Santander is a phoenix rising from the ashes. Sights of the capital of Cantabria

Santander (Spain) is a small town that belongs to the administrative center of Cantabria, its area is 25 hectares, the territory is home to about 180 thousand inhabitants.

Santander on the map of Spain in Russian

Santander is a city in Spain, which is located on the map in the northern part of the country. From the north the city is washed by the waters of the Atlantic, in the south-eastern part there is Santander Bay.

Climate and weather in Santander

Those who like to bask in the hot sun should not consider Santander as a vacation destination, since the oceanic climate has a significant impact on the weather. Here you can observe several weather changes during the day - at first the bright sun can shine, then a strong wind can rise, then the sun will come out again, and then it will pour downpour. It is believed that Santander is the coldest city in Spain, since in winter the weather here can drop to 0 degrees and in mountainous areas reach minus levels.

City view

Winter comes very early - usually in November. At this time, the rainy season begins, which often occurs in the late afternoon and at night, but also occurs during the day. The average air temperature in November is 11 degrees, from December to February – 10–9° C. The water temperature is no more than 10° C.

Spring here is quite cold; air temperatures differ only a couple of degrees from winter ones. In March and April, average air temperatures reach only 15°C; in May it becomes slightly warmer. The water warms up to 16 degrees.

Note! In winter, there are few tourists in the city, hotels are half empty, but this is the best time to go on a trip to the Basque country, since prices for tours are significantly reduced, and there are no such crowds of tourists as in the season.

In June it is still cool, the beach season begins towards the end of the month. Average temperatures from June to August range from 21 to 23 degrees, the ocean warms up towards the end of summer, and the average water temperature is about 20°C. Sweltering heat is rare; usually the thermometer does not exceed 26 degrees.

In autumn, the beach season in Santander lasts until mid-September, when the air temperature stays at around 21–23°C. The ocean is quite warm at this time. From mid-September, the weather begins to worsen - the air temperature drops, the amount of precipitation increases, and those tourists who want to get to know the city better remain at the resort.

Attractions in Santander Spain

Santander in Spain is an interesting town where at any time of the year there is something to do and see. One of the main attractions of the city is the Cathedral, which was built between the 12th and 15th centuries. To the north of the cathedral there is a church built in the neo-Gothic style - the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Not far from the Cathedral there is another attraction - the Town Hall, which very much attracts tourists with its architecture.

Royal Palace

The next attraction is La Magdalena Park with the Royal Palace. The park itself, overgrown with dense greenery, is located on a peninsula. The Royal Palace, located on its territory, looks more like a cozy Spanish villa and is architecturally very beautiful. In summer, you can take a tour of the palace only on Saturday and Sunday; at other times of the year, additionally from Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 18.00. The entrance ticket costs 3 euros*.

There is another excursion place in Santander that offers a beautiful view of the city and Santander Bay - the Mirador Rio de la Pila observation deck. You can get to the site by funicular, which operates from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. A very steep street leads to the funicular, and to make it easier to get to it, the city authorities installed escalators that go directly to the funicular.

If you want to feel like you are on the edge of the Earth, then a must-visit is the Cabo Menor lighthouse, which is located at the end of Sardinero beach. This place offers a beautiful view. Currently, the lighthouse is not used for its intended purpose; now it houses a museum of the Spanish artist Eduard Sanz.

Famous landmarks in Santander include the Pereda Gardens and the Santander Bank building, located on one of the main streets of the city, Paseo de Pereda. The gardens are a small park that was created in honor of the famous Spanish writer José Maria de Pereda. There is also a monument erected in honor of the writer.

The bank is an architecturally magnificent five-story building with an arch in the middle, decorated with openwork balconies and beautiful statues in the neo-Gothic style.

Interesting to know! Banco Santander is one of the largest Spanish banks and is one of the most influential players in the global financial market. The bank's headquarters are located in Santander. Of those wishing to study at the University of Brighton in the UK, the bank provides several master's students with a scholarship of 5,000 euros.

The symbol of Santander is the Palace of Festivals of Cantabria, built in the 80s of the 20th century; now this place is the main concert venue of the city.

The city has a huge number of museums - the Maritime Museum, the Museum of Spanish Painting of the 15th–20th centuries and Ancient Archeology, the Ethnographic Museum of Velarde.

Important! All of the museums listed above have free admission.

