Things to do in Santander, Spain, include beaches, coastal viewpoints, cultural attractions, and some of the best seafood in northern Spain. This charming city in the Cantabria region offers a slower, more authentic experience compared to the busier resorts in the south, making it an appealing choice for British travellers seeking Spanish sunshine without the crowds. Santander is worth visiting, and one I would go back to, especially for the food.
Why Visit Santander, Spain
Located along the Bay of Biscay, Santander, Spain, blends natural beauty with a relaxed city feel. You’ll find long sandy beaches like Playa del Sardinero, scenic promenades overlooking the Atlantic, and green parks perfect for easy walks. The city also has a strong cultural side, from the striking Centro Botín arts centre to the historic Palacio de la Magdalena on its own peninsula.
Food is a major highlight here. Santander is renowned for its fresh seafood, traditional Cantabrian dishes such as Rabas (fried squid), and excellent local markets, including Mercado de la Esperanza, where you can sample regional produce. Add in the city’s mild climate, coastal breezes, and laid‑back atmosphere, and it makes an ideal base for exploring northern Spain and places like Galicia.
Santander’s waterfront from the Magdalena Peninsula
Things to Do in Santander, Spain
Whether you’re planning a weekend break or a longer trip, this detailed guide covers the best things to do in Santander, Spain. From beaches to relax on and viewpoints, to the Maritime Museum of Cantabria and food spots like El Mercado del Este (The East Market), as well as easy day trips around Cantabria from Santander.
1. Visit the Magdalena Peninsula
One of the free things to do in Santander, Spain, is to walk around the Magdalena Peninsula. It offers dramatic coastal viewpoints, walking trails, an open-air marine park and Muelle de las Carabelas (Wharf of the Caravels). Its trails wind past rocky coves, open lawns and panoramic lookouts over the bay. If you want a bite to eat or a drink, you also have Cafetería Restaurante Caballerizas Reales on the Peninsula grounds.
If you don’t want to walk, you can take the Santander Magdalena Train Experience, which will take you on a trip around the peninsula and drop you off at the Magdalena Palace. The train runs every 10–15 minutes, and you hop on at the La Magdalena peninsula entrance. It costs a small fee, and the journey around is about 15 minutes if you don’t get off at the Palace. If you book a hop-on, hop-off bus tour of Santander, the train is included with the price.
2. Magdalena Palace
At the heart of the peninsula stands the Magdalena Palace, once the summer residence of the Spanish Royal Family. Its grand architecture and clifftop setting make it one of Santander’s most photographed landmarks. Depending on the season, guided tours are available inside. It’s a must-see for first-time visitors and one of Santander’s most iconic experiences. Guided tours include the Cathedral Tower, the Medieval wall, and the air raid shelter and take around 45 minutes.
Book a private walking tour of the Peninsula that includes entry to the Magdalene Palace, if you want insight into the area’s history.
Magdalena Peninsula & Magdalena Palace Information Board
3. Walk the Paseo de Pereda Promenade
Santander’s waterfront is one of the city’s most popular spots for locals and visitors. The Paseo de Pereda promenade curves along the water, lined with cafés, terraces and elegant 19th-century buildings. It is also where you catch tourist ferries and where you go to Payay de El Puntal.
Other features include Los Raqueros, bronze sculptures, and the Grúa de Piedra, all of which line the Promenade. Further along is Puerto Rico, a small port. Walk slowly along the Promenade, stop for a coffee or glass of wine at Casa Lita, then enjoy an ice cream at Gelateria Vacanze Romane while people-watching. Book a small-group 2-hour walking tour to learn about the bay and its history, which runs along the Paseo de Perda Promenade.
4. Discover the Maritime Museum of Cantabria
If you’re looking for things to do in Santander with family, head to the Maritime Museum of Cantabria. Exhibits cover everything from marine life to Cantabria’s fishing heritage, making it a great choice for visitors interested in the region’s coastal culture. It is a unique combination of museum and aquarium. The Maritime Museum of Cantabria is located along the Promenade near the port. It is open daily except on Mondays. There is a small entrance fee, and it should take about 1-2 hours to explore.
