If you’re staying in Bilbao for an extended period of time and would like to explore northern Spain, a day in Santander could be the perfect plan for you.
Just 90 minutes away from Bilbao by bus, the small seaside city – which belongs to the Spanish province of Cantabria – is an excellent choice for a quick getaway.
In this guide, we’ll give you some basic information about the city as well as a few tips on places to stay, what to do and where to eat.
Santander in a nutshell
The first major Spanish city to the Basque Country’s western border, Santander has a population of around 170,000 inhabitants. People from Santander are called ‘Santanderinos’.
Nestled on the northern Spanish coast, the bulk of the city is situated on the western side of the Bay of Santander, one of Spain’s most important commercial seaports.
Traditionally, the city’s economy was mostly driven by the banking industry (hence the Bank of Santander), fishing, maritime trade and tourism.
Getting to Santander
If you’re travelling to Santander from Bilbao, the easiest option is to get a bus from Intermodal Station. Buses run regularly and cost between €7-€15 for a one-way ticket depending on the time.
You can look for buses from Bilbao to Santander in the Omio search box below.
If you’re opting to make Santander your first port of call before heading to Bilbao, then you can get to the city via ferry or flight.
For those travelling over from the UK, there are two return sailings a week from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander, with the journeys taking roughly two days.
Santander Airport has become a major transport hub for northern Spain, serving regular flights to 16 destinations from six countries: UK, France, Morocco, Ireland, Italy and Belgium.
Check for flights using the Skyscanner search widget below.
Where to stay
Thanks to its picturesque beaches, fantastic cuisine, mild weather, and international transport links – the ferry port and international airport – Santander has become an increasingly popular tourist destination and therefore boasts a wide range of acommodation including five-star hotels, boutique hotels and superb hostels.
Here is a pick of three of our favourite places to stay in the city:
Hotel Chiqui Santander
Although a bit far from the main city centre, Hotel Chiqui is right next to the Playa Sardinero, Santander’s main beach and offers breathtaking sea views.
A three-star hotel, the rooms, though not spectacular, are modest and clean, while the staff are friendly and helpful.
The hotel also has its own infinity pool from which you can watch the sun set over the Bay of Santander.
Chiqui comes with its own restaurant, a stylish lounge space called Panorama. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for some dinner and don’t want to venture too far from the hotel, or if you’d just like to have a drink while watching taking in the Cantabrian sea.
Hotel Art Santander
Situated at the top of a hill above the city, this stylish modern hotel provides its guests with some of the best views of Santander and the harbour.
Hotel Art has a small dining room where they serve teas and coffees as well as a buffet breakfast.
The best thing about the hotel is its location, with the city centre just a 500-metre walk away.
A great option if you’re heading to Santander on a modest budget and are prioritising comfort and location.
Vincci Puertochico
Santander’s representative in the world-renowned Vincci hotel chain, Puertochico is one of the city more upmarket hotels.
Combining a central location with incredible views and all the amenities, this four-star hotel is the place to go if you’re looking for luxury.
The Puertochico’s service include a buffet breakfast, or breakfast delivered to your room, a cafeteria and a summer terrace with sea views.
What to see and do in Santander
Centro Botín
The brainchild of architect Renzo Piano, the Centro Botín is an arts centre “designed to generate social development and wealth”.
An architectural masterpiece, the Centro Botín is made up of two futuristic, space-ship like building that jut out over the bay and are connected by walkways.
There are currently three exhibitions open to visitors, with admission costing €8.
On the ground floor, there is a cafe, which serves up some of the best Spanish omelette in the city, and a shop.
Playa Sardinero
One of the Spanish state’s most iconic beaches, and without a doubt, the darling of all Santanderinos, the Playa Sardinero faces on to the Cantabrian Sea.
It’s long promenade is full of lined with hotels, casinos, bars and restaurants. No visit to Santander is complete without taking your shoes off and taking a long stroll across the Sardinero.
Racing Santander
Before suffering from gross mismanagement by reckless owners, Racing were for a long-time an ever present club in LaLiga.
The club is now on the up again, currently competing in the second division.
Taking in a match at the 22,000-seater Estadio Sardinero, which is a stone’s throw away from the beach, is well worth it for any football fans visiting the city.
Tickets to watch home matches can be purchased here on Racing’s website.
La Catedral de Santander
A gothic-style cathedral, construction began in the 12th century and there were major expansion and reformations in the 14th, 16th and 17th centuries.
The cathedral survived the Spanish Civil War but suffered serious damage during the Fire of Santander in 1941. After substantial repair work, it was reopened in 1951.
It is open to visitor from 10:00-13:00 and 16:30-19:30. General access costs €2 during the week, but it’s free to enter on Sundays.
Palacio de Magdalena
Opened in 1912, the Palacio de Magdalena, described as ‘the jewel of Santander’, is most famous for its time as a royal residence.
Built upon a scenic hilly peninsula to the southwest of the Sardinero beach, the palacio’s history “reflects Spain’s social and political situation”.
At different moments, the buildings has been a royal residence, an international university and a hospital, among serving other purposes.
Nowadays, the palacio is a conference and meeting centre, quite often being rented out for weddings.
Places to eat
El Serbal
One of two Michelin-star restaurants in Santander, along with Casona de Judio, El Serbal has been serving world class food since 1999.
In this case, quality cuisine comes with delicious views as the restaurant is located in a beach front pavillion overlooking the Sardinero.
Run by chef Ignacio Maese, El Serbal’s menu is based on local, seasonal produce. The restaurant has had a Michelin star since 2003. A tasting menu costs €74 euros with a €20 wine pairing.
Visit El Serbal’s website to book a table.
Querida Mar
Right next door to El Serbal, inside the same building, you have Querida Mar. With excellent vistas of beach and sea, this restaurant is an excellent mid-range choice.
A three course menu will set you back €26.50 and includes a choice of dishes like prawn salad, creamy rice with pork jowls, battered cod with tomato, beef meatballs with a potato and mushroom sauce, chocolate truffles, cheesecake, and much more.
Head to their website to make a reservation.
Casa Lita
If you’re looking for delicious tapas and pintxos, Casa Lita is the place to go. This bar has been serving quality food since 2003 and has an incredible range of tapas on offer.
Expect to queue for a table on the outdoor terrace, but it’s well worth the wait. Choosing a pintxo will be difficult and you’ll want to stuff your face with everything you see on the bar, but we’d humbly recommend breaded hake (merluza), cantabrian cheeses and the mini hamburgers.
Discover more about Casa Lita’s range of pintxos here.
Santander guided tours
Below are some of the most highly-rated tours and activities in Santander that you find on getyourguide.com
