5 Places to Visit in Santander Spain

Looking for places to visit in Santander Spain?

Santander is a great city on the northern coast of Spain that many people doesn’t know about.

This city has some beautiful beaches, an amazing history, and a lively culture which is quite fascinating.

While tourists often go to other Spanish cities, Santander has something special that belongs to it.

Which means, that Santander has a nice combination of its city life and coastal aspects. By making it perfect for travelers who want to experience the real Spanish life.

However, we are not going to mention all the cool places in this guide.

As a matter of fact, we will bring out to you our top and best 5 places that you should visit in Santander.

In that way, you can decide whether your selected location spots are worth visiting or not.

Palacio de la Magdalena

Palacio de la Magdalena is on top of the Magdalena Peninsula and shows off the city’s royal past.

They built it in the early 1900s for the Spanish royal family to use in the summer.

However, as of now it’s an important cultural spot and a symbol of Santander’s importance.

The palace looks really interesting because it has a mix of English, French, and local mountain styles.

Palacio de la Magdalena was made of stone and has pretty towers with the touch of huge windows.

It looks impressive against the sea behind it.

Tip: You can take tours inside to see how richly it’s decorated. And get an idea of how royal people used to live.

Playa del Sardinero

If you’re looking to spend your time with the sunset or the sunrise along with a land with sand. Then Playa del Sardinero is the place to go in Santander.

This long, golden beach goes for almost two kilometers along the city’s coast.

It has clean water and great views of the Bay of Biscay.

El Sardinero isn’t just one beach over there, several beaches are actually interacting with it, by each with its own special feel.

The sand is soft and golden, and the waves are usually calm by making it great for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports.

So if you like surfing, you’ll find good waves, especially in the fall when they’re at their best.

Anyway, if you prefer to relax, you can rent some comfortable chairs and umbrellas on the beach as well.

Beyond the beach, there’s a lively walkway with cafes, restaurants, and ice cream shops.

The beach has good facilities too, like showers, changing rooms, and lifeguards, especially during the summer season.

While summer is the most popular time to visit El Sardinero, it’s pretty nice all year round.

Even in the off-season, it’s a peaceful place for walks, because you can’t expect more crowd during this period.

Catedral de Santander

In the middle of the old town, you’ll find the Catedral de Santander.

This old church shows how much respect that people in Santander shows to their religion.

Catedral de Santander was Built in the 1200s, which is in Gothic-style.

What’s amazing is that this church has been through wars, as for this reason, people around Santander believes that their are spiritual life holds the value of the church.

From the outside, this church looks simple but serious, and it’s been that way for hundreds of years.

Inside of it, there’s a big open space with detailed stone carvings and stained glass windows that lets in colorful light.

Some people think this might have been where the Romans first worshipped in the city.

As per the given details, we can clearly see it as well, right?

Mainly this underground church was to Christ and it holds the remains of San Emeterio and San Celedonio, who are Santander’s patron saints.

The crypt feels very old and important, with its low, curved ceilings and ancient stonework.

Throughout its history, the Catedral de Santander has been really important to the city.

It’s been a place for worship, learning, and a symbol of how strong Santander is. 

Centro Botín

The Centro Botín shows how Santander is moving into the future.

This modern art was by the famous architect Renzo Piano, who has changed the city’s waterfront since it opened in 2017.

The building itself looks like a work of art, with two round structures that are covered in ceramic tiles which seems to float above the ground by connecting the walkways and terraces.

The main job of the Centro Botín is to be a fascinating place for art, culture, and education.

Centro Botín has plenty of space for art shows that changes regularly and features artists from Spain and around the world, especially those who are keen on modern art.

The center also has a permanent collection by some of the most talented artists from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Besides being an art gallery, the Centro Botín also hosts various events, such as concerts and movie screenings.

This is something interesting, it also has several programs to help people of all ages as in children and adults to be more creative in their own way and express themselves through art.

The building has lots of public spaces, including a rooftop terrace with great views of Santander Bay and the city.

So, if you like art or just love to see different architectural designs, the Centro Botín gives out a unique experience that shows off Santander’s modern side.

Península de la Magdalena

To finish our tour of Santander’s best tourist spots, we have the Península de la Magdalena, a beautiful natural area that shows off the city’s coastal beauty.

This rocky piece of land that sticks out into the Cantabrian Sea gives out the vibe of some natural aspects.

The peninsula’s rough coastline has small, hidden beaches and coves, that are perfect for people who want to get closer to the nature.

There are walking paths all over that gives you amazing views of the bay and the open sea.

This place is surrounded by green fields, thick woods, and dramatic cliffs, and it is a home to many local plants and animals.

One unique thing about the peninsula is its small zoo, which has sea animals and birds.

This zoo was originally for exotic animals that was given as a gift to the royal family back then, but now it’s used to teach visitors from all over the world about local wildlife and how to protect it at all cost.

Note: These views are especially beautiful at sunset, when the sky and the sea are filled with bright colors.

Conclusion

Santander is actually a city with historical charm, natural beauty, and modern attractions that shares a unique experience for travelers.

Truth to be told, Santander is a gem in northern Spain that invites visitors to dive into its history.

So, if you like to walk on the beach, explore impressive building structures, or just want to enjoy some local food, Santander promises to give you that experience.

As a place that nicely balances tradition and its modernity, Santander is ready to charm and inspire everyone who visits there.

So pack your bags and get ready to discover all the different sides of this wonderful coastal city without taking this trip any further.

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