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Museum · Santander, Cantábria
Museo Marítimo del Cantábrico
Museum and aquarium on the shore of Santander's bay, showcasing life in the Cantábrico Sea, fishing, naval history and traditional boats.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Museo Marítimo del Cantábrico
The Museu Marítimo do Cantábrico stands on the shore of Santander's bay, between the centre and the península da Madalena. The museum's origins go back to the marine zoology station established in the city in 1889, and the collections bring together holdings from the old nautical school museum, the royal shipyard museum of Guarnizo and the Instituto Espanhol de Oceanografia.
The exhibition is divided into four areas: life at sea, with aquariums of fish and Cantábrico marine animals; the fishermen and fisheries, with traditional boats, nets and the history of coastal fishing; the Cantábrico and the sea in history, with ship models, maps and navigation instruments; and technology facing the sea.
The aquarium is the most popular part with families, with tanks of coastal species. One highlight is the skeleton of a whale suspended from the museum ceiling.
The museum terrace, with a restaurant, overlooks the bay.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1.5 to 2 hours.
Best time
Any open day; opening hours change throughout the year, so check in advance. It's a good option for rainy days.
How to get there
It is on avenida Severiano Ballesteros, on the bayfront, about a 20-minute walk from the centre along the waterfront, or reachable by city bus.
Tip
Combine the museum with a walk along the waterfront to the península da Madalena, which is just beyond.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Museo Marítimo del Cantábrico
What is in the Maritime Museum of the Cantábrico?
Aquariums with species from the Cantábrico, traditional boats, the history of fishing and navigation, and the skeleton of a whale.
Does the museum have an aquarium?
Yes, with tanks of fish and animals from the Cantábrico coast.
Where is the museum?
On the edge of the bay of Santander, between the center and the peninsula of Madalena.