Santander

Travel Guide

Santander showing a beach, rugged coastline and general coastal views
Palacio de la Magdalena which includes a garden and heritage architecture
Santander
Santander
Banco Santander featuring 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 Jardines de Pereda and Plaza Porticada while you're in town.

Santander City Centre
El Sardinero Beach which includes heritage elements, a coastal town and general coastal views

El Sardinero

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

El Sardinero
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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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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
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Porrúa

Pristine beaches and captivating waterfront views are well-reviewed features of Porrúa. Make a stop by top sights like Iglesia de las Salesas Reales while you're exploring the area.

Porrúa
Hotel Bahia
Hotel Bahia
4 out of 5
C/ Cádiz, 22, Santander, Cantabria
The price is S$230 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$230
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Mostly it was good. Parking facilities were a disappointment because we couldn’t use them. Our small car was towing a small trailer, and this was enough to prevent us using the hotel car park. We had to park 450m away and pay 28.50 euros."

Reviewed on 3 Jul, 2025

Hotel Bahia
Hotel Santemar
Hotel Santemar
4 out of 5
C/ Joaquin Costa, 28, Santander, Cantabria
The price is S$225 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$225
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (884 reviews)
"excellent service"

Reviewed on 26 Jun, 2025

Hotel Santemar
Hotel Chiqui
Hotel Chiqui
3 out of 5
Avda. Manuel García Lago 9, Santander, Cantabria
The price is S$399 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
S$399
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star golf hotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (799 reviews)
"Great location overlooking the beach, superb view of fireworks. Lovely coastal walks. Hotel is nice and most staff went out of their way to be helpful but a few were unwelcoming. Hotel pool was always full with no sun loungers available but it was July."

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 2025

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.
Estudios Aranzazu
Estudios Aranzazu
2 out of 5
Mies del Valle, 4, Santander, Cantabria
Stay at this aparthotel in Santander. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
7/10 Good! (231 reviews)
"The accommodation was very good for the price, location was quite central and it had a 24h reception."

Reviewed on 23 Oct, 2023

Estudios Aranzazu
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (72 reviews)
"The pictures on the advertisement are nothing close to the reality. Ceilings and walls are plastered with dead mosquitoes. Rooms are very hot, and they do not have air conditioning or even a fan."

Reviewed on 1 Aug, 2024

Apartamentos River Santander
SF Avenue Santander
SF Avenue Santander
3.5 out of 5
San Fernando 28, Santander, Cantabria
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Santander. Enjoy housekeeping. Popular attractions Cabarceno Natural Park and Santander Ferry Terminal are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (8 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.