Santander Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Palacio de la Magdalena showing a park and heritage architecture
Be amazed by the charm of this beautiful city located on the shores of the Cantabrian sea, famous for its natural and cultural beauty.

Discover one of the most beautiful cities in northern Spain while enjoying an excellent holiday in Santander, the capital of the Cantabria region. It won’t be hard to find a flight + hotel package holiday to Santander and learn why this city never fails to enchant any who visit. Take in its elegant monuments and majestic façades as you explore its historical old town. Head over to the square, Plaza Porticada, one of the liveliest spots in the city, where you can enjoy all sorts of artistic performances. Continue your walk and you’ll find yourself at the superb cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, whose gothic cloister is sure to amaze you. Then take the chance to walk to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the square where the Town Hall is located, and visit the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art or the Menéndez Pelayo Library and House-Museum, home of one of the city’s great thinkers.

Find a package holiday to Santander and marvel at La Magdalena Peninsula, a huge public park that is home to a former royal residence and is today the headquarters of the Menéndez Pelayo International University: the majestic Royal Palace of La Magdalena. Choose to stroll around the area on foot or on the tourist train called “El Magdaleno”. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful parts of the city.

Santander offers excellent sandy beaches, such as El Camello, La Concha or El Sardinero. This last beach shares its name with one of the most popular areas of the city, where apart from enjoying the beach, you can visit the Palacio de Congresos exhibition centre or the Palacio de Deportes sports arena. At nightfall, head to the Plaza de Italia viewpoint: you’ll be amazed by the sunset, with the Royal Palace of La Magdalena as a backdrop.

Of course, as a strong seafaring city, enjoy excellent cuisine, with the seafood stealing the show. Ready to get your cheap holidays to Santander? It won’t be hard, as the city enjoys excellent transport links with the rest of the Spanish mainland. What are you waiting for?

Where to stay in Santander

Banco Santander showing heritage architecture

Santander City Centre

4.5/5(21 area reviews)

Travellers come to Santander City Centre for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Casa Pombo and Jardines de Pereda while you're in town.

Santander City Centre
Monumento a Los Raqueros showing outdoor art, a statue or sculpture and a bay or harbour

Puertochico

The pristine beaches and captivating 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
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Cabildo de Arriba

The beaches and 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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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 featuring marine life and interior views

San Martín

Notable for its beaches, shopping and waterfront views, San Martín is a sought-after destination for many travellers 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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Castilla-Hermida

Beaches and 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
Hotel Santemar
Hotel Santemar
4 out of 5
C/ Joaquin Costa, 28, Santander, Cantabria
The price is £54 per night from 5 May to 6 May
£54
per night
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (738 reviews)
Lovely hotel in a great location.
"Lovely hotel,a 5 minute walk from the beach and a 10 minute bus ride from the city centre.Our room was spotless and beautifully decorated with a nautical theme.Though we didn't use any of the hotel's facilities, there was an on site gym,disco,bar and restaurant."

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2023

Hotel Santemar
Hotel Bahia
Hotel Bahia
4 out of 5
C/ Cádiz, 22, Santander, Cantabria
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £77 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
£77
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (999 reviews)
"Super bien localizado."

Reviewed on 18 Apr 2024

Hotel Bahia
Hotel Chiqui
Hotel Chiqui
3 out of 5
Avda. Manuel García Lago 9, Santander, Cantabria
The price is £95 per night from 21 May to 22 May
£95
per night
21 May - 22 May
Stay at this 3-star golf hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (672 reviews)
Amazing HOTEL CHIQUI
"This hotel was wonderful, perfect location, rooms, breakfast, staff and ambiance… we will definitely return when we visit beautiful Santander again! Stunning, hidden gem!"

Reviewed on 16 Apr 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! (68 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 19 Dec 2023

Apartamentos River Santander
Studio with parking at the door and Wifi.
Studio with parking at the door and Wifi.
Santander, Cantabria
Stay at this apartment in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, a TV and a kitchen. Popular attractions Santander Ferry Terminal and El Sardinero Beach are located nearby. ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
¡Estancia 10/10!
"Desde el primer momento que hice la reserva Alejandro ya estaba en contacto conmigo. La ubicación del sitio es ideal, tienes la autovía a menos de 1 km y había un montón de aparcamiento. Tienes un montón de supermercados cerca como Mercadona o Lidl, además de gasolinera a menos de 50 metros. En cuanto ..."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2021

Studio with parking at the door and Wifi.
Casa Reyna en Santander. Cerca de Todo
Casa Reyna en Santander. Cerca de Todo
Santander, Cantabria
Stay at this golf condo in Santander. Enjoy a TV, 2 bathrooms and a kitchen. Popular attractions Santander Ferry Terminal and El Sardinero Beach are located ...
Casa Reyna en Santander. Cerca de Todo
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
17
" "5 - Excellent 54.83870967741935%
4 - Good
12
" "4 - Good 38.70967741935484%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 6.451612903225806%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
16 Jan 2020

Much bigger than expected, a bustling city

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 Aug 2019

Beautiful sandy beaches everywhere, seafood is fantastic

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
20 Aug 2019

Nice town, good for the beach

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
19 Aug 2019

Beautiful city with good restaurants, bars, food, good prices, nice beaches and walks. Went to Racing football match good stadium and atmosphere. Airport very convenient for city 10 min taxi.

5/5 - Excellent

AliReza
20 Jul 2019

Santander is one of the nicest places I have visited.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
18 Jul 2019

This is now the main gateway to Cantabria, as Oviedo has lost most of its international flights.

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