Set along the northern coast of Spain, Santander is a picturesque city known for its stunning beaches, lush green mountains, and mild climate. As the capital of Cantabria, Santander has enjoyed centuries of maritime history and now presents itself as a perfect destination for coastal and cultural experiences. For those interested in discovering the best areas to stay in Santander, this guide has got you covered.
Accommodation Options in Santander, Spain
With roots tracing back to Roman times, Santander became an essential port during the medieval period. The city’s rich past can still be seen through its main attractions like the Maritime Museum and the historic Magdalena Palace. As a popular destination among Spaniards and international travelers, the city offers several accommodation choices, ranging from upscale hotels to affordable pensions and hostels.
Beyond its historic center, Santander provides plenty more attractions worth exploring. Some of the highlights include the charming fishing village of El Sardinero, the beautiful Mataleñas Park with refreshing walking trails, Cantabria’s Planetarium for astronomy enthusiasts, and Los Peligros Beach with its clear blue waters. Santander also serves as a strategic point to visit other enclaves in the northern Iberian Peninsula, such as the Altamira Cave, Santillana del Mar, and the Picos de Europa National Park.
Santander’s atmosphere is characterized by a blend of relaxing seaside vibes and traditional Spanish culture. Its architecture reflects a mix of styles, from Gothic churches to art nouveau buildings. The evenings come alive as people enjoy the bustling nightlife at bars and restaurants throughout the city. This fusion of old and new makes Santander a fascinating and unique experience.
To make the most of your trip to Santander, continue reading this guide on the best areas to stay in this remarkable Spanish city.
The Best Areas to Stay in Santander: A Summary
If you don’t have time to read the full article, this summarizes our recommended districts for tourists in Santander. Keep reading to learn more about each of these areas.
- Best area for sightseeing: Santander City Center
- Best area for families and surfers: Sardinero Beach
- Best-connected area in Santander: Santander Railway Station
What’s the Best Area to Stay in Santander, Spain?
Santander Centro is the best area to stay in Santander, primarily due to its central location and accessibility to major attractions. This neighborhood showcases the city’s impressive sights, such as the Cathedral de Santander, Plaza Porticada, and Mercado del Este. Moreover, it is a bustling shopping and nightlife hub. With its easy access to gorgeous beaches like El Sardinero and Playa de la Magdalena, as well as proximity to buses and trains, staying in Santander Centro allows visitors to enjoy the city’s beauty and energy. The City Center is also where most of the best-rated hotels in Santander can be found.
Find available accommodation in the Santander City Center.
Best Hotels in Santander Centro
- Best hotel: Soho Boutique Palacio de Pombo
- Best B&B: Plaza Pombo B&B – Hostal
- Best serviced apartments: Apartamentos Art Suite Santander
- Best hostel: Hostel Santander
Where to Stay in Santander for Sightseeing, Business, or Nightlife
As mentioned above, Centro is the best location for tourists in Santander. That said, there are many more areas offering different vibes and sights. These are some of the best districts to stay in Santander, Spain:
- One of Santander’s most popular beach areas is Sardinero Beach, known for its golden sands and stunning coastline. Sardinero offers a delightful seaside escape while still having easy access to the rest of the city. You’ll find various accommodation options here, including our favorites, Gran Hotel Sardinero and Silken Río Santander.
- Santander’s City Center is perfect for those who want to be in the heart of the city and experience all it has to offer. The area has shopping centers, restaurants, and historical landmarks, such as the Cathedral of Santander and the beautiful Plaza Porticada. Our favorite hotels in the area include Soho Boutique Palacio de Pombo and Apartamentos Art Suite Santander.
- If you’re looking for a more secluded and tranquil experience, consider staying on La Magdalena Peninsula. This picturesque location offers stunning views of the surrounding cliffs and beaches and attractions such as the Royal Palace of La Magdalena and its surrounding parklands. A recommended hotel here is the Gran Hotel Victoria.
