Santander

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Easily the largest city in Cantabria, with a population approaching 200,000, SANTANDER is an elegant, refined resort with excellent transport connections. While its setting on the narrow Bahía de Santander is beautiful, the city centre lost most of its finest buildings to a massive fire in 1941. Nonetheless, the narrow lanes of the old town, running parallel to the waterfront, still abound in atmospheric bars and restaurants. The local beaches – the best is sandy El Sardinero, facing the open sea a couple of kilometres east – are broad and clean enough for Santander to rival Biarritz and San Sebastián as a favourite summer retreat for sophisticated holiday-makers from the interior. Santander may have a much more bourgeois identity than many of its earthier northern neighbours – and away from the beaches there’s not all that much actually to see or do – but it’s really not a bad place to while away a day or two.

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Things to do in Santander

From the heart of Santander, you can enjoy clear views across the bay to rolling green hills and high mountains that seem to glow at sunset, as well as superb sandy beaches. Much of the pleasure lies in roaming the city’s charming streets and stopping along the way for sangria, tapas, and local seafood.

El Sardinero beach is ideal for swimming, surfing, or simply relaxing. Its soft golden sand and clear water easily make it one of the prettiest beaches in the area, while nearby Playa de Mataleñas, just a short walk away, is equally beautiful.

For a dose of history, visit Santander Cathedral. This 13th-century cathedral is also home to the Church of El Cristo, the oldest monument in Santander, and preserves the remains of a Roman hot spring. In 12-day Spain trips along the north coast, Santander can take a gentler seaside pause between bigger cultural stops, giving the route bay views, beaches, seafood, and cathedral history without losing the onward thread toward Asturias or the Basque Country.

Book tickets and tours for Santader

View of the Ghotic Cloister of the Santander cathedral, Spain

Santander Cathedral © Bepsy / Shutterstock

When to visit Santander

As with most parts of Spain, the winter in Santander is mild (with exception to the mountains in the south). July to August are the best times to visit, when the weather is warm and the streets are buzzing thanks to the festival season.

If you're planning a trip to Spain, don't miss our Spain itineraries and information on how to get there

Featured Image, Santander Beach © Saiko 3p / Shutterstock

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