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Travel to Santander: 7 Best Attractions, Food & Activities

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Have you ever watched one of those movies based on a fishing village? I remember two romantic dramas from the United States, Charlie St. Cloud (staring Zac Efron) and Safe Haven (staring Josh Duhamel), based on a cute coastal village. I just remember falling in love with the idea of a place like that.

Well, Santander is like that! It is not a village but a beautiful coastal city with breathtaking ocean views.

I thought about those movies the first time I visited, leaving the drama behind. The city has a romantic aura, and even though there are not many landmarks, the city itself is beautiful, and the day trip you can take from it.

So, in this article, you will learn all the essential information about Santander to prepare you for your next trip!

Table of Contents ▼ ▶

What is Santander in Spain?

Santander is a city in the north of Spain and the capital of Cantabria’s autonomous region. The coastal city is located in the Bay of Biscay, which makes this place a fishing and holiday area. 

Today, Santander has a population of approximately 172,000 inhabitants based on a census from 2022. Most of its architecture is modern due to the terrible fire that the city suffered in 1941, which burned most of its traditional architecture, including the cathedral. 

Santander is a city for pure relaxation and wine next to the ocean!

Best Things to Do in Santander

1. explore the historic old town (casco antiguo) of santander.

 Even though a lot of infrastructure was lost in the fire of 1941, Santander, like many of the cities in Northern Spain, enjoys a beautiful Old Town or “Casco Antiguo” with narrow streets, shopping stores, and tapas bars. 

When you are strolling through the Old Town, keep in mind the following landmarks and attractions:

• Plaza Porticada : This elegant square is lined with arcaded buildings and serves as a central gathering place. It’s an excellent spot to start your exploration of the Old Town.
• Catedral de Santander : This Gothic-style cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is an architectural gem. Its serene interior and impressive facade make it a must-visit.
• Mercado del Este : This lively market is a sensory delight, where you can sample local produce, fresh seafood, and a variety of regional specialties.
• Iglesia de la Anunciación : This church features a beautiful baroque altarpiece and is a fine example of Santander’s religious architecture.
• Plaza de Pombo : A charming square surrounded by historic buildings and cafes, ideal for a stroll and people-watching.

2. Visit Palacio de la Magdalena

A few years ago, there was a famous Spanish show called Gran Hotel. The story set the stunning, luxurious hotel at the top of a peninsula right next to the ocean; one would get the most breathtaking views of Santander. 

This hotel is actually the Palacio de la Magdalena, located in the peninsula of la Magdelna in the northern part of Santander. This palace was built with popular support to gift to the royal family as a summer residence. The construction occurred between 1909 and 1911, and the royal family led by Alfonso XIII used it until the Second Republic was proclaimed. 

The palace gardens, featuring a mix of French and English landscaping, are perfect for a leisurely stroll.

You can’t enter the Palace of la Magdalena, but I recommend walking the whole complex so you pass by the open-door Museum of the Man and the Sea, where you will see impressive boats with which Vital Alsar performed many expeditions from Ecuador to Australia.

3. Stroll Along the Paseo Pereda

The Paseo de Pereda is a beautiful ocean-view boulevard in the city center of Santander. The promenade offers unique views of Santander Bay; additionally, you can buy some ice cream or a warm crêpre at Vanze Romane and enjoy it with a view. 

4. Enjoy the Playa de los Bikinis

If yuo go to the Magdalena Palace from the Museum of Man and Sea, you will want to leave the area by the side of the beach once you visit the Palace. 

So, instead of going back from where you came from, exit the Palace towards Playa de los Bikinis and enjoy some ocean breeze with your partner or family.

Bikini Beach in Santander is a bit small and rocky, a bit tranquil to swim with children, and it offers crystal clear blue waters.

5. Visit the Centro Botín

Centro Botín is an Art Museum whose building is the architectural gem for Santander. The awarded architect Renzo Piano built the museum, a hub for contemporary art.

The exhibitions are cyclical, and visitors have enjoyed pieces by El Greco, Ronnie Horn, Picasso, and more. 

The General Ticket admission is 4,00 €, and you can get your right  here !

6. Visit the Faro de Cabo Mayor

If you want to enjoy a fantastic view of the rugged coastline, you should check out the Faro de Cabo Mayor, also known as Bellavista Lighthouse. 

To get there, you can hop on buses line 1 or 2 from the center of Santander. And if you’re into photography, you’re in luck! The Cabo Mayor Lighthouse is also a great art center where you can check out some amazing exhibitions.

7. Make a day trip to Comillas!

Comillas is a beautiful municipality 40 minutes away from Santander; it is the place where the famous University of Comillas started, where Gaudi would work when he was not busy with the Sagrada Familia, and where the old town and houses just seem to be the inspiration of a fairytale. 

You should do these things if you visit Comillas during your trip!

• Capricho de Gaudí (El Capricho)
• Sobrellano Palace (Palacio de Sobrellano)
• Comillas Cemetery (Cementerio de Comillas)
• University Pontifical of Comillas
• Comillas Beach 
• San Cristóbal Hill (Cerro de San Cristóbal)
• Parish Church of San Cristóbal (Iglesia Parroquial de San Cristóbal)
• Antiguo Hospital de San Rafael
• Paseo de Solatorre
• Torre del Mozo

If you are near the Capricho de Gaudí, you can eat at the Restaurant Fuente Real. It is not the absolute best place in the world, but when I visited the landmark, we had to wait like 45 minutes for our turn. So, me and my family decided to try some tapas from the place. I recommend the salad of tomato with bonito (white tuna), the patatas bravas, the croquetas, and the rabas de calamar or squid strips(Catabria’s specialty).

How to Get to Santander

Getting to Santander is pretty simple, as there are plenty of ways to reach this city, like taking a flight, train or bus. There’s an airport, a train station, and a bus station that offer better connections to the city, so it’s up to you to choose the mode of transportation that suits you best.

Madrid  

When traveling from Madrid, you have several direct transportation options. You can take a round-trip train for 30 euros, a direct flight for a similar price, or a direct bus for 15 euros. Now, the crucial difference here is the time spent on each transportation.

While the plane takes 1 hour, the train takes four and the bus more than 8 hours. 

The prices are very similar when you catch a plane from Barcelona to Santander. However, the train and buses are entirely different stories. 

Trains last more than 8 hours with one or two changes in between, and the bus will be 11 hours, usually with two stops in Zaragoza and Burgos.

Other cities

Suppose you are in autonomous regions close to Santander, such as Asturias, Navarra, the Basque country. In that case, I recommend either renting a car or getting bus tickets as it is more cost-effective and takes approximately the same time as the train. 

Best Time to Visit Santander

Santander is a beautiful city that can be visited at any time of the year, but the experience can vary depending on the season. If you prefer mild weather and avoid large crowds, then the best time to visit is from April to June or September to October. During these months, temperatures are pleasant, and there are fewer tourists, which means you can enjoy the city’s attractions without the crowds.

If you love the beach and want to swim in the sea, then July and August are perfect for visiting Santander because of its warm and sunny weather. However, the city is bustling with tourists during these months. Keep in mind that accommodation prices may be higher than usual.

Even though winter brings a Christmas charm to the city, I would exclude late November and December to March from your travel plans. The weather can be very cold and rainy from January to April, and some attractions may be closed due to the low season. Therefore, it’s best to avoid these months if you want to enjoy Santander’s outdoor activities.

Where to Eat in Santander

Brunch & coffee

If you’re in Santander and looking for a great coffee and brunch spot, you should definitely check out Salvaje. Located just a few blocks away from Paseo de Pereda at C. Ataulfo Argenta Músico, 31, Salvaje sits on a lovely corner and offers a cozy atmosphere.

