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Santander looks out over one of the Cantabrian Sea’s most beautiful bays, with the centre facing the calm water and El Sardinero opening onto the sea. Between them lies the La Magdalena peninsula, with its palace and park, and a waterfront promenade that’s easy to explore on foot.
Choosing where to stay in Santander is mainly a question of choosing between the city and the beach. We explain how the different areas compare and suggest places to stay that we select one by one, from a central guesthouse to a hotel with a pool beside the sand.
How to choose an area
Distances are short, but each area has its own pace:
- Centre: the cathedral, Town Hall, Mercado de la Esperanza and Paseo de Pereda. Shops, tapas bars and the stations are just minutes away.
- Puertochico: the old dock, between the centre and La Magdalena. Bar-lined streets, the marina and a lively atmosphere late into the evening.
- El Sardinero: the large city beaches, Gran Casino and Piquío Gardens. More residential and quieter at night.
The centre is a good choice if you’re arriving without a car or visiting for a few days; El Sardinero is ideal if your plans revolve around the beach and seaside walks. Parking in both areas is usually paid, and none of the places we suggest has free parking: if you’re travelling by car, factor in the cost of a nearby garage.
Where to stay in Santander: our picks
Four of these places are in the centre or Puertochico, and two are a short walk from El Sardinero beach. Find more options on our page of places to stay in Santander.
Center Suite Acebedos
Soundproofed, air-conditioned rooms a couple of streets from Mercado de la Esperanza, with the cathedral a five-minute walk away. If you arrive by train or bus, the stations are a short walk away. Children under six and group celebrations are not permitted, and there is no parking.
Hostal Jardin Secreto
A small guesthouse with a garden and terrace—rare finds in the city centre—just steps from the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. The double room, with a minibar, is designed for couples. Note the check-in hours: arrivals after 9:30 pm are not possible.
Citrea Santander
A three-star hotel with a 24-hour reception, beside the Menéndez Pelayo House Museum and a minute from the Museum of Modern Art. Breakfast includes gluten-free options, and the rooms are soundproofed. You’ll need to take the bus to the beach: El Sardinero is a long walk away.
Sercotel El Balcón de la Bahía Suites
A historic house in Puertochico with a garden, solarium, gym and seasonal outdoor pool; some rooms overlook the sea. Mercado de Puerto Chico is just around the corner, while Centro Botín is a stroll along the bay. Guests must be over ten, and private parking is available for a fee.
Hotel Rhin Garden
An adults-only four-star hotel a couple of minutes from Segunda Playa del Sardinero, with a garden, seasonal pool and rooms with a balcony or terrace. With a restaurant, bar and buffet breakfast, you don’t have to go out for dinner. Nearby parking is paid and should be reserved.
Le Petit Boutique Hotel
Rooms inspired by Stockholm, Bali, New York or Siena, just over a hundred metres from the sand at El Sardinero. The hotel rooms are for adults only, but children are welcome in the apartments with kitchens, making them a good option for families. Check-in ends at 8 pm, and there is no parking.
What to see in Santander
Much of the old town was lost in the 1941 fire, and today’s centre is an elegant, easy-to-explore city of wide streets. Highlights include the cathedral, Mercado de la Esperanza and Pereda Gardens, beside Centro Botín, the Renzo Piano-designed building that has extended out over the bay since 2017.
The big new attraction is just a few metres away: Faro Santander, the bank’s former headquarters on Paseo de Pereda, renovated by David Chipperfield, opened in September 2026 with Banco Santander’s art collection, temporary exhibitions and a terrace overlooking the bay.
To the east, Paseo de Reina Victoria leads to the La Magdalena peninsula, with the palace the city gave to Alfonso XIII, and the beaches of El Sardinero. Further on, the Cabo Mayor lighthouse stands above the cliffs. Boats from the pier cross the bay to Pedreña and Somo, with its surf beach.
When to visit Santander
The climate is mild: warm summers, winters without intense cold, and the possibility of rain in any month. July and August are peak months for the beach and events. In early July, the Baños de Ola celebrate 19th-century seaside bathing fashions with period costumes; the Semana Grande follows towards the end of the month, around the Feast of St James.
August is the month of the International Festival of Santander, with music and dance at the Palace of Festivals. Spring and autumn bring fewer visitors and more affordable rates. Book well ahead for summer and bank holiday weekends.
How to get there and get around
Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport is around five kilometres from the centre, with domestic flights and some European routes, which are more numerous in summer. Direct Alvia trains run from Madrid Chamartín; the mainline, commuter rail and bus stations are together in the city centre. Brittany Ferries connects the port with Portsmouth and Plymouth.
Once you’re here, the centre and Puertochico are easy to explore on foot, and city buses reach El Sardinero in just a few minutes. A car is only useful for day trips: Santillana del Mar is half an hour away, and Cabárceno Park is even closer.
Santander is the gateway to the region: find the full guide in where to stay in Cantabria, and if you’d like a night among medieval stone buildings, see where to stay in Santillana del Mar.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most from people planning a trip to Santander.
What is the best area to stay in Santander?
The centre, between the cathedral, Mercado de la Esperanza and Paseo de Pereda, is the most practical option: the stations, museums and tapas bars are all within walking distance. Puertochico, beside the marina, has a lively nightlife and lies halfway to La Magdalena. El Sardinero is the choice for anyone who wants to wake up beside the beach, in a quieter residential area with good city bus connections to the centre.
Can you visit Santander without a car?
Yes, and it’s the most convenient option. The mainline, commuter rail and bus stations are together in the centre, and the airport is around five kilometres away. The centre and Puertochico are easy to explore on foot, while city buses reach El Sardinero in just a few minutes. A car is only worthwhile for trips around Cantabria; bear in mind that parking in the centre is usually paid.
What’s new in Santander?
The major cultural attraction is Faro Santander, which opened in September 2026 in the former bank building on Paseo de Pereda, renovated by architect David Chipperfield. It brings together Banco Santander’s art collection, temporary exhibitions and a terrace with views of the bay. It’s just a few metres from Centro Botín, so you can visit both in the same morning.
When is the best time to visit Santander?
July and August are the months for beaches and festivals: Baños de Ola in early July, Semana Grande towards the end of the month, and the International Festival of Santander in August. It’s also when rooms are hardest to find, so book ahead. Spring and autumn bring mild weather, fewer visitors and peaceful walks around the bay. Bring a raincoat: it can rain in any season on the Cantabrian coast.
Are there places to stay in Santander for families with children?
Yes, but it’s worth checking the conditions at each one. Several of our picks are adults-only or have age restrictions: Hotel Rhin Garden does not admit children, and Sercotel El Balcón de la Bahía Suites accepts guests aged eleven and over. At Le Petit Boutique Hotel, children accompanied by an adult are welcome in the apartments with kitchens, just steps from El Sardinero beach.
