by While the British vacationers flock to Barcelona, Madrid or Seville for their Spanish city break, local tourists have another favorite: Santander, the capital of Cantabria. In this elegant coastal city in the bay of the Biscay, you will spend the hustle and bustle of the market on the beach tomorrow to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the market and evenings on the terraces of pincho bars, which watered down in tapas in basket style with glasses of Albariño. In addition, British tourists can reach Santander with a direct ferry in the city center from Portsmouth or Plymouth, which gives the potential additional bonus of the dolphin sightings in the image of the biscay. Although Santander is often seen as a goal to the rest of the northern Spain, there are seven reasons why they should linger longer.
Lounge on the beaches of El Sardinero
Santander’s most famous Sandstrich El Sardinero (named after the large amounts of sardines that were previously found in the bay) is actually two beaches that are separated from the Jardines de Piquío-a calm, palm tree-dressed amusement garden that was created in the 1920s. Both beaches are wide, sun -drenched areas made of fine sand. Santander was a popular summer place for nobility in the 19th century when the Spanish high society transformed the area into a summer retreat and the first beach was rated as a bathing area, while the second was kept for citizens. Today, both beaches can be enjoyed by all, and an evening walk along the promenade, when the sun goes down, is a pleasure to not be missed before dinner.
Enjoy the view of Palacio de la Magdalena
The Palacio de la Magdalena is a fusion of French and English architecture, which was built as a summer house by King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenie (daughter of Queen Victoria’s youngest child Beatrice). The palace is no longer used by the royal family and part of the building is now a small museum that shows the opulent interiors. Even without visiting the museum, it is a walk up here to wander through the eucalyptus and the pines that fill the surrounding parking rand and enjoy some of the best panoramas in the city.
Join the locals of Mercado de la Esperanza
Immediately behind the Grand Rathaus of Santander, the busy Mercado de la Esperanza has been delivering the city with fresh fish and vegetables since 1904. The ground floor is breaking the morning catch. Stands with shiny anchovies, plump shrimp and long tints and tuna plates. On the upper floor, a local cheese, meat and cantabric delicacies, such as: Sobaos Pasigosa butter cake, and Orujo de LiébanA, a strong grape command brandy with a grappa-like kick known as a local “firewater”.
People are best carried out in the early morning (the market is opened at 8 a.m.) when local chefs and domestic chefs examine the catch of the day and replace gossip. Alternatively, a picnic to eat on the beach later in the morning – the market closes at 2 p.m. On Thursdays and Fridays you can also visit between 5 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. in the early evening. The market is closed on Sundays.
View of contemporary art in Centro Botín
While the Palacio de la Magdalena is the building that most people connect to Santander, the striking Centro Botín, which was designed by the award -winning architect Renzo Piano, is certainly around this place. In addition to the ferry port, the location is one of the first things you see when you arrive. Proven from the riparian promenade like two huge wedges from the water Nata de Cantabria Cheese, the building seems to float over the bay, the changing light reflects with glass and ceramic tiles. Inside, the exhibitions range from Spanish masters to international contemporary artists, while the surrounding Pereda gardens shaded shaded benches and green rooms in which the locals gather to read, chat or easily enjoy the sea breeze. In addition to the exhibitions, the center organizes regular film screenings, live performances and creative workshops, which makes it a cultural center for the city.
Marvel at prehistoric paintings in the Altamira cave
The Altamira cave, a half -hour trip outside the city, contains some of the most extraordinary prehistoric art in the world and is easy to visit when staying in Santander. You don’t have to rent a car because you are the Alsa bus from Santander to Santillana del Mar-a medieval village with paved street von where there are a half-hour walk.
Although the original cave is now closed to protect its fragile paintings from the upper Paleolithic period, the exact replica of the nearby Museum Altamira National Museum and Research Center enables visitors to marvel at the descriptive representations of bison, deer and horses that were created more than 14,000 years ago. The museum is an excellent introduction to the prehistoric communities that once thrown in Cantabria, with interactive exhibits in which the techniques with which the paintings were created. The surrounding landscape conveys a feeling for the wilderness that these early artists knew.
Order Pinchos and pastries in the old town
The old town of Santander is smaller than that of the larger cities of Spain, partly due to a fire in 1941, which destroyed almost 400 buildings. However, it still grabs a blow when it comes to food. Tapas bars serve pinchos – small, delicious bite that are mirrored with bread slices – together with local favorites like Rabas (slightly beaten inkfish) and Boquerones fritos, Beated and fried anchovies. Try it for a sweet pleasure Sbao PasigoA traditional cantabric pastry that resembles a sponge cake. The tight streets around the Plaza portala and the Calle del Medio are the best places to start a pincho -crawl, jump from bar to bar sample specialties and to wash them off with a glass of wormwood or cider.
Visit the Cabo Mayor Leuchtturm
The Cabo Mayor Lighthouse is located at the northeastern point of Santander, where the Cantabrian Sea crashes against robust cliffs. It was built in 1839 and has led sailors with its mighty ray for almost two centuries and is the most important lighthouse in Cantabria. When the ray was fully automated in 2001, parts of the lighthouse and the surrounding buildings were converted into an art center in which historical maritime charts and faded photos tell about the long service of the lighthouse. It is worth walking on the winding path to watch the waves carve the coast and pick up one of the cliff paths to further enjoy the panoramic view along the Mataleñas path.
To plan your Santander City Pause, visit Brittany-Ferries.co.uk
