The Ultimate 3-Day Santander Adventure

Experience the coastal magic of Santander, where history meets modernity.

22 April 2023

Santander is located in the north of Spain, surrounded by beautiful beaches and mountains. As a tourist, you can explore the historic city center, visit the Palacio de la Magdalena, and enjoy the food and nightlife. Don't miss out on the opportunity to take a boat ride along the coast to witness stunning ocean views.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Beach Day

  • Check into Gran Hotel Sardinero, a luxury hotel with an unforgettable sea view.
  • Take a stroll on El Sardinero beach, dip your toes in the refreshing water.
  • Stop by the Palacio de la Magdalena, a historic mansion with gorgeous gardens.
  • Visit the Centro Botín, an impressive art center with exhibitions ranging from painting to music.
  • End the day with traditional tapas at Restaurante La Tasca del Puerto, a cozy spot where locals gather.
Day 2

Culture and Sights

  • Start the day with breakfast at El Machi, a cute café with delicious freshly made pastries.
  • Explore the Museo de Prehistoria y Archaeology de Cantabria, home to artifacts from the region's past.
  • Walk up to the Cathedral de Santander, a Gothic style church with a bell tower.
  • Enjoy a scenic view of the bay from the Mirador del Faro, a lighthouse that is now a viewpoint.
  • Take a relaxing boat ride in the Bay of Santander with Excursiones Marítimas Santander.
Day 3

Foodie Tour

  • Have breakfast at La Cigaleña, a charming bakery that serves amazing croissants.
  • Visit the Mercado de la Esperanza, a lively marketplace selling fresh seafood, cheese, and fruits.
  • Head to Casa Lita for a seafood feast, with dishes like squid ink rice and grilled octopus.
  • For dinner, go to the popular Taberna del Herrero, known for their delicious string beans and oxtail stew.
  • End the night with a drink at The Dubliner, a lively Irish bar with great music and atmosphere.

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Santander, Spain by plane is to fly directly to Santander Airport (SDR) from major European cities such as London, Paris or Frankfurt. Airlines that fly to Santander include Ryanair and Vueling.

Car

The best way to get to Santander by car is to take the A-8 highway from Bilbao or the N-623 highway from Burgos. The journey from Bilbao takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, while the journey from Burgos takes around 2 hours.

Train

While there is no direct train that goes to Santander, you can take the train to Bilbao or Madrid and then transfer to a regional train or bus to Santander. The train station in Bilbao is called Bilbao-Abando and the train station in Madrid is called Madrid Chamartin.

Boat

While there are no direct boats that go to Santander, you can take a ferry from the UK to Santander with Brittany Ferries. The ferry departs from Portsmouth and Plymouth and the journey takes around 24 hours.

Bus

The best way to get to Santander by bus is to take a direct bus from major Spanish cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, or Bilbao. Companies that offer bus services to Santander include ALSA and Eurolines.

Destination

Santander

Get ready to have your bank account confused with your vacation destination as we explore Santander, the city that always keeps your finances on their toes.

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Number of days

1 2 3 4 5

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

More travel plans

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Santander's Whimsical Wonders: A Family-Friendly Day Trip

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