Best Things To Do In Santander, Spain

Anne
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 3 min read
things to do in santander spain

Santander is located on the coast in Cantabria, Spain and is considered to be one of the most beautiful and elegant cities in northern Spain. Cantabria’s capital city lies at the mouth of the Bay of Santander, with the rocky La Magdalena Peninsula standing guard. As you explore the city, with its 19th-century buildings looming over a spectacular bay, there are stunning views wherever you look. Nature is always present in the city, with its many gardens and parks offering restful places to relax, while the excellent beaches offer a chance to soak up the sun or enjoy a range of water sports. The following are just a few of the must-see sights of this fascinating city.

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1. La Magdalena Peninsula

Peninsula de La Magdalena
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Maria Victoria Go... used under CC BY 2.5

Located on the edge of the Bay of Santander, La Magdalena Peninsula offers a range of experiences. There is plenty to do in this 69-acre (28 hectare) park. Visit the stunning Palacio Real de la Magdalena, surrounded by its pretty gardens, or enjoy summer concerts or a picnic in the fresh air. Enjoy the sea and wildlife in the Marine Park with its small zoo, or marvel over the three beautifully intact and fascinating galleons sailed by Spanish mariner Vital Alsar Ramírez. There are also two beaches to enjoy, as well as a lighthouse on site, while the El Magdaleno Tourist Train transports you around in comfort and style.

La Magdalena Peninsula

Address: Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Website: Santander Tourism

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2. Santander Cathedral

Santander cathedral
Source: Photo by Flickr user James used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary of Santander – or Santander Cathedral for short – is a historical building, built between the end of the 12th-century and 14th-century and located in the historic area of Santander. The monumental complex consists of two churches and was constructed on top of what was originally the Abbey of San Emeter. The cathedral was declared a cultural heritage site in 1931.

Santander Cathedral

Address: Plaza del Obispo José Eguino y Trecu, s/n, Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Website: Santander Tourism

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3. Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria

Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria is located in the centre of the capital city of Santander, close to the Bay of Santander. The museum has a collection of 1,200 artifacts and remains discovered in archaeological excavations in Cantatria, including stone and bone objects collected from various caves and sites in the region. Among the exhibits are Paleolithic art, along with prehistoric and historical archaeology and items from the Iron Age. An exhibit of Roman art and funerary objects is also on display.

Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria

Address: s/n, Calle Bailén, 39004 Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Website: Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria

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4. Doctor Morales Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Known in Spanish as the Parque del Doctor Morales, this is a leafy and green space in the heart of the city. There are various species of trees, including Lawson’s cypresses, elms, willows, ash trees, horse chestnut trees and Canary palms, offering shade on hot summer days. The park also hosts a children’s playground next to a small pond, close to the entrance of the park. A sculpture of a cow is located in the park to commemorate the animal that has been so important to the economy of the area for many centuries.

Doctor Morales Park

Address: Calle Cajo, s/n, 39011 Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Website: Parks and gardens of Santander

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5. Playa de Los Molinucos

For those seeking peace and quiet, this small beach is the perfect alternative to the more popular and crowded beaches of Santander. The beach is located in Cabo Menor on the Mataleñas peninsula, next to Mataleñas park and the municipal golf course of the same name. The beach has a smooth slope of fine sand and is completely covered at high tide. No facilities or amenities are available on the beach.

Playa de Los Molinucos

Address: 39012 Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Website: Beaches of Santander

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6. Palacio Real de La Magdalena

Cantabria. Santander. Boat. The Magdalena Palace. Spain (2905085215)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tomás Fano used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The beautiful Palacio Real de La Magdalena is located on La Magdalena Peninsula, close to the entrance to Santander Bay and in front of the Isle of Mouro. The emblematic palace was built in 1908 as a seasonal residence for Spain’s royal family. However, in 1977, the royal family sold the palace and the La Magdalena Peninsula back to the city. It was then declared a historical monument in 1982. The building is well worth a visit and is surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Palacio Real de La Magdalena

Address: Av. de la Reina Victoria, s/n, 39005 Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Website: Palacio Real de La Magdalena

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7. Cabo Mayor and Cabo Menor

View from Cabo Menor to Cabo Mayor
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tiia Monto used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Cabo Mayor and Cabo Menor headlands run from the end of the El Sardinero Beach all the way to the lighthouse. Along the route are several beautiful beaches, green parks and rugged cliffs. This scenic region of Cantabria is perfect for hikers, nature lovers and photographers alike. Of particular interest is the El Chiqui viewpoint, offering stunning scenic views, and the Ecopark Forestal Park. The Cabo Mayor Lighthouse Art Centre is also worth a visit.

Cabo Mayor and Cabo Menor

Website: Santander Tourism

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8. Surfing at Playa El Sardinero

El Sardinero is the most popular beach in Santander and stretches from the Magdalena Peninsula to Mataleñas. During the summer months the beach is packed with visitors, enjoying the sun, sand and full range of amenities, while autumn and winter are the perfect times for surfing. This sheltered beach has reasonably consistent surf at all stages of the tide, with offshore winds blowing from the Southwest and the beach break offers left and right handers.

Playa El Sardinero

Address: Avenida Manuel García Lago, Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Website: Beaches of Santander

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Enjoy your visit to Santander, Spain

With its culture, history, fascinating architecture and endless sandy beaches, Santander is a must-visit destination in northern Spain.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Anne Sewell was born in England, but has spent most of her life in Africa - Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa - and now resides on the beautiful Costa del Sol in southern Spain. She loves writing...Read more

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