Santander is located on the coast of the Bay of Biscay in northern Spain, the administrative center of the autonomous community of Cantabria. The city is a major seaport and resting place of European nobility in past centuries and a popular tourist route nowadays. From the UK (port in the city of Plymouth) and Ireland (port in the city of Cork) to Santander there are ferries, the journey time will take from 20 to 26 hours.
The city of Santander has been chosen by the royal family for several centuries, and its choice can be trusted. Temperate sea climate with pleasant temperatures in summer, without exhausting heat, and in winter without serious frosts, allows you to enjoy walks and excursions all day. Average temperatures in summer +25 C ... +27 C, in winter +8 C. +10 C. Santander is also considered the safest city in the Kingdom of Spain because the crime rate here is extremely low.
The city is immersed in greenery: on its streets there are numerous parks, squares, for example, La Magdalena - a royal palace in the British style and a huge park stretching on the territory of 25 hectares, on the peninsula of the same name. The peninsula also attracts tourists with a rest in a quality zoo.
Outside the city begin the majestic mountain peaks of Peña Kabarga. You can climb to the observation deck, located at an altitude of 569 m, which offers a beautiful view of the valley, in which the city of Santander itself is located, the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the golden beaches of Santander and Somo.
And the coast of Santander is considered one of the cleanest in Europe, the beaches of Magdalena and Sardinero in the city are popular. A multi-kilometer coast with golden sand, clean water and all the necessary resort infrastructure - what else is needed for a comfortable and complete rest?
You can relax in Santander in hotels for any, the most demanding taste. In the city, hotels of famous world chains in the palace style are built, in them you can enjoy thalassotherapy and swimming in pools with heated sea water all year round.
On vacation in Santander, it is pleasant to walk along the well-groomed seaside promenade, on it are the Gardens of Pereda in honor of the famous Spanish writer Jose Maria de Pereda and the building of the Bank of Santander.
The district of El Sardinero is considered the epicenter of the tourist life of the city with first-class restaurants, hotels, banks, a casino, a stadium. The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin will interest fans and connoisseurs of history and architecture. The cathedral in the Gothic style was built in the XIII-XIV centuries, it contains the relics of St. Emeterius and St. Celedonius, who are considered the patrons of this Spanish city.
A few kilometers from Santander is one of the most famous caves in the world - Altamira, with a collection of cave paintings dating back several thousand years.
