Santander, Spain

As you sail into Santander, past golden beaches, and royal palaces, you’ll quickly realise this is no ordinary ferry port. Cosmopolitan Santander offers a memorable first taste of Spain. It’s a seaside city of enormous style, designed for strolling. Many of the shopping streets are pedestrian only, and the promenades are long, and tree lined.

The city is brimming with culture, with museums and concert halls, as well as a casino, terrace cafes, and elegant tree-lined street and shops. And the latest jewel in Santander’s crown is its cutting modern art museum perched over the waterfront, the Centro Botín.

Santander is the perfect gateway to Spain’s north with the snowy peaks of Picos de Europa, La Rioja wine region and the world famous St James’ Way (El camino de Santiago) all within easy reach. For those going on to the major holiday areas of Spain including Madrid, Segovia, Barcelona, the Mediterranean Coast, as well as to Portugal the excellent road and rail networks will take you there.