Santander tours

Things to do in Santander

Welcome to Santander, where the sea’s melody mingles with the city’s elegance. This isn’t just a coastal escape; it’s a journey into maritime tradition and modern flair. With your local guide, you’ll explore beyond the familiar promenades. Private tours in Santander delve into its seafaring past, and meals become experiences at seaside taverns. Whether you’re wandering the Magdalena Peninsula or indulging in Cantabrian cuisine, your guide helps you feel the city’s heartbeat, skipping the queues to discover its lesser-known treasures. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Santander. Explore Santander your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Santander tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Santander for every interest, including: History tours: Step beneath the Cathedral to the Iglesia del Cristo and its archaeological remains, then tour royal rooms at the Palacio de la Magdalena. Your guide can add a stroll through the Barrio Pesquero to meet fishers and hear maritime stories. Museums tours: Compare prehistoric finds at MUPAC with ship models and aquariums at the Maritime Museum of Cantabria. Round it out with contemporary shows at Centro Botín or the art space by the Cabo Mayor lighthouse. Nature and Wildlife tours: Walk the cliff path from Cabo Mayor to Mataleñas for sea views and nesting seabirds, or ferry across the bay to tidal flats near Pedreña for waders at low tide. A half‑day at Cabárceno Natural Park lets you see Iberian fauna in a vast former quarry. The waterfront and central streets are walkable, backed by a reliable bus network. For beaches, parks, or Cabárceno, ask your guide about chauffered tours or a vehicle included in your private tour. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Santander inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Experience the essence of Santander on a private walking tour and delve into a selection of cherished neighborhoods with a local guide. There’s no better way to connect with a place than through the eyes of someone who calls it home. - El Sardinero: Known for its beautiful beaches and upscale vibe, this neighborhood is perfect for families and those looking to enjoy leisurely seaside strolls. - Puertochico: A charming area with a rich maritime history, ideal for cultural tourists. Its bustling harbor and seafood restaurants make it a lively spot to explore. - Centro: The city center is great for multi-generational groups, offering a mix of shopping, cafes, and historical sites. It’s a convenient hub for exploring the city’s highlights. - Cueto: This residential neighborhood offers breathtaking views and hiking trails, perfect for those seeking outdoor activities and a connection with nature. Day trip ideas from Santander From Santander, you can branch out on easy day trips to nearby towns, beaches, and mountain valleys, and since these are private tours, your tour can lean into food, architecture, or nature without rushing the day. Santillana del Mar About 30 minutes southwest, this medieval village runs on stone lanes, honey-coloured houses, and the Romanesque Collegiate Church, plus dairy traditions that make the cheese and sobaos worth your time, and your tour can focus on slow wandering, local tastings, and the region’s cave art heritage at nearby Altamira. Comillas Roughly 45 minutes west, Comillas blends a wide beach with standout modernista architecture and university buildings, so you get coastal views and bold design in one stop, and your tour can split time between the elegant town centre, hilltop viewpoints, and a relaxed walk by the water. Potes and the Liébana Valley Around 90 minutes inland, you reach stone bridges, chestnut forests, and mountain scenery at the doorstep of the Picos de Europa, and this is a good pick if you want short walks, the monastery at Santo Toribio, and a bowl of cocido lebaniego, with your tour shaping the route to match your energy and the weather. Castro Urdiales About 30 minutes east along the coast, this harbour town pairs a striking Gothic church with a castle lighthouse and a lively seafront, and you can add pintxos, coastal paths, and small Roman remains to the mix, while your tour lines up the best viewpoints and an easy pacing between neighbourhoods. Costa Quebrada Coast In 20 to 30 minutes west of the city you get layered cliffs, rock arches, and sandy coves like Arnía and Covachos, ideal for photos and short cliff-top walks, and your tour can time stops for light and tides, choosing safer viewpoints and quieter stretches that fit how you like to explore. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Santander most travellers miss.