Santander City Guide, Attractions, Events

A paradise in hiding, this Spanish city is host to many attractions, a busy port and beautiful seaside resorts. Most do not take the time to discover what Santander has to offer; they simply experience a small portion as they lay over, waiting to continue their journey to a more popular part of Spain. When we take a closer look at Santander, not only is it fashionable and beautiful but it has all the makings of a fun-filled and jam-packed itinerary. Santander is located on the northern coast of Spain. While Santander offers beautiful beaches, the climate may not always cooperate therefore the city offers other attractions such as historical sites, architectural delights, and abounding culture.

After King Alfonso XIII made this part of the Cantabrian coast his summer retreat, the city responded by catering to the aristocrats. With this in mind, visitors to Santander will now enjoy plush luxury and boutique hotels, impressive casino’s, world class restaurants, theatre’s with one of a kind talent and other fine buildings which add to the beautification of the natural breathtaking scenery. Santander is divided into two parts, the downtown region which is the hub of the commercialized city, where you will find impressive shops, historical sites and prestigious attractions and the beach resort of El Sardinero, where you will be witness to some of the classiest and esteemed suburbs including the former royal palace and the casino.

Wide tree-lined boulevards burst with delectable street cafés, prominent plazas, a beautiful waterfront promenade, dazzling parks and gorgeous gardens attract the attention of the visitors, providing days of pleasure and enjoyment outside of your luxury or boutique hotel room. While on holiday in Santander, you have a choice of two zoos, many fine museums, a planetarium and a prevailing arts centre which is the host for many of the varying cultural events that take place throughout the year.

The fun doesn’t end with the with the usual traveling itinerary and extravagant lusxuries found in your boutique hotel room. Other must see’s are specific to Santander. For example, you may want to see Casa Pardo, situated in a posh neighborhood offering breathtaking views of the Biscay Bay. While this house dates back to 1915, the upkeep is unmatched and is considered one of the most splendid mansions in all of Santander. Designed by Atilano Rodriquez, Casa Pombo dates back to 1875 and is a block long. Known for its exterior décor, this building boasts beautiful colonnades, domes and pillars that are both artistic and ornate. The Dique de Gamazo will tickle any seafarers or fisherman’s fancy. This maritime delight illustrates the historical importance of the fishing industry and offers the views of an exceptional jetty. This manmade area dates back to 1908 and measures 8 meters deeps, 180 meters long and 15 meters wide.

Just like any other robust city, Santander offers all of the national food chains found elsewhere in the world. It is highly recommended that while in Santander, you explore the local traditions, especially in their native cuisines. From comfort food to fine dining you can find delicious restaurants throughout Santander. Some of the top picks include La Cecilia, Cafeteria Zorbaa, Canadio, Los Troncos, Bodega del Riojano, Eh Marceino and La Mejillonera.

If you are looking for museums, Santander can meet that demand as well. First, you may want to visit Museo de Altamira. Here you will find prehistoric artifacts dating back over 15,000 years ago celebrating the caves of Altamira. For a diverse guided museum tour, visit Museo Etnografico de Cantabria Casa Velarde. You will marvel at an array of antiquities, furnishings, kitchen artifacts and paintings throughout the well stocked nine rooms. If you are a seafarer, visit the Museo Maritimo del Cantabrico. This nautical experience will drown you with artifacts from Spanish boats, ship-building techniques, cartography collections and marine biology displays. For more rare finds and older artifacts, plan to see the Museo Regional de Prehistoria y Arqueologia de Cantabria. The series of exhibitions will heighten your senses of things past including pieces excavated from the Iron Age and Roman Era, giant stone monoliths and other archaeological treasures. The best part is that most of Santander’s museums have free admission. When you return to your luxury or boutique hotel room, you will be thankful for the amenities after exploring how the ancient civilizations of Spain lived, or you may feel like a king who lived in one of the more extravagant palaces. Either way, this trip will bring you joy, pleasure, excitement and will please all of your natural senses.