One Day in Santander

May 14, 2018
palacio de la magdalena santander cantabria
Santander is consiered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. It has been a popular summer holiday resort for Spaniards since the 19th century when king Alfonso XIII spent the sunniest season at the impressive Palacio de la Magdalena.

We spent a wonderful day in the capital of Cantabria and today I'm going to show you around. Here's how to spend 24 hours in Santander, including what to see, do and eat,
palacio de la magdalena santander cantabria
The first thing we visited was Palacio de la Magdalena, Alfonso XIII's former summer residence. We arrived early enough to play hide-and-seek around this magnificent building before swarming tourists arrived. Ever since I had seen a photo of this place, I had been obsessed with it. It did not disappoint. We explored every single corner and spent a lovely time here.
palacio de la magdalena santander cantabria
Even though Santander is a hilly city, we explored it on foot. The best workout! It reminded me of my beloved San Francisco.

After the Palace, we went down to the beach, El Sardinero and visited the beautiful gardens overlooking the sea, Jardines de Piquiojardines piquio playa sardinero santander cantabria
The other main promenade of the city is Paseo de Pereda where we found four sculptures which pay their respects to the city’s children that worked for a living at the docks: Los Raqueros.raqueros paseo pereda santander cantabria
Our next stop was Mercado del Este where they serve delicious pintxos like those in San Sebastian.mercado del este pintxos tapas santander cantabria
mercado del este pintxos tapas santander cantabria
We had made reservations to have lunch at Zacarias, a traditional restaurant with a modern twist. The decor is so original, the hanging umbrellas are so much fun!
restaurante zacarias santander cantabria
We ordered a tasting menu which includes several starters, a main dish and dessert. The first thing we tried was an appetizer consisting of fish spread, salsa rosa (ketchup + mayonaise = pink sauce) and chopped tomato with olive oil. The first starter were anchovies (typical from Cantabria) and roasted peppers.
restaurante zacarias menu degustacion santander cantabria
Next was the octopus, not our favorite one, it was a bit hard to eat.
restaurante zacarias menu degustacion santander cantabria
The last appetizer was a slice of delicious tomato with tuna and onion, dressed with high quality virgin extra olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The main dish was fish for my husband and meat for me.
restaurante zacarias menu degustacion santander cantabria
Desserts were delicious too: a very peculiar cheesecake -pictured below- and a tiramisu over a sobao, the signature delicacy of Cantabria.restaurante zacarias menu degustacion santander cantabria
restaurante zacarias menu degustacion santander cantabria
After this scrumptious lunch, we were stuffed but we had to keep exploring the capital of Cantabria. We continued walking around Paseo the Pereda and the nearby streets. We saw traditional architecture that contrasts with the striking modernist Centro Botín, on the waterfront, from the top of which you can get spectacular views of the city.house casa santander cantabria street architecture arquitectura
plaza porticada santander cantabria
banco santander vistas views centro botin cantabria
santander vistas views panorama centro botin cantabria
vistas views paseo pereda santander centro botin cantabria
There's a building on the previous pic that the locals know as the dog upside down. Can you spot it?

The end of our visit was approaching just like the storm. Next, we walked along Reina Victoria Avenue, where grand elegant houses from the belle-époque line up.
casa familia botin santander cantabria avenida reina victoria arquitectura
Our last stop was the monument to Cristopher Colombus, caravel ships just like those involved in the discovery of America. ship mermaid carabela sirena santander sardinero cantabria
By the time we reached the car we were exhausted but happy. For travelers like us, there's nothing like the overwhelming sudden emotion you feel after a day well spent exploring a new place.
xo Cristina

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santander travel guide cantabria
NAUTICAL OUTFITS FOR NAUTICAL CITIES

57 comments

  1. Beautiful city and great food! Thanks for sharing!

    https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/05/09/livin-on-the-wedge/

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  2. Another amazing destination. I've always wondered what it was like! Thanks for the guide xx

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  3. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful place to visit.

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  4. Omgosh! The architecture, the spaces, food and water! OOH my! Beautiful place to explore!

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  5. WOW! This city is so beautiful. You did an amazing job recapping how to visit this city in 1 day!

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  6. I'm pretty sure I need to eat lunch again after reading this post!! Looked like a wonderful place! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  7. What a marvelous place! Thanks for sharing your photos at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/05/opa.html.

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  8. This looks like a great trip. The pictures are to die for .. Just wow!!

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  9. This is an amazing place. I would love to just get to take a day to explore places like this.

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  10. What a gorgeous place. The food too looks amazing!

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  11. Indeed it is beautiful! You have some delightful photos! Thank you!

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  12. Oh beautiful Spain is one country we haven't visited yet. Love everything old because it is so beautiful. Food look delicious.

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  13. Wow! What a beautiful city! I've never heard of this one either before! I love the palace ad the incorporation of the timber-frame beams! Pinned! #CityTripping

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  14. What a beautiful travel experience! I've never been to Spain, but it's on my list. =) Between the food, sights, and culture in your pictures, I want to hop on a plane to Santander right now!! Cheers.

