Sights in Santander
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Catedral de la Asunción
Santander’s cathedral is composed of two Gothic churches, one above the other. The 14th-century upper church, off which is a 15th-century cloister, was extensively rebuilt after the 1941 fire. In the lower, 13th-century, Iglesia del Santísimo Cristo, glass panels reveal excavated bits of Roman Santander under the floor. Displayed nearby are silver vessels containing the skulls of the early Christian martyrs San Emeterio and San Celedonio, Santander’s patron saints. The care of these holy relics, brought (according to legend) from La Rioja to escape the Muslim invasion, prompted the construction of the monastery that originally stood here.
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Cathedral
This building is composed of two 13th-century Gothic churches, one above the other. The upper church, off which is a 14th-century cloister, was extensively rebuilt after the 1941 fire. In the lower Iglesia del Santísimo Cristo glass panels reveal excavated bits of Roman Santander under the floor. Displayed nearby are silver vessels containing the skulls of the early Christian martyrs San Emeterio and San Celedonio, Santander's patron saints.
The care of these holy relics, found on this site, prompted the construction of the monastery that previously stood here.
reviewed
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Biblioteca de Menéndez Pelayo
In a portentous building, at the same address as Museo de Bellas Artes, the Biblioteca de Menéndez Pelayo is a vast old library that belonged to local intellectual giant Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo (1856–1912), a teacher, philosopher and poet who left the city his precious collection of 41,500 volumes. Next door stands his family home, the Casa Museo de Menéndez Pelayo (Tel: 942 23 44 93; admission free; 10.30am-1pm & 6.30-8pm Mon-Fri, 10.30am-1pm Sat).
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Museo Marítimo del Cantábrico
If seafaring is your thing, visit the maritime museum near the bay beaches. The four floors cover all facets of Cantabria’s relationship with the sea, and include an aquarium. The displays range from marine biology to maritime history, which is perhaps the most interesting, dealing, for example, with Portus Victoriae, the Roman port town from which Santander later grew. The 60-tonne whale skeleton is a star attraction.
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Península de la Magdalena
These parklands are perfect for a stroll and are popular with picnickers. Kids will enjoy the sea lions and the little train that choo-choos around the headland. The peninsula is crowned by the Palacio de la Magdalena, the former royal palace. It’s an exuberant and eclectic pile, built between 1908 and 1912 as a gift from the city to the royal family, which used it every summer until 1930.
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Iglesia del Santísimo Cristo
In the Iglesia del Santísimo Cristo glass panels reveal excavated bits of Roman Santander under the floor. Displayed nearby are silver vessels containing the skulls of the early Christian martyrs San Emeterio and San Celedonio, Santander's patron saints. The care of these holy relics, found on this site, prompted the construction of the monastery that previously stood here.
reviewed
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Playa del Puntal
A finger of sand jutting out from the eastern side of the bay roughly opposite Playa de la Magdalena, is idyllic on calm days (but beware the currents). Boats sail there every 30 minutes between 10:00 and 20:00 June to late September, from the Estación Marítima Los Reginas.
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Palacio Municipal de Deportes
Architecture buffs will want to swing by the Palacio Municipal de Deportes, a sports pavilion with room for 6000 spectators that looks like it's from Lost in Space. The stainless-steel-and-glass coating has the air of something cooked up by NASA.
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Museo Regional de Prehistoria y Arqueología de Cantabria
Under one roof this museum brings together collections of prehistoric finds across the region, including some elements from the Cueva de Altamira. Among the highlights are copies of cave paintings and some Roman stellae, accompanied by interpretations of their texts.
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Museo de Bellas Artes
Santander’s extensive Fine Arts Museum offers an eclectic collection spanning the 16th to 20th centuries. Much of it is secondary Spanish art, though you’ll find the odd curio, such as Goya’s portrait of King Fernando VII.
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Fundación Marcelino Botín
Check out the latest art exhibitions in the Fundación Marcelino Botín. Prices and hours vary from one exhibition to the next.
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Playa del Sardinero
This is a hike from the city centre, so catch bus 1, 2 or 3 from outside the post office. It's less protected than some of the other beaches.
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Bahía de Santander beaches
The beaches here are more protected than elsewhere around Santander.
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