Cantabria province’s capital and largest city, Santander is a coastal location offering a pleasant mix of historical sights with relaxing beach holiday facilities. As a busy port, Santander provides ferry services from the UK while its own international airport brings visitors from other overseas or continental destinations. Santander is a relatively small city and caters to those looking for vacations without the screaming masses that many of Spain’s popular resorts are subject to.
There are a number of beaches available to the city including Sardinero, Camello, Mataleñas and Magdalena. Water sports are available, with the more popular beaches such as Sardinero, offering the best selection. Come summer time, visitors will find that Santander’s beaches are as popular with the locals and with domestic visitors as they are with those taking overseas vacations.
For daytime activities away from the sea and sand there’s the Prehistoric and Archaeological Museum of Cantabria, the Maritime Museum of Cantabria, the cathedral and the lighthouse, all being worthy of a visit. Alternatively, browse the shops on offer at the Cuatro Caminos and the area which borders Ayuntamiento. Come the evening, the Plaza de Cañadío is a favourite spot to enjoy a glass of fine Spanish wine or beer with seven bars available and a number of others close by.
Highlights
The Prehistoric and Archaeological Museum of Cantabria: home to a collection of artifacts found in the province of Cantabria with the oldest dating back 15,000 years.
The Municipal Museum of Fine Arts: works by Spanish, Flemish and Italian artists, including some notable pieces by Goya, are on display at this small but impressive museum.
Santander Cathedral: restoration following a fire in 1941 brought this fine building back to its former glory. The tomb of historian/writer Marcelino Menéndez y Pelayo is located within the cathedral.
Cantabrian Maritime Museum: is among the most impressive facilities of this nature in the country and features displays relating to maritime history, marine biology, fishing etc.
Menéndez y Pelayo Library: the literary works collected by writer Menéndez y Pelayo throughout his lifetime can viewed at this library via guided tour.