I highly recommend trying their flat white with amazing latte art and their delicious shakshuka.

Lunch or Dinner

I highly recommend Cañadío, a Cantabrian cuisine restaurant with delicious dishes and great recommendations for lunch or dinner.

Located four blocks away from the Paseo de Pereda in C. Gómez Oreña; Cañadío is famous for its  tortilla , and the  tarta de queso  (basque cheesecake) are two of the most famous dishes, including the traditional squid strips!

Tonight, we’re ditching the usual fare and heading to one of Spain’s finest Italian restaurants. Located on Calderón de la Barca Street, just a stone’s throw from the train station, “El Italiano” imports fresh ingredients directly from Italy and boasts over 60 authentic Italian recipes on their menu. It is the perfect spot for an enjoyable dinner!

Where to Stay in Santander

Luxury  

For an average of € 180 per night, the Eurostars Hotel Real is one of the most luxurious accommodations in Santander. With a place-like structure, this hotel offers stunning views of the Santander bay, breakfast included, and more amenities like a gym.

The Hotel Silken Coliseum has great things to offer for new visitors to Santander. You get a centric location in the city for an average of 85 euros per night, plus other amenities such as a gym, Wi-Fi, and breakfast!

A second option would be the Silken Hotel Rio Santander, which is a bit further away from the old town but has incredible views of the Sardinero beach!

Suite Home Pinares offers a unique accommodation experience right next to Sardinero Beach for an average price of €65 per night, which includes breakfast. While the hotel has limited space, its stunning rooms and immaculate cleanliness make up for it. Customers have praised the hotel’s home-like ambiance.

One of the hotel’s best features is its secluded location. It is closer to the beach and a bit further away from the city center. A 30-minute walk would take you to the Paseo de Pereda or the Magdalena Palace, where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll or admire the beautiful architecture.

Map of Santander in Spain

How Much Does It Cost to Visit Santander?

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How much money you need for your trip to Santander depends on many things, such as how many people are traveling, the type of activities you want to do, accommodation, the duration of your stay, restaurants, and most importantly, the time of year.

To help you more accurately, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email! Share the details of your desired trip to Spain, and we will provide you with a price estimate and offer local advice for all your travel needs.

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Santander is a stunning coastal city located in the north of Spain, which I had the pleasure of visiting and enjoyed a lot! If you have any queries, questions or suggestions about this trip, please feel free to leave a comment below! We would love to hear from you.

Happy travels!

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The belle-époque elegance of El Sardin­ero aside, modern Santander is not the most beautiful of cities. A huge fire raged through the centre back in 1941, leaving little that’s old or quaint. Still, Cantabria’s capital is an engaging place, making the most of its setting along the northern side of the handsome Bahía de Santander, and the city's forward-facing outlook is epitomised in the striking modernist Centro Botín, which opened on the waterfront in mid-2017.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Santander. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Centro Botín

Santander's newest and splashiest landmark, this ambitious waterfront arts and cultural centre opened to great fanfare in 2017. The futuristic two-block…

Cuevas de Monte Castillo

Of these four World Heritage–listed caves 30km southwest of Santander, two – El Castillo and Las Monedas – are open for 45-minute guided visits (in…

Península de la Magdalena

At the eastern tip of the bay, this sprawling parkland is perfect for a stroll, and popular with picnickers. Kids will enjoy the resident seals, sea lions…

Palacio de la Magdalena

The eclectically styled, English-inspired palace crowning the Península de la Magdalena was built between 1908 and 1912 as a gift from Santander to Spain…

Catedral de la Asunción

Santander’s serene cathedral comprises two Gothic churches, one above the other. The 14th-century upper church, extensively rebuilt after the 1941 fire,…

Iglesia del Santísimo Cristo

Two superposed Gothic churches make up Santander’s cathedral. In the lower, older, 13th-century Iglesia del Santísimo Cristo, glass floors reveal…

Playa del Sardinero

El Sardinero’s 1.5km-long strand of gorgeous golden sand faces the open sea, north of the Península de la Magdalena. It’s backed by some of Santander’s…

Playas de Langre

The two gorgeously wild golden beaches of Langre are backed by cliffs topped with rolling green fields, and often have surfable waves. Most beachgoers…

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• 11 Reasons Why You Should...

11 Reasons Why You Should Visit Santander at Least Once in Your Lifetime

The capital of Spain’s region of Cantabria is the coastal city of Santander . It is not the prettiest of Spain’s cities, due to a huge fire that destroyed most of it in 1941, but it still has lots of fascinating sights. Here are 11 reasons why you should visit Santander at least once in your lifetime.

To visit the beach.

Santander has many great city beaches to enjoy, for sunbathing and swimming in summer and for walking along in winter. You can choose between Playa de Mataleñas, Playa de Los Molinucos, Sardinero Beach and Playa de la Magdalena.

1. To Learn About the Past

The Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria is a fascinating place, which houses over 1,200 objects dating from the Upper Palaeolithic period to the Iron Age. There are also artefacts from Roman and medieval times. Some of the most notable objects on display are the huge pieces of prehistoric rock art and the finds from the Santa María de Hito archaeological site.

Calle Bailén, Santander, Cantabria, Spain +34 942209922

Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria, Santander | © Valdavia / WikiCommons | ©Valdavia / WikiCommons

3. To Explore the Península de la Magdalena

Surrounding the palace sits the Magdalena Peninsula, a vast green parkland. Filled with green meadows and dense forests, it is surrounded by coves and beaches. In summer you can spend time here picnicking, swimming and relaxing.

Magdalena Peninsula, Península de la Magdalena, Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Peninsula de la Magdalena, Santander | © Maria Victoria Gomez Fernandez / WikiCommons

4. To Stand in Awe Before the Catedral de la Asunción

The huge cream-coloured cathedral is an impressive sight in the centre of the city. The lower section was built in the 13th century, while the upper section is from the 14th century. Inside, you’ll find elegant 15th-century cloisters, columns, various chapels and pointed arcades. It also houses the grave of Menéndez Pelayo, a scholar, historian and literary critic from the city.

Catedral de Santander, Calle Somorrostro, s/n, 39002 Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Catedral de Santander, Spain | © Xavier Estruch / WikiCommons | © Xavier Estruch / WikiCommons

5. To Browse the Books at the Biblioteca de Menéndez Pelayo

The immense Library of Menéndez Pelayo is definitely worth a visit while you’re in Santander. Constructed in 1915 by the architect Leonardo Rucabado Gómez, the library houses a whopping 42,000 books and 1,032 manuscripts, which once belonged to the writer. Inside you’ll find a vast room, filled from floor to ceiling with oak book shelves, beautifully carved columns and wrought-iron balconies. Don’t forget to look up at the stunning stained-glass window above. Library of Menéndez Pelayo, Calle Rubio, 6, 39001 Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Biblioteca de Menédez Pelayo, Santander | © AVANTI / WikiCommons

6. To Shop in the Mercado La Esperanza

Market, Market, Shop

Santander’s main covered market dates back to the 19th century and is made from cast iron, brick and glass. Inside, you’ll find stalls selling everything from fresh seafood to fruits and vegetables, meats and cheeses. It’s the ideal place to pick up the ingredients for your picnic on the Magdalena Peninsula.

