What to do in Santander, five travel tips to see the north of Cantabria, Spain, and visit the most beautiful things of this beautiful place.
I had never been particularly interested in the north of Spain and, after discovering Santander, I regretted it! It was love at first sight.
Santander is a beautiful and elegant town located in the Coast of Cantabria, north of Spain. As soon as you arrive, you are immediately struck by its nineteenth-century buildings, by the enchanting bay (Bay of Biscay), by the refinement of the squares and by the many outdoor venues.
Below you will find the 5 things, in my opinion, unmissable in Santander (get ready because you will constantly hear about "unmissable", "wonderful", "wonderful", "beautiful")
1. Peninsula de la Magdalena
Peninsula de la Magdalena: this wonder is basically a huge park where you can find many plant species, various spots for organizing picnics, some bars and two beautiful beaches, the playa de la Magdalena and playa del Biquini. You will find points where you can be quiet and enjoy a wonderful view; on this visit I really envied the people of Santander for having such a place!
Absolutely unmissable are the Magdalena Palace (which until 1930 was the seat of the summer holidays of the Royals of Spain, is now owned by the prestigious University of Santander), the beautiful Marine Park (Penguins and sea lions await you!), The Lighthouse de la Cerda from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view, the Museum with the beautiful terrace where you will find the reproduction of the galleons used to explore the Amazon River and the wonderful view over The Isla de Mouro, a very small island with a lighthouse, characterized by its formation of limestone, very important for the population of the Cantabrian coast and diving enthusiasts.
For children, for the lazy or for those with little time, I recommend the little train that takes you around the peninsula with lots of historical notes and particular anecdotes. Another thing for me absolutely to see, at least for a photo, is there playa del Camello, just before the entrance to La Magdalena. The playa is so called for its particular rock that looks like a camel .. very pretty!
2. The Virgen del Mar
La Virgen del Mar: this is an absolutely special place, perhaps a place like this you have never seen before. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Santander, especially for the surrounding environment. It is located in a unique position and is approximately 6km from the center. The sand quarry and the small bays are surrounded by greenery and the majestic cliff, with a truly breathtaking view. I advise you to go into the rocks (be careful) to explore all the surrounding environment .. it will remain in your mind, I assure you.
Above you can admire the beautiful Hermit de la Virgen del Mar, the church dedicated to the patron saint of the city, a truly peaceful and very suggestive place. We went there on Sunday and the church was open.
3. El Puntal
El Puntal: this was my favorite excursion ever! It is a real strip of sand in the middle of the sea, reachable only by boat from Palazzo dell'Imbarcadero (located on the seafront, after the beautiful gardens of Pereda and I think you can embark every hour, depending on the period, with a really ridiculous price). I absolutely recommend that you go there in the morning because it is the most calm and peaceful time, where you will really risk being practically alone! Great place for a nice long walk as well as to cool down with a nice bath. On this beach you will find a couple of chiringuiti and I advise you to stop for lunch by the second, they really do excellent fish and you eat practically with an ocean view .. a marvel!
4. Faro de Cabo Mayor
Faro de Cabo Mayor and the route to the Sardinero: definitely worth a visit is the beautiful lighthouse of Santander from where you can admire the view across the bay, especially from Lighthouse viewpoint. Be careful to go there in bad weather: you could be carried away by the fierce wind !!! After the visit, I advise you to walk along the path, with a view overlooking the sea, which leads to the Sardinero, beautiful neighborhood of Santander. On this path, descending from the lighthouse, you will find two beaches, the first is there Playa de Matalenas (reachable by a staircase), the second is Playa de Los Molinucos, two truly wonderful little playas. Very nice is also the park de Matalenas, with its magnificent flowers and porch! Arriving at Sardinero you will see its two beautiful beaches, Sardinero one e Sardinero two, very popular with lovers of water sports. The playa del Camel I mentioned above is always part of this neighborhood.
5. Eat Pinchos at the Mercado del Este
Eating Pinchos at the Mercado del Este: Pinchos are slices of bread with whatever “the chef” wants to put on top; from meat to fish, from cold cuts to cheese, from vegetables to fried food and so on. They are really delicious and very typical of the area, they are used a lot during aperitif hours or for an alternative lunch, always accompanied by a good glass of wine. The most characteristic place to eat them is certainly the Eastern Market, located in the heart of Santander, very close to the Porticoed Square and Paseo de Pereda. It has only one floor and the interiors are furnished in a rustic style. Inside you can find various shops, a room for temporary exhibitions and the tourist information office.
This is obviously a summary of the beautiful things you can see or do in Santander because the city is truly fascinating and waiting to be discovered.
I recommend, explore it on foot, admire the many statues scattered around the city, each with its curious history (like the monument to the Raqueros), eat a lot (I recommend the Bodega la Montana to eat), take a tour of the Esperanza market (famous for good fish), do a lot of shopping and don't miss the Santander Cathedral, Our Lady of the Assumption, the main place of worship in the city: you will be pleasantly surprised.