Beaches and resort of Santander

Santander, like many cities in Spain, is famous for its beautiful sandy, golden beaches. The most famous are the central beach of El Sardinero and the ancient La Magdalena. The first beach is wide with a sandy shore with a gentle slope to the water (next to it is the small Concha Beach), a huge number of tourists come here every year to go surfing. The second beach is located in a bay in the royal park, and there is also another beach here - Playa de Bikinis, near which you can often see divers diving into the water. In the western part of the city, not far from the Menor lighthouse, is the secluded beach of Playa de Mataleñas. Opposite Mount Pena Gabarda in a picturesque bay is Los Peligros beach.

Beach in Santander

Note! There are a large number of schools for teaching surfers in Santander; the cost of training will depend on the number of lessons and equipment that students want to rent.

When going to Santander for the first time, it would be a good idea to listen to the advice of experienced tourists:

• When vacationing in Santander, if you do not plan to travel outside the city, you should not rent a car, since most of the attractions here are within walking distance of each other.
• Smokers should remember that in Spain smoking is allowed only in special places, otherwise you will face a fine.
• Choosing a place in Santander where you can have lunch or dinner is not so easy, since there are a huge number of establishments dedicated to dining. Therefore, if you want to try delicacies, then you should visit the El Serbal restaurant, where dinner will cost around 70 euros*. If you want to save money, it is better to go to the La Sole restaurant - it has a fairly rich menu and is relatively cheap compared to other restaurants.

Santander is a wonderful beautiful city in northern Spain, with its own history, architectural and natural attractions. If you want to feel the truly Spanish spirit, then this is one of those towns that will help you do it.

*Prices are current as of August 2018.

Santander is the capital of the Cantabria region in northern Spain. It has a rich history - it was first mentioned in the Roman chronicles of 196 BC. e. At the same time, ancient buildings made of white marble are interspersed with modern new buildings, and historical palaces stand in the middle of the urban landscape. Such architectural contrasts are not accidental: in 1941, the entire old center burned to the ground and was rebuilt among the surviving stone buildings.

Modern Santander is a large seaport with developed infrastructure. It became a fashionable resort thanks to the Spanish royal family, which chose this place in the early 20th century, highly appreciating the local beaches and picturesque nature.

According to legend, Santander received its name in honor of Saint Emetherius, a Roman legionnaire who converted to Christianity and was executed for his faith. Sancti Emetherii eventually transformed into Sanct Endere, and then into Santander itself.

4 things to do in Santander:

1. View the underwater world in detail while swimming in crystal clear water.
2. Visit ancient churches and cathedrals and see the relics of the city's patron saints - the brothers Emiteria and Seledonia.
3. See the Royal Palace of La Magdalena and walk through the favorite parks of the Spanish monarchs.
4. In July and August, go to El Sardinero to listen to opera performed by world-famous stars.

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How to get there

There are no direct flights to Santander from Russia; you will have to make a transfer to get there. The most convenient flights from Moscow are via Madrid, travel time is 10-12 hours. From Madrid you can either fly to Santander on one of the domestic flights or take the train.

The airport in Santander (Aeropuerto de Santander) is located 7 km from the city center. You can get to the city by regular bus (runs every 30 minutes from 6:45 to 23:00 to the bus station at Plaza Estaciones). A taxi from the airport to the city will cost about 15 EUR, the stop is located opposite the exit from the terminal. Prices on the page are as of September 2018.

The fastest and cheapest way to get from Barcelona to Santander is by low-cost airline Ryanair, a ticket costs from 20 EUR one way, the journey takes 1 hour 15 minutes. Pay attention to the connections, they are not always convenient.

A more budget option is the railway. Trains from Madrid to Santander depart 7 times a day, the very first at 6:33, the last at 19:05, fares start from 20.65 EUR one way. Travel time is from 4 to 6.5 hours depending on the train.

Search for flights to Madrid (closest airport to Santander)

Santander Hotels

Santander is a small city, but there are many hotels here. There is no low season here: in the summer there are a lot of tourists who come to the beaches, and the rest of the time the hotels are occupied by business travelers - many conferences and other business events take place in Santander.