Mercado La Esperanza, 39002 Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Mercado La Esperanza, Santander | © Dagane / WikiCommons | ©Dagane / WikiCommons

7. To Visit Spain's the Centro Botín

The Centro Botín is Santander’s newest attraction and Spain’s newest arts centre, having opened in June 2017. Designed by the award-winning architect Renzo Piano, it features two huge pods joined together and fronted by glass. A vast space, it showcases the Fundación Botín’s contemporary art collection, as well as changing exhibitions from world-famous artists such as Francisco de Goya . Centro Botín, Santander, Spain

Centro Botín, Santander | © Tony Rotondas / WikiCommons

8. To Drink on the Lively Plaza de Cañadío

To get to the heart of the action, head for the city’s Plaza de Cañadío. Surrounded by many cafes, bars and restaurants, this is the place to go if you’re looking for a lively night out.

Plaza de Cañadío, Santander, Spain

Plaza Cañadio, Santander, Spain | © Year of the dragon / WikiCommons

9. To Snap a Photo in the Plaza Porticada

Also known as the Plaza de Pedro Velarde, the Plaza Porticada is located in the centre of the city and is close to the town hall. It was built after a devastating fire destroyed most of the city in 1941. It is nicknamed Plaza Porticada because it is surrounded by 64 porticoes. Both grand and elegant, it’s definitely worth stopping here to take a photo.

Plaza Porticada, Santander, Spain

Plaza Porticada, Santander | © Zarateman / WikiCommons

To See the Old Medieval Walls

Also in the Plaza Porticada, you’ll find the Interpretation Centre of the Medieval Wall of Santander. Built on the site of Puebla Nueva, the old medieval village of Santander, it displays sections of the wall from the 12th century, as well as ceramics, paved streets and ancient towers.

Find out where to eat out in Santander.

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Travel Guide To Santander

Once the haunt of the upper classes, this town in northern Spain remains a pleasingly Spanish resort with sandy beaches and a gentle pace of life. It is a wonderfully old-fashioned place with a long seafaring history, in the 15th and 16th centuries it was the primary jump-off point in Iberia for the Americas. This is not the place for a high-living, see-and-be-seen city break, but its perfect for a relaxed, peaceful getaway.

Where to stay in Santander

GRAN HOTEL VICTORIA

Calle María Luisa Pelayo 38 (00 34 942 291 100; www.granhotelvictoria.com ). This is in the heart of the Sardinero district by the seafront, just back from the Playa del Camello. This recently refurbished, classic seaside hotel is well located for beaches and the Magdalena Peninsula. All rooms have terraces. £

HOTEL COLISEUM

Plaza Remedios 1 (00 34 94 318 081; www.hoteles-silken.com ). This is a modernist, brightly lit palace in the city centre, with lots of tiles, wood, leather and tablecloths. £

Paseo de Perez Galdos 28 (00 34 942 272 550; www.hotelreal-santander.com ). An extravagant wedding cake of white concrete built on the Canalejas isthmus, just before World War I, to house royal hangers-on. It's a time-capsule sort of place, popular with people who like a bit of Edwardian luxuriance with their nightcaps, and has breathtaking views of the Santander estuary and mountains beyond. Right in between the central and Sardinero districts, it's good for people-watching. ££

HOTEL VINCCI PUERTOCHICO

Castelar 25 (00 34 942 225 200; www.vinccihoteles.com ). This is a high-end boutique hotel (part of the Vincci chain) by the marina, handy for the city centre. It has a minimalist design and lovely views of the sea.

Where to eat out in Santander

Despite being popular with patrician madrilenos , Santander doesn't have a Madrid-style, late-night culture though la marcha (the promenade) still goes on, if you know where to look. Although the resort suffers from unpredictable weather, there's still plenty of alfresco life to be had as most bars and restaurants have outdoor canopied areas. The area by the waterfront is fairly dead after banking hours: only a handful of pastelerías and the odd restaurant open after normal shop-trading hours. It is better to head for the El Sardinero beach area or the residential area further back up the hill from the seafront. Start off west of the centre, with aperitifs and tapas in the many bars around the Calle Vargas: it's lively if a bit studenty.

CAFE LA CATEDRAL Cathedral Square. This offers tapas and pastelería , and has a picturesque view of the cathedral.

CAFETERIA HELADERIA LUGANO C/ Hernán Cortés 55 (00 34 942 224 280; www.heladeriaslugano.com ). Choose a variety of scoops.

LA CANIA Joaquín Costa, 45 (00 34 942 270 491; www.lacania.es/ ). In the Sardinero district, try La Cania, a fairly rough-and-ready tapas bar with delicious food and pavement tables good for people-watching.

The best nightlife in Santander

CANELA Plaza Cañadío. This is a popular weekday music venue and a central part of the city's nightlife. A free lollipop comes with every drink.

MALASPINA Santa Lucía, 4. This has a nice terrace, good music and a young crowd.

ROCAMBOLE Calle Hernán Cortés 24. This is a jolly jazz and music venue for locals.

What to see in Santander

BEACHES There are a dozen Blue-Flag beaches, some with Atlantic waves for surfing, others with limpid pools for toddlers to paddle in. The Playa de los Bikinis (on the lagoon side of the peninsula) is shallow, safe and clean, with a long concrete jetty that extends into deep water (good for diving off); Playa del Carmello (on the Sardinero side of the peninsula) is a scenic beach with a precipitous island and rock pools (good for shelling; as is Playa de la Concha next door). Segunda Playa del Sardinero (north Sardinero) is a clean, white-sand beach.

ESTUARY It's hard to get a sense of what Santander looks like as all the high spots with good views are taken up by grand houses. A fantastic way to see the estuary is to take the commuter boat which departs regularly from Los Reginas on the seafront, opposite the Banco Santander (which looks a bit like the Arc de Triomphe, only terraced), and stops at Pedrena and Somo. A round trip lasts 45 minutes.

IGLESIA DE SANTA LUCIA Plaza de Caňadío. This is a 19th-century, neo-baroque joy in a square that's good for people-watching. Open during mass: 8am-1pm.

MUSEO DE BELLAS ARTES Calle de Rubio, 6 (00 34 942 203 120). This is an attractive neoclassical building in a rundown area west of the town centre. It houses a good collection of European (largely Flemish and Italian) and local art, spanning the Middle Ages to the late 19th century including works by Giordano, Goya, Fortuny and Rosales. It closes daily for lunch from 1.30pm-5.30pm, so don't get caught out.

MUSEO DE PREHISTORIA Y ARQUEOLOGIA DE CANTABRIA Calle de Casimiro Sainz, 4 (00 34 942 207 107). Just uphill from the Puerto Chico roundabout, this museum houses Palaeolithic, Iron-Age and Roman finds from the region, plus photos and objects from the Cuevas de Altamira, described as the 'Sistine Chapel of Palaeolithic Art'.

THE CATHEDRAL Plaza Obispo Eguino. The original 14th-century cathedral was largely destroyed in the Great Fire of 1941. The current structure has undergone lengthy restoration and its sandstone exterior has an eerily Gaudí-esque feel. It has a fine altar pieces, a 15th-century cloister and the tomb of local writer Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo.

THE PENINSULA DE LA MAGDALENA This is the site of Alfonso XIII's summer palace and pleasure gardens. Today, this late-Gothic-revival/Edwardian monstrosity is a university, and the gardens a public park, large enough to pass a happy afternoon in. The small marine zoo, filled with cheerful-looking penguins and seals, is charming.

Where to shop in Santander

Los Escalantes. Cortefiel is like a Spanish Topshop, but with even lower prices.

Isabel 10. Gomez is a good pastelería selling Spanish and local delicacies.

THE MERCADO DE LA ESPERANZA

This fabulous covered market sells everything from fresh fish to chorizos and sweets.

