Reiseguide for Santander – Attraksjoner og turer

Beste reisetidspunkt

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.

Beste tid å besøke: juni, juli, august, september

Velg en måned

Typisk vær i januar

Dårlig

12° (føles som 10°) · ekstremer 2°–18°
6° om natten
15 regnværsdager
3 soldager
3 soltimer per dag
Tørr luft
Stille vind
UV-indeks 1 · lav

Typisk vær i februar

Brukbart

13° (føles som 10°) · ekstremer 2°–20°
6° om natten
14 regnværsdager
5 soldager
4 soltimer per dag
Tørr luft
Stille vind
UV-indeks 2 · lav

Typisk vær i mars

Brukbart

15° (føles som 13°) · ekstremer 3°–22°
7° om natten
15 regnværsdager
8 soldager
5 soltimer per dag
Tørr luft
Stille vind
UV-indeks 3 · moderat

Typisk vær i april

Bra

17° (føles som 15°) · ekstremer 5°–24°
9° om natten
15 regnværsdager
9 soldager
6 soltimer per dag
Tørr luft
Stille vind
UV-indeks 5 · moderat

Typisk vær i mai

Bra

19° (føles som 18°) · ekstremer 8°–26°
11° om natten
16 regnværsdager
9 soldager
7 soltimer per dag
Tørr luft
Stille vind
UV-indeks 6 · høy

Typisk vær i juni

Ypperlig

22° · ekstremer 11°–29°
15° om natten
13 regnværsdager
8 soldager
7 soltimer per dag
Behagelig luftfuktighet
Stille vind
UV-indeks 6 · høy

Typisk vær i juli

Ypperlig

24° · ekstremer 13°–29°
16° om natten
12 regnværsdager
10 soldager
8 soltimer per dag
Fuktig luft
Stille vind
UV-indeks 7 · høy

Typisk vær i august

Ypperlig

24° (føles som 25°) · ekstremer 14°–30°
17° om natten
12 regnværsdager
11 soldager
7 soltimer per dag
Fuktig luft
Stille vind
UV-indeks 6 · høy

Typisk vær i september

Ypperlig

23° · ekstremer 12°–29°
15° om natten
12 regnværsdager
11 soldager
7 soltimer per dag
Behagelig luftfuktighet
Stille vind
UV-indeks 5 · moderat

Typisk vær i oktober

Bra

20° · ekstremer 9°–27°
13° om natten
14 regnværsdager
9 soldager
5 soltimer per dag
Tørr luft
Stille vind
UV-indeks 3 · moderat

Typisk vær i november

Brukbart

15° (føles som 13°) · ekstremer 5°–22°
9° om natten
17 regnværsdager
4 soldager
3 soltimer per dag
Tørr luft
Stille vind
UV-indeks 1 · lav

Typisk vær i desember

Dårlig

13° (føles som 11°) · ekstremer 2°–19°
7° om natten
15 regnværsdager
4 soldager
3 soltimer per dag
Tørr luft
Stille vind
UV-indeks 1 · lav

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

Hovedseverdigheter

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.

Utvalgte lister

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 steder

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 steder

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 steder

Opplevelser verdt å få med seg

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.

Turer og aktiviteter

Santander – Kart

Dagsturer

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.

Steder å utforske

Other places in Cantabria:

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

Reise dit

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.

Komme seg rundt

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.

Kjøring

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.

Mat og drikke

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.

Frokost

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

Lunsj

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.

Middag

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.

Småretter og gatemat

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.

Drikke

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.

Sikkerhet og helse

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.

Historie

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.