Experience Santander's Charm in a Day

Experience the beauty and charm of Santander, Spain.

22 April 2023

As a tourist in Santander, Spain, you can expect to be mesmerized by the picturesque beauty of the city. Take a stroll along the Paseo de Pereda and admire the historic buildings, including the Palacio de la Magdalena. Don't miss out on the culinary delights, such as fresh seafood and regional specialties like Cocido Montañés.

Day trip plan

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Day

Discovering Santander

  • Start the day by grabbing a coffee and pastry at La Mallorquina, a historic bakery near the city centre.
  • Head to the Palacio de la Magdalena, a stunning palace overlooking the beach. Take a tour, stroll around the gardens and enjoy the views.
  • Stop for lunch at Cañadío, a popular restaurant serving fresh seafood and local dishes. Don't skip the anchovies!
  • Visit the Centro Botín, an impressive modern art museum by the sea. Check out the exhibitions and enjoy a drink on the rooftop terrace.
  • Take a walk along the Paseo Pereda, a picturesque street lined with palaces and historic buildings. Stop for a sunset drink at the terrace of the Hotel Bahía.
  • End the day with dinner at Casa Lita, a cosy restaurant serving traditional Cantabrian cuisine. Try the wild mushroom croquettes and the beef cheek stew.

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.

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