The best way to get around Santander

From the centre to the Magdalena Peninsula or El Sardinero takes about an hour on foot. Buses are plentiful and cheap. The number 10 leaves from the city centre and does a loop through the hilly back streets of the Canalejas, past the Hotel Real and down to Avenida Reina Victoria. It is worth taking just to see the buildings lining the latter part of the route. Cabs are easiest to find by the ranks near the Banco Santander and the Sardinero casino.

When to go to Santander

The best weather lasts from mid-June to mid-September. May is cool, but pleasant too.

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Flights to santander - travel insights & trends, get data-powered insights and trends for flights to santander to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more., what is the cheapest day to fly to santander, based on kayak data, the cheapest day to fly to santander is monday where tickets can be as cheap as $1,026. on the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is tuesday, where prices are $2,413 on average., what is the cheapest time of day to fly to santander, the cheapest time of day to fly to santander is generally at night, when flights cost $906 on average. the most expensive time of day to fly to santander is generally in the evening, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $954., how long is the flight to santander, the duration of your flight to santander depends on your departure and arrival airports. obviously any flights that include a layover will also be longer. the most popular routes to santander on kayak are from new york , which takes 10h 25m, miami , which takes 11h 45m, boston , which takes 12h 05m, and san francisco , which takes 15h 00m., good to know, when to book flights to santander, faqs - booking santander flights, how far is santander from central santander.

Central Santander is 2 miles away from Santander.

What is the name of Santander’s airport?

There is only 1 airport in Santander, called Santander (SDR). It can also be referred to as Santander.

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KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Santander is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

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Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Santander with an airline and back with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight to Santander?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Santander up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Which airline offers the most flights to Santander?

Of the 5 airlines that fly to Santander, Iberia offers the most flights, with around 25 per week, followed by Vueling with 12 flights per week.

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Ac was broken so we deplaned, waited 2 hours, taxiing for takeoff they said the plane would not fly so we went back to the gate and got a new plane which took another hour. In all a 4 hour delay for an 80 min flight.

Missed the flight because of them and up geting a rental car

Delayd flight out of atl as always miss my conection in dfw no flight untill next day

Comfort of seats, ease of boarding. Food selection could be better

i suspect i caught flu on this flight as i could hear someone coughing a few rows back and ended up with flu a few days later. also tiresome to have to watch movies on my device by holding up smartphone screen, would have liked to have in seat display.

Flight was fine. It took an unusually long time to have baggage delivered to the carousel in ORD.

No problems with flight. Even though I had a short layover in DFW, I was still able to easily make my connection.

American Airlines continues to price it can provide the least comfortable passenger experience in the air. This legacy carrier rivals the budgets for both terrible seats and inadequate amenities. I am a 5’7” woman who is not wider than a coach seat (even on these narrow bodied aircraft). My 3.5 hour flight was terribly uncomfortable because the leg room is inadequate (my knees hit the seat on front of me even when it was not reclined); the seat barely reclines; and the foam padding is worn thin to the extent one can feel the metal supports of the seat. Add to this the fact that the aisle is super narrow, so that the drink cart literally scrapes the arm rest of the aisle seat. It’s basically torture.

Food options were limited which is absolutely embarrassing for a Flight of this size The staff did not come around as much and I am not accustomed to such poor service from American Airlines Drinks I believe were limited to soda and water

Plane took off without me, my stepdad and a dozen other passengers. It went from an hour delay to boarding in 15 montures without notifying anyone. Names were not called overhead. Now I’m missing a day of work and stuck in Charolette overnight paying for a hotel and Ubers out of pocket

Flight was delayed by well over an hour. Communication was terrible.

I like the team but I don't like the food you provided with money. I want free food and free water.

An average flight experience. For our transatlantic portion, they provided a main meal and two snacks. However, the food was not very tasty and the drinks far too small and infrequent for such a long flight. The regrettable part of the flight was that the toilets were extremely filthy. I feel this is unacceptable.

Both flights were delayed. I lost my connection on the way back. No voucher or anything was givenx I had business ticket and no support to make it on time. I got to the door running 5 min after they close. Food really bad. Breakfast in business was worst that I what I remember in economy. Even though I have accumulated many miles, I don’t think Inwill keep buying Iberia. I am a frequent business traveler.

The food is really eco only level. Breakfast was shameful. I am considering to stop flying with Iberia. Business prices are as expensive as other companies with much better service.

Why no entertainment? Also water should be free, it is basic human right.

Late boarding. Delayed departure leading to rushed connection at Madrid Barajas. Not necessarily Iberia's fault but delay loading cargo didn't help.

I can’t comment on food as it was necessary to buy it. No entertainment.

Took too long to tak off but besides that it was good

They made my flight a disaster they had me pay for bags that I already paid for through Iberia airlines and the hostesses were super mean and racist they just turned my vacation to a total nightmare and disappointment in fact they even had me rethink even no to go to morroco ever again even if my whole stay at the country was so nice and fun and perfect but anything at the airport and with the airline was a disaster do not recommend will never take a flight with them

The whole flight was coughing and farting all the way. It was impossible to breathe. If people are traveling sick they should either not be allowed to fly or made wear masks

I will never fly vueling. 1h30 delayed, connexion missed with the crew closing the boarding in front of us. 40 people missed the Barcelona-Orly connexion. hours waiting for rebooking and hotel.. inadmissible

3 hr flight from Barcelona to Gran Canaria. Ŵent according to plan No issues with staff oŕ flight. Many people includiñg us could not get luggage self checķ in termìnals to work. Had to wait in check in line.

The communication about the delay could have been better before and during the flight. Also, this online form could have less bugs. It is almost impossible to type in this window.

Boarding was very poor as the flight was initially delayed. We were told the flight would be at 21:40. We were with our 10 month baby who was sleeping. I received an email from Kayak which said the flight was now due to take off at 21:04. When we checked the screens at Gatwick we were told the gate was closed. The lack of communication was extremely poor and we had to run with our baby and there were many other passengers, including elderly people, also running to the gate. When we got to the gate, the staff had no reasons for the poor communication.

They stop online checkin above a certain capacity. We had to go to the airport to check-in at the desk. Or was offered to pay 7eur extra. Rip off.

It was a short flight but the seat was very straight. I didn’t need any service, but wifi was not available. In resume, a normal service. Nice, the punctuality. Thanks

Last time bucking this company if I would know I wouldn’t do it, they made me lose my flight

I liked the regular updates and appreciated the automatic online checkin which didn’t work for our Vueling flight so I had to do this myself.

The baggage policy is pathetic. We paid for our carry-on bags online. Said if we don't remove the wheels of our carry-ons it's not considered a carry-on. We all measured our bags according to the website beforehand. We were not refunded for our bags and were obligated to buy it as checked in bags for over $70 online or $90 over the counter. First and last time I travel with this airline.

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16 Best things to do in Santander

• December 7, 2021

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Santander is a city that isn’t well known among travelers which is a shame because Santander is a typical Spanish city where you can do a lot of great things. Santander is a port city with kilometers of sandy beaches and a pleasant center. Because it is not touristy, you can experience real Spanish life here without having to share it with many others.

In this article, we share why Santander is worth a visit. You will read all our tips that will ensure that you will have a great time in Santander. Continue to discover: things to do in Santander.

Things to do in Santander?

Santander is a large city that can be divided into the northern and southern parts. In the north, you will find the beaches and peninsulas. In the south are the old center and the harbor. Read our 16 recommended activities below.

