Before you go

Your trip to Santander.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Santander – Cantábria Destination Asturias and Cantabria Capital

How to get there

Aeroporto Seve Ballesteros-Santander (Aeropuerto Seve Ballesteros-Santander) (SDR) 5 km
Estação de trem de Santander (Estación de Santander) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before buying. Seve Ballesteros-Santander airport is about 5 km from the center, with flights from Spanish and European cities. Santander station has trains from Madri and narrow-gauge trains to Bilbao and Oviedo. There are buses to Bilbao and other northern cities. By car, via the A-8 and A-67 highways.

How many days

Two days are enough for the Madalena, the Sardinero, the center, the Centro Botín, the maritime museum and the Cabo Mayor lighthouse. With three days you can include the Museu de Altamira and the Cabárceno park. Santander also serves as a base for the Cantábria coast.

When to go

From June to September it is usually less cold and rains less; it is the season for the beaches do Sardinero, with cold water. July and August are the busiest months, with summer courses and festivals. In Cantábria it rains much of the year, more in autumn and winter.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not needed for the city: urban buses link the center, the Madalena, the Sardinero and the lighthouse. For the Museu de Altamira and the Cabárceno park, a car is helpful; there are buses to Santillana del Mar, but less frequently.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Santander

Morning
Cathedral and market
Start at the cathedral, with its crypt and Roman remains, and continue to the Mercado da Esperança, with the fish stalls on the ground floor.
Afternoon
Paseo de Pereda and Centro Botín
Walk along the Paseo de Pereda by the bay and visit the Centro Botín, going up to the viewpoints over the water.
Late afternoon
Maritime museum
Follow the waterfront to the Museu Marítimo do Cantábrico, with its aquarium and boats.
Evening
Dinner in Puertochico
Dine in the bars and restaurants of Puertochico and the center, with anchovies, rabas and Cantabrian fish.

2 days in Santander

Day 2

Morning
Península da Madalena
Explore the península da Madalena, visit the palácio and look out to the isla de Mouro and the entrance to the bay.
Afternoon
Sardinero and Cabo Mayor
Go down to the beaches do Sardinero and follow the coast to the Cabo Mayor lighthouse.

3 days in Santander

Day 3

All day
Altamira and Cabárceno
Drive to the Museu de Altamira in Santillana del Mar, and from there to the Cabárceno park, about 45 minutes away.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Can you see the cave paintings of Altamira?

The original cave has very restricted access. The Museu de Altamira, next door, shows the Neocueva, a faithful replica of the paintings, along with the excavation collection.

Does Santander have beaches?

Yes, the beaches do Sardinero and those on the península da Madalena, with cold Cantabrian water. The season usually runs from June to September.

How to get from Santander to Bilbao?

By bus, in about 1h15, or by car via the A-8. There is also a narrow-gauge train, which is slower.

How many days to stay in Santander?

Two days for the city and a third day for Altamira and Cabárceno.

Do you need a car in Santander?

Not for the city. A car helps for Altamira, Cabárceno and the Cantábria coast.

Back to Santander