Santander Holidays

Northern Spain's best-kept secret, Santander is where royal palaces meet Atlantic surf, where golden beaches stretch for miles and the seafood is so fresh it practically jumps onto your plate. Think Spain without the crowds – but all the charm.

☀️ Good to Know

• 🌤️ Summer highs of 22°C with refreshing Atlantic breezes – warm without the scorching heat of southern Spain

• 💶 Pints from €2.50 and a proper menu del día for €15 – proper good value compared to the Med

• 🏖️ Santander has 11 urban beaches, including El Sardinero – consistently ranked among Spain's finest city beaches

✨ Santander Highlights

• 🏰 Wander the grounds of the Magdalena Palace, the stunning royal summer residence with panoramic bay views and a free mini-zoo with sea lions and penguins

• 🏖️ Stretch out on El Sardinero Beach, over a kilometre of golden sand backed by elegant Belle Époque architecture and the iconic Gran Casino

• 🎨 Explore the Centro Botín, Renzo Piano's striking waterfront arts centre with world-class exhibitions and a rooftop terrace overlooking the bay

• 🦐 Feast on the freshest rabas (crispy squid) and Santoña anchovies at the Mercado de la Esperanza – the local food market is a proper institution

• ⛴️ Hop on the ferry to Somo for a chilled afternoon of surfing and beach bars across the bay – only €5 return and 30 minutes each way

🏨 Where to Stay in Santander

For Families

• Santos Santemar A large 4-star just a short stroll from Sardinero Beach. There's a gym, garden, game room, and loads of space for the kids to run around. Santander Airport is only 9.5km away.

• Bahia Spacious 4-star right in the city centre with proper family-friendly vibes. Fine dining restaurant, breakfast buffet, and just 50 metres from shops and transport links.

• NH Ciudad de Santander A reliable 4-star close to beaches and the historic centre. The 24/7 self-service bar is handy, and it's well set up for both families and couples.

For Couples

• Eurostars Hotel Real The luxury pick – a gorgeous 5-star with Neo-French elegance, parkland views, and a Thalassotherapy spa centre. The à la carte restaurant is properly swish. Perfect for a special occasion.

• Vincci Puertochico Sleek 4-star boutique in the Marina area with stunning bay views from soundproofed rooms. The café-bar terrace overlooking the waterfront is proper lovely for lazy morning coffees.

• Hotel Art Santander Intimate 18-room boutique in the city centre with espresso makers, rainfall showers, and a cracking restaurant. Walking distance to the Paseo de Pereda and all the pintxos bars.

Need More Options?

We've got loads more Santander hotels to suit every budget and style – from beachfront gems to city-centre pads.

🎯 What to Do in Santander

Families

• 🏖️ Build sandcastles at Playa de la Magdalena – calm, sheltered waters perfect for little ones

• 🦁 Spot sea lions, penguins, and historic ships at the Magdalena Peninsula's free marine park and Man and Sea Museum

• 🐠 Explore the Museo Marítimo del Cantábrico with its touch pools, aquariums, and submarine exhibits

• 🚂 Ride the Magdaleno tourist train up to the palace grounds while the kids soak up the views

Couples

• 🌅 Stroll the Paseo de Pereda at sunset, past elegant 19th-century buildings and the bronze Los Raqueros sculpture

• 🎨 Catch a contemporary art exhibition at the Centro Botín, then grab drinks on the rooftop terrace

• 🍷 Work your way through the pintxos bars around Plaza de Cañadío – Santander's answer to the Basque tapas scene

• 🏰 Book a guided tour inside the Magdalena Palace and imagine life as Spanish royalty (tours from €3)

Groups

• 🏄 Book surf lessons at Sardinero Beach or catch the ferry to Somo for bigger waves and a proper surf town vibe

• 🍺 Hit the craft beer bars around the city centre – there's a growing scene with local brews

• ⚽ Catch a Racing Santander match at El Sardinero stadium when the season's on – the atmosphere is brilliant

• 🥾 Hike the coastal path from Sardinero to Cabo Mayor Lighthouse for dramatic clifftop views

Culture Vultures

• 🎭 Catch opera, ballet, or classical concerts at the Festival Internacional de Santander (running since 1948)

• ⛪ Explore the rebuilt Catedral de Santander and the historic quarter around Plaza Porticada

• 🎪 Wander through the perfectly preserved medieval streets of Santillana del Mar (30 minutes away)

• 🖼️ Visit the Museo de Prehistoria y Arqueología for a journey through Cantabria's ancient past

📅 When to Visit Santander

☀️ Summer (June–August) | Highs of 22°C

Peak season with warm weather and buzzing beaches. The Atlantic keeps things comfortable without the scorching heat you'd get further south. Book early for the best hotels.

What's On:

• Noche de San Juan (24 June) – massive bonfires on Sardinero Beach with street parties until dawn

• Semana Grande (mid-to-late July) – Santander's biggest fiesta with 11 days of concerts, fireworks, parades, and the traditional chupinazo rocket launch

• Festival Internacional de Santander (August) – world-class classical music, ballet, and opera at the Palacio de Festivales since 1948

🌸 Spring (March–May) | Highs of 16°C

Mild weather, fewer crowds, and great deals on accommodation. Perfect for coastal walks and exploring without the summer rush.

What's On:

• Semana Santa (March/April) – atmospheric Holy Week processions winding through the city streets

• Virgen del Mar (May/June) – hundreds carry the patron saint's image to her hermitage, followed by a massive romería picnic

🍂 Autumn (September–October) | Highs of 19°C

Still warm enough for beach days in early autumn, with the bonus of quieter attractions and lower prices. The seafood is particularly good this time of year.

What's On:

• Día de la Hispanidad (12 October) – national holiday celebrations with parades and festivities

❄️ Winter (November–February) | Highs of 12°C

Mild by northern Europe standards but expect some rain. A great time for cosying up in pintxos bars and exploring museums without the crowds.

What's On:

• Three Kings Parade (5 January) – the Cabalgata de Reyes sees elaborately decorated floats throwing sweets to children lining the streets

• Carnaval (February) – costume parades and street parties before Lent begins

🗺️ Nearby Resorts

Fancy exploring more of Cantabria? Here are some brilliant spots within easy reach:

• Santillana del Mar – Spain's prettiest medieval village with cobbled streets and the famous Altamira Caves nearby (30 mins)

• Suances – laid-back surf town with brilliant beaches and a proper spa hotel scene (30 mins)