Tip: use the below map to see where all the best things in Santander are located. Click on the right top corner to view the map bigger. If you click on the star symbol next to the title you can save this map in your Google Maps account . In the map you can show or hide different categories. You can then use this map to navigate when you reach your destination.

#1 Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción

Due to the fire in 1941, a large part of the historic center was destroyed. The cathedral, built in the 12th century, is one of the few historic buildings that can still be admired. When you stand on Plaza Asunción you will be impressed by the size of the cathedral. If you walk up the stairs at the right side of the building you will reach the entrance. Once inside, you will notice that the cathedral has many statues depicting Crusaders. The most beautiful part is the inner garden, where it seems as if time has stood still.

Tickets can be bought for €1 per person, which also allows you to go to the catacomb under the cathedral. To do enter this part you need to follow the stairs down at the entrance and turn right.

#2 Discover the beaches

For many travelers, traveling to Spain means: good food, discovering a beautiful culture, and enjoying wonderful nature. In Santander, you can enjoy beautiful long sandy beaches. In the city of Santander alone you can visit 7 beaches with each beach having its advantages:

• Playa Del Camello: located in the beautiful neighborhood of El Sardinero. This is the most popular beach because of the size of the beach and the view of Cabo Menor;
• Playa de Mataleñas: a beautiful sandy beach in a cute bay in Parque de Cabo Mayor;
• Playa de Los Molinucos: Santander’s smallest beach in Parque de Cabo Mayor, beautiful location;
• Playa de los Bikinis: located on the Magdalena peninsula, it is a quiet beach;
• Playa de la Magdalena: this beach is located next to Playa Los Peligros and is similar. The advantage of this beach is that you can swim here and have a view of the dunes;
• Playa Los Peligros: Peligros means dangers which indicates that this beach is not suitable for swimming. Therefore, this beach is the least suitable to visit.

If you love surfing, visiting Playa de Somo is recommended. Read more about this at activity #9.

#3 Magdalena Peninsula

The La Magdalena peninsula is a special part of Santander to visit. Here you will find a palace that used to be a summer residence of the Spanish Royal family. In this park you can relax, especially the gardens of the palace and the palace itself are worth visiting. It is not possible to follow a tour of the palace because a hotel is located in the palace. We recommended walking around the peninsula so that you visit all sights on your own. You can see a small zoo, a maritime museum, a viewpoint (Mirador a la Isla de Mouro), a beach, and a lighthouse.

Where to stay in Santander

In the Sardinero district 150 meters from the beach, you find Santemar . The location is perfect because you stay next to the beach. The rooms are big and the kitchen serves typical dishes from Cantabria. The hotel is highly appreciated by other travelers and is a perfect place to discover Santander. Check availability here ! Another great place to stay in the Sardinero district is Gran Hotel Sardinero , this hotel is located 20 meters from the beach. The location of this hotel could not be better because you have a direct view of the sea from your room. This hotel is slightly more luxurious than Santemar but you also need to pay a little more. Both hotels are more than fine! Check here the current prices per room . If you want to stay in the center close to all the bars Abba Santander is recommended. This hotel is located 100 meters from the station which is great if you travel by public transport. The rooms are as you would expect from a hotel. This hotel is perfect if you prefer to be close to bars and Santander’s main attractions. Check availability and prices here .

#4 Parque de Cabo Mayor

While the La Magdalena peninsula is especially popular for its palace, the Cabo Mayor park is popular for its stunning views, its unique lighthouse, and two beautiful beaches Playa de Mataleñas and Playa de Los Molinucos .

From the beach Playa Del Camello you have to climb some steep stairs to finally be rewarded with a fantastic view. In the lighthouse, you can visit an exhibition of Eduardo Sanz, a painter who mainly painted lighthouses.

When visiting this park, wear swimwear so that you can cool off in the sea at the two beaches.

Tip: visit this park in the morning when it gets very hot in the afternoon.

#5 El Sardinero district

In the north of Santander, you find the neighborhood El Sardinero. This neighborhood is worth visiting because you can see the most beautiful buildings of Santander here. For example, the building in which the Gran Casino is located and the Gran Hotel are beautiful to see because of the architecture. The best thing that you can do is to walk around the neighborhood and simply enjoy the sightseeing.

The main reason that the neighborhood of El Sarindero is the most popular neighborhood in Santander is because of the beach and the promenade. The beach is large and with many beach pavilions very cozy. The promenade that runs through the neighborhood is one of the most beautiful walking paths in the city for locals. Read more about this in the next activity.

#6 Walk the boardwalk

An activity that you need to do is walking the boardwalk. You can walk from Parque de Cabo Mayor along the promenade to the center. The nice thing about this walk is that it is very relaxing because you have a view of the sea. During this walk, you will pass beautiful buildings and visit many activities on this list.

This walk lasts +/- 2 hours, this does not include the time spent at the different places.

Tip: you can also rent one if you like cycling. There are several points on the beach where you can use bicycles such as the photo below.

#7 Plaza Porticada

Plaza Porticada is the main square of Santander and was created after the fire of 1941. The square is surrounded by two imposing buildings built in neo-Herrerian style. The square is nice to visit because of the various restaurants and bars that you can visit. There is nothing more fun than enjoying your view while enjoying a cold drink on the terrace.

#8 Picos de Europa

At 80 minutes from Santander, you find the most beautiful natural park in northern Spain called Picos de Europa. Are you a traveler who loves nature? If so, a visit to Picos de Europa should not be missing from your list. The best thing that you can do is hiking in Picos de Europa . We stayed a few days in this beautiful area and have written an article about it. Open our article if you want to read more about it. In addition to our advice, we hope to give you an impression of this park with the photos and to inspire you to visit it.

#9 Centro Botin

One of the great things to do in Santander is to visit Centro Botin. This is a museum next to the harbor. The Botin family are the founders of the museum and are one of the wealthiest families in Spain. They have made a lot of money with Banco de Santander. This museum is symbolically built opposite of the Banco de Santander headquarters for this reason.

A visit to this museum is recommended due to its unique architectural style. The museum focuses on modern art and has a permanent collection that is supplemented with exhibitions. Check out the museum’s site here for more information. You can also buy the tickets via the site(€4 per person).

Tip: if you don’t want to visit the museum, it is still worth visiting because you have a great view from the rooftop (entry is free).

#10 Learn to surf

The north of Spain is known for its rugged coastline which is perfect for surfers. In Santander, you can find a couple of beaches that are nice to relax but outside the city, at Playa de Somo you have the perfect conditions for surfing. Due to its location, there is a strong current, which means that waves are larger compared to the other beaches.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, this is your chance, book your spot for a surf lesson here. If you can surf you can buy a ferry ticket near Centro Botin at the Los Regina to sail to Playa de Somo. The ticket is €4.95 per person and takes about 20 minutes. You can rent a surfboard at Escuela Cantabria de Surf. Check prices and availability here .

#11 Enjoy Spanish food at Bou Café

Bou Café is a nice place to eat! From the terrace, you have a great view of Santander Cathedral. Since Santander is not that touristy places to eat like this are not more expensive than others.

Bou Café has a terrace where you can enjoy a delicious meal. You can order different tapas here with a drink or one of the dishes from the menu. We ordered patas bravas, serrano ham on toast, and salad with tuna which was delicious.

#12 Boat tour

Do you want to be active on the water? Following a boat tour is recommended in this case. During the boat tour, you will sail along the bay of Santander and can enjoy the beautiful view from the boat. More information can be found here consult .

