Top 10: Things to Do in Santander

Stunning mountainous landscapes, white sand beaches, elegant architecture… The northern Spanish city of Santander sits gracefully on the Cantabrian Sea. Among Spaniards, this city has been a hugely popular tourist destination since it became favourited by the Spanish royal family in the early 20th century. However, for international tourists, Santander remains somewhat of a hidden gem. Today at Civitatis, we’re running through the top things to do in Santander, and providing some top tips on how to best enjoy the city.

1. Marvel at the Palacio de la Magdalena (Magdalena Palace)

One of the most important monuments to see in Santander is the Magdalena Palace, located on the peninsula of the same name. Magdalena Palace was erected with the aim of attracting the attention of the European elite, so as to position Santander as a high-class tourist destination. It was financed by popular subscription and successfully attracted the attention of the royal family. The palace first served as the summer residence of the then King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia. It would go on to be used as a hospital, temporary accommodation for victims of a fire in the city in 1941, and a university campus, among other things.

Today, the Magdalena Palace is seen as a fine example of European architecture, encompassing English, French and Spanish architectural styles. The peninsula where the palace is located juts out into the bay. As such, you can get great views of it on this Santander Bay cruise, which we highly recommend.

2. Wander Esperanza Market

Now, we can turn to the historic centre of Santander, which is home to Esperanza market. located just behind the town hall. This 19th-century cast-iron structure is home to two floors brimming with merchants selling seafood, fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, baked goods and much more.

Looking for something to bring home to your loved ones from Santander? There are plenty of local products for sale in this market. Grab some anchovies, cheeses or quesada pasiega, a Cantabrian speciality. If you’re a foodie yourself, check out this Santander food tour. On this activity, you’ll make your way around the city, tasting the varied flavours of Cantabria. Accompanied by a local guide, you’ll be brought to the spots which are favoured by ‘Santanderines’ and gain an insight into the gastronomical culture of the city and the region. Alternatively, for a deeper insight into the production of local products, check out this Santoña anchovy factory visit + boat trip!

3. Visit Plaza Porticada

The Plaza de Pedro Velarde, also known as Plaza Porticada, is another one of Santander’s most iconic landmarks. This square was built following the devastating fire of 1941 that ravaged much of the city. reducing nearly 400 buildings to ashes. The fire was a turning point in the history of the city, displacing large sections of the population, and leading to a reconstruction project which led to the creation of a number of the city’s most incredible landmarks, including this one!

For a deeper understanding of the fire and its impact on Santander’s history, consider joining the free Santander fire tour, where you’ll uncover the fascinating stories behind the city’s rebirth.

The square is now home to several government buildings and is known for its neoclassical Herrian architectural style and lovely archways. During a renovation in 2006, the old city walls of Santander and an air raid shelter from the Spanish Civil War were uncovered in the basement. Today, both of these fascinating sites are open to the public and can be visited by tourists!

4. Head to Plaza de Pombo

An iconic meeting place for the people of Santander, the Plaza de Pombo is one of the most picturesque locations in the city, characterised by beautiful architecture, a carousel and a traditional bandstand. If you’re visiting during the winter season, we highly recommend stopping by the square’s Christmas market—grab yourself a churro and buy some gifts for your loved ones at home!

We recommend taking advantage of your visit to this square with a stop at the nearby Mercado del Este (Eastern Market), which is an old market gallery, home to a wonderful selection of Cantabrian foods for you to try. Take a pit stop for a beer and a pincho, and keep exploring the city!

5. Enjoy the Architecture of Santander Cathedral

Santander Cathedral is made up of two Gothic structures: the Cathedral-Basilica of Santander (the principal church of the complex) and the Church of the Christ. Both structures were built between the 13th and 14th centuries. The cathedral’s imposing, but austere architecture, along with its thick walls, give the cathedral the appearance of more of a fortress than a church—and for good reason! The structure’s unique style reflects its historical role as both a place of worship and a defensive structure.

Although the great fire of 1941 caused significant damage to the cathedral (especially to its interior) various restorations and expansions have allowed it to preserve, and regain its former grandeur. The beautifully elegant cloister (pictured above) is one of the most strikingly beautiful parts of the cathedral, and could easily be a filming location in a Harry Potter movie!

6. Get Artsy at the Botín Centre

The Botín Centre is an arts centre, home to a private contemporary art collection, featuring a wide range of paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and videos. The exhibitions are regularly updated each season, offering visitors something new to experience with each visit.

Beyond the impressive artworks it houses, the Botín Centre is an architectural gem in itself! Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, the uniquely designed centre is seamlessly integrated into the Pereda Gardens, offering stunning views of the Santander Bay. The building features one of the largest panoramic lifts in Europe and a café with beautiful sea views, making it an ideal spot to relax after exploring the exhibitions. It’s undoubtedly one of the top museums to visit in Santander.

