Santander

City · Cantabria, 🇪🇸 Spain

Santander is a port city on the north coast of Spain, in Cantabria. It has long city beaches, a grand seafront and a peninsula with a royal palace.

The weather is mild and often cloudy, which makes it a cool escape in summer. Santander suits a beach and seafood trip, and it is a good base for the green coast and mountains of Cantabria.

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When to visit

Summer is the best season, with mild days and the best chance of sun. Spring and autumn are green but rainy. Winter is cool and wet.

The biggest event is the Semana Grande in late July, with concerts and street events around the city.

Best time to visit: June, July, August, September

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor

12° (feels like 10°) · extremes 2°–18°
6° at night
15 rainy days
3 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in February

Fair

13° (feels like 10°) · extremes 2°–20°
6° at night
14 rainy days
5 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in March

Fair

15° (feels like 13°) · extremes 3°–22°
7° at night
15 rainy days
8 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Good

17° (feels like 15°) · extremes 5°–24°
9° at night
15 rainy days
9 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Good

19° (feels like 18°) · extremes 8°–26°
11° at night
16 rainy days
9 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in June

Great

22° · extremes 11°–29°
15° at night
13 rainy days
8 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in July

Great

24° · extremes 13°–29°
16° at night
12 rainy days
10 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in August

Great

24° (feels like 25°) · extremes 14°–30°
17° at night
12 rainy days
11 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in September

Great

23° · extremes 12°–29°
15° at night
12 rainy days
11 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in October

Good

20° · extremes 9°–27°
13° at night
14 rainy days
9 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Fair

15° (feels like 13°) · extremes 5°–22°
9° at night
17 rainy days
4 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in December

Poor

13° (feels like 11°) · extremes 2°–19°
7° at night
15 rainy days
4 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 1 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land · 1996–2025

Top sights

Peninsula de la Magdalena is a green headland between two beaches, with walking paths and sea views.
Palacio de la Magdalena was built as a summer home for the Spanish royal family in the early 20th century. It stands at the end of the peninsula.
Segunda Playa de El Sardinero and Primera Playa de El Sardinero are the main city beaches at El Sardinero, with a long promenade.
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is the city's cathedral. It was rebuilt in part after the great fire of 1941.
The Centro Botín is an arts center on the waterfront, designed by Renzo Piano and opened in 2017.
The Mercado de la Esperanza is a covered market near the center, good for local food.

Featured Lists

Josep Panadero / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Santander's Unmissable Treasures

Santander’s landscape is defined by the early 20th-century Palacio de la Magdalena, the former summer residence of Spanish royalty, and the expansive Magdalena Peninsula. The city center features the Gothic Santander Cathedral and the modernist Mercado de la Esperanza, while the waterfront is home to the historic Palacete del Embarcadero and Jardines de Pereda. Along the coast, the golden sands of El Sardinero and the distinctive rock formations of El Camello Beach offer natural beauty alongside cultural venues like the Palacio de Festivales.

12 places

Igpinnato / CC BY-SA 3.0

Santander's Coastal Gems

Santander’s coastline features a diverse range of beaches, from the expansive urban sands of El Sardinero to the sheltered coves of the Magdalena Peninsula. The city's maritime heritage is evident at Playa del Camello, known for its distinctive rock formation, and the calm waters of Playa de los Peligros. Further north, the rugged cliffs of Cabo Mayor shield secluded spots like Playa de Mataleñas, while the Virgen del Mar offers a more remote setting with its 14th-century hermitage situated on a tidal island.

13 places

L'irlandés / CC BY-SA 3.0

Santander's Historical and Artistic Gems

Santander’s landscape is defined by its defensive history and maritime identity. This collection spans from the 16th-century Renaissance architecture of the Palacio de Riva-Herrera to late 19th-century military fortifications like the Castillo de Corbanera and the Batería de San Pedro del Mar. The city's waterfront features commemorative sculptures including Los Raqueros, which depicts local history, and monuments dedicated to significant figures like cartographer Juan de la Cosa and poet José Hierro. The list also includes the maritime exhibits of Vital Alsar’s rafts and caravels.

12 places

What to experience

Walk the Sardinero promenade from the first beach to the second one at the end of the day. The light on the water is best before sunset.
Take a boat across the bay to the small towns on the other side. Short ferry trips run in summer.

Tours & Activities

Santander — Map

Day trips

Cabárceno Nature Park (about 17 km, 20 minutes by car): a large park where animals live in a former mine landscape.
Santillana del Mar (about 30 km, 35 minutes by car): a well-preserved medieval village, near the Altamira museum.
Comillas (about 50 km, 50 minutes by car): a coastal town with Modernist buildings, including a villa by Gaudí.
Picos de Europa (about 1.5 to 2 hours by car): a high mountain range with hiking trails.

Where to explore

Other places in Cantabria:

Santillana del Mar for medieval streets.
Comillas for the coast and Modernist buildings.

Getting there

By air: Santander airport (SDR) is about 6 km from the center and has flights from Spain and some European cities. Bilbao airport (BIO) is about 1.5 hours away by road.
By train: Trains from Madrid are slow. Check Renfe for times.
By bus: Coaches from Madrid take about 5 hours, and there are links along the coast.
By ferry: Ferries sail from Santander to the UK.

Getting around

On foot: The center and the port are compact. The beaches at El Sardinero are about 3 km away, along a flat seafront.
City bus: Local buses link the center with El Sardinero and the Magdalena peninsula.
Cycling: The seafront paths are good for cycling.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: Not for the city. A car helps for day trips to Cantabria's villages.
Parking: Use an underground car park in the center. Street parking is paid.
Restrictions: Few. Some streets in the center are pedestrian only.

Food & drink

Santander is known for seafood. Rabas are fried squid rings, a Cantabrian classic. Anchovies from nearby Santoña are famous. For dessert, try sobaos, soft butter sponge cakes from the Pas valley.

Eat in the streets around the Mercado de la Esperanza and the port. Fish restaurants are also found along the waterfront.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Santander is a safe city. Swim only on beaches with lifeguards, and watch the flags, because the Atlantic sea can be rough. Bring a rain jacket in any season.

History

Santander has been a port for centuries. In February 1941 a huge fire destroyed much of the old center, so most of the center today was rebuilt after that date. Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was damaged but still stands.

The seaside district of El Sardinero grew in the 19th century, when the Spanish court and wealthy families came to the coast for the summer. Palacio de la Magdalena dates from that tradition.