• Get in
• Get around
• See
• Do
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Learn
• Get out

Santander is the capital and also the largest city of the province of Cantabria in Spain. Santander has some 180,000 inhabitants and is located on the ocean. It features a small historic center and a handful of beaches. Its most famous tourist attraction is the Magdalena Palace which was used as a summer getaway of Spanish royalty.

Santander, Spain

[edit] Get in

You can arrive in Santander via plane (mostly domestic and charter flights; international flights from London, Dublin, Rome, Milan, Frankfurt, Paris and Amsterdam; other international flights frequently use the Bilbao airport), public bus, or car (A8 freeway from Bilbao). Distance to Bilbao is some 100km (60m).

Ryanair flies from London Stansted, Rome Ciampino and Dublin directly to Santander Airport. Ryanair also now flies from Liverpool airport. Iberia also serves this airport. Taxis from the Airport into Santander are about 10 to 12 euros (depending on luggage). An 'Alsa City' bus frequently departs for the City from directly outside the arrivals terminal (1.60 euros).

ALSA operates buses to Santander from Madrid, Barcelona and most other major Spanish cities, as well as many regional centres and villages. The trip from Madrid takes about 5 hours (about 30 euros) and the trip from Barcelona takes about 9 hours (via Zaragoza).

RENFE operates trains to santander from Madrid, Barcelona and most other major Spanish cities, as well as many regional centres and villages. The trip from Madrid takes about 5-6 hours (about 35 euros) and the trip from Barcelona takes about 9-11 hours.

You may also wish to take a ferry from Plymouth, England. The journey time is approximately 24 hours each way, and is an interesting journey, although you may wish to resist having a large meal too soon after departure from Plymouth if you are unused to sea travel as the Bay of Biscay can be extremely rough.

[edit] Get around

• Foot Santander is reasonably small. The distance from one end of town to the other are some 6km (4m) and can be walked in 2 hours along the coast road. Within the city center everything is within walking distance (15min walking).
• Bus Public buses are available at reasonable prices. Each journey costs 1 euro (more for journeys out of the city proper, or you can save 50% by buying a 10-journey 'Bonobus' at a 'Tabaco' shop). Specifically, buses can take you to the main beaches some 2-4km (2m) from the city center.
• Taxi Taxis are widely available throughout the city.
• Bicycle The City offers free bicycle rental at a number of locations around Santander (Jardines de Pereda, El Sardinero, La Magdalena). Bikes are loaned for the day, so get in early to avoid missing out.

[edit] See

Playa del Sardinero, Santander

• Prehistoric and Archaeological Museum of Cantabria (Museo de Prehistoria y Arqueología de Cantabria), Casimiro Sainz 4, Tel.: +34 942 207 109, Tu-Sa 9:00-13:00 / 16:00-19:00, Su 11:00-14:00.
• Maritime Museum of Cantabria (Museo Marítimo del Cantábrico)
• Magdalena Beach (Playa de la Magdalena)
• Sardinero Beaches (Playa del Sardinero)
• Camel Beach (Playa del Camello)
• Mataleñas Beach (Playa de Mataleñas)
• Magdalena Peninsula (see the penguins in the 'mini-Zoo') & Magdalena Palace (Palacio de Magdalena)
• Cathedral
• Lighthouse at Cabo Mayor (faro de Cabo Mayor), and the devil's bridge (puente del diablo), a bizarre rock formation.

[edit] Do

The promenade along Santander Bay

• Picnic on Magdalena Peninsula
• Learn how to sail
• Enjoy the beaches
• 5 city walks: go to the Santander Tourist Office in the city center (Old Market, near the Old Banco de Santander) and get a free city guide; the free city guide describes these 5 itineraries. [1] These 5 itineraries are enough to keep you busy for 1-2 days.

Discover Spain, Discover Surf on a 7 day 1000km surf road trip with Surf-Atlantico

[edit] Eat

• The best area to eat fish is the district close to fishing harbour (Barrio Pesquero), although locals usually regard this as a tourist trap.
• Señores Patatas on Calle Santa Lucía offers student-priced meals of fries and hamburgers. Try the 'Five Sauces' (Cinco Salsas) plates with five types of fry cut and five types of sauce.
• Taj Mahal on Calle Santa Lucía is the only Indian restaurant in town and serves a tasty alternative to the Spanish staples.
• Sakura near Cuatro Caminos serves Japanese dishes.

• Santander is known amongst Spaniards for its many Regma ice-creamery outlets. At times it can seem that they have an outlet on every corner. Their very generous serving sizes of 8 popular flavours of ice cream have been melting down the hands of locals for years, even throughout the winter months. Other chains such as Capri on Paseo de Pereda provide a greater range of choices.

[edit] Drink

Everybody starts their night at Plaza de Cañadío, in the centre of the old town. It is a hive for young Santanderinos and exchange students. It is surrounded on three sides by various bars and restaurants. This is where most drinking of 'calimocho' - the red wine/coca cola combo favoured by young Spaniards - takes place.

Later in the night (from about 2am) the drinking action moves to bars and clubs in the area, including La Embajada, Retros, Cafe del Sol, La Rana Verde, Opium and many others. Three major dance clubs are located nearby - El Divino, Malaespina and Rocaverde.

[edit] Sleep

• Santemar Hotel, Calle Joaquin Costa 28, Tel: +34 942 272 900, in the City Centre. [2]
• Hotel Sardinero, Plaza de Italia 1, Tel.: +34 942 271 100, near El Sardinero Beach. [3]
• Hospedaje Magallanes, Magallanes 22 Entlo, Tel.: +34 942 371 421, in the City Centre. [4]
• Hotel Chiqui, Avenida Manuel Garcia Lago 9, Tel.: +34 902 282 700, near El Sardinero Beach. [5]

[edit] Learn

The Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo [6] offers summer courses for university students, including Spanish language courses for foreigners, that take place both at the Magdalena Palace and at Residencia Las Llamas.

The Universidad de Cantabria [7] offers Spanish language courses of 4 to 10 weeks' duration throughout the year through the Centro de Idiomas (CIUC). CIUC also coordinates exchange students at the university.

[edit] Get out

Castro-Urdiales: seaside village East of Santander, nice Gothic church and lighthouse.

Laredo: another seaside village to the East, the old quarter is worth a visit.

Potes: this small village is the key to the Picos de Europa mountain range (which is a National Park), and the Liébana region. Good eating place, and the local orujo (a strong spirits drink) is highly recommended.

Reinosa: the main town on southern Cantabria, it's a good base to explore the Cantabrian mountain range (Cordillera Cantábrica), with the Alto Campoo sky resort, the Roman city of Julióbriga and several Medieval churches close by.

Santillana del Mar: Picturesque stone village 1 hour away by bus; visit the famous cave of Altamira.

San Vicente de la Barquera - Sea-side fishing village, about 30 minutes by bus. See the fishing vessels unload what Madrid will be eating tomorrow. Fantastic tides, so stay for at least 6 hours. Nice Roman bridge.

Valles Pasiegos: for a taste of rural Cantabria, no better place than the Valley of the Pas river, especially Toranzo, Selaya, Villacarriedo, Vega de Pas, San Roque de Riomiera and San Pedro del Romeral. Try the typical sobaos and quesadas, two traditional desserts.

Bilbao Lively home of the famous Guggenheim