#13 Museums

The best museum to visit is Centro Botin but others in Santander are worth visiting. See below museums:

• Museo de Arte Moderno y Contemporáneo de Santander y Cantabria: in this museum you can find a lot of art from the 17th to the 20th century. Work from well-known artist like Goya and local artists can be found here. Since the 19th century, the library of Santander has been housed in the same building, which is also worth a visit;
• Museo Provincial de Prehistoria y Arqueologica de Cantabria: this museum focuses on archaeology. The pieces were almost all found in the province of Cantabria and date from prehistoric times.
• Museo marítimo del Cantábrico: in this museum you will learn everything about the province of Cantabria, with particular attention being paid to maritime navigation and its influence on Cantabria over the past centuries.

#14 Be a pilgrim for one day

If you travel through the north of Spain you will encounter pilgrims in different places, you can also experience this yourself by being a pilgrim for one day. From Santander, you can walk with an organization from Potes to Monastery Saint Toribio. During this tour, you will also visit the mountain village of San Sebastian de Garabandal. You can only do this activity with an organization because it is simply too much of a hassle to do it on your own. Do you want to know more? Open this link for more information.

#15 Visit Santillana del Mar

Close to Santander is Santillana del Mar located which is considered by many travelers one of the most beautiful villages in northern Spain. In this village, you find a lot of historic buildings, of which the 12th-century abbey is a crown jewel. The reason that it is so popular is that in the cave of Altamira you can admire prehistoric rock paintings.

When you are in Santillana del Mar you feel like you are walking in an open-air museum, the medieval influences you see on every corner of the street are beautiful. You can visit this village with a tour, book your tickets here .

#16 Cabarceno Natural Park

Just outside Santander is a nature reserve where you can admire animals that is called Cabárceno Natural Park. Unlike a normal zoo, these animals have a lot of space because the park has 750 hectares. The park is built on a former iron mine between the mountains of Cantabria. This activity is great for families with children. Due to its size, you can make great hikes in this park. There is even a funicular to discover parts of the park. Tickets can be purchased easily via the website from the park.

How many days do you need for Santander?

Santander is a large city that has a lot to offer that requires a minimum of 2 days / 3 nights. If you are going to enjoy the beaches for one day and also want to see many sights in the center, you simply need more time than 1 day. If you want to do many activities from this list, it is recommended to stay 3 days / 4 nights in Santander.

Where to stay in Santander?

Santander is a big city, so it is important to choose an accommodation that has a good location. The two areas we recommend are the center and the Sardinero district. Be on time with booking to secure the accommodation you prefer. If you use one of the links below you can change your reservation 24 hours in advance. This is very useful if plans change at the last minute, so you retain your flexibility.

In the Sardinero district 150 meters from the beach, you find Santemar . The location is perfect because you stay next to the beach. The rooms are big and the kitchen serves typical dishes from Cantabria. The hotel is highly appreciated by other travelers and is a perfect place to discover Santander. Check availability here !

Another great place to stay in the Sardinero district is Gran Hotel Sardinero , this hotel is located 20 meters from the beach. The location of this hotel could not be better because you have a direct view of the sea from your room. This hotel is slightly more luxurious than Santemar but you also need to pay a little more. Both hotels are more than fine! Check here the current prices per room .

If you want to stay in the center close to all the bars Abba Santander is recommended. This hotel is located 100 meters from the station which is great if you travel by public transport. The rooms are as you would expect from a hotel. This hotel is perfect if you prefer to be close to bars and Santander’s main attractions. Check availability and prices here .

Tip: if you travel by car and you are staying in the Sardinero district you can park your car for free next to the football stadium. The location is indicated on the map that you can find at the beginning of this article. You can also park your car here if you are visiting Santander as a day trip.

Where to eat in Santander?

As mentioned at activity #11 Bou Café is a great place to eat! From the terrace, you have a great view of Santander Cathedral. Since Santander is not that touristy places to eat like this are no more expensive than others.

If you like tapas, a visit to Casa Lita is recommended. This tapas restaurant is located in the center close to the harbor. This place is very popular among the locals because the quality of the tapas is very good. The traditional skewers filled with fish, meat, and/or vegetables are recommended to try. Due to its popularity, you may have to wait a while before you can enjoy your meal.

Many eateries are located in the center of Santander but the Sardinero district also has some excellent places to eat. Our recommendation is Balneario de la Concha, the restaurant is located on the beach so you can enjoy a fantastic view of the sea while eating. The menus are different when you sit inside the restaurant or outside on the terrace. We sat on the terrace and recommend plato marinero, which is a delicious fish prepared in white wine.

Travel insurance

World Nomads travel insurance policies offer coverage for more than 150 activities. Get a quote, make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road.

How do you get to Santander?

Santander can be reached by plane, car or public transport. The easiest way is to book a flight to Santander, within 15 minutes you are in the center of the airport.

It is also possible to drive from different countries in Europe to Santander by car, judge for yourself whether you find this an acceptable travel distance. To reduce the travel distance from your location to Santander, you can first visit two cities in the Basque Country before traveling to Santander. San Sebastian and Bilbao are the two nicest cities of the Basque Country that are worth visiting! San Sebastian is located just over the French border, minimizing long travel distances.

If you are in a city in Spain you can easily travel to Santander by public transport. Tickets can be purchased  here   buy (you can also buy other public transport tickets via the link). It is not recommended to travel by public transport from outside Europe to Santander because of the long travel time.

If you travel to Spain by plane and you are looking for a car to rent, you can rent it through Rentalcars . We use Rentalcars when we want to travel by car to discover new destinations. They’re easy to use and book with.

What is the best period to visit Santander?

The best time to visit Santander is during the spring and summer period from April to September. Although this is the high season, these months are recommended because of the pleasant temperatures. Santander activities are mainly outdoors. Due to the maritime climate, it can be cold in the autumn and winter, making a city trip in Santander less fun. However, the advantage of this period is that the prices are lower.

Want to see more of Spain?

If you are traveling through Northern Spain, you can use our Northern Spain itinerary to inspire yourself and gain knowledge. If you follow our itinerary, the wine region of La Rioja is the next destination.

If you do not follow our itinerary but are still curious about which places you can travel from Santander, it is recommended to go to Picos de Europa. In Picos de Europa you can make some awesome hikes . Besides Picos de Europa, Oviedo is a nice city when you travel to the west. If you travel east, Bilbao and San Sebastian are worth a visit!

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What do you think of Santander? Share your thought in the comments below!

Hello, we are Cynthia & Alexander, the team behind Travel Your Memories! Traveling is our passion. When it comes to exploration, we love sharing our tips and adventures to inspire you. Welcome to Travel Your Memories, where we share our love for travel with you! Read our story .

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The city of Santander is a historical region of Cantabria located on the north coast of Spain. On Ferryhopper, you can find useful information about must-see places, local delicacies, and ferries to Santander and  book your tickets easily and quickly!

Vacation in Santander

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The beautiful palm trees of Piquío Gardens in Santander

Santander is a beautiful city located in the north of Spain, by the Cantabrian Sea. It boasts elegance and beauty with the magnificent Royal Palace of Magdalena. Here, the sea and the mountains are the protagonists. And, that is why they say Santander is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

The best things to do in Santander include visiting its beaches, parks, and iconic royal palace. After a fire ravaged the historical district of this northern Spain city in 1941, it has become a fine example of combining heritage with modernity. The best time to visit Santander is from May to October.

How to get to Santander

You can travel to Santander by plane or ferry. The Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport (SDR)  is located in Camargo and about 5 kilometers away from the city center. It connects Santander to several destinations with domestic and international flights and you can take a taxi, a bus, or a train from the airport to the city center of Santander.

