Things to Do in Santander

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.

Due to the company's long-standing history, the experience of the guides (authentic from La Tierruca), and the expertise of our team, this is the best and most comprehensive tour, perfect for your first encounter with the capital of Cantabria.

Their history, their people, their traditions, and with the orange umbrella guides: OFFICIAL, ACCREDITED, AND 100% CANTABRIAN. They won't take you "to the middle of nowhere" but will teach, entertain, and move you like no other. Get ready, not just to know Santander, but to experience it as if you were from here.

Welcome to Santander, the so-called "most beautiful bay in the world".
The one with the idyllic landscape, the beaches, the aristocracy of El Sardinero, the illustrious figures, the bank,... but also the one with the seafaring life, the docks, sardine sellers, fishermen, net makers, and raqueros. 

A city of many faces and contrasts that has always been and will always be "The Bride of the Sea". Join us in this "love-hate" story, capable of overshadowing Romeo and Juliet, as you walk and live through each street and monument of one of the jewels of the Cantabrian Sea.

• Our tour will start at the Town Hall Square, right in the city center, where we'll whet your appetite before moving on to the La Esperanza Market to see a glimpse of daily life in Santander, as well as the local cuisine. You'll see the hunger that will hit you.

• With your mouth watering and in case anyone has indulged too much, we'll go to church. Not literally, but we'll visit the Church of the Annunciation, the Santander Cathedral, and their surroundings; to get to know them in detail, how Santander "married" the sea and how this is reflected in the streets we walk on. This city teaches much more than it seems!!!

• But every relationship has its moments of crisis. With the Plaza de Alfonso XIII as a witness, we'll drop the bomb on the most dramatic moments of the Santander-Sea couple. Moments when history has had some wild times... oh my!, like the Cabo Machichaco incident or that disastrous Valentine's Day that led to the Great Fire of 1941. They love each other, but sometimes they fight fiercely!!!

• Not everything is drama. The expansion is the result of the best and most beautiful moments of this peculiar couple. We'll drop by the Pereda Gardens, the Porticada Square, the Pombo Square, or the East Market, some of the settings of the greatest growth and prosperity in the city. Iconic places with a handful of illustrious figures as narrators of the story.

• Surely you want to know more... let's see what gossip about the couple the lifelong neighbors tell, those from the most traditional neighborhoods. That's why we'll cross the El Arrabal neighborhood, home to sailors and net makers, with the most traditional streets in the city where, if you close your eyes and concentrate, you can still feel the shouts, the salt, the waves, and the hustle and bustle of the boats.

• In the end, with the best and worst moments, such a long relationship bears fruit. A walk along the docks of Santander, along the Pereda Promenade, will serve as the best spectacle of the city's life with the Cantabrian Sea and to introduce the offspring of Lady Santander: the Raqueros. Those little characters who, during the 19th and 20th centuries, were found around machinas, birles, hurrias, and coles and became an eternal icon. 

What? What are those words? To the middle of nowhere, hunger, hurria, cole,...? Don't worry, don't let it be overwhelming to read this. You'll understand, when you come with us, that Cantabrians have a peculiar vocabulary and our little words are the most authentic. What better than a local guide, from La Tierruca as always, to put subtitles to this movie and help you understand every detail of our way of being.

What do you say, are you up for it? Doesn't all this give you a bit of longing? We have a lot, to guide you on this tour and to have as much fun together as pigs in a mud puddle.

 By the way! Bring your furry friends to stretch their legs. We are 100% pet friendly!! 

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!

@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!

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.