Here are our recommendations!
The truth is, I’ve been to Santander only a few times, and considering how close I live, it feels like a crime. It’s just about a three-hour drive from Pamplona, where our Gloading office is located. Santander is yet another one of the countless gems surrounding Navarra. This month, I’ve decided to tell you about this beautiful city, the capital of Cantabria. It’s perfect for a long weekend getaway, and I promise it will leave you with an incredible taste in your mouth (literally).
Get ready to discover our Monthly mini-guide for your weekend away in Santander!
The classic go-to: Sobaos pasiegos
Very close to Santander, about a forty-minute drive away, lie the Valles Pasiegos, a region famous for its pastries, especially the sobaos pasiegos. This sweet is so typical of the area that there is even an official seal guaranteeing its tradition and quality! They are small, spongy and sweet pastries, and the only allowed ingredients (at least, under the official seal!) are Pasiego butter, sugar, fresh eggs, wheat flour, and some optional additions like anise, rum, lemon zest, etc.
If you visit Santander, I recommend stopping by the Mercado de la Esperanza, where you’ll find stalls offering sobaos pasiegos from the most famous brands, such as Casa El Macho, Joselín, Los Pasiegos de Diego, and more. These shops, known for their sobaos and other treats, are actually located in towns near Santander, like Selaya and Hoznayo.
I also suggest stopping by local confiterías like Confitería Vega or Confitería Santos for some excellent sobaos. If visiting Santander isn’t possible this time, but I’ve managed to make your mouth water and now you want to buy them online, I suggest checking out this website, where they select the best online shops for them!
The can’t-miss spot: Palacio de la Magdalena
It was quite difficult for me to choose a place you absolutely shouldn’t miss, but in the end, I went with the Palacio de la Magdalena. It’s an iconic site in the city, built in the early 20th century to serve as the summer residence for the familia real española. It’s a hybrid of English and regional styles, truly amazing, but what really stands out are its gardens, its small zoo with seals and penguins, and the stunning views of the sea and mountains.
You can take a guided tour inside the palace (if you do, I recommend making a reservation early) or simply walk around the gardens and surrounding areas, which are accessible without a reservation.
The walker’s dream: Bahía de Santander
They say that the Bahía de Santander is one of the most beautiful in the world due to its mix of natural and urban landscapes: a wide estuary with beaches, a mountainous setting, and the combination of historic and modern city architecture reflected in the sea. In fact, in 2024, Santander was featured at the 18th World Congress of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World!
It is also the largest estuary on the northern coast of Spain, measuring 9 km long and 5 km wide.
And since we’re talking about the bay, let’s also mention Playa de El Sardinero, one of the most famous beaches in Santander, located right in the Casco Urbano. If you feel like taking a good walk and breathing in the sea air, this area is truly perfect to do so.
The foodie haven: Bodega del Riojano
Okay, yes, I know what city we are talking about and it’s not La Rioja, but we can’t leave the mini guide for your weekend away in Santander without mentioning the Bodega del Riojano! It won a Repsol Sun in the 2022 Repsol Guide, which means it has been recognized for its high-quality cuisine! You’ll find spectacular tapas there, like croquetas, rabas, or albóndigas melosas con patatas fritas.
Other recommendations for your weekend away in Santander
I know we don’t usually do this, but we’re going to add a small appendix to the mini guide with other things you definitely shouldn’t miss:
- Anchoas de Santoña: One of the most typical products of Santander. You’ll find great anchoas (anchovies) in almost any shop and in tapas bars. I personally like them on toast with a bit of butter.
- Rabas: Another of Santander’s most famous dishes, perfect with some lemon.
- Cocido montañés: A traditional hearty stew made with alubias, berza and compango.
And that’s it for our mini-guide to your weekend away in Santander. We hope you enjoy all our recommendations. We’ll be reading your comments! See you next month!