7. Walk along the Santander Promenade and See Los Raqueros

The Botín Centre is conveniently placed along Santander’s beautiful seafront promenade, the next entry on our list! Walking along the waterfront, along with beautiful sea views, you’ll catch a glimpse of iconic places and elements such as the old Stone Crane, once used for loading and unloading merchant ships, or the Santander Royal Maritime Club.

Another significant landmark in this area is the monument to Los Raqueros. This sculpture commemorates the working children known as raqueros, or ‘wreckers/shipwreckers’, for salvaging the remains of shipwrecks. These children would earn extra money by retrieving items left in the water, which is what is depicted in the statues pictured above. This practice came to an end over fifty years ago, but the memory of this livelihood lives on through Los Raqueros.

8. Explore the Maritime Museum of the Cantabrian Sea

If you’re visiting Santander with children—the Cantabrian Maritime Museum is a must. The complex, configured as an oceanographic laboratory and museum space, has more than 3,000 square metres (32,000 square ft) of exhibition space dedicated to the sea and man’s relationship with the ocean. Learn about the history of maritime trade, and local marine life, and see whale skeletons, model ships and aquariums featuring hundreds of fish.

9. Make Your Way to the Rio de la Pila Viewpoint and Funicular

The Santander Funicular It was inaugurated in 2008 with the aim of facilitating urban mobility and saving locals and tourists alike from facing the harsh slopes between the streets Río de la Pila and Prado de San Roque. From its highest station you can enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city and its bay.

Another advantage of the Río de la Pila funicular is that it’s totally free. That’s right, you can visit one of the best viewpoints in Santander without spending a cent!

10. Trek to Cabo Mayor

Although it requires a small journey from the historic centre, we cannot conclude this ranking of essential things to see in Santander without mentioning Cabo Mayor. This promontory is one of the best places to enjoy a sunset. The sea breeze, the sunset, the cliffs? Pure magic!

This is also the site of the most important lighthouse in Cantabria— a 30-metre-high (98 ft) structure dating all the way back to 1839. You can get to Cabo Mayor in your own vehicle, although our recommendation is that you take advantage of the opportunity to take a hiking route to this natural spot. The walk is approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) long, both there and back, and connects the Chiqui viewpoint with the lighthouse. Trust us—it’s worth the journey!

The Best Beaches in Santander

If you travel to this destination in summer, a visit to its various urban beaches is a must. Although the waters can be quite cool, a dip in the summer season is delightful. Even if swimming isn’t your thing, many of these bays are also a haven of peace where you can disconnect, enjoy unbeatable views, or where you can simply come and breathe in the sea breeze. Some of the best beaches in Santander are:

• La Primera del Sardinero: Located in front of the Gran Casino, this is probably the most famous beach in the city. It was already a very popular spot in the 19th century, when it was frequented by kings and nobles looking to relax!

• La Segunda Playa del Sardinero: A kilometre (0.6 miles) in length, this is the largest beach in Santander. It’s known for its fine golden sand and its moderate waves, perfect for swimming, surfing and chilling out!

• Playa de los Peligros: Located in the interior of the bay of Santander, it is the closest beach to the city centre.

• Playa de La Magdalena: Another ideal beach for families, with plenty of room, and small waves.

So, How Can You Get to Santander?

The capital of Cantabria is accessible by train, plane and, of course, road. Both the railway station and the bus station are less than 10 minutes walk from the historic centre. You’ll find that Santander is quite well-connected to many cities in Spain, including Palencia, Valladolid, Madrid, Alicante, Bilbao, Oviedo and other Cantabrian towns.

Day Trips from Santander

While there’s plenty to see in the city, there are also a number of fantastic day trips to enjoy from Santander. This day trip to Comillas is one of the most popular, home to brilliant natural beauty and gorgeous architecture, including El Capricho, designed by Gaudí.

Did you know that Cantabria is also home to what many consider to be the oldest cave paintings in the world? That’s right, on this Puente Viesgo Caves Tour, you’ll visit the Cueva del Castillo cave, whose paintings are thought to be at least 40,800 years old. You’ll also visit the Cueva de las Monedas cave and the Cave Art Interpretation Centre, and gain an insight into the lives of prehistoric humans—a must for anyone interested in history and archaeology. If that’s not enough, check out this Altamira and Santillana del Mar day trip, which will bring you to the Altamira caves, home to a number of other cave paintings.

There you have it, our top 10 things to do in Santander. We hope that you enjoyed our list, and if you’re still looking for things to do in the city, be sure to check out more things to do in Santander with Civitatis.