The coastline is lined with beach hotels, especially near Sardinero beach (there are also the highest prices for accommodation, since real estate in this area is the most expensive). Tourists usually stay in the historical center in spring, autumn and winter, when the beach is not particularly relevant, but the proximity to attractions is the opposite. A room in a 3* hotel near the beach or in the historical center will cost from 60 EUR per day for two, a 4* room costs from 80 EUR.

There are few apartments in the city, prices start from 25 EUR per day per room or from 40 EUR for an apartment with one bedroom, living room and kitchen.

Beaches

Santander has firmly established its reputation as a resort with the cleanest beaches in all of Spain. The water here is clear, the bottom can be seen many meters deep, so the place attracts divers from all over Europe.

The city has 5 km of beaches with very clean sand, everywhere there are showers, toilets and changing cabins. Sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented, but they are not particularly popular in this city, and there are usually few places allocated for sunbeds on the coast.

The closest beach to the city center is Los Peligros, despite the name (from Spanish it translates as “dangers”) it is safe and popular among families with children. Not far from the center there are also the beaches of La Magdalena (also great for children) and Sardinero - the legendary beach where the entire Spanish aristocracy once vacationed. Today it has the best infrastructure on the coast - from restaurants and cafes to an elevator for guests with disabilities.

Across the strait, opposite the Maritime Museum, is the resort town of Puntal (Playa del Puntal) with well-equipped beaches.

Santander maps

Shopping in Santander

Santander has several shopping streets, all located in the city center. Clothing and shoe stores are concentrated on Artigas, Juan Herrera, Burgos and Cubo streets, where you can also buy sportswear and equipment. There is also a good selection of democratic brands on the streets of Vargas and San Fernando, where you can find popular Spanish brands - Zara, Massimo Dutti, Mango, etc., as well as many “no names” and Spanish brands that do not reach Russia. Pay special attention to shoes and bags made of genuine leather; here they are of high quality and inexpensive. Luxury boutiques are located on Avenida de Calvo Sotelo.

Santander has two large shopping centers: El Corte Ingles (on the southern outskirts of the city) and Valle Real.

Behind the city hall is the most famous market in the city - Esperanza. It opened in 1904 and is considered a city landmark. Most of the territory is occupied by fish rows, but here you can also buy all kinds of Spanish delicacies: jamon, cheese, olive oil, etc.

Cuisine and restaurants

Most of the menus of local restaurants are fish and seafood; cod and sea bass are served here, and in expensive restaurants you can try white tuna and monkfish. Another feature of the regional cuisine is the abundance of dairy products, in particular cheeses. The most popular local young cheese is queso nata de Cantabria, which was first made by local monks. A more seasoned and original one is Bejes-Tresviso, it is made from a mixture of cow, sheep and goat milk, and this cheese matures for at least 3 months.

Meat in Santander restaurants is also an important part of the menu; game is also prepared here: wild boar, roe deer, and deer. A popular side dish is baked vegetables, in particular red peppers, and local desserts include cottage cheese pies and crispy sweet buns.

• The most famous restaurant in Santander is El Serbal, winner of a Michelin star. Specialties include beef carpaccio with pine nuts, lobster ravioli with champagne sauce and puddings according to the chef’s original recipe. Dinner for two here will cost about 120-150 EUR, excluding drinks.

• La Bombi is considered the best seafood restaurant: lobsters, shrimp, crayfish, bluefin tuna, sea bass, langoustines, lobsters, etc. Prices are about 100-120 EUR for dinner for two, excluding drinks.

There are many more budget establishments in the city, most of them are concentrated in the historical center, for example, on Davois and Velarde streets (there are also numerous wine cellars) and on the beaches. Near the port, in Puerto Chico, they prepare excellent dishes from freshly caught fish. Dinner for two in a family restaurant costs 50-80 EUR.

Guides in Santander

Entertainment and attractions in Santander

Among the architectural monuments of Santander, the Cathedral in the Gothic style, reconstructed after a fire, is especially interesting. Inside it there is a miraculously preserved crypt from the 12th century, and in one of the naves you can see fragments of the masonry of a Roman temple with a drainage system.

Other religious buildings are also interesting: the churches of Santilian, Santa Cruz of the Chestnut Grove, Santa Maria Lebena, Santa Maria Piasca, Santa Maria Porta Santona, the monastery of San Toribio de Liebana, the Santander Cathedral, as well as the collegiate church of San Martin Elines and the mountain Church of the Tribune in Valderedible.