Alternatively, you can reach Santander by ferry . There are ferry crossings connecting Santander to the UK (Portsmouth and Plymouth). Traveling by ferry may take longer but you can embark your vehicle.

Also, you can book a cabin for a comfortable trip while enjoying the fascinating crossing and the breathtaking views from the ferry’s dock. Therefore, if you're planning to travel by ferry you can find more information about  ferry routes and schedules to Santander below.

What to do in Santander

The city of Santander offers a lot of beautiful corners and impressive architecture . Its eventful past and rich history are still evident in the city’s streets and imposing buildings . Start your walk early in the morning from the Paseo de Pereda promenade to see the glassy bay of Santander without the crowds.

Then, head towards the historic marketplace of Santander (Mercado de Esperanza) to buy some fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables. Enchanted by the strong flavors, odors and colorful stands of the market, you will pass through the city’s old town and you will see the imposing Santander Cathedral very close to the Centro Botin , the impressive arts center being the city’s architectural masterpiece 

Wind your way slowly through the streets and walk parallel to the seafront and go swimming (or surfing) on one of the most popular beaches of Santander, the coast of El Sardinero !

Traditional ceramic tiles in Santander

Beaches in Santander

Santander boasts long coastlines, impressive rock formations , sandy beaches, and crystalline waters. Explore the best 5 beaches of Santander and enjoy cool deeps in deep blue waters:

• El Sardinero beach : it’s the most popular beach in Santander with a long coast and golden sand. Its deep blue waters border the promenade parallel to the beach. Nearby, you can find several restaurants, cafes, and hotels.
• Camel beach (Playa del Camello): it took its name after the surrounding rock formations that resemble a camel rising from the sea. It’s one of the most beautiful coasts of the city overlooking the Atlantic Ocean offering breathtaking views of the Peninsula of La Magdalena. Camel beach has crystalline waters and fine sand. 
• Los Peligros beach : it is ideal for families as it has shallow waters and many facilities at a close distance. The long coastline has received several times a “Blue Flag” quality award for its clear, calm waters and its golden sand. Near the beach, you can also find a parking lot, several restaurants, and cafes. As it can be very crowded during the summer, it is better to visit Los Peligros beach early in the morning.
• Playa de La Magdalena : it’s located close to the Royal Palace of La Magdalena and the beach of El Sardinero. You can enjoy the fine sand, the impressive rock formations, and the restaurants nearby. However, keep in mind that there are no sunbeds or umbrellas available.
• Playa de La Concha : it’s a 200-meter-long coast consisting of shallow waters and fine sand. It’s easily accessible with many facilities and spacious parking nearby. 

Sightseeing in Santander

Santander is a welcoming city full of contemporary artistic corners balancing medieval alleys and stunning natural landscapes. The city offers many options from exploring historical sites to visiting museums and amazing parks. Here you can find a list of the top sightseeing in Santander : 

• The Royal Palace of La Magdalena , the summer residence of King Alfonso XIII and his family
• The Centro Botin , an arts center designed by the world-famous architect Renzo Piano
• The Lighthouse of Cabo Mayor , one of the most emblematic buildings of Santander overlooking the ocean since 1839
• The Park of Las Llamas (Parque de la Vaguada de las Llamas), one of the largest parks in northern Spain
• The Maritime History Museum with an impressive aquarium
• The Gothic Cathedral of Santander , a historical monumental complex built between the 12th century and the 14th century

The Royal Palace of La Magdalena in Santander

Nightlife in Santander

Santander being a city full of students and young people boasts a vivid nightlife . If you want to enjoy a cold beer or a glass of wine, the picturesque Plaza de Cañadío offers many options. Also, you can find many local pubs and bars on Santa Lucia street (Calle de Santa Lucίa) or Calle Río de la Pila for dancing until the early hours.

Food in Santander

With the Atlantic Ocean on its doorstep, it is not surprising that local dishes are based mainly on seafood! Some typical dishes from the city of Santander are

• rabas (fried crispy squid with lemon)
• cocido montañés (bean stew with vegetables and chorizo) 
• queso Nata de Cantabria (local creamy cow's milk cheese)
• sobao pasiego (sponge cake made flavored with lemon zest and anise liquor or rum)

The traditional sponge cake, sobao pasiego

Villages in Santander

The northern part of Spain is full of enchanting destinations that will definitely steal your heart and leave you in awe ! So, find here a list of the most charming villages near Santander to explore while visiting the capital of Calabria:

• Carmona : the beautiful village of Carmona is about 1 hour by car from the city of Santander. As soon as you reach it, you can enjoy a stroll through the cobblestone streets and the cute typical houses with their balconies built according to traditional architecture. It is surrounded by the Nansa valley and stunning scenery.
• Santillana del Mar : it is situated in a stunning location surrounded by mountains about 30 minutes from Santander. Santillana del Mar is one of the most historic villages in Spain offering breathtaking views. While there, make sure to visit one of the most famous prehistoric paintings in the world, the Cave of Altamira.
• Liérganes : you can reach the charming town in just 25 minutes by car from Santander. Located in the heart of Valles Pasiegos, it has been declared a site of National Historic and Artistic Interest. Enjoy the impressive architecture, walk through the narrow streets and get to know the legend of the Fishman of  Liérganes. Also, visit the Fluviarium and taste some delicious churros chocolate on a traditional terrace with great views of the river.
• Bárcena Mayor : the rustic town is a 60-minute drive south of Santander. It is a mountainous village with an amazing landscape, enchanting streets, and delicious culinary delights such as meat stew. 

A traditional church in the village of Santillana del Mar

Here are some useful tips for your stay in Santander: 

• Visit the local fish market (Mercado de la Esperanza), a beautiful Art Nouveau building to buy fresh fish and find the most delicious fish from stout fish, shells, and crabs to crayfish at the best price. Make sure to visit the fish market especially if it is tuna season!
• Santander can be pricy , especially during the summer months of July and August. Therefore, it’s better to travel during shoulder seasons as you can save up to 30-40% on your trip costs.
• Book your accommodation and ferry tickets in advance to get the best price and make sure to arrive at least 1 hour earlier at the port to avoid delays.

The imposing Lighthouse of Cabo Mayor

Useful information about Santander

Santander is the capital of the autonomous community and historical region of Cantabria , a lively city with modern and impressive architecture. It has highly developed tourist services and there are things to see and do all year long.

As for the accommodation , you can find many options depending on your style and budget. If you want to go sightseeing, the best area to stay is near the Old Town or near the seaside promenade.

As for hospitals, the general hospital of Marqués de Valdecilla that is also known as Valdecilla is located in the city of Santander.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Santander

Here are some useful contacts for your trip to Santander: 

• Santander Port Authority: +34942203600
• Santander Police Department: +34942361015
• Santander Public Transport Network: +34942211687 
• Santander Hospital: +34942202520
• Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport: +: +34913211000
• European emergency number: 112

Transportation in Santander

Santander is a great city for walking with a stunning promenade and wide parks. If the weather is nice, you can take a walk around the old town.

However, if you need to use public transport , Santander has a very efficient transportation network. Therefore, you can also get around the city easily by bus. Buses run throughout the city every 15 minutes . Take the bus route 1, 4, 7, 9, 13, or 14 connecting the City Hall to the most popular beaches of the city such as el Sardinero. 

Also, if you wish to take a taxi, you can usually find taxi stands near the train or bus station or near the City Hall .

The viewpoint of Santander in Spain

Port in Santander

The port of Santander is located on the northern Spanish coastline . The port operates as a cargo handling facility but also as a berth for ferries.