5. Explore el Mercado del Este (The East Market)
El Mercado del Este (The East Market) is a great spot if you are hungry and want to try Cantabrian food. It is a beautifully restored 19th-century indoor food market hall in the heart of Santander, Spain. Unlike the more traditional Mercado de la Esperanza, it blends food stalls with small boutiques, cafés, restaurants and artisan shops.
It’s a lovely place to stop for pintxos or tapas, or to enjoy a coffee, a glass of wine, or a beer. The market also hosts cultural events throughout the year, making it a lively, atmospheric stop that fits easily into any Santander itinerary. This was one of my favourite spots in Santander. Book a private full-day gastronomic tour that includes food and wine tasting from the Northern Spain Cantabria area.
Wine and Tapas at El Mercado del Este (The East Market)
6. Relax on El Sardinero or Segunda Playa Beaches
Enjoy a sunny day on Santander’s renowned El Sardinero and Segunda Playa beaches. With wide stretches of golden sand, rolling waves and a classic promenade, it’s the ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, or simply soaking up the sun. I even saw people competing on paddleboards on the beach.
Just off the beach is the historic Gran Casino Sardinero, which adds a touch of old-world glamour. El Sardinero and Segunda Playa beaches are lined with cafés and restaurants perfect for a glass of wine or beer. Restaurante El Serbal on the beach is ideal for fine dining, or the BNS Street Food restaurant for something more casual.
7. Walk the Coastal Cliffs to Cabo Mayor Lighthouse
Take the scenic coastal trail to the Cabo Mayor lighthouse, where you will enjoy stunning panoramic views. The lighthouse stands above rugged rock formations and is a brilliant spot for photography, especially at sunset. Cape Mayor Lighthouse is the most important lighthouse in Cantabria. Ships have been signalled from here since 1839. You can get here by hop-on, hop-off bus. If you go from El Sardinero to Cape Mayor Lighthouse, it’s about a 35-minute walk along the coastal trail.
If you like hiking, check out 12 of the Best Day and Multi-Day Hikes in Europe.
8. Taste Local Food at Mercado de la Esperanza
For a real taste of Santander, Spain, head to Mercado de la Esperanza, the city’s historic indoor food market. It is one of the best places to sample authentic Cantabrian produce, such as Santoña anchovies. The ground floor is filled with fresh seafood, while the upper level showcases local cheeses, cured meats, seasonal fruit and pastries.
It’s a brilliant spot to wander with a coffee, try some tapas, or simply soak up Santander’s atmosphere. If you love exploring food markets when you travel, this one offers a genuine flavour of northern Spain. It reminded me of Les Halles Saint-Claire in Grenoble, France.
Walking along the path at El Sardinero beach, Santander
9. Discover Santander’s Lesser-Known Beaches
Beyond El Sardinero, Santander has several quieter beaches worth exploring. Playa del Camello is a charming cove with calm waters, Playa de los Peligros is ideal for swimming, and Mataleñas Beach offers a beautiful sandy bay accessible via a cliff-top path. We spent time at Biklinis Beach on the Magdalena Peninsula, near the former royal residence. Biklinis Beach is a 250-metre-long golden-sand beach known for its calm waters. Afterwards, we had drinks at Magdalena Spa Restaurant, which was right on the beach.
10. Centro Botín & Jardines de Pereda
For those seeking culture in the city, head to Centro Botín, a modern art and cultural centre designed by Renzo Piano. It is located right on the waterfront. Centro Botin showcases contemporary exhibitions and cultural events and features a rooftop terrace with views over the bay. Pair your visit with a stroll through the Jardines de Pereda (Pereda Gardens), next to the Centro Botin.
Pereda Gardens is a beautiful, leafy area with cafés, a playground, a vintage carousel for kids, and the Official Tourism office for Santander, Spain. Book a fun 3-hour E-Bike tour of Santander city centre that takes you to Centro Botín, Plaza Porticada, Santander Cathedral and Sardinero beach.
11. Take a Boat Tour Around Santander Bay
Discovering Santander from the water is a relaxing and scenic way to see the city. Boat tours around Santander Bay offer views of the Magdalena Peninsula, the city skyline and the coastline. Some tours stop at nearby beaches, while others focus on panoramic sightseeing. Boat tours depart regularly from the Paseo de Pereda promenade waterfront and take around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the route.