Santander has many architectural monuments and museums, many of which can be visited for free.

The royal palace of the same name is located on the La Magdalena peninsula. It was built for the family of King Alfonso XIII, under whom Santander became a popular seaside resort, in 1912. But already in the 1930s, the monarchy was overthrown, the palace was given to the university and was used for a variety of purposes. Today, these colorful interiors host conferences, congresses and even weddings. For tourists, entrance to the palace is available only with a guide, the cost is 3 EUR, excursions are conducted in Spanish. There is a beautiful park around the palace, where replicas of ancient ships are exhibited and there is a mini-zoo with penguins and fur seals.

One day in Santander

Santander Museums

• One of the most popular museums in Santander is the Maritime Museum (Museo Maritimo del Cantabrico). There is a large aquarium with marine life, it tells about the history of fishing in the region, about shipbuilding and pirates, as well as about modern technologies in shipbuilding.
• The Museum of Ancient History and Archeology presents exhibits from the Upper Paleolithic era: household items of ancient man and mysterious steles, the age of which reaches 20 thousand years.
• The Ethnographic Museum of Velarde, 8 kilometers south of Santander, demonstrates the life of Spanish peasants in the 17th and 18th centuries. An entire exhibition is devoted to the hero of the war with Napoleon, Pedro Velarde, who was born and raised in this house.
• The Museum of Fine Arts presents a collection of paintings by masters of the Spanish school of the 15th-20th centuries.
• The Water Museum tells the history of the city's water supply; the most interesting exhibit is a reserve storage facility from the 19th century.
• The Firefighters Museum occupies a special place in the city, since the city experienced a terrible tragedy in 1941 and was practically destroyed by fire. The exhibition tells about the history of the fire department in Santander; there are special excursion programs for children.

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Neighborhoods of Santander

In the mountains near the city is the famous Altamira Cave, covered with rock paintings dating from the 16th to the 9th centuries. BC e. And just 26 km from Santander is the city of Santillana del Mar, which has entirely preserved its medieval appearance.

Not far from Santander is the small town of El Sardinero, which has hosted an annual festival of theatrical and musical arts for the past 40 years. Every July and August, the Plaza Porticada stage brings together leading opera artists from all over Europe. Stars such as Harutyun Karayan, Yehudi Menuhin and Montserrat Caballe performed here.

El Sardinero is truly the “gaming” center of the resort: under the roof of the Real Hotel there is a luxurious casino, where the games do not stop either night or day. The stadium of the local football club Racing, which plays in the top league of the Spanish Championship, is also located here. If you're lucky, here you can witness a match with such giants of world football as Barcelona and Real Madrid.

A city with a thousand-year history on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

Cathedral

The founders of Santander in Spain are considered to be the Romans, who built a port here at the beginning of the 1st century AD. Nothing more was known about the harbor until the 9th century, when the Asturian king Alfonso II ordered the foundation of the Abbey of the Holy Corps on the territory of what is now Spanish Santander. The relics of Saints Emeterius and Celedonius, who suffered in the struggle for the Christian faith, were transferred to it. According to legend, when the boat with the relics moored to the shore of Spanish Santander, the rocks moved apart by themselves, and the shrines found refuge near the Somorrostro hill. On this hill the construction of the current Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary began, Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Santander

The Cathedral is one of the main attractions of Santander, miraculously preserved to this day. The fact is that most of Santander's attractions were destroyed by an explosion on board the ship Cabo Machichaco at the end of the 19th century. It was carrying 51 tons of dynamite. Everything that survived the explosion in Spanish Santander was burned in a fire. In February 1941, the fire burned for two days and destroyed 37 medieval streets with ancient buildings. As a result, Santander in Spain was almost completely rebuilt. The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary took 10 years to restore.

Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Another of the Christian shrines of Santander in Spain is the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús was built in 1890 according to the design of the architect José Maria Basterra in the form of a Latin cross. The temple vaults are supported by 12 pillars, equal to the number of apostles, and at the entrance, next to the tower, there is a monument to the Sacred Heart - Sagrado de Corazón. Thanks to its original exterior and frescoes, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the main attractions of Santander, a favorite wedding venue for newlyweds and a constant subject for photos in Santander.

