Santander City Centre blends historic grandeur with coastal charm along northern Spain's breathtaking bay. The Gothic cathedral's spires rise above Belle Époque mansions and tree-lined boulevards that lead to the water's edge. Palacio de la Magdalena crowns the peninsula with royal splendour and sweeping sea views. Wander through bustling markets like Mercado La Esperanza for local flavours and maritime treasures. The seafront Jardines de Pereda gardens offer peaceful respite between sightseeing adventures. Plaza Porticada's elegant architecture showcases the city's rich cultural heritage while waterfront dining serves up fresh Cantabrian seafood specialities.
El Sardinero dazzles visitors with golden beaches stretching along Santander's coastline. This upscale resort area showcases elegant Belle Époque architecture and the grand Hotel Real overlooking the Bay of Biscay. The beautiful seafront promenade invites leisurely strolls past manicured Piquío Gardens and impressive coastal views. Between beach days, explore the lush Parque de Matalenas or the historic Gran Casino. Sports enthusiasts can catch events at El Sardinero Stadium while nature lovers enjoy clifftop walks with stunning ocean panoramas. The area perfectly balances refined luxury with natural coastal beauty.
Puertochico blends maritime charm with upscale living along Santander's beautiful bay. Historic buildings frame a picturesque marina where fishing boats and luxury yachts bob side by side. The elegant Paseo de Pereda invites leisurely strolls with its Belle Époque architecture and harbour views. Seafood restaurants and boutique shops line the waterfront promenade. Visitors can admire nautical monuments or simply watch boats glide across the bay. The area offers easy walking access to central Santander while maintaining its refined seaside atmosphere.
Vacation in a northern Spanish town that is set amid spectacular natural landscapes and close to an ancient cave system decorated with Paleolithic art.
Cabildo de Arriba captivates visitors with its medieval charm and authentic Cantabrian spirit. Winding cobblestone streets lead past weathered stone facades and traditional red-tiled roofs. This hillside quarter offers glimpses of Santander's rich past through preserved city walls and historic architecture. Local tavernas serve regional cuisine at prices lower than the city centre. The area sits just a 15-minute walk from central Santander. From certain vantage points, you can catch distant views of Santander Bay. Nearby attractions include the Regional Parliament of Cantabria and Plaza Méjico. Traditional festivals and area gatherings showcase the area's strong cultural heritage.
Discover the most popular places to visit in Santander
Palacio de la Magdalena
9.2/10 (455 reviews)
This former royal summer residence showcases early 20th-century aristocratic life through its eclectic architecture. Guides reveal the palace's storied past on the Magdalena Peninsula.
Santander Cathedral
8.8/10 (348 reviews)
Explore Santander Cathedral's unique twin-level design with Gothic churches stacked vertically. Take the lift to the bell tower for panoramic city views.
Gran Casino del Sardinero
8.6/10 (175 reviews)
The Belle Époque Gran Casino del Sardinero overlooks Santander's stunning beach with historic elegance. Try your luck at the gaming tables, then savour panoramic coastal views from the à la carte restaurant.
Banco Santander
8.4/10 (65 reviews)
The Banco Santander building showcases early 20th-century architecture with its distinctive archway connecting two sections. Admire its grand facade along Paseo de Pereda while enjoying picturesque bay views.
Cantabria Maritime Museum
8.4/10 (72 reviews)
Come face to face with undersea creatures and learn about the local fishing industry and its traditions at this fascinating museum.
Photo by alisha rothman
Open Photo by alisha rothman
Centro Botín
8.6/10 (163 reviews)
This Renzo Piano-designed art centre showcases contemporary exhibitions with spectacular Bay of Santander views. Explore the rooftop viewing platform before unwinding at the ground-floor café.
Mercado La Esperanza
8.8/10 (20 reviews)
Housed in a stunning 19th-century iron and glass building, Mercado de la Esperanza showcases Santander's culinary soul. Explore two floors of local treasures—fresh seafood below, regional meats and cheeses above.
El Sardinero Stadium
6.0/10 (2 reviews)
Experience authentic Spanish football culture at El Sardinero Stadium, home of Real Racing Club. Tour the players' tunnel and changing rooms, or catch a match with passionate local fans near the beach.
"Loved the hotel.Comfortable beds. Nice views. Parking is a challenge.Hotel has limited spaces and street parking is difficult due to competing with beach goers"
"Great value for money in an expensive city! We really liked our room (especially having a kettle) and our host was very friendly. A great place to stay near the bus station."
"Great location within walking distance to beach eateries and concert venue. Staff very informative and nothing too much trouble . Well trained staff efficiently doing there jobs. Breakfast choices were never ending so variety over our stay was very a joy ."
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Offering great value package deals on Expedia, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much a holiday to Santander costs! Expedia's packages make travel planning easier and your savings go further.
What are the cheapest months to go to Santander?
January, February and November are the best times to look for cheap Santander holiday packages. Opting to travel in quieter months means you can usually find lower prices on flights and hotels.
How many days is enough for Santander?
We recommend booking a Santander holiday for around 3 days. This will give you enough time to tick off top sights such as Centro Botín and Zoo de la Magdalena, as well as explore neighbourhoods like Santander City Centre and Puertochico. You could even make time for a day trip from Santander.
Is it worth booking a holiday package to Santander?
It's no wonder a Santander holiday is on the to-do list of many travellers. Leading attractions like Palacio de la Magdalena are just the start of what you can explore here.
How to find the best Santander package deals?
Landing a cheap Santander package deal is a cinch with Expedia. After you've entered your destination and preferred dates under our "Packages" tab, set your maximum budget, apply some filters and see what's available. You can fine-tune your search by "Property class," "Number of bedrooms," "Traveller experience" and more. Sort the results by "Price: low to high" to discover the most affordable Santander package deals. Want a simple trick to get the biggest savings? Be flexible with your departure dates and consider travelling on a weekday, when prices are often lower.
Is it cheaper to book a Santander holiday as a package?
You can enjoy significant savings on your next Santander getaway by booking a customised holiday package. Check the "Package" heading, then select your destination and travel dates to browse some great airfares and hotel prices. Bundle everything into a great-value package and you can save hundreds of dollars. Consider adding a rental car and you may score a better deal.
When to book a holiday package to Santander?
If you're considering a spontaneous Santander trip, check out our last-minute deals that can be booked up to a week before you take off. Prefer not to wait until the last minute? You can find sensational deals on your hotels and flights by booking well in advance.
How to plan a trip to Santander?
Pick the best time to travel: Your schedule, favourite season and the type of weather you enjoy can all influence your decision on when to visit Santander.
Plan your budget wisely: In addition to the price of your stay, you'll need to factor in other expenses. These include transportation, food and flights. Also, put aside a little extra for unexpected expenses that may come up during your trip to Santander.
Decide your trip length: Consider how long you'd like to spend discovering Santander. Plan your days so you can get to all the activities and attractions you're interested in without rushing.
Combine your accommodation and airfare: Once you've nailed down your dates and duration, book the perfect Santander holiday package for you.