidden Gem: Located north and over the hill from the city center, Parque Atlantico de Las Llamas is among the lesser-known attractions in Santander, Spain. The expansive marshland is most popular with active families and birdwatchers.
Things To Do Near Santander, Spain
Although there are a number of fantastic Santander things to do in the city center, the surrounding region boasts beach resorts, monumental mountains and Medieval villages.
Take the Ferry to Somo
The resort town of Somo is known for its seemingly endless beaches, sand dunes, surf schools and ‘chiringuito’ beach bars. During our day in Somo, however, we hit the trails.
Following the path east of town, we trekked through the shaded forest to the top Mount Arna, the hill that parallels Playa de Somo. Then we tracked across Playa de los Tranquilos and up to Mirador de los Tranquilos for a super view of Santander, Isla de Santa Marina and out the sea.
From the viewpoint, a trail extends further east, following the clifftop above the naturally carved coastline. We hiked the route for about an hour before doubling back, taking in gorgeous scenery the entire time. Back on Somo Beach, we strolled along the sand into town, where we found a patio seat at Surf Garden for post-hike beverages.
Getting to Somo is as easy as hopping on a boat and crossing Bahia de Santander. The ferries are frequent and inexpensive. Tickets can be purchased online or from the Los Reginas Office (next to Palacete del Embarcadero) with cash or card.
Explore Picos de Europa
Those with a car (US Citizens need an IDP) can spend a day exploring the magnificent Picos de Europa Park. With wild landscapes, challenging hikes and quaint mountain towns, it’s a superb destination for travelers who really want to get in touch with nature.
Top things to do are hiking the Cares Gorge Trail, riding the Fuente De Cable Car and feasting on regional cuisine in the fairytale town of Potes.
More Santander Day Trips
Looking for even more things to do around Santander? Great! These day trips were recommended to us for adventures further afield.
Cabarceno Nature Park: A ‘natural zoo’ housing exotic animals (that gets some mixed reviews). Best reached by car, but organized tours are available.
Santillana del Mar: A historic Medieval town featuring palaces and towers. Easy to reach via car or a 1-hour bus ride from Santander.
Bilbao: Renowned for its world-famous Guggenheim Museum, quirky sculptures and Old Quarter. Can be reached in 1.5 hours by bus.
Spanish Basque Country: Although quite far from Santander, with a car it is possible to reach San Sebastian (a foodie haven) and Hondarribia (a quintessential Basque enclave).
Comillas: An idyllic town best known for Antiqua Universidad Pontifica and Capricho de Gaudi, a Gaudi designed mansion. A car is needed to get there.
Santander Map
Use this Google Map for an interactive version of our Map of Santander Tourist Attractions below. Hard copies are also available for free at the Santander Tourist Information Office.
Santander Travel Tips
Now that you know what to do in Santander, Spain, we have some advice for planning your trip!
Getting There
Santander can be reached by plane, train, boat, bus or car. The convenient Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport (SDR) is connected year-round with major cities in Spain, as well as select European and UK destinations. For the best price on airline tickets, use our tips for Booking Cheap Flights and start your search with Skyscanner.
The direct S4 Bus is run by ALSA and connects the airport to the main Santander Bus Station in 15 minutes. Tickets are €3.20 each way and purchased with cash from the driver.
Brittany Ferries sail to Santander from both Plymouth and Portsmouth, UK. The journey takes nearly 30 hours, but could be beneficial if you have your own vehicle.
Getting Around
Our list of Things To Do Santander, Spain encompasses a fairly vast area. Fortunately, the city is very walkable. Also, local buses are easy to use – except the routes and times are not displayed with online maps. Instead, use the official TUS Website for planning rides and finding timetables.
Fares can be paid to the driver in cash and some buses also accept contactless payments. The flat rate for a single ride during our trip was €1.30. Alternatively, visitors can use the convenient Santander Tourist Hop On Hop Off Bus.
Where To Stay in Santander
With golden stretches of sand long attracting regional tourists, there are plenty of options for accommodation in Santander, Spain.
For short trips – 3 days or less – we recommend staying in a city center hotel, where attractions and transport are just steps away. Hotel Bahia (which features water views) and Soho Boutique Palacio de Pombo (which is slightly more affordable) are two top choices.
During our 1-week trip, we stayed in an Airbnb apartment right in the center. Short-term vacation rentals are abundant in the city. We suggest reading reviews regarding noise levels and location (especially in relation to hills) before booking.
To find your perfect place, start searching on Booking.com – but first, read our tips for Finding Top Hotels at Low Prices.
Organize Your Trip to Santander
As you make begin to make plans and reservations, stay on top of the details with our Printable Travel Planner. It includes 26 pages to keep your vacation sorted!
Start planning your trip to Spain! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more advice – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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