Beaches of Santander in Spain

Simultaneously with the construction of the Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, a tourist boom begins in Spanish Santander. Travelers from all over the world are attracted not only by the sights of Santander, but also by its natural landscapes. In the bay of the same name there are practically no waves or wind. Taking advantage of this geographical advantage, local authorities created 12 pristine sandy beaches within the Spanish Santander. The most popular of them today are El Sardinero, Las Mataleñas, Virgen del Mar and Los Peligros. The latter is especially good for diving enthusiasts.

Santander Casino in Spain

The El Sardinero beach area in Spanish Santander has gradually turned into the tourist center of the city, acquiring hotels, restaurants and gambling houses. To this day, the largest casino in Cantabria remains El Gran Casino Sardinero, which opened in 1916 in Piazza Italia. In the Art Nouveau building, built by architect Eloy Martinez del Valle, they not only played roulette, but also danced, staged musicals and opera performances. During the Franco dictatorship, this Santander landmark housed a cinema. And after the restoration of the monarchy, El Gran Casino Sardinero returned to its former status.

Royal Palace on the Magdalena Peninsula

The monarchs chose Santander in Spain and made it their summer residence. By order of King Alfonso XIII, a palace of the same name was built on the Magdalena Peninsula (La Magdalena) in 1912. The eclectic building is reminiscent of similar structures in England during the time of Queen Victoria. After the 1931 revolution it was transferred to the university. Today, three caravels are exhibited in the palace park and there is a mini-zoo with seals, sea lions and penguins. The peninsula offers an unparalleled view of the Faro de Cabo Mayor lighthouse, built back in 1839. It houses an art museum. And the lighthouse itself is one of the main attributes of all Santander postcard photos.

Not only the La Magdalena peninsula, but also the many kilometers of Santander promenade in Spain offer tourists long walks. The Palace of Festivals of Cantabria, Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria, is worthy of attention. Built in 1990, the Santander landmark still causes a lot of controversy. For some residents of the kingdom, the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria resembles a dog lying with its paws up. Others are outraged by the gigantic size and lack of natural light inside the building. Still others are puzzled by the strange passage to the stalls under the stage and the insufficient space between the rows of seats. The dissatisfaction is aggravated by the exceeded construction budget. Last year, visitors to the Idealista portal included the Palace in the list of the 13 ugliest buildings in Spain.

Pereda Street and Park

Next to the Palace of Festivals is the campus of the University of Cantabria, one of the youngest universities in Spain. 13 thousand students study here in 14 areas, including schools of marine research, medicine and environmental engineering. Just behind the university is the Royal Nautical Club of Santander in Spain, where one of the most picturesque streets of the city, Paceo de Pereda, begins. Among the main attractions of Santander on this street are a small park named after the Spanish writer José Maria de Pereda - Jardines de Pereda, and the majestic building of the Santander bank in the neoclassical style.

Santander, Spain's mild oceanic climate attracts visitors all year round. The average air temperature here in winter reaches 13 degrees, in summer – 23 degrees. Getting to Santander in Spain is easy. The city has its own airport, railway and bus stations, and a seaport, from where there is a constant ferry connection with British Plymouth. The exciting journey from Santander in Spain to England takes exactly 24 hours.

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Santander cannot be called a city of large monuments and monuments, but it is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and Europe. Situated on a huge peninsula crashing into the Atlantic Ocean, the city is washed on one side by the raging waves of the Atlantic, and on the other hand caressed by the quiet waves of the bay of the same name. From the south the city is protected by stunningly beautiful mountains Peña Cabarga, in the winter months, sometimes delighting citizens and tourists with snow-capped peaks. The city itself is simply buried in numerous parks and squares of stunning beauty. It’s not for nothing that at all times and eras the Spanish Kings chose Santander as their vacation spot!

Having visited once Santander, you will strive to come back here again and again! Because it is impossible to experience all its beauties and possibilities in one or two weeks of rest. Each time he will reveal to you more and more of his mysteries and possibilities.
It so happens that Russian tourists know very little about Santander and about the opportunities that it provides for recreation all year round, which, however, does not at all diminish its significance. After all, European tourists have long trampled into Santander a reliable path, and the residents of Foggy Albion have even launched a regular ferry service 2 times a week. Almost all of the Spanish nobility have their own villas on the embankments in Santander and other towns nearby.

Since on the Russian-language Internet information about Santander is often written by people who have never been here, and this information is then copied with even greater distortions from site to site, we decided on our portal to most fully cover first-hand not only the “interesting” history of Santander, but and talk about the tourism opportunities of one of the most sophisticated cities in Europe.