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  15. Skyler - LearningbraveMay 16, 2018 at 4:55 AM

    What a beautiful city!! Your pictures are so beautiful and it sounds like you had a truly fun and satisfying day exploring...and eating! I have now added this city to my 'must see' list, thanks #citytripping

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  16. Kelleyn RothaermelMay 16, 2018 at 10:45 AM

    I have never heard of this city. Thanks for sharing! It looks indeed beautiful.
    http://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.ae/2018/05/celebrations.html

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  17. I hadn't considered Santander as a travel destination. Guess what's been added to our travel bucket list?!?

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  18. Wow! The architecture Andrew views are unbelievable! So gorgeous!

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  19. What a beautiful city to visit. I love the hanging umbrella decor too!

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  20. This looks like such a beautiful place!!Spain is the best!

    Kim

    http://trendkeeper.me

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  21. I never realised there was quite so much to discover in Santander- I tend to associate it with being the port where ferries from the UK can reach Spain so it was so interesting to read about it as a destination in its own right. A delicious lunch too! Thanks for linking up with #citytripping

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  22. Santander looks absolutely incredible. I can't wait to tour Spain.

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  23. Holy gorgeous! This whole city looks amazing! I love that you walked it too. Definitely putting Santander on my list if I'm ever in Spain!

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  24. How beautiful. I loved my semester living in Spain and all that it had to offer. I went to school in Sevilla and traveled around the country but this is one place I did not go.

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  25. How scenic and beautiful - plus it looks like the weather is lovely too. I would love to visit Spain some day. And the food, too - it all looks like such a wonderful trip!

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  26. This is gorgeous! I would love to get to visit for a nice vacay some day.

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  27. What a beautiful city!! The architecture is stunning & the food sounds absolutely delicious (and fresh!). I love the unique decor with the umbrellas & all the history that’s available for you to explore in one day! Adding this to my list! :)

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  28. Beautiful photos, Cristina! I'm sorry I've been a little absent catching up on blogs lately! (I blame work!) Always a treat coming by the ol' blog!

    ~Lor

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  29. This looks like such a lovely day out and a wonderful place to visit! Your photos are beautiful. #citytripping

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  30. Rachel-Elise WoodsMay 18, 2018 at 12:38 AM

    How beautiful! For only one day, you saw and did a lot! I would love to visit Spain someday too!

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  31. Stephanie CummingsMay 18, 2018 at 5:29 AM

    What a stunning place to visit!

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  32. so many beautiful pics

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  33. Oh this looks absolutely stunning! The architecture, the beach, the food! I don't know which is my favorite but the Mercado looks the most yummy!

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  34. That's one gorgeous place. They have the perfect combination of the old and modern world. Also, food looks amazing!

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

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  35. Wow! Your pictures are beautiful! I may have to add this to my travel list after reading through this post.

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  36. Santander is lovely, we've been a couple of times, when we have caught a ferry from the UK to tour Spain and loved it.

    I was a little surprised by Santander, as occasionally a port town can lose its true essence, I really didn't expect it to be so elegant. Loved your post #farawayfiles

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  37. I've never been to Santander but I would love to visit! So beautiful there!
    Have a wonderful weekend, love!
    xoxo, Vanessa
    www.WhatWouldVWear.com

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  38. Thanks a lot! I'm glad that you learnt something new and that you liked it!

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  39. I hope you can visit Spain soon!

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  40. Thanks so much for your kind words!

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  41. Hahaha, great! So glad you liked it!

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  42. Yes, Cathy, apart from being a gorgeous city it's also an important port which I forgot to mention! Thanks for pointing that out.

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  43. Ah, Sevilla! IMO the most beautiful city in Spain!

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  44. Yay! So glad you liked it, Katherine :)

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  45. It's wonderful to have you here again, Lor!

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  46. Wow, this looks gorgeous!! I would love to visit there someday! So beautiful!

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  47. I absolutely adore Santander! Considering I had never heard of it before, it was definitely a pleasant surprise. The food and views of the city are incredible! Looks like you lucked out with great weather as well (the days I was there, it was quite cold, overcast, and windy). Looks like you had an amazing meal at Zacarias, I'll have to remember it for my next trip. Thanks for sharing :)

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  48. Thanks, Jessica! I'm so glad that you learnt something new and that you liked it :)

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  49. Lor, I got your invite but it asks me to get a Wordpress account. Is it possible to visit your blog without having one?

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  50. Hi Cristina! - You're not the first person who's recently told me this :( I was testing something out, and clearly, it's not working! lol...fear not...I feel another blog (non-private!) will be coming your way soon.... ;)

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  51. It looks like a wonderful day. Great architecture, food and lots to explore. Definitely my kind of place. Thanks for sharing with us on #FarawayFiles

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  52. What an amazing place! Noted as an idea for a future place to travel to!
    Thanks for joining us at the Travel Tuesday meme.

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  53. This is what I love about #FarawayFiles, finding new gems to add to my travel wishlist! Good food, beautiful architecture (funny upside down dog buildings!) and all on the water - sounds soo perfect. Thank you for sharing your delightful day out in Santander.

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