Santander, the capital of the Cantabria region in northern Spain, is a picturesque coastal city nestled along the Bay of Biscay. Known for its stunning sea views, historic center, and pleasant climate, it serves as an ideal destination for both business and leisure travelers. For frequent hotel guests, Santander offers a compact and refined accommodation experience, making it easy to explore the seaside promenade, historic quarters, and local gastronomy. The city blends maritime charm with modern amenities, providing a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere for visitors seeking quality stays.
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It is recommended to stay in the City Center (Centro) or La Magdalena area. The City Center allows easy walking access to main attractions and restaurants, while La Magdalena offers a quiet seaside environment and luxury hotel options, ideal for travelers seeking comfort.
Santander is compact, with major attractions within walking distance. The airport is approximately 20 km from the city center, accessible by taxi or bus. The local bus system is well-developed for short trips.
Summer (June to September) is the best time to visit, with warm weather ideal for seaside activities. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds, suitable for travelers who prefer quiet exploration. Winter is cooler but retains unique urban charm.
cathedral in Santander, Spain
football stadium
art museum designed by Renzo Piano located in Santander, Spain
Spanish museum of contemporary art
cultural property in Santander, Spain
cultural property in Santander, Spain
cultural property in Santander, Spain
cultural property in Camargo, Spain
park in Santander, Spain
public park located in the city of Santander, Spain
Ria of Spain
cave in Spain
If you would like to eat in a really special setting, book a table at Casona del Judío, as it’s not every day that you get the chance to enjoy a Michelin-starred experience in an authentic 19C colonial-style property. Here, chef Sergio Bastard impresses guests by shining the spotlight on local ingredients as well as algae and herbs from the Cantabrian coast. He offers two tasting menus (Festival and Chef’s Table) on which guests can savour dishes influenced by the sea, with a fusion of textures and a constant focus on pinpoint presentation (we especially enjoyed the starters, such as the Verdi
WebsiteA modest, friendly and authentic restaurant with no luxurious frills but plenty of charm. Its simple façade on the street corner conceals a welcoming dining room decorated in French bistro style and dominated by shades of green and white, with an old open-view bar, bare marble tables and other intimate and attractive details, such as the bright candles which add a romantic touch. The traditionally inspired contemporary cuisine (with the option of half-plates throughout) is not lacking in boldness thanks to the addition of exotic flavours, mainly Asian but also from Central and South America (s
WebsiteIf a dining experience with picture-postcard views of the sea appeals to you, head to Sardinero beach where, on the first floor of the building known as Cormorán, you’ll find El Serbal. You’ll fall for all its culinary charms thanks to its honest approach and its roots in Cantabrian cooking, which is showcased here by an updated take on traditional cuisine that meets one of its key tenets: “to ensure that guests are happy and will want to return”. The à la carte, which is well complemented by three menus (Gastronomic, Tasting and a special Dom Perignon Moët Chandon option), champions the Canta
WebsiteA restaurant with an abundance of character, history and authenticity, plus a unique museum (Museo Redondo) teeming with works of art. This business, which first started out in the 1930s selling agricultural items and wines, is nowadays a classic address in the city. The traditional menu features dishes such as the popular Rioja-style braised snails, as well as hake with a velouté cream and peppers. We recommend booking a table in advance and enjoying an aperitif in the bar before moving on to the dining room.
🕐 Mo-Sa 12:00-16:00, 20:00-24:00; Su 12:00-16:00
WebsiteVery few people who known Santander well are not familiar with Cañadío, a true institution in Cantabrian hospitality. The restaurant, which boasts two attractively arranged dining rooms (one with a bar and the open kitchen at its centre), has built its reputation on carefully selected ingredients as well as unpretentious yet honest cooking. Dishes you won’t want to pass up include the traditional fried squid (rabas), cuttlefish (cachón) in its own ink with a creamy risotto-style rice, and the spectacular hake fillet. The “Cañadío” lemon tart provides a fitting climax.
WebsiteThe history of La Bombi, a classic address in Santander hospitality, is indelibly linked to the Puertochico district and the modest fisherman’s “taberna” (called La Bombilla, hence the current name) that opened its doors there in 1935. In this restaurant, with a small bar at the entrance and several small dining rooms simply laid out in contemporary style, the same focus on quality of ingredients and service remains to the fore. The splendid array of fish and seafood (including some from their own display tanks, which are then priced by weight) stand out here, although the menu also features s
WebsiteA restaurant on two levels which we like both for its cuisine and for its informal, New York-style decor, featuring high ceilings adorned with surprising reproductions of cave paintings, and bright brick walls. Here, young owner-chef Miguel Ángel Rodríguez focuses on modern cuisine with a contemporary touch, which he makes accessible to all through delicious and harmonious creations that look to the future while still taking inspiration from the traditions of the past. Attentive service plus copious dishes perfect for sharing complete the picture.
WebsiteOne of the classic addresses in the Puertochico district of the city, La Mulata owes its name to a species of black crab that lives in the rocks dotted around its docks and jetties. It features a maritime-inspired minimalist interior which includes a bar that is always very busy thanks to its array of tapas and “raciones”, a striking fish and seafood display (close to it there’s also a live lobster tank), plus a pleasant dining room. The à la carte menu also offers a few meat dishes plus an interesting selection of savoury rice options with a focus on the sea. Make sure you try the superb pan-
🕐 Mo-Su 13:00-17:00,20:00-23:30
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