Beaches in Santander

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.

Santander's Coastal Gems — Map

Igpinnato / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Sardinero Beach

Sardinero is a popular beach located in the Spanish city of Santander, Cantabria.

Arriano60 / Public domain

B

El Camello Beach

Named for a distinctive rock formation resembling a camel visible at low tide, this urban beach is located near the Magdalena Peninsula and features a statue of Neptune.

Josep Panadero / CC-BY-SA-3.0

C

Sardinero

Sardinero is a popular beach located in the Spanish city of Santander, Cantabria.

Zarateman / CC0

D

Playa de los Peligros

A 200-meter urban beach located within the Bay of Santander. It features calm, shallow waters and is connected to the city center via a wooden coastal boardwalk.

Maria Victoria Gomez Fernandez / CC BY 2.5

E

Bikini Beach

Situated on the southern tip of the Magdalena Peninsula, this beach earned its name in the 1960s as a place where foreign students first wore bikinis in the city.

L'irlandés / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Magdalena Beach

A 900-meter stretch of sand on the Magdalena Peninsula. It faces the Bay of Santander, offering sheltered waters and views of the Los Peligros and Bikinis beaches.

Tiia Monto / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Playa de Mataleñas

A secluded cove nestled between the cliffs of Cabo Menor and Cabo Mayor. Access is via a long staircase through the Mataleñas Park and golf course.

L'irlandés / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Playa de la Virgen del Mar

Located next to a small island connected by a bridge, this beach features a 14th-century hermitage dedicated to the city's patron saint, the Virgin of the Sea.

Zerep11 / Public domain

I

Playa de La Maruca

A rocky beach and traditional fishing harbor in the San Román area. It features a coastal trail leading to the ruins of the Battery of San Pedro.

J

Playa de los Molinucos

A small, 25-meter natural cove located at the foot of the Mataleñas golf course near Cabo Menor. It is primarily composed of sand and rock.

K

Playa de la Fenómeno

A small urban beach located near the San Martín promontory within the Bay of Santander.

L

Playa Rosamunda

A small, rocky beach located in the Monte district, accessible via a coastal path between La Maruca and El Bocal.

M

Playa de El Bocal

A rugged 130-meter beach in the Monte area, characterized by its mixture of sand and gravel. It is located near the Spanish Institute of Oceanography.

Other Lists

Santander's Unmissable Treasures Santander's Historical and Artistic Gems