Santander in 3 Days: Beaches, Culture & Fun

Experience the hidden gems of Santander without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Discover the charming coastal city of Santander without breaking the bank. Enjoy walks along the promenade and beaches, visit the famous Palacio de la Magdalena and explore the stunning Magdalena Peninsula. Dine on delicious tapas and local specialities at affordable prices in the city's many bars and restaurants.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Wander Through the City

  • Start the day with a delicious breakfast of churros y chocolate from Casa del Chocolate.
  • Visit the Catedral de Santander, a beautiful Gothic-style cathedral.
  • Explore the Paseo Pereda, a picturesque promenade alongside the bay.
  • Head towards the Jardines de Piquio, a lovely park with stunning views of the sea.
  • Dress up for a flamenco show at Tablao Los Amigos.
  • Stay at Hotel Santemar, a comfortable and affordable hotel with great service.
Day 2

Beach Day

  • Spend the day at El Sardinero, one of the most beautiful beaches in Santander.
  • Grab a juicy burger and fries from La Taberna del Hombre Pez.
  • Rent a boat and enjoy some water sports at the Puerto Deportivo Marina.
  • Visit the Museo Maritimo del Cantabrico to learn about the marine history of the region.
  • Take a relaxing walk by the Faro de Cabo Mayor, a lighthouse with breath-taking views of the bay.
Day 3

Hiking and Culture

  • Hike up the Magdalena Peninsula, known for its beautiful views and stunning scenery.
  • Enjoy a hearty lunch with banoffee pie for dessert at Bodegon del Riojano.
  • Visit the Palacio de la Magdalena, a magnificent palace that was once the summer residence of the Spanish royal family.
  • Learn about the Cantabria region's culture at the Centro de Interpretacion de la Peninsula de la Magdalena.
  • End the day with a glass of wine and some tapas at El Machichaco Jose.

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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