The birth of Santander as a city can be considered 1187, when King Alfonso VIII of Castile signed an order releasing him from taxes. In those days, on the site of the present city, the Abbey of Saints Emeterio and Celedonio was located. Subsequently, a cathedral was built on the site of the abbey. A legend that has come down to us from time immemorial says that Saints Emeterio and Celedonio, after martyrdom, were beheaded in Calahorra (province of La Rioja), their heads were loaded into boats, which washed up on the shores of modern Santander. At the same time, the boat itself crashed on the island of La Horadada. Saints Emeterio and Celedonio are the patron saints of Santander.

In addition, some historians claim that on the site of present-day Santander, the ancient Romans built Portus Victoriae, which served as the main fort to protect against the invasions of northern European tribes. Although other scientists believe that this fort was modern Santonya. Be that as it may, people settled on the site of modern Santander in prehistoric times, and the official founding date of the city is 1187.

One of the outstanding events in the history of the city, which left its mark on the coat of arms of Santander for all time, was the participation of the city's fleet in the Reconquista of Seville in 1248. As the chronicles tell us, the ships were sent by Don Ramon Bonifas to liberate Seville. Using a fair wind and the courage of the Cantabrians, the ships broke the chains of the Golden Tower protecting the city, which was the beginning of the liberation of Seville from the centuries-old Arab conquest. The King of Castile and León, Fernando III (the Saint), thanked the city for its courage. Since then, the coat of arms of Santander adorns the Golden Tower, a heavy chain over the waters of Guadalquivir and the ship of the brave Cantabrians. This scene is observed and patronized by the faces of Saint Emiterio and Saint Celedonio. In 1466, the inscription “Very Noble and Always Faithful” was added to the coat of arms of Santander, granted by Enrique VI. In 1833, after internal political strife, the princely crown and the word "Resolute" were added to the coat of arms. Thus, over the centuries, the noble character of the city was formed and displayed on the coat of arms. Santander to this day belongs to those cities that in Spain are called “señorial”, the meaning of which is clear even without translation.

The rapid development of Santander in the Middle Ages was directly related to its port. But not only good deeds came to the city through the port. In 1497, one of the ships brought a plague epidemic to the city, which destroyed almost the entire city.

However, the city was not completely forgotten and abandoned. Due to the unique beauty of Cantabria, these places have always been a favorite of the Spanish Royal Family, Archbishops and other nobility of Spain. In 1754, Pope Benedict XIV created the Episcopate in Santander. In 1755, Fernando VI gave Santander the title of a city (he wouldn’t rest in the village like a commoner!), in 1775, trade relations with Asia and Europe began to be carried out through the port of Santander, and in 1785 the “Consulate of Sea and Land” was created. All these factors together contributed to the rapid economic growth and expansion of the city. Industry and trade became the driving force in the development of Santander.

In addition, in the 19th century, it became fashionable for all Spanish and European nobility to relax “on the waters.” And Santander, like no other city in Spain, was best suited for these purposes: at that time it was already a fairly economically developed city, magnificent sandy beaches within the city, charming surrounding nature, a mild noble climate without the scorching sun, gentle waves of the bay. All these factors together contributed to the fact that in the second half of the 19th century Santander became the most fashionable resort in Spain. After the entire royal family of Alfonso XIII began to come here every year to vacation, many royal nobles and associates began to build their villas in Santander. Well, since it was built here in 1912 Royal Palace La Magdalena, The palm as the best resort in Spain was assigned to Santander for many years, which it holds to this day. After all, no Mediterranean beaches, with their coarse bulk sands and hot scorching sun, can compete in their comfort, cleanliness and beauty with the beaches of Santander with the finest golden sand and the purest waves of the Atlantic.

Today's Santander, in addition to the best beaches in Europe, which are there for every taste, it gives its guests many other recreational opportunities.
The complete reconstruction of the city after the fire of 1941 only helped the city. After all, as a result of this fire, only dilapidated wooden neighborhoods burned out. The entire medieval architectural heritage has been preserved in the city in its original beauty. And in place of the burnt-out wooden barracks, wide avenues were built and magnificently beautiful parks and squares were laid out. All houses built during the reconstruction of the city are made in local traditions. Therefore, the complete picture of the city is unusually harmonious and aristocratic, captivating from the very first minutes of visiting it with its high style, tranquility and respectability. Among other things, for many decades, Santander holds the palm as the safest city in Spain. And this is not surprising. Santander is a favorite holiday destination for European bankers. And money, as you know, loves peace and quiet.

