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 this question: Do you want to get to know Santander, or do you want to experience it like a true Santander native?

Forget the cold, data-driven routes and copy-and-paste guides (let alone AI-powered ones). If you're looking for an authentic, people-to-people experience, to get to know and live the city in detail, feeling the sea air on your lips and immersing yourself in the way of life, gastronomy, culture, and language of our people, this is your route.

We are official, accredited guides, and 100% from Cantabria. We won't carry you around like a baby , but we guarantee you'll be more comfortable than in someone's arms. You'll experience the most intense history and discover the most powerful romance of the Cantabrian coast, the one between Santander and its sea, throughout the ages.

What are we going to experience together?

• Our adventure begins in the Town Hall Square, where we'll break the ice and whet your appetite at the Mercado de la Esperanza (Hope Market ). Get ready, because amidst fish, meat, fruit, and vegetables, and with plenty of laughs, you'll experience the hunger pangs that come with discovering our local and regional cuisine.

• We'll explore 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 abound! Santander and the sea have a deep connection, but every relationship has its share of dramas, so we'll tell you about the events that shaped the city: from the tragedy of Cabo Machichaco to that post-Valentine's Day celebration of 1941 that ended in the Great Fire.

• We'll stroll through the most elegant part of the city— Plaza de Pombo (the influencer, perhaps? 🫢), the Mercado del Este, and the Jardines de Pereda —until we reach the maritime heart of El Arrabal . There, if you close your eyes, you can still hear the cries of the net menders and sardine sellers, and the bustle of the boats and sailors. From the humblest fishing boat to the most luxurious yacht. A city of contrasts, a journey there and back.

And this is just a very brief summary; we have a lot more!

Why book this tour NOW? (because later is too late and the milkmaids will have already left)

• Dictionary and Cantabrian culture included : Do you know what "algo pindio ," "tener sincio," " una hurria," "un cole," or " una baza" mean? Don't worry, we'll add subtitles so you can understand our way of being. You'll pick up a little! And if you have any questions, ASK! It's free, and doubts can keep you up at night.

• Authenticity is our middle name : a team born and bred in Cantabria. We're truly local, like a sobao (a type of Cantabrian cake) had a baby with a tin of anchovies and named it Revilla. You'll enjoy our way of being and forget the myth that we're gloomy because "the sky's gray and it's always raining, haha." We'll show you that here we enjoy life like pigs in mud (even in the rain). We're friendly and welcoming, and we'll make you feel like you've always been part of the family, because once you win over a Cantabrian, it's for life.

• Need any recommendations? That's what we're here for—we'll make sure you have everything you need. Restaurants, things to do, places to go out, how to get around, and more.

• The local protagonists, not just places : You will meet the Raqueros , those little characters who are the eternal icon of our docks... and also Pereda , Botín , Pombo , Velarde , the old folks from the neighborhood who come to tell us things,... sometimes we even cross paths with Revilla and everything.

• Pet Friendly 99.99% : Your furry friends are part of the family and welcome to stretch their legs with us. Except for the Mercado de la Esperanza , where, unfortunately, as it's not our policy, they can't enter 🥲.

Honestly, because we value quality, not just because it's our tour, here's the best free advice: don't just take our word for it. Experience it yourself before all the spots are gone! If you're drawn to Santander, click "book" and get ready for the most comprehensive tour of the city and a truly top-notch experience.

Come on, cheer up! You're going to have a great time, I promise!

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.