Things to Do in Santander
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At the agreed time, we will meet in the center of Santander to begin our free tour of the capital of Cantabria.
During the tour, we will explore the charming Jardines de Pereda, from where we will admire the innovative Centro Botín, a masterpiece by the renowned architect Renzo Piano. The views of the bay from this place will leave you speechless.
We will continue through the city's expansion area while discovering key moments in Santander's history, including some of its most challenging periods.
Have you heard about the great fire that devastated Santander in 1941? We will explain how it happened and what consequences it had for the city.
Our route will also take us to the Cathedral of Santa María de la Asunción, where we will stop to appreciate its exterior architecture and talk about the relics of the patron saints of Santander that are preserved inside.
Along the way, we will visit other emblematic places such as the Santander City Hall and the Mercado de la Esperanza, also known as the Central Market, the perfect place to get to know the rich gastronomy of the region.
We will also stop at the Plaza Porticada, the Mercado del Este, and the historic building of the Banco Mercantil, located in one of the most prominent areas of the city.
After about two hours, we will end our free tour in the heart of the historic center of Santander.
Relive one of Santander's biggest catastrophes and how the city resurfaced after "El Siniestro", the great fire that changed everything forever that February 1941. February 15, 1941, night falls. Throughout the day a gale has risen that has grown to be almost a hurricane. A glow in the horizon of roofs begins to draw the attention of the population and the alarms in the streets sound ... The great fire of Santander has been unleashed, nothing will be the same again. Discover with Experienta the history of this event that changed Santander, in which much of the city was reduced to ashes and how this modified its structure and the way of life of the people of the place, to become as we know it today. Enjoy a different itinerary through the less known side of the center of Santander, through the most representative monuments and icons of the urban center, from a "catastrophic" point of view as well as instructive. Feel as if you were an inhabitant of the time under the explanations of a guide involved and willing to give you a fun visit in which nothing else you have to worry about enjoying the activity without risk of being devoured by the flames. We promise you that you will never see the city of Santander with the same eyes.
❓Ask yourself a question: Do you want to know Santander or do you want to feel it like a local?
Forget about cold data routes and copy-paste manual guides (let's not even talk about AI). If you're looking for an authentic experience, from people to people, to know and live the city in detail, feeling the salt on your lips and soaking up the way of life, gastronomy, culture, and language of our people, this is your route.
- Our adventure begins at the Town Hall Square, where we'll break the ice a bit and whet your appetite at the Mercado de la Esperanza. Get ready, because among fish, meats, fruits, and vegetables, with some good laughs, you'll feel the "gazuza" that comes with discovering our local and regional gastronomy.
- We'll tour the "Historic Center", the Old Town, the Cathedral, and the corners where the waves still echo, even if it doesn't seem like it today. Surprises and wow moments! won't be missing. Just as Santander and the sea love each other, but in every relationship, there are also dramas, so we'll tell you about the "saraos" that marked the city: from the tragedy of the Cabo Machichaco to that post-Valentine's Day of 1941 that ended in the Great Fire.
- We'll stroll through the most noble expansion —Plaza de Pombo (The influencer?🫢), the Mercado del Este or the Jardines de Pereda— until we reach the seafaring soul of El Arrabal. There, if you close your eyes, you can still hear the cries of the netters, sardine sellers, and the hustle and bustle of boats and sailors. From the humblest boat to the most luxurious yacht. A city of contrasts, back and forth.
- Cantabrian Dictionary and Culture included: Do you know what something pindio is, having sincio, a hurria, a cole, a baza? Don't worry, we'll provide subtitles so you understand our way of being. You'll pick up something! and if you have questions, ASK, it's free and questions keep you up at night.
- Authenticity is our middle name: a team born and raised in La Tierruca. Very much from here, as if a sobao had a child with a can of anchovies and named it Revilla. You'll enjoy our way of being and forget the myth that we're sad because "the sky is gray and it always rains haha". We'll show you that here we enjoy life like pigs in a mud puddle (even in the rain). That we are friendly and hospitable people and we'll make you feel like you've been at home forever, because if you win over a Cantabrian, it's for life.
- Need any recommendations? That's what we're here for, so you don't miss anything. Restaurants, things to do, where to go out, how to get around, etc.
