Santander
Tourist Information by Gary Marshall
Santander
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| Santander is situated on
the north coast of Spain, around 250 miles from Madrid. This elegant city,
capital of the Cantabria region, was a popular resort with the aristocracy
from the mid-nineteenth century onwards. Although a huge fire ravaged Santander
in 1941, which destroyed much of the old quarter, the city was later rebuilt
along its original lines. Today Santander is a fashionable town with a
pretty waterfront promenade, wide boulevards and many hotels and restaurants.
There are also some enjoyable coastal walks on the edge of the city.
Santander's fortress-like
cathedral was badly damaged by the 1941 fire, although it has now been
fully restored. Inside is the tomb of writer and historian Marcelino Menendez
y Pelayo, who was born in the city in 1856. The cathedral is also notable
for its Gothic cloister and 12th century crypt. In 1983 Roman ruins were
found underneath the main aisle.
For an insight into the area's
prehistoric origins, the Museo de Prehistoria y Archaeologia houses some
interesting artifacts discovered within the province. Highlights include
several finds from the prehistoric caves at Altamira, as well as some Roman
pieces from local hill forts.
The Museo de Bellas Artes
is home to an interesting collection of paintings by Francisco de Goya,
including a series of etchings entitled 'Disasters of War', and a fine
portrait of Fernando VII. Founded in 1907, the museum also contains works
by Flemish, Italian and local Cantabrian artists.
Santander has many fine beaches,
most of which are clean and well maintained. One of the most popular, Playa
del Sardinero, is situated a couple of kilometres from the city centre
in the elegant suburb of El Sardinero. Alongside the beach, which is one
of the least polluted in Europe, is a promenade lined with various hotels,
restaurants and 19th century mansions. |
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The Magdalenas peninsular,
located to the south of El Sardinero, has a number of attractions including
the Palacio de la Magdelena. Built in 1911 as a summer residence for King
Alfonso XIII, this English-style palace hosts the city's music and theatre
festival in July and August. The Magdalenas peninsular is also home to
a small zoo, which contains various animals including seals, polar bears
and penguins. The small Blue Flag beach of El Camello is located nearby.
Wave
on the Beach, El Sardinero, Santander, Cantabria, Spain
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To the north of El Sardinero,
situated within the Cabo Menor, is the large open space of Matalenas Park.
Here you will find a lighthouse, another small zoo, and the local golf
course. There are some beautiful coastal walks along the cliff top. If
you want to get completely away from the city for a while, take a 15-minute
boat trip to the beach at El Puntal, known for its spectacular sand dunes.
There are flights from Madrid,
Barcelona, Dublin and London Stansted to Santander's international airport,
around 4 miles (6km) from the city centre. A regular bus service runs between
the airport and Santander train station. The city is also an important
port, with Brittany Ferries running a regular service to Santander from
Plymouth in the UK.
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Spain. |
| Santander
Coastal City Walking Tour
Half Day tour with a private guide
to walk the streets of this coastal city; Santander, an elegant city which
extends over a wide bay with views of the Cantabrian Sea. Its historic
quarter includes a group of majestic buildings which are situated against
an incredible natural backdrop of sea and mountains... Read
more
View
all available Tours in Spain |
 |
Gran
Hotel Victoria, Santander
Located in Santander, near
Sardinero beaches, and Mataleñas golf course. A privileged
location for your celebrations, meetings, wedding, and business.
We look after the smallest detail to give you the perfect welcome and make
your stay as enjoyable as possible. We provide a wide offering of haute
cuisine and meticulous service. Offering High Speed Wireless Internet Access
(WiFi) to All Guest Rooms and Common Areas. Its privileged setting
is an ideal place for you to enjoy your time away to the full. Our
cafeteria and landscaped terrace are the ideal meeting point and one of
the most pleasant places for peaceful enjoyment of the atmosphere of El
Sardinero. |
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Hotel
Real, Santander
The Hotel Real is a beachfront
hotel located in Santander, Spain, 300 metres from the Magdalena Palace.
Situated on a hill overlooking the bay of Santander, this hotel is built
in a neo-French style and is surrounded by gardens. Hotel Real features
a lobby with television, bar and spa services at the Thalassotherapy centre.
The El Puntal restaurant, decorated in bright colours with a stained glass
window feature, is open for meals daily and offers regional and continental
dishes. Guests can relax with a drink in Bar Theros. The Thalassotherapy
centre is a luxury health spa located on three floors of the hotel.