One of the most interesting attractions Santander is the market Mercado de la Esperanza, the building of which was built in 1904 and is a landmark in itself. But it’s not for nothing that all experienced travelers say, if you want to get to know a city, go to its market. So the market building is surrounded by rows where local farmers sell the fruits of their labors, the magnificence of which can already turn your head! Well, where else can you see peppers almost the size of a human head, for which Cantabria is so famous! Nowhere else in the world will you see such a miracle! But the most interesting thing awaits you inside the covered market, completely occupied by seafood vendors! Do you know what the Santander fish market smells like? Fresh sea surf! Here you don’t know what else to be surprised by: the dazzling cleanliness of the market, well-groomed traders with professional hairstyles and makeup, or the incredible variety of fish and all kinds of imaginable and inconceivable inhabitants of the Atlantic, many of which do not even have names in Russian. The emotions you get while walking through the market will last you the whole day. Therefore, it is best to continue your day at the Santander fish market with our gastronomic master class from the chef, to fully assimilate emotions and tastes.

If we continue the gastronomic theme in Santander, then it is impossible not to note that Santander is truly the gastronomic capital of Spain. A mixture of traditions of Spanish and French cuisines, an abundance of gifts from the Atlantic, with many types of sea monsters popular in local cuisine found only in the Cantabrico Sea, a mild humid climate conducive to the development of vegetable growing, numerous water meadows with lush grass where beef and dairy cattle are grazed all year round - these are some of the few factors that contributed to the formation local cuisine of Cantabria. It’s not for nothing that newcomers from McDonald’s don’t take root in Santander. No self-respecting Cantabrian would trade even a small tapas of the freshest goat cheese, baked on crispy local bread and served with tomato or quince jam and balsamic for 1 euro, for a huge hamburger made from unknown products for the same price. Well, numerous tourists do not come to the culinary capital of Spain to choke on American catering.

IN Santander everyone can find a bar or restaurant to suit their taste and budget: from democratic bars, where by paying a few cents for a glass of wine or beer you can try a dozen different tapas for free, to restaurants of haute and molecular cuisine, including those marked “ culinary Oscar" - a Michelin star.

Santander Hotels We are also ready to satisfy guests with a wide variety of tastes. These range from 5-star hotels built in a traditional palace style in the most prestigious quarters of the city, where you can enjoy thalassotherapy in pools with heated ocean water all year round, to ultra-modern hotels and inexpensive democratic hotels that will not burden your wallet.

We have already mentioned that Santander offers its guests a varied architectural program and the opportunity to enjoy relaxation in numerous shady parks, from which magnificent views of the ocean or the beautiful Santander Bay open. But I would especially like to recommend that you be sure to set aside at least half a day to enjoy a truly royal holiday on the territory Royal Palace La Magdalena. La Magdalena- a huge, beautiful park of natural nature, located on the peninsula of the same name and washed on 3 sides by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. You can get to this park by walking along the beautiful Queen Victoria Alley, which is surrounded by royal rose flowers almost all year round. On the territory of the park La Magdalena you can visit the royal zoo with unique marine inhabitants, the open-air museum Man and the Sea, telling about the transatlantic exploits of the Kingdom of Spain and the brave Cantabrians. Here you can also admire the magnificent scenery of the ocean, surrounded by rocks, a beautiful island Mouro with an ancient lighthouse that showed the way to brave sailors and, of course, the crown of the entire park is the royal palace itself in all its splendor and grandeur! The park has several unique, beautiful beaches; in the shade of centuries-old pine trees, everything is prepared for you to have a barbecue in the circle of a cheerful company. By the way, myself Royal Palace La Magdalena provides the opportunity to spend the best day of your life on its territory - a wedding or organize another important event for you or your business.

