Santander is a small city but has a lot to offer. From its beaches to its cuisine, this city will win you over, and believe me, you won't hesitate to come back. If you're thinking of coming to Santander, don't hesitate! In this blog, we'll tell you about the 5 things to do in Santander that you definitely shouldn't miss.

1. Walk along El Sardinero

A walk along El Sardinero is a must as soon as you arrive in Santander. Walk along its beaches, starting with La Playa del Camello, where, if you have a keen eye, you will discover that the large rock on the beach is shaped like a camel. Next, we arrive at Primera Playa Sardinero, where you can enjoy the famous Helados Regma ice creams, known for their large size. Climbing a small hill, you will reach the Jardines de Piquio gardens, I recommend finishing your ice cream there while enjoying the incredible views of the Cantabrian Sea.

After the Piquío Gardens, you will reach Segunda Playa del Sardinero, the largest beach in the municipality: no less than one kilometre long and eighty metres wide. And if you're still not tired after this walk, I recommend you gather your strength and walk along the path through Mataleñas Park, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful routes in the city. You'll end up at the Cabo Mayor Lighthouse, where you can have a beer while watching the sunset on its incredible terrace overlooking the sea.

2. Discover the Magdalena Palace

The Magdalena Palace is one of the city's most precious gems. From the peninsula, you can access the beaches of La Magdalena and Bikini. One of its main attractions is its natural surroundings. It is a large area, so you can explore it on foot or on the legendary ‘magdaleno’, the tourist train that runs to the Magdalena Palace, where you can enjoy incredible views.

On the peninsula, you will also find the Museum of Man and the Sea, where you will find the monument paying tribute to the Santander sailor Vital Alsar Ramírez. On the way down, you will find three royal stables that a sailor donated to the city and a small marine animal zoo.

3. Stroll through the centre of Santander

The first thing you should know about Santander is its history. This city was completely destroyed by a fire in 1941, leaving more than 10,000 people homeless. In the post-war period, the inhabitants of Santander received aid from many people throughout the country, but also from abroad. Thanks to them, Santander is now a rebuilt city where you can enjoy its iconic monuments and unique cuisine.

Explore the city

You can start in the heart of Santander, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. If you like visiting local markets, just behind the town hall, I recommend visiting the Mercado de la Esperanza, where you can enjoy quality products from our region. If you're feeling hungry after this visit, keep walking and you'll reach the legendary Plaza Pombo. Parallel to it is the Plaza de Cañadío, where I recommend you go on a pinchos (tapas) tour of Santander. Among the must-visit bars are Casa Lita, El Papanao, and El Rampalay, among others.

When you reach Puerto Chico and the end of this street, you can take the opposite direction along Paseo Pereda so as not to lose sight of the sea and surround yourself with ice cream parlours and terraces. This will allow you to see the well-known Banco Santander building, the Pereda Gardens, Plaza de Correos next to the Bank of Spain, Santander Cathedral and the entire shopping area of the city.

4. Spend a day at El Puntal

From this pier, I recommend taking the ‘las pedreñeras’ boats to El Puntal in summer. These boats are well known in Cantabria because of their distinctive colour. It is one of the most idyllic beaches in Cantabria, where you can stroll along the dunes that connect to Somo Beach. You can also sunbathe and enjoy the beach bars and their great atmosphere with music and food.

5. Enjoy the nightlife in Santander

You must experience one of Santander's nights out before leaving the city. I recommend going to the Plaza de Cañadio area to start with a glass of wine or beer and some snacks. You will be surprised by the number of people of all ages you will see. You can hop between terraces and bars in these connected central streets, which guarantee a lively atmosphere regardless of the season. As most of the bars in this area close at three in the morning, don't miss the atmosphere of Calle Río de la Pila or Calle Peñaherbosa and the surrounding area, where you'll find various nightclubs that don't usually close until four or five.

Enjoy Santander

At the Unilang Santander Language Academy, we suggest these 5 things to do in Santander that you shouldn't miss if you come to visit our city. At Unilang, we organise excursions to