- Local protagonists, not just places: You'll meet the Raqueros, those little characters that are the eternal icon of our docks... and also Pereda, Botín, Pombo, Velarde, the grandparents of the neighborhood who come to tell us stories,... sometimes we even run into Revilla and all.
- Pet Friendly 99.99%: Your furry friends are part of the family and welcome to stretch their legs with us. Except for the only exception of the Mercado de la Esperanza where, unfortunately, because it's not our rule, they can't enter🥲.
@siguemispasostour
Welcome to my land, to my city!
I invite you on a unique tour: Santander with Soul: A Journey of Flavors and Stories.
Do you want to discover Santander but don't know where to start?
Have you heard about its rich cuisine, the famous "arrancada" (arrancade) or the "blanqueos" (whitewashing), but you don't know what they mean?
I love Santander, its postcard-perfect landscapes, and its always warm and welcoming people. My mission is for you to fall in love with this city as much as I do. Every corner has a story to tell, and I'm here to share it with you.
I don't promise to show you every church or give you a tour full of technicalities. But I do guarantee to show you the most emblematic buildings of a city that, on two occasions, was on the verge of disappearing from the map.
I'll take you to typical places where locals enjoy their free time. I'll recommend places where you can try our delicious squid, the famous Cantabrian anchovies, the mountain stew, or the Lebaniego stew, while we walk through the most iconic streets steeped in history.
Don't leave for tomorrow what you can eat today!
Would you rather explore Santander after sunset? That's also possible!
When night falls, the city transforms into a brilliant spectacle. Sunsets here offer a palette of colors you won't find at any other time of day.
Experience the difference of a small-group tour! On my tours, I like everything to be close, as if we were walking with friends. That's why I always choose small groups: this way we can chat, laugh, and enjoy the tour without rushing.
Why choose me to show you Santander?
The real question is… why not?
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Important note
If you can't attend the tour, please cancel your reservation in the app at least 60 minutes beforehand. Thank you for your understanding!
If you want to have a complete view of the city of Santander and have a privileged first contact, to then delve into its most attractive corners, you are in the perfect place! Discover all the history, curiosities, and main points of interest of Santander with this detailed tour of its central area.
We will start our free tour with a visit to the Jardines de Pereda, named after the Cantabrian writer José Mª de Pereda, located next to the city's expansions, where we will see the magnificent building of the Banco Santander and the internationally renowned modern art center: “Centro Botín”. From this area, we will enjoy privileged views of the magnificent bay, recognized as one of the most beautiful in the world.
Next, you will learn about the history of the great fire of Santander, the historical event that has completely shaped the current appearance of the city, continuing afterward with an exterior visit to the Cathedral of Santa María de la Asunción.
In this tour, we cannot forget the traditional Mercado de la Esperanza, next to the Town Hall square. We will arrive at the Plaza Porticada, the former venue of the Santander International Festival, passing by the Church of “La Compañía”, one of the few Renaissance jewels in the region and ending at the Plaza de Pombo, which we will access after first visiting the Mercado del Este, a gastronomic reference of the city, and the spectacular building of the old Banco Mercantil.
Book now and don't miss a single detail of Santander, its history, its architecture, and its anecdotes!
Have you ever heard the whisper of history among forgotten rails? Felt the imposing presence of sleeping steam giants, ready to awaken memories of a golden age?
I invite you to take a journey back in time to a secret place in Santander where Cantabria's industrial heart still beats strongly: the Cantabrian Railway Museum.
This is no ordinary museum; it's a sanctuary of iron dreams, forged with the unconditional love of those who dedicate their hours to preserving the soul of the locomotives and the essence of an era when the train was the engine of progress.
Alongside me, an enthusiastic member of the Cantabrian Association of Friends of the Railway (ACAF), you'll discover a unique collection where each piece reveals Cantabria's unwavering connection with the railway.
During our tour, you'll enjoy:
- Captivating stories about railway pioneers, the daily life of railway workers, the train's connection with local industry (mining, iron and steel), and ACAF's efforts to preserve this valuable heritage.
- An imposing steam titan, a symbol of the Cantabrian iron and steel industry: the Peñacastillo Locomotive (1913).
- The largest snowplough in Spain: the Beilhack (1962).
- The ingenious diesel-hydraulic gem that modernized the Cantábrico line: the Naval Tractor (1966).
- An impressive H0 scale model railway (1:87 scale).
- And many more locomotives!
Book your place now and be part of this adventure.