Walking around Santander promenade, you will immediately notice hundreds of athletic and active residents of the city and its guests. Santander is a real center for lovers of all kinds of sea sports. In any weather and at any time of the year, Santander Bay is crossed by yachts of all sizes and scales, sailboats, catamarans, kitesurfers and windsurfers and many other sports and marine equipment. That is why

Like any city in Spain, Santander Throughout the year, the country cheerfully celebrates numerous holidays, which sometimes last for one or two weeks, each of which ends with abundant feasts of local traditional cuisine, accompanied by wines from the northern regions of Spain. You can read more about Santander holidays in our article

Do you want to learn more about the royal resort of Spain and stroll through its magnificent parks and beaches, taste the best cuisine in Spain and enjoy architectural monuments, or make an unforgettable shopping experience in fashion boutiques?

The pearl of Spanish northern resorts, attracting Madrid and Castile residents eager to diversify their leisure time. The British, who land here twice a week with their Rovers directly from the hold of the huge Britany Ferris, also appreciated the northern beauty of Spain.

Thanks to King Alfonso XII, who at the beginning of the 20th century suddenly chose Santander as a city for summer holidays, the commercial port turned into a new resort for the growing bourgeoisie. Take a short walk (because for a long one you will have to cut circles around the pond where the local swans and geese blissfully) through the Jardines de Parada park, admire the majestic building of the Bank of Santander, one of the oldest in Spain, walk along the coast along Queen Victoria Avenue , through the Festival Palace to Magdalena Park...

Some consider the pearl of Santander to be the Magdalena Palace, located on a peninsula in a huge park with the adjacent beaches of Los Biquinis, La Magdalena and Los Peligros. This is the former summer residence of the Spanish monarchs. The monarchy still flourishes in Spain, but the king rarely visits the Summer Palace now. Now the building is used for courses and conferences by the Universidad Menéndez Pelayo, and it also hosts an incredible number of all kinds of congresses and even wedding ceremonies.

The local casino, a light white building that many frivolous correspondents compare to a birthday cake, also reminds us of the vibrant life of this wonderful city. It is strategically and cunningly located in the Sardinero area, next to the beach and far from a poor area, where they will ask for 10 thousand euros per square meter of housing. - just ridiculous prices! This is a favorite walking place for townspeople and tourists. Next to the stadium of the famous football team "Racing" and the Sports Palace is Las Llamas Park - another convenient place for walking and exercising, taking children for rides and watching amateur performances and musical innovations.

On a fine day, or even on a cloudy one - why not? - it’s nice to soak up the magnificent white sandy beach of Sardinero, or on the quaint Camel, or just dive once or twice into the invigorating waves of the Atlantic in other places like Mataleñas or Molinocos, where the water warms up to plus 23 in the summer. Many local elders engage in water procedures all year round a year - and no flu takes them!

A worthy addition to your holiday in the capital of Cantabria will be getting to know the local cuisine. Numerous bars, taverns, cafes and restaurants will offer you a wide variety of menus. Many dishes from fresh fish, meat and seafood are prepared here according to old recipes, as bequeathed by the Cantabrian great-grandfathers.

And in order to immerse yourself in a real fishing atmosphere, you need to visit the Fisherman's District - Barrio Pesquero, where you will try real sardines cooked right on the street, with a smoky finish. And if you order octopus in Galician style and squid in Cantabrian style (i.e. rabas) and decorate this whole still life with white or rose wine, and also take local strong “orujo” for coffee, then your linguistic abilities will reach their climax, and to the loud applause of friends and even the local public, you will swear that you will definitely return here.

In addition to the famous seaport, the city of Santander has its own airport (although the latter is located in the municipal district of Malianho, from the center to the airport you can easily reach the airport in 10 minutes by taxi), where the flow of passengers who want direct access to a wide selection of cultural entertainment is growing every year. starting in the summer-spring period with the opening of the previously mentioned International University of Menéndez Pelayo (Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo) and the Santander International Festival (in August).

Based: January 9, 1755
Square: 35 km 2
Population: 172 thousand people (2017)
Currency: Euro
Language: Spanish
Official website: http://santander.es/

Current time in Santander:
(UTC +1)

Cultural and scientific centers, new operas and ballets, bullfighting (for amateurs) during the Big Week celebrations, various sports competitions, boat trips along the bay, gaming casinos, literary evenings, all kinds of theatrical performances right on the street as part of street festivals, fairs with painted houses located on the luxurious embankment terraces of the Sardinero resort area and the central part of the city attract thousands of tourists and turn Santander into a wonderful place for spending quality leisure time.