Santander Honeymoon, Spain

Head to Santander for an exciting honeymoon holiday or romantic getaway on Spain's Costa Verde.

Santander is an ancient but lively city. Discover wide boulevards, ancient squares, tree-lined gardens and waterfront promenades that are perfect for walking.

Things to do and see
Choose from several golden-sand beaches and relax with friendly locals in one or more of the numerous tapas bars, atmospheric old wine bars, cafes and restaurants that line the city streets.

Unwind on the golden-sand beaches that front the elegant beachside suburb of El Sardinero and visit the lighthouse at nearby Capo Mayor for panoramic coastal views and cliff-top walks.

Stroll around the verdant Peninsula de la Magdalena, a wooded parkland surrounding a former royal palace that sits on a bluff overlooking two of the city’s best beaches: Playa del Camillo and Playa de Los Bikinis.

For an alternative perspective, view El Sardinero’s belle epoque architecture on an hour-long cruise around the bay.

Admire paintings and etchings by Goya, as well as works by other Spanish artists of the 16th to 20th centuries, at the eclectic Museo Municipal de Belles Artes. The museum also houses literary works by Menéndez y Pelayo, Santander’s most illustrious author.

Wander stone-flagged floors inside the fortress-styled 13th century Gothic Catedral de Santandar, built atop Roman ruins and housing the 12th century crypt of Menéndez y Pelayo.

Ponder both Roman and prehistoric artefacts dating back 15,000 years at the Museo Regional de Prehistoria y Arqueologia de Cantrabia, including objects and photographs from the Cuevas de Altamira.

Enjoy a flutter at the belle epoque Gran Casino del Sardinero and take a day trip to one of Spain’s most famous national landmarks – the perfectly preserved medieval village of Santillana del Mar, just a 30-minute drive from Santander.

Nearby are the Altamira Caves, famous for their prehistoric paintings. Come in August for the outdoor International Festival of Music and Dance, a lively event held mainly in the Old Town.

Accommodation
Santander offers a good range of accommodation options including: the elegant and luxurious Hotel Real, overlooking Playa de Magdalena from its panoramic hilltop position; the charming beaux art-inspired Hotel Central; and the all-suite Palacio del Mar, with its post-modern décor and beachfront location.

Location – Santander is located 116km northwest of Bilbao and 393km north of Madrid on the so-called Costa Verde, a rugged and green coastline similar to the west coast of Ireland (but with a lot more sun).

Getting there – By air, Santander airport receives several daily flights from Madrid and Barcelona; the nearest airport with international flights is Bilbao. By train, Santander is around five and a half to nine hours from Madrid via Bilbao (depending on which of the three daily trains you take). How to get to Santander.

Best time to visit Santander?
The best time for a honeymoon holiday in Santander is between June and September when the average temperature is 22°C, rising to 30˚C in July and August. Autumn and spring temperatures range from 12°C to 16°C. The water temperature during summer averages 20°C.