Santander

Travel Guide

Santander showing a beach, rugged coastline and general coastal views
Santander showing a beach, rugged coastline and general coastal views
Palacio de la Magdalena which includes a garden and heritage architecture
Matalenas Beach which includes general coastal views and a sandy beach
Santander featuring rocky coastline, general coastal views and a sunset

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?

The Annual Holiday Sale

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Where to stay in Santander

Banco Santander featuring 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 featuring a river or creek, outdoor art and a statue or sculpture

La Gándara

The pristine beaches and captivating waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to La Gándara. A stop by Plaza de Canadio or Casa Pombo might round out your trip.

La Gándara
Visiting Santander,  North Spain, this week

El Sardinero

While visiting El Sardinero, you might make a stop by sights like El Sardinero Beach and Jardines de Piquio.

El Sardinero
Santander_CabildodeArriba_553248634015640698_05

Cabildo de Arriba

The beaches and waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Cabildo de Arriba. A stop by Plaza Méjico or Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Consolacion might round out your trip.

Cabildo de Arriba
Santander_Puertochico_553248634015641059_04

Puertochico

The pristine beaches and captivating waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Puertochico. A stop by Bay of Biscay or Chico Port might round out your trip.

Puertochico
Santander_CastillaHermida_553248634015641041_05

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 Bahia

Hotel Bahia

4 out of 5
C/ Cádiz, 22 Santander Cantabria
The price is S$110 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
S$110
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santander. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
The showerhead in the room was loose so wasnt easy to use. The breakfast was okay but the scrambled eggs had a funny taste. The. Iews from the hotel room were good but the wallpaper was peeling in a few places.

Reviewed on 4 Mar, 2026

Hotel Bahia
Hotel Santemar

Hotel Santemar

4 out of 5
C/ Joaquin Costa, 28 Santander Cantabria
The price is S$87 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
S$87
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Santander. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
Hotel Santemar
Sercotel El Balcón de la Bahía

Sercotel El Balcón de la Bahía

3 out of 5
Paseo Menéndez Pelayo 44 Santander Cantabria
The price is S$89 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
S$89
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santander. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour business centre. Popular attractions Santander Ferry Terminal ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (135 reviews)
It was an incredible experience! Director Daniel was a living definition of exceptional hospitality. We would return in a heartbeat.

Reviewed on 13 Jan, 2026

Sercotel El Balcón de la Bahía
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.
Estudios Aranzazu

Estudios Aranzazu

2 out of 5
Mies del Valle, 4 Santander Cantabria
Stay at this aparthotel in Santander. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
7.2/10 Good! (252 reviews)
Small, but perfect kitchen for a few nights' stay.

Reviewed on 2 Mar, 2026

Estudios Aranzazu
Apartamentos Las Brisas

Apartamentos Las Brisas

3 out of 5
Fernández Castañeda, 17 Santander Cantabria
Stay at this beach apartment in Santander. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, on-site car hire and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Santander Ferry Terminal and Palacio ...
7.6/10 Good! (82 reviews)
Santander stop over
We stayed here for 1 night on our way back to the UK by ferry to Plymouth. The apartment has 1 separate bedroom with a double bed and 1 single sofa bed. In the living room there are 2 single beds. There is also a kitchen with a washing machining. There are 2 restaurants conveniently located below ...

Reviewed on 23 Sept, 2021

Apartamentos Las Brisas
SF Avenue Santander

SF Avenue Santander

3.5 out of 5
San Fernando 28 Santander Cantabria
Stay at this apartment in Santander. Enjoy housekeeping. Popular attractions Santander Ferry Terminal and Cabarceno Natural Park are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (9 reviews)
Great high quality apartment for families
The way a really nice place to, everything fitted out to a high standard (american fridge, dishwasher, washing machine etc). Huge TVs in the main room and bedroom. Very comfortable beds, small balcony setting area and large living room/kitchen. Great with for families with two bedrooms. Also a handy ...

Reviewed on 10 Nov, 2024

SF Avenue Santander
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 55%
4 - Good
12
4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Much bigger than expected, a bustling city

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful sandy beaches everywhere, seafood is fantastic

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice town, good for the beach

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Santander is one of the nicest places I have visited.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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