Santander

Elegant Bays, Beaches and Green Hills

Santander is a coastal city in northern Spain along Cantabria’s rugged coastline. The city features wide sandy beaches backed by green hills and historic buildings that reflect its maritime past. Visitors can walk the Paseo Marítimo, explore the old town with its narrow streets and local shops or visit the iconic Casino de Santander for cultural events. Fresh seafood is a specialty here, especially clams and grilled fish. The mild climate makes walking pleasant year-round, while nearby natural parks provide hiking opportunities close to urban life.

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City in Spain

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.0

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

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3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, main attractions, and some restaurants, especially in tourist areas. In local markets and small bars, Spanish is more common, but you’ll get by with basic English and a smile.

Natural Landmark Beaches

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Santander Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Great for coastal scenery and city beaches. Walk seaside promenades, relax on sandy bays, visit art museums and enjoy seafood restaurants.

Place score

7.4

Best at:

Sea

Walkable

Beaches

Spotless

Natural sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

Spain – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted in Spain, particularly in urban areas and tourist destinations. Credit and debit cards are commonly used, and mobile payment options are available in many establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Spain but appreciated for good service. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is customary. Taxi drivers and hotel staff may also be tipped, though it is less common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is restricted in some regions, particularly in tourist-heavy cities. Local laws may vary.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned indoors in public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas.

La Tomatina (August)	A famous tomato-throwing festival, expect large crowds in Buñol.
Semana Santa (March/April)	Religious parades and events make this a busy time in major cities.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive celebrations, with tourist areas becoming busier.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Cabify, Bolt, Uber
Other:	Spain is known for its diverse culture, stunning architecture, and vibrant festivals. Public transport is reliable and efficient, making it easy to explore.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Santander, Spain

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Nov

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High season:	July - Aug.
Shoulder season:	April - June, Sep.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Beach season runs roughly June to September, and the Atlantic stays cool even in August

Semana Grande, late July: week of concerts and fireworks, accommodation prices rise

August: Spanish holiday month, beaches and the city are at their busiest

Don't miss

🏰 Tour the historic Real Palacio de La Magdalena palace
🏖️ Relax on sandy Playa de El Sardinero beach
🖼️ Discover contemporary art at Centro Botín cultural center
⛪ Visit the Gothic-style Santander Cathedral and crypt
🌳 Stroll through Jardines de Pereda lush gardens
🌊 Explore Cabo Mayor lighthouse and surrounding coastal trails

You've been here?

Why travel to Santander?

Santander is perfect for anyone who loves a mix of city life and nature. The city is famed for its beaches like El Sardinero and the wild dunes of Liencres, but also for its leafy parks, buzzing food markets and a cultural scene anchored by the striking Centro Botín. Take in royal history at the Palacio de la Magdalena, stroll the scenic Paseo de Pereda and dive into local life at the Mercado de la Esperanza. The city is compact and walkable, with a friendly, laid-back feel that makes it easy to settle in. But Santander isn’t always sunny – its lush landscapes come with frequent rain and changeable weather, even in summer, so pack for all seasons. The city lost much of its old architecture to a fire in 1941, so while it’s elegant, don’t expect a medieval old town. Some beaches can get crowded in July and August and the Atlantic waters are brisk even in summer. Still, the blend of sea, city and surrounding countryside makes Santander a fantastic base for exploring northern Spain.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Botin Centre
2 Palacio de la Magdalena
3 Plaza de Pedro Velarde
4 Jardines de José María Pereda
5 Paseo de Pereda
6 Plaza Cañadio

🎡Places for activities

1 Palacio de Festivales
2 Museo Machichaco
3 Puerto deportivo Marina de Santander
4 Palacio de Deportes

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Península de La Magdalena
2 Mirador de Peña Cabarga
3 Segunda Playa de El Sardinero

🛍️Shopping

1 Mercado de La Esperanza
2 Museo de Prehistoria y Arqueología de Cantabria
3 Tienda del Centro Botín

🎈Events

Santander International Festival (July-August)
Semana Grande (Big Week, July)
Santander Music Festival
Surfing championships at El Sardinero
Book Fair in Jardines de Pereda
Christmas lights and markets
Carnival parades
Holy Week processions
Open-air cinema in summer
Food and tapas festivals

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Knowledge before you go

Pack a light jacket; Cantabrian weather turns breezy quickly.
Walk the waterfront between Jardines de Pereda and Centro Botín for bay views and architecture.
Spend half a day on the Magdalena Peninsula; beaches, viewpoints and the palace area are easy.
At low tide, cross to El Puntal sandbar by boat and return for sunset drinks in Puertochico.

How to travel to Santander

Santander is well connected: the airport is just 5 km from the center, with regular buses and taxis. Direct trains and buses link Santander with Madrid, Bilbao and other Spanish cities. Brittany Ferries connects Santander with the UK and Ireland by sea. The city is also on the main Cantabrian motorway for road trips.

Access summary

From Santander Airport (SDR): Local bus or taxi, about 10–20 min.
From Bilbao: Regional buses or driving, usually around 1.5–2 h.
From Madrid: Direct trains or long-distance buses, typically 4–5 h.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Santander

Santander offers everything from boutique hotels and seaside resorts to budget hostels and guesthouses. For sea views, stay near El Sardinero or the Magdalena Peninsula; for nightlife and food, the city center is best. Book ahead for summer and festivals, as rooms fill quickly.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Vincci Puerto Chico Hotel

Silken Rio Santander Hotel

Nh Ciudad De Santander Hotel

8.6

Hotel Palacio del Mar

8.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Santander

Santander is compact and easy to explore on foot, especially the city center, beaches and promenades. Local buses connect all neighborhoods, beaches and the airport. Ferries run across the bay and to nearby coastal towns. Taxis are available, but parking in the center can be tricky in summer. Cycling is popular along the coast and in parks.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-24 %

Daily expenses in Santander are around 24% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£46	£107	£269
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£45	£90
🍝 Food per day	£26	£53	£143
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£9	£37

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£20
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£8.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£3

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.20
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£23
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.40

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£65
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£14

Safety information overview

General safety

Santander is very safe, with low crime rates. Still, watch for pickpockets in busy areas and on beaches in summer. Some streets can be quiet at night; stick to well-lit areas and avoid isolated spots late.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with clinics and pharmacies throughout the city. Tap water is safe to drink. No special vaccinations are needed, but travel insurance is always a good idea.

Accessibility

Most main attractions and public transport are accessible, but some steep hills, cobbled streets and older buildings can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Check ahead for accessibility at specific sites if needed.

Tap water

Tap water in Santander is safe and widely available. Public fountains exist in parks and on promenades, but carrying a refillable bottle is handy, especially in summer.