Welcome to the capital of the province of Cantabri, a charming city where you will be able to explore all the natural and monumental landscape in here. So much so, that it is considered one of the most important cities of Spain, as well as the most populated one in the whole autonomous community.
It is in a very privileged location to enjoy of a touristic experience to the most, as well as of all the other elements which surround it.
More than 170,000 inhabitants live in this city which, due to an increase of the tourism in this area during the whole year, are growing more and more.
If you come to this area, you will be able to explore its bays, and its shores by the Cantabrian Sea, as well as its more mountainous areas, that configure a very complete and varied lovely landscape.
The tourism in Santander has grown during the last few years, as the city has become more and more modernised, thus facilitating more and new options for tourists.
Also, thanks some of the recent changes that have been made to the city, has made this a city which has tourism as one of its main economic activities, thus nurturing the capital as much as its more rural outskirts.
We also need to differentiate between two different kinds of tourism that you can do here: a more cultural and cosmopolitan one, where you will be able to stay in hotels or similar accommodation, and the more rural one, which will allow you to enjoy of the original views, landscape and of the true essence of this region.
You will be surprised from the moment you step on Santander, with each new place very different from the previous one, since this is a place has something that makes it unique and special.
Not many people know that archeological remains from the Roman times can be found right under Santander's cathedral, and we strongly recommend you check both of them out.
In 1941 a fire, known as the “incendio andaluz” destroyed some parts of the city, concretely it burnt from Cadiz street, to Sevilla street, two cities of Andalucía which are what gave the fire its name.
And a similar thing happens to its beaches, which also have very peculiar names, such as the Playa de Los Peligros, named after the pirate ships that used to land in its shores in order to steal from this city. There is also the Playa de los Bikinis, named after the foreign women who used to sunbathe here wearing nothing but a bikini, which was quite a sight for those who were still not used to such revealing bathing garments.
As you can see, there isn't a single place or spot in this city that doesn't have a story or legend behind, and which you will be able discover for yourself and, surely, also make you fall in love with it.
If you would like to know a little about the most emblematic spots in Santander, we have made short list for you where you will have everything you need to know and visit in this region, until you have nothing left to see.
Some of the Cultural Heritage sites of this city have become a landmark of this region. One of them is the Palacio de la Magdalena, built in the English style. Would you like to know how many windows it has? The impressive, and slightly chilly, amount of 365. We also recommend, walking by their gardens, which will allow you to enjoy of some incredible, postcard-like views of the sea.
The cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is one of the most important ones in this region, as well as the ones of Santa Lucía, and San Francisco.
The city walls, or the Palacete del Embarcadero, are two important visits that you mustn't miss in this region.
Of course, you can't forget of the Bahía, where you will find two yachting harbour where most of the marine and water activities take place.
Península de la Magdalena, is also an important part of the territory you should visit before you leave, with some of the most amazing natural views in the whole region, overwatched by the Palacete del Embarcadero, which is also very close to the touristic quarter of El Sardinero.
As for the climate, it is very important that you know the basics of it, so that you can pack your suitcase accordingly, and without letting the weather catch you unawares during your holiday expeditions.
The temperatures here are quite mild in general, with some minor variations in the highest and lowest temperatures that can be reached during the year, the latter around 10ºC in winter.
Regardless of the mild temperatures during most of the year, this is a place of abundant precipitations, concentrated during spring and autumn months.
For this reason, if you decide to make this the destination of your holidays, you mustn't forget to pack a heavy coat and an umbrella, so that nothing will stop you from making the most of this place.
As for the gastronomy of Santander, it is itself reason enough to come to Santander and, if you like fish and seafood, you have come to the right place.
There is here a fishing harbour, which provides the local dishes with some excellent raw materials, such as fish, cooked with vegetables, which are the tourists' favourites.
Bonito, clams, or the famous Santoña anchovies are some of the of the star products of Cantabria's local cuisine.
Nevertheless, not everything is fish here, since you will also find excellent meat products, since cattle raising is an important activity in this area too. 'Chuletón de buey', or 'jijas' are some of the most popular of them.
Amongst the local beverages you will find here, we recommend you try 'orujo' 'sidra' or 'chacoli'.
Last but not least, you should take a few things ito account before you start your engines and come to Santander, which is choosing your transport.
If you are comign by car, and from the center of the Peninsula, the 'vía Reinosa', in the A-67, is the best option for you, whereas if you are coming from the province of Asturias, or País Vasco, taking the A-8 is what we recommend.
You can aso come here by bus, since the closest bus station is in Navas de Tolosa. On the other hand, if you decide to come by plane, the closest airport is only 5 Km away from the city, which means that reaching the city center won't be problem.
