Santander
A useful base, not a destination in itself. Use it to reach the Picos and the Costa Quebrada.
A refined Atlantic port and the practical base for Cantabria's beaches and the western Picos. Ferries from the UK land here.
Catedral de Santander · El Sardinero · Palacio de la Magdalena
Cantabrian Anchovies · Santillana del Mar · Bilbao · Santoña
At a Glance
- — You're not exploring the Picos de Europa or Cantabrian coast
Facing the wide, blue sweep of the Bay of Biscay, this Atlantic port balances refined, grand architecture with the rugged salt-air breeze of the northern coast. It functions primarily as a sophisticated jumping-off point, offering easy access to the dramatic cliffs of the Costa Quebrada and the high, limestone peaks of the nearby Picos de Europa. While the city itself is elegant and orderly, its real value lies in its geography, acting as the quiet, reliable anchor for any Cantabrian expedition.
How it got here
Maritime trade dictated the growth of the port through the Middle Ages. In the eighteenth century, the Crown designated the bay as a primary trade route to the Americas, which funded the construction of the neoclassical architecture visible in the district surrounding the cathedral. The city endured a catastrophic fire in 1941 that destroyed much of the medieval heart, leaving few pre-modern structures intact. This disaster forced a period of reconstruction that prioritised grand boulevards and administrative blocks. Consequently, the urban identity relies on its nineteenth-century prosperity and the resilience required to rebuild the city center after the flames levelled the historic quarters.
Where it sits
The city occupies a natural harbor on the Bay of Biscay, shielded from the full force of the Atlantic by the Magdalena Peninsula. To the west, the coastline transforms into jagged limestone cliffs known as the Costa Quebrada. Inland, the terrain rises sharply toward the Picos de Europa, where the Cantabrian mountains block the temperate coastal air. Salt spray and frequent rain define the climate, keeping the landscape lush and green throughout the year. The streets remain quiet during the damp winter months, while the arrival of summer brings cooling breezes that attract travellers from the parched interior of the Iberian plateau.
What to eat and drink
The Cantabrian kitchen prioritises the catch from the Bay of Biscay. Sorropotún, a thick stew of bonito fish and potatoes, defines the traditional diet of the coastal villages. Anchovies from the local salt-curing industry appear in nearly every meal, often served preserved in high-quality olive oil. For dessert, the local specialty is quesada pasiega, a dense, moist cake made from fresh cow's milk curd, sugar, and cinnamon. Diners accompany these meals with glasses of white wine or cider produced in the verdant valleys, which cut through the saltiness of the fresh seafood and the richness of the dairy-based sweets.
Cantabria: the whole region
A small region with an unusual amount of everything: a coast of rough Atlantic beaches, the eastern half of the Picos de Europa, the Pas and Liébana valleys, and two of the most important prehistoric and religious sites in Spain in…
Minimum 3 days · better 5-6 days · deep 9 days
In and around Santander
What's Nearby
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In Cantabria
In Cantabria
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Appears In
Experiences worth booking ahead
- Picos de Europa and Potes Guided Tour from Santander-small groups4.7 (125)9 hrsFrom €90
- Comillas, Modernism & Gaudi with entrance tickets -small groups4.7 (52)5 hrsFrom €65
- Peninsula and Magdalena Palace in Santander4.8 (10)2 hrsFrom €18
- Santillana, Altamira, Comillas & San Vicente de la B. Guided Tour4.6 (14)9 hrsFrom €87
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