Santander
Santander is a northern Spanish port known for its Sardinero beaches, bayside views and the ferry link to the UK and Ireland.
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Santander is the capital of Cantabria, a port on Spain's northern coast facing the Cantabrian Sea. The city sits on the north side of a sheltered bay that has served as a harbor since ancient times. It is the largest municipality in the region, and its metro area spreads around the bay and the Besaya valley.
El Sardinero, a beach district about two kilometers from the center, has several beaches, including La Concha and Mataleñas. The Magdalena peninsula also has a park and the Palacio de la Magdalena, built in the early 1900s. A fire in 1941 destroyed most of the old town, but the remaining quarter still has bars and restaurants that draw visitors. Brittany Ferries runs ferries from Santander to Plymouth, Portsmouth and Cork. Launches link the city with Pedreña and Somo across the bay. Seafood is the core of the local cuisine. Summer is the main tourist season, while spring and autumn are the wettest months.
Santander in five
- Arriving by ferry from the UK? Keep your passport readyThe ferry from Plymouth or Portsmouth docks here. Border checks, including EES registration for non-EU visitors, happen at the port, so keep your passport and documents at hand.EES at the border
- Stay near the Sardinero or the centerThe Sardinero has beaches and promenade walks; the center has the harbor, bars and the art center. The bus links the two.
- Use Santander as a base for Santillana and ComillasBoth are within an hour by car or bus and make easy half-day trips.Santillana del Mar
- Visit the Magdalena Peninsula for sea viewsA park and palace on a headland over the bay. Check opening hours for the palace and the site's official page before you plan the day.
- Add the Basque coast for a longer loopSan Sebastián and Bilbao are 1.5–2 hours east by bus or car. They make a natural next step.San Sebastián
Things to do in Santander
See all attractions in Santander
Need to know
- Airport
- Santander (SDR), about 15 min from the center
- Getting there
- Flights, UK ferries, trains and buses from Madrid, Bilbao and Oviedo
- Getting around
- Walk; city buses for the Sardinero
- Best base
- The center, or near the Sardinero for beaches
- Time needed
- 1–3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh12°Low8°Cool, wetJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 144 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- FebruaryRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°CoolFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°MildMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°SpringAprilRain
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Mild, greenMayRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°WarmJuneRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Beach seasonJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach season
- AugustPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Warm, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Warm seaSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°MildOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°WetNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 186 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- DecemberRain15 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Cool, wetDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 147 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
Average daily high and low in Santander, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jul Festival Internacional de Santander · Aug Festival Internacional de Santander
Right now in Santander
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 71%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Santander
09:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today15°10°3%Monday: Drizzle. High 15°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue14°9°35%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Wed13°8°20%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Thu16°5°3%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri16°6°13%Friday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Sat16°7°15%Saturday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Sun23°9°40%Sunday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 40%.
Updated 07:30 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- JanLa VijaneraCantabria, a day trip
- JulVitoria-Gasteiz jazz festivalBasque Country, a day trip
- Jul–AugFestival Internacional de SantanderSantander
- AugGreat Week of BilbaoBilbao, a day trip
Before you go to Santander
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Rules for Santander, checked
- Spain is in the Schengen area. Check whether your nationality needs a visa or allows visa-free entry for a short stay on the Spanish foreign ministry site.
- Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire anywhere in Spain. It is the EU emergency number.
- Spain uses 230 V, 50 Hz sockets of types C and F, so bring an adapter if your devices use other plugs.
Plan around Santander
Regions, trains, entry rules and money for the whole country
Read the guideSantillana del MarA medieval village and the Altamira museum, 30 minutes away
Read the guideComillasA modernist seaside town west along the coast
Read the guideCantabriaThe whole region: coast, mountains and the Picos
Read the guideBilbaoThe nearest big city east of Santander
Read the guideSchengen 90/180 ruleHow a UK-to-Spain ferry trip counts toward your 90 days
Read the guideSantander FAQ
Is Santander worth visiting?
Yes, as a calm port city with beaches, a bay-side art center and good access to Cantabria's villages. It is more relaxed than Bilbao or San Sebastián and suits a coastal base.
How many days do you need in Santander?
One or two days cover the center, the Magdalena Peninsula and the Sardinero. Add one or two more if you use it as a base for Santillana, Comillas and the Picos.
Is there a ferry from the UK to Santander?
Yes, ferries run from Plymouth and Portsmouth, with crossings of about a day. Check the operator's current schedule and booking rules before you plan around it.
Is Santander good for beaches?
Yes. The Sardinero beaches are the city's main draw and are walkable from the center in about 30–40 minutes, or a short bus ride. Water is cool, even in summer.
What is the best time to visit Santander?
June to September have the warmest weather and beach days. May and October are mild and quieter. Winter is wet and cool, with fewer crowds.