Where to Stay in Santander: District by District
1. Santander Centro
Best area to stay in Santander, Spain
Staying in the City Center allows you to immerse yourself in the historic charm of Santander, as you walk through its narrow cobblestone streets and marvel at the historic architecture.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Santander:
- Heart of the city
- Centro Botín
- Jardines de Pereda
- Cathedral
- Great nightlife
Santander Centro, on Santander Bay, is an ideal location to stay due to its historical and cultural attractions as well as its connections to other parts of the city.
The charming Jardines de Pereda, a refurbished garden and promenade, offers picturesque views along the bay leading to Puerto Chico and the marina, making it perfect for relaxed strolls. Paseo de Pereda and Calle Castelar are lined with large buildings featuring stunning glass balconies.
Centro Botín is a renowned artistic and cultural center overlooking the sea and was masterfully designed by architect Renzo Piano. Visitors will also marvel at Santander’s Gothic-style cathedral.
For sampling fresh local produce, La Esperanza market, situated behind the Town Hall, presents a variety of options from both land and sea. Santander Station connects the city center to other areas in Cantabria and Northern Spain through regional and suburban trains, making it an essential transportation hub.
The city center is undoubtedly one of Santander’s best areas for accommodations due to its exceptional connectivity and proximity to many key attractions. Hotel options in the area include luxurious stays and budget-friendly choices, accommodating travelers of various needs.
Best Hotels in Santander City Center
Soho Boutique Palacio de Pombo
Well located in the Santander City Centre district of Santander, Soho Boutique Palacio de Pombo is a 4-star hotel with air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom.
Apartamentos Art Suite Santander
Featuring free WiFi, Apartamentos Art Suite Santander offers accommodation in Santander.
Plaza Pombo B&B – Hostal
Plaza Pombo B&B – Hostal is a bed and breakfast located on the 3rd floor of a classic building in the cultural and leisure heart of Santander.
Hostel Santander
Boasting a terrace, Hostel Santander is situated in the heart of Santander, 500 meters from Santander Port.
2. Playa del Sardinero
A great location for the beach and surfing
Sardinero Beach is an ideal area to stay in Santander. Its prime location along the coast provides easy access to the sandy shores and beautiful views of the sea, sunbathing and water sports.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Santander:
- Relatively central
- Connected by buses
- El Sardinero Beach
- Surfer’s paradise
Sardinero Beach is an iconic tourist destination in Cantabria. Located along the eastern edge of Santander’s city center, its stunning beauty and coastal charm make it a popular choice for travelers seeking sun, sand, and surf. The area gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it became a fashionable summer retreat for Spanish royalty and aristocracy.
Sardinero’s main feature is its two expansive golden-sand beaches, about 1 km each in length. A lookout point in Jardines de Piquío divides beaches and offers panoramic views of the surroundings.
El Sardinero’s vibrant sea promenade features numerous bars, entertainment venues, and elegant early 20th-century buildings like the Gran Hotel Sardinero. El Sardinero Stadium, also known as Campos de Sport de El Sardinero, serves as the home ground for Racing de Santander football club. It is located just minutes away from the beach area.
Surfers enjoy El Sardinero alongside Somo (on the opposite side of the bay) during both autumn and winter months. These prime conditions contribute to its reputation as one of Santander’s primary surfing areas. Meanwhile, beach lovers flock to El Sardinero’s picturesque shorelines in the summer season for relaxation and water sports.
The area surrounding Playa de El Sardinero offers a wide range of accommodation options, making it an ideal location to stay in Santander. Its convenient location within the city allows easy access to public transportation options such as buses and taxis.
Best Hotels near Sardinero Beach
Gran Hotel Sardinero
This seafront hotel is located on Sardinero Beach. It offers elegant rooms, in many cases with views of the Cantabrian Sea.
Hotel Chiqui
Hotel Chiqui offers great views of the Cantabrian Sea and El Sardinero Beach. Set by the sea and just 3 km from Santander Ferry Terminal, it features an infinity pool overlooking the surroundings.