We took a boat tour of Santander Bay, which took us around Isla de Mouro and up to the Faro de Cabo Mayor (Cape Mayor Lighthouse). I recommended Chiringuito El Embarcadero for a coffee or glass of wine, near where the boats depart. You can book an hour-long City Cruise Around the Bay with GYG.
Wine on Biklinis Beach, Magdalena Peninsula, Santander
12. Other Activities in Santander, Spain, worth mentioning
- Take the Funicular to Mirador Río de la Pila for spectacular panoramic views across the city and Santander Bay.
- Explore Santander’s Old Town (Centro Histórico), where you can see the 13th-century Cathedral, Plaza Porticada o de Velarde and Estación Marítima.
- Catch a ferry to Playa de Somo beach for the day and enjoy water sports or take a surf lesson.
- Enjoy fresh seafood at Barrio Pesquero, the city’s traditional fishing quarter, where you can sample authentic dishes.
- Take a day trip to Campo Viejo Winery in La Rioja, Northern Spain.
13. Day trips from Santander, Spain
13.1 Take a Day Trip to Cabárceno Wildlife Park
Just outside the city, Cabárceno Wildlife Park is one of Europe’s largest wildlife parks. Set within a former mining landscape, it’s home to animals living in spacious enclosures and offers cable-car routes with panoramic views over the valleys. It’s a top choice for families or anyone wanting a nature‑focused day out. Book a half-day tour to Cabárceno Wildlife Park that includes a transfer from your accommodation, an entry ticket, and a cable car ride with GYG.
13.2 Visit Santillana del Mar and Altamira Museum
Head to the historic village of Santillana del Mar and the Altamira Museum for a day. Santillana del Mar is one of Cantabria’s most beautiful medieval villages; wander the cobbled streets and take in the Romanesque architecture. Afterwards, head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Altamira Museum and see the carefully crafted replica of the famous bison ceiling, painted between 35,000 and 13,000 years ago, known as Neocave (Neocueva).
Book a small-group tour that includes tickets and hotel pickup to Santillana del Mar and Altamira Museum.
13.3 Go to Covadonga Lakes & Cangas de Onis
Spend the day discovering Spain’s first national park, the Picos de Europa, exploring Cangas de Onís’s preserved Roman bridge and admiring the breathtaking Santuario de Covadonga, set amid stunning mountains. The Santa Cueva de Covadonga is a Catholic sanctuary in Asturias, northern Spain, and one of the country’s most visited religious sites. Visitors can book a full-day guided tour from Santander that includes all three historical sites and is available in English and Spanish.
Boat Rides around Santander Bay
14. Getting around Santander, Spain
The Northern coast Spanish city is spread out, and the best way to see the sites in Santander is to take the Hop-on Hop-off bus. It covers all the main attractions; you can get a 24-hour ticket, it comes in 6 languages, and it includes the train tour to Puerto Chico. You can purchase a hop-on, hop-off bus ticket online here.
15. Use Santander local Buses
We used Santander’s local bus service (TUS) to get around the city. The buses were modern, air-conditioned and reliable. The comprehensive network made it easy to get between the Santander attractions, sites and beaches. We purchased single tickets, which can be bought from the bus driver (cash or contactless credit/debit card). For more frequent travel, you can get a rechargeable travel card, which can be topped up at kiosks (estancos).
16. Flights from London to Santander, Spain
Santander Airport (Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport) is only 5 km away from the city centre. From there, you can take the ALSA airport bus to the main bus station or a taxi, which takes around 15-30 minutes depending on traffic. Direct flights from London Stansted to Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport take around 2 hours with Ryanair.
17. Ferries from the UK to Santander, Spain
Brittany Ferries operates direct services from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander, Spain. The crossing takes around 20-24 hours, and cabins are available on board. This is an ideal option for people who are road-tripping and practising slow travel.
18. Other Cities in Europe to Explore
Discover these travel guides for other cities across Europe that can be done on a weekend break. Which include detailed itineraries, activities, where to stay and how to get there.
- How to see the Best of Salzburg, Austria in 2 Days
- 48 hours in Lake Garda, Italy
- Best Things to do in Chambéry, France (Plus Top Tips)
Have you ever been to Santander in northern Spain? Is there anything else I should include in this Santander itinerary? Please let me know in the comments below.
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