The Ultimate 5-Day Adventure in Santander, Spain

Discover the beauty and rhythm of Santander - a coastal gem in the heart of Northern Spain.

22 April 2023

Santander, located on the northern coast of Spain, is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning beaches and historic landmarks. A trip to Santander would be incomplete without a visit to the Playa del Sardinero, where visitors can enjoy the picturesque scenery and take part in water sports. Additionally, tourists can explore the famed Palacio de la Magdalena, a breathtaking palace overlooking the Cantabrian Sea, and enjoy the delicious local cuisine in one of the many bustling restaurants.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Arrival and Beach Time

Check into your hotel at Hotel Chiqui, offering stunning views of the sea
Take a walk to Sardinero Beach, a slice of paradise in Santander
Soak up the sun, sand and sea on the beach and bask in the beauty of the coastline
Refresh yourself with a dip in the water, before grabbing some tapas at one of the nearby beachfront cafes
Watch the sun go down, with a cool drink in hand, or walk up to Magdalena Peninsula and admire the scenery

Day 2

Historical and Cultural Exploration

Begin with breakfast at Café de las Letras, to fuel up for the day
Visit the Palacio de la Magdalena, a stunning palace built in 1909, with beautiful gardens and sea views
Head to Centro Botin for contemporary art exhibitions and a rooftop restaurant with a view of Santander bay
Take a stroll to Plaza Porticada through the Gran Casino, immersing yourself in the architecture of the city centre
End the day with dinner in La Tasca del Puerto, enjoying delicious seafood dishes by the harbour

Day 3

Exploring the Surrounding Countryside

Rent a car and drive to Cabarceno Natural Park for a day of nature exploration
See elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers and other wild animals in a natural safari setting
Stop for a picnic lunch in one of the park's scenic viewpoints before continuing your exploration
Head back to Santander for a sunset dinner in the restaurant El Serbal, famed for its imaginative and tasty cuisine
Take a leisurely walk around the Paseo de Pereda, admiring the lit-up fountains and city night lights

Day 4

Surfs Up

Start off with a hearty breakfast at La Canela Matinal, a cozy and popular breakfast spot
Head over to Playa de Somo, known for its world class surf schools and warm water
Grab a surf board and ride the waves, or take a lesson if you're a first-timer
Take a break from the ocean and fill up on some paella and cold drinks, whilst overlooking the beach
Continue your water adventures with paddleboarding or kayaking, before returning to the city for dinner at the trendy Café de Oriente

Day 5

Farewell Santander

Check out of Hotel Chiqui, but keep your bags in the reception so you can have some last-minute explorations
Walk through the historic streets of Santander and stumble upon unique boutiques, food stalls and street art
Take in the local market in Plaza de la Esperanza, with its lively atmosphere and amazing fresh produce
Try some pintxos, a northern Spanish version of tapas, in Calle Hernán Cortés
End the trip with a visit to the Cathedral of Santander, and take a final look at the stunning views of the city from its tower

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.