Hotel Boutique Las Brisas
This modern, family-run hotel is set in front of Sardinero Beach in a beautiful 19th-century building, in a quiet residential area of Santander.
Apartamentos Las Brisas
These apartments and rooms are located by Santander’s Sardinero Beach, close to Racing Santander’s El Sardinero Stadium. They have free Wi-Fi, and a bus stop can be found just outside.
Hostel Santander
Boasting a terrace, Hostel Santander is situated in the heart of Santander, 500 meters from Santander Port.
3. Santander Railway Station
Best-connected area in Santander, Cantabria
The Santander Station area is a bustling hub in the heart of the city. Located in the center, this area provides easy access to the city’s numerous attractions, museums, and shopping centers.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Santander:
- Very central area
- Commuter and long-distance connections
- Great public transport
The Santander Railway Station area is an ideal location for those seeking convenience and accessibility during their visit to the city. Situated near the city center, staying in this area offers easy access to the rest of Santander and its many attractions.
Santander Railway Station, also known as Estación de Tren de Santander, holds a central position in the city’s transportation network. The station services regional trains (Cercanías) with lines C-1 and C-2, connecting Santander to cities like Torrelavega, Cabezón de la Sal, and Reinosa. It also provides long-distance train services operated by Renfe, such as Alvia trains, which connect Santander with Madrid, Valladolid, Palencia, and Bilbao. Excellent public transportation options are available around the station, including bus lines 3, 4, 7A, and 20, which offer connectivity with various parts of the city.
The area surrounding Santander Railway Station boasts multiple attractions for travelers interested in history and culture. Key sites include The Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria (MUPAC), which showcases artifacts from prehistoric times to the medieval period. Additionally, close by is the renowned Centro Botín.
Best Hotels near Santander Railway Station
Hotel Bahía
Overlooking Santander Bay and the city’s cathedral, Hotel Bahía offers free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour reception. Santander’s ferry terminal and main train and bus stations are a 3-minute walk away.
Abba Santander
The Abba Santander can be found in the center of Santander, steps away from the train station and ferry port. There is a 24-hour reception, and tourist information can be provided.
Hotel San Glorio
Hotel San Glorio is situated next to Santander Railway Station and close to the city’s ferry terminal. It features a restaurant, rooms with flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi access throughout.
Hostal Cabo Mayor
Hostal Cabo Mayor is located in Santander, steps away from Santander Train Station and a 5-minute walk from the port. Free WiFi access is available.
Santander Central Hostel
Santander Central Hostel offers accommodation in Santander. It features free WiFi.
4. Magdalena Peninsula
A Quiet area in Santander packed with nature
For those who prefer natural beauty and tranquility away from the bustling city center, La Magdalena Peninsula is an ideal spot to stay in Santander.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Santander:
- Relatively central
- Palacio de La Magdalena
- Santander Zoo
- Near the beach
- Great views
La Magdalena Peninsula is a stunning picturesque peninsula extending into the Bay of Santander and offering panoramic views with a serene atmosphere. Its prime location makes it an ideal destination for visitors seeking a relaxing and scenic stay in the Cantabrian capital.
The peninsula has a rich historical background, once serving as a summer residence for the Spanish royal family in the early 20th century. The Royal Palace of La Magdalena, designed by architect Javier González Riancho and completed in 1913, is now open to the public.
Visitors to La Magdalena Peninsula can enjoy the lush gardens and expansive coastal views at La Magdalena Park. Within the park, travelers will find an open-air museum featuring several ships, providing insight into the naval history of Santander. Additionally, the park features a small zoo, housing animals such as seals and penguins.
The area is well-connected by public transportation, with bus line 15 running through the park and connecting it to other parts of Santander. This convenient transportation allows tourists and locals alike easy access to other attractions within the city.
Best Hotels near La Magdalena
Gran Hotel Victoria
Gran Hotel Victoria is between Santander’s Gran Casino and the Magdalena Palace. All rooms have free Wi-Fi and private balconies, most with sea views.
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