Northern Spain has some really spectacular places that leave no one indifferent to their visits. Cantabria is one of the most important regions on the Cantabrian coast, with Santander being the regional capital and one of the most important cities in Spain.
You probably associate Santander with the name of a bank near you, and with good reason, as it is the city that saw the birth of one of the most prestigious financial institutions in Spain; today it has become a global institution.
Before we start our tour of the best places in Santander Spain, I would like to tell you that the city of Santander has excellent connections, both by road, plane and train.
Santander’s train station (FEVE) is located in the heart of the city and has regular services to the main cities in the Cantabrian region. If you plan to visit Santander by train, you can book a car rental at Santander train station. Consult timetables and train arrival and departure schedules on the Renfe website.
The Airport of Santander Seve-Ballesteros (SDR), located only 10 minutes by car from the city centre, offers regular flights to the most important airports in Spain, as well as connections to the main cities in Europe. If you decide to visit Santander by plane, you can choose to make the car hire Santander Airport. Consult timetable and flight information on the AENA website.
The road connection in Santander is excellent, as it has both regional and urban motorways. The Autovia A-67 connects Cantabria with the region of Castilla y León; while the urban highways: S-10, S-20, S-30 and the A-8 section; connect different parts of the province and Bilbao.
The Magdalena Palace is one of the most beautiful places in the city of Santander, with good reason it is one of the icons of the city. Its architectural line and delicate gardens evoke the highest of nobility. In fact, it was the summer residence of important Spanish monarchs. Today, the building forms part of the headquarters of the Menéndez Pelayo International University.
For those who travel with their families (like me), La Magdalena beach is the ideal place to spend a pleasant time with everyone in the house. This beach is super comfortable and has all the services, something that is complemented by its wide green area. For this reason, it is not only one of my favourite beaches, but it is one of my best places in Santander.
El Sardinero beaches (I mention them in plural because they are two beaches: first and second), are another of my best places in Santander, both beaches are safe and have all the services. The first one has a wide promenade in its almost three kilometres of beach. The second one, El Sardinero, is the biggest beach in Santander and has a fun playground, as well as an area to park the cars.
Santander has thirteen urban beaches, all of them excellent, but as this is not just about beaches, I am going to mention them to you. In the following link you can know the capacity in real time of the beaches of Santander: Los Peligros, Playa Bikini, El Camello, La Concha, Los Molinucos, Mataleñas, El Bocal, Rosamunda, La Maruca, and Virgen del Mar.
There is a building that has been lighting up, guiding boats and delighting visitors for almost 200 years. I am referring to the Cabo Mayor Lighthouse, one of Santander’s most iconic postcards. A unique view where the impressive lighthouse stands on the cliffs and the Cantabrian Sea. In the surroundings of the Cabo Mayor and the Cabo Menor, there is the Mataleñas beach, a camping area and an entertainment area for the little ones.
The sea produces a renovating effect in me (perhaps it happens to you the same way), because – it is precisely what I felt when I walked along the Paseo Marítimo in Santander. I was very surprised by the Palace of the Embarcadero, although it is a small building, it has a lot of character and does not leave you indifferent.
If you like design and architecture, visiting the Botin Centre will appeal to you as much as it does to me. Its avant-garde design harmonizes perfectly with the maritime environment. The Botin Centre hosts exhibitions of artists in photography, sculpture, painting and writing. It also hosts a select film series at the Santander International Film Week.
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