Air-conditioned guestrooms at the Hotel Real feature sleek marble bathrooms
and restored original 19th century neo-French features. |
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Hotel
Santemar, Santander
Located
50 metres from the beaches of Sardinero, this high-rise hotel is set amongst
lush plant-life beside the Bay of Santander. Those wishing to explore
the city will find that Santander features many historical buildings, such
as neoclassical monuments and the Gothic cathedral, which is three kilometres
from the hotel. The Pre-historic and Archeological Museum is within
two kilometres of the hotel and the Museo de Bellos Artes is a three-kilometre
bus ride. The hotel's range of amenities includes a restaurant, cafeteria,
parking, shopping centre, children's area, and discotheque. All 350
guestrooms feature decor of floral drapes and soft colours, and all rooms
come with cable television, minibars, safes, and fully-fitted marble bathrooms
with complimentary toiletries. |
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NH
Ciudad de Santander, Santander
Conveniently
located in the shopping and service district, close to the popular Puertochico
and 1,000m from the Sardinero beach. To break from the static menu idea,
on our premises we propose a menu of the day that aside from the quality,
is original and different with a wide selection of dishes that we conform
to. Amongst the daily starters there are two salads (fresh cheese
with anchovies or seafood salad); a rice dish; a vegetable dish, green
beans sautéed with ham; a legume dish, white beans with chorizo
sausage; and a pasta dish, garlic spaghetti with shrimp. Three meat and
fish choices complete the menu. In addition, on the weekends we offer a
provocative sampling menu and pre-order only rice dishes. |
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Sercotel
Palacio del Mar, Santander
The
Hotel Palacio del Mar is located in Santander, Spain, 200 metres from the
Municipal de Exposiciones exhibition centre and 250 metres from the El
Sardinero beach. Situated in a quiet residential area, Hotel Palacio
del Mar is set in a modern, five-storey building featuring spacious areas
with natural light. A piano bar and a pub offer live music in the evenings.
Complimentary use of the Valdesport Centre is offered, including use of
the indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, sauna, and Turkish bath.
A buffet breakfast is served each morning at the hotel and a coffee shop
is open throughout the day. Restaurant Neptuno specialises in seafood dishes
and opens for lunch and dinner. All 67 guestrooms are air-conditioned and
soundproofed, and are decorated in a modern style. |
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Silken
Coliseum Hotel, Santander
The
Hotel Silken Coliseum is contemporary design hotel with imposing façade
located in the centre of Santander on the north coast of Spain, 500 metres
from the beach. Art lovers can visit the fine art gallery 350 metres from
the hotel, while those with an appreciation for nature can take a trip
to Cabárceno Wildlife Park, 10 kilometres away. La Platea
restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner and diners can sample traditional
Cantabrian dishes from a daily menu or a la carte options. Guests can relax
in café 'Bambalinas', open until late, and enjoy hot and cold drinks
with a pastry or light snack. Room service is also provided for in-room
refreshment. There are 92 guestrooms in total, all of which are characterised
by decor in simple, neutral tones and contemporary furnishings. |
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Silken
Rio Santander, Santander
The
beachfront Hotel Silken Rio Santander is housed in a traditionally styled
property with a glass turret, and is located in the lively and historic
Spanish city of Santander. Santander Cathedral is 2.5 kilometres from the
hotel, as is the Museum of Fine Arts. The hotel houses a lounge bar offering
a wide range of international drinks, and there is a business centre and
meeting facilities. Restaurant La Cupula serves regional specialities,
such as Ragout of Milk-fed Lamb Sweetbreads with fresh Artichokes, and
Loin of Rabbit with Picón Cheese Sauce, in a contemporary setting
with sea views. The 89 guestrooms, over five floors, have light, neutral
decor, contemporary furnishings and fitted carpets. |
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Vincci
Puerto Chico, Santander
The
Vincci Puerto Chico is a modern seven-storey hotel with a glass and brick
façade set on the Santander bay, offering views across the adjacent
marina, located 500 metres from the Festival Palace. After breakfast, guests
can browse through the complimentary newspapers in the lobby and ask the
concierge for sightseeing assistance. Guests can relax with a drink in
the café or cocktail bar, or sunbathe on the terrace overlooking
the bay. There is also a contemporary hotel restaurant, Mirador, which
serves an à la carte selection of regional and international dishes.
Other hotel amenities include a gift shop, nearby parking, and 24-hours
room service. The 51 air conditioned guestrooms are decorated in soft blues
and beiges with wooden floors, blue fabrics and contemporary furnishings. |
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