If you’re looking to head to Spain but want to avoid huge crowds, ditch Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga in favour of this underrated destination instead. It has great beaches!
Beach of El Sardinero located in city of Santander, at low tide(Image: Getty Images)
Looking for travel inspiration but want to avoid the major tourist hotspots? If you’re a fan of Spain, try swerving Barcelona, Malaga and Madrid for this gorgeous destination instead.
Santander is a beautiful city in Cantabria, located near to Bilbao on the north coast of Spain. It overlooks the Bay of Biscay and is an absolutely lovely place to visit in summertime. It’s not too busy – and is warm but not excessively hot due to frequent breezes from the sea.
Recently, one traveller called Ali, who goes by @aligoingabroad online, posted about her Santander experience and hailed it as her “favourite hidden gem”.
She urged: “Stop going to tourist spots in Spain and got to this hidden gem. Spaniards say it has the best beaches in Spain.”
This beautiful, often overlooked spot is a perfect mix of city and beach(Image: Getty)
Ali continued: “The city is beautiful, extremely cheap accommodation, escalators around the city so you don’t have to walk up steep hills. Did I mention beautiful beaches? You’ll have a new sunset spot everyday. Quiet areas with no tourists.”
Hiking trails, delicious food and oodles of culture are other factors that attract people to visit. And judging by the comments section, Ali isn’t the only one who loves the destination.
One viewer gushed: “Santander has my heart. I lived there last summer studying Spanish at UIMP [Universidad Internacional Menendez Pelayo.”
Another said: “Studying abroad here now and falling in love with the city.” Meanwhile, someone else labelled it as their “favourite place in the world”.
Things to do in Santander
- El Sardinero Beach: Famous urban beach, popular for swimming and surfing.
- Palacio de la Magdalena: Former royal summer residence, now a cultural venue.
- Centro Botín: Modern art center designed by architect Renzo Piano.
- Cathedral of Santander: Gothic-style cathedral with Romanesque elements.
- Prehistoric Cave of Altamira: Nearby, famous for its ancient cave paintings (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Getting there
There are no direct flights from Scotland to Santander, but you can connect via other cities.
You can either travel via London or head to Spanish airports like Madrid or Barcelona. Pick up a flight from there or take alternative transport like a train or bus.
Some Brits choose to visit via ferry, which you can pick up from Portsmouth to Santander. Or if you want to drive the whole way, it’ll take you between 20-24 hours when you use the Channel Tunnel.