19 Best Things to Do and See in Santander
Exploring Santander on foot is one of the best ways to feel the city’s atmosphere, connect its landmark places and discover its neighbourhoods at a more natural pace.
In this guide, you will find the attractions not to miss when planning a walking route in Santander, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Santander. It is a smoother way to connect places, understand details you might miss on your own and enjoy a more human, personal discovery adapted to your trip.
1. First Sardinero Beach
The First Sardinero Beach is one of Santander’s iconic public beaches, on Spain’s northern coast. It offers a wide stretch of golden sand bordered by the Cantabrian Sea, ideal for swimming, strolls, and relaxing moments facing the horizon. Its well-kept urban setting, with a long promenade and beautiful viewpoints, makes it a favorite spot for both locals and visitors. Depending on the season, the atmosphere shifts between lively summer energy and a more peaceful mood, always with the maritime charm of Santander.
2. Jardines de Piquío
The Jardines de Piquío are a simple yet highly scenic urban garden in Santander. Visitors can enjoy tree-lined paths, open spaces and sweeping views over Santander Bay, all in a peaceful setting close to the city center. Located on Castañeda Avenue, it is a great stop for understanding the link between Santander and its coastline.
3. Santander Exhibition and Congress Palace
The Santander Exhibition and Congress Palace is a venue for professional and public events in a city known for its port, culture, and services. Discover exhibition halls, congress spaces, and institutional meetings in a contemporary building that reflects Santander’s modern character. It highlights the city’s role as a regional meeting point in Cantabria, where business initiatives, collective projects, and special events come together.
4. Pereda Garden
Pereda Garden is an urban park in central Santander, right next to the promenade and the city’s busiest areas. It offers a green space among the buildings, with paths, trees and a peaceful atmosphere ideal for a relaxing walk. Its location makes it a link between the historic center, pedestrian routes and the port area, reflecting Santander’s blend of city life, nature and seaside openness.
5. Muelle de las Carabelas
Muelle de las Carabelas is an open-air museum in Santander, set in a location directly connected to the sea and the port. It stands out for its position on the waterfront and the way it blends into the Cantabrian urban landscape. Visitors discover an open heritage space linked to naval history and to the sea’s role in the life of the city. The visit offers a simple, concrete way to understand the connection between Santander and its maritime legacy.
6. Parque Doctor Mesones
Parque Doctor Mesones is an urban park in Santander, located on Avenida de Pontejos in a lively part of the Cantabrian capital. It is a local green space designed as a break in the built-up area, with trees, paths and open areas that soften the pace of the street. The park is not known for spectacular monuments, but for its role in everyday neighborhood life. It highlights a calmer side of Santander, where public spaces connect traffic, housing and relaxation.
7. Naves de Gamazo
Naves de Gamazo offers a visit centered on a cultural space set in a building with a strong port heritage. Discover reused architecture dedicated to art, near Santander Bay. This art museum combines clean lines, a maritime setting, and contemporary exhibitions for an urban and cultural visit.
8. Parque de la Marga
Parque de la Marga is an urban park in Santander, known for offering a peaceful break in a residential area. Discover a simple green space with paths and vegetation, set in Cantabria, near postal code 39009. Rather than a major monument, it stands out for its local role and the way residents use it every day.
9. Parque de Menendez Pelayo
Parque de Menéndez Pelayo is an urban park in Santander, located on Paseo de Menéndez Pelayo in an easy-to-find part of the city. It offers a green space integrated into the urban fabric, where visitors can appreciate the contrast between the landscaped setting and the surrounding streets. This kind of local park is part of everyday life in Santander and adds to the quality of the city’s landscape. Its location in the Cantabrian capital makes it a simple stop to spot on a city walk.
10. Monper Chocolate
Monper Chocolate is a Santander address dedicated to chocolate in several forms, combining craftsmanship, tasting, and a celebration of gourmet know-how. The venue blends the identity of an artisanal chocolatier with that of a café specializing in hot chocolate, making it both a commercial and experiential space. Located on C. Calderón de la Barca, it sits in the heart of the city and stands out for its clear focus on cacao. Visitors come mainly for an atmosphere centered on taste, preparation, and the role of chocolate in local culture.
Antony M
During my travels, I looked for guides who spoke my language. This search turned out to be long and tedious. That is why I created MYTOGU (My Tourist Guide): a matching site between tourists and professional tourist guides.