There are many board ferries, cruise ships, and yachts that operate from the port of Santander, carrying passengers to and from the UK. 

Where is the ferry port?

Santander port is in the heart of the city so you can find many shops and attractions within walking distance.

How to get to the port?

You can easily get to the port of Santander by train, bus, car or on foot . The train station and bus station are around a 10-minute walk from the terminal with connections to the Spanish cities of Madrid, Bilbao, Alicante and Oviedo.

If you’re planning on traveling by car you can take the motorways A-67 or S-10 and follow the signs for "Santander".

Is there parking space at the port?

There is a parking space available at the port of Santander that is only permitted for dropping off and picking up. If you wish to leave your vehicle in the parking lot for longer, you should opt for a car park nearby the port. 

Tip : keep in mind that there are parking restrictions throughout Santander for any vehicle over 1.8 meters in height.

Santander ferry: schedules and tickets

The port of Santander can be reached by ferry from the UK (Portsmouth and Plymouth). The ferry company that operates the connections is Britanny Ferries . Here you can find more information on the ferry connections to Santander:

• Portsmouth-Santander ferry : the ferry connection between Portsmouth and Santander is operated by Britanny Ferries with 2 weekly crossings all year round . The crossings can last about 28-30 hours . 
• Plymouth-Santander ferry : the ferry route from Plymouth to Santander is operated seasonally with up to 2 weekly ferry crossings . The ferry trip takes about 20 hours .

The port of Santander in Spain

Where to book Santander ferry tickets online

On Ferryhopper, you can find all available ferry routes to and from Santander on our Map of ferries , compare prices, departure times and book cheap ferry tickets to Santander online at no extra cost.

Santander ferry timetable

View the complete ferry schedule from and to Santander for the upcoming week. Find up-to-date trip information, including departure and arrival dates and times, ferry operators and ticket prices.

Frequent ferry connections

• Isle of Wight

Santander has direct ferry connections to 2 ports :

• Travel Planning Guide

Travel Budget for Santander Visit Santander on a Budget or Travel in Style

• Santander Costs

• Santander Hotel Prices
• Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Santander
• Best Hotels for One Night in Santander
• Best Beach Hotels in Santander
• Best Luxury Hotels in Santander
• Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Santander
• Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Santander
• Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Santander
• Best Business Hotels in Santander
• Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Santander
• Best Hotels for One Week in Santander
• Is Santander Expensive?
• How much does a trip to Santander cost?
• Spain Costs
• Palma de Mallorca
• Canary Islands
• Northwest Spain
• North Spain
• Northeast Spain
• Central Spain
• Eastern Spain
• Santiago de Compostela
• How much does it cost to travel to Santander? (Average Daily Cost)
• Santander trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

Is Santander expensive to visit?

• How much do I need for a trip to Santander?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Santander?

You should plan to spend around $117 (€108) per day on your vacation in Santander. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $44 (€41) on meals
• $26 (€24) on local transportation
• $111 (€102) on hotels

A one week trip to Santander for two people costs, on average, $1,639 (€1,513) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 117 € 108
• One Week Per person $ 819 € 756
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 1,639 € 1,513
• One Month Per person $ 3,512 € 3,242
• One Week For a couple $ 1,639 € 1,513
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 3,278 € 3,026
• One Month For a couple $ 7,024 € 6,484

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Santander cost?

A one week trip to Santander usually costs around $819 (€756) for one person and $1,639 (€1,513) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Santander on average costs around $1,639 (€1,513) for one person and $3,278 (€3,026) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Santander will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Santander on average costs around $3,512 (€3,242) for one person and $7,024 (€6,484) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Santander has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Prices in Santander are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.

Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Santander is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Limerick or Nantes.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Santander Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Santander?

The average Santander trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Santander travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Santander

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Santander is $55 (€51). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Santander is $111 (€102). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 55 € 51
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 111 € 102

Hotel Prices in Santander

Looking for a hotel in Santander? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Santander based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $75. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

• Suite Home Pinares Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 80
• Eurostars Hotel Real Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 130

Transportation Budget in Santander

The cost of a taxi ride in Santander is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $26 (€24) per person, per day, on local transportation in Santander.

• Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 26 € 24

Recommended Services

• One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport Viator $ 41
• Santander Private Departure Transfer Viator $ 35

Flights to Santander

Rental cars in santander, food budget in santander.

While meal prices in Santander can vary, the average cost of food in Santander is $44 (€41) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Santander should cost around $18 (€16) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Santander is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 44 € 41

Entertainment Budget in Santander

Entertainment and activities in Santander typically cost an average of $20 (€18) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 20 € 18

Recommended Activities

• Private Puente Viesgo Caves Full-Day Tour from Santander Viator $ 212
• Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander Viator $ 46

Alcohol Budget in Santander

The average person spends about $16 (€14) on alcoholic beverages in Santander per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 16 € 14

Related Articles

Santander on a budget.

Neighborhoods

Food and dining, transportation, more related articles.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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The Best Time to Visit Santander, Spain for Weather, Safety, & Tourism

The best times to visit Santander for ideal weather are

April 30th to November 18th

based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.

Santander Travel Guide

Temperature.

• Perceived Temperature
• Rain and snow
• Humidity and wind
• The busiest and least popular months
• Overall travel experience by time of year

Other Santander Travel Info

Weather in santander.

Average temperatures in Santander vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel nice most of the year, excluding some cold weeks in the winter, with a chance of rain or snow throughout most of the year. The area is somewhat temperate — in the 47th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above . If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Santander, the hottest months are August, July, and then September. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early August where highs are regularly around 74.1°F (23.4°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 63.6°F (17.6°C) at night.

Santander Temperatures (Fahrenheit)

Santander temperatures (celsius), “feels-like” temperatures.

The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.

Santander Perceived Temperature (F)

Santander perceived temperature (c), average santander temperatures by month.

Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.

Show Fahrenheit

Show celsius, precipitation (rain or snow).

If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Santander are July, September, and then June. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around late June. For example, on the week of June 25th there is 1 day of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in late January with an average of 4 days of significant precipitation the week of January 22nd.

Chance of Precipitation

The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Santander.

Snow on the Ground

The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Santander (in).

Average Rain and Snow by Month

Show inches, show centimeters, humidity and wind.

Santander has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is December (66.9% relative humidity), and the most humid month is June (80.4%).

Wind in Santander is usually moderate . The windiest month is February, followed by November and January. February’s average wind speed of around 10.8 knots (12.4 MPH or 19.9 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early February where average top sustained speeds reach 18.5 knots, which is considered a fresh breeze.

Relative Humidity (%)

The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Santander.

The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.

Average Wind Speeds

Show wind speeds.

All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.

Show Relative Humidity by Month

Is it safe to travel to santander.

Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are no travel advisories or warnings for Spain; exercise normal security precautions. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories . This advisory was last updated on Nov 22, 2023.

The Busiest and Least Crowded Months

The busiest month for tourism in Santander, Spain is July, followed by August and March. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Santander in November. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

Estimated Tourism by Month

Most popular months to visit, overall santander travel experience by season, spring (march through may).

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderate. Highs range from 65.4°F (18.6°C) and 56.8°F (13.8°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 7 to 8 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.

Summer (June through August)

The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the least precipitation with 5 to 6 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Santander, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.

Fall (September through November)

Fall daily highs range from 72.5°F (22.5°C) and 55°F (12.8°C), which will feel comfortable given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 5 to 12 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.

Winter (December through February)

Weather is too cold this time of year in Santander to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 57.9°F (14.4°C) and 52.8°F (11.6°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 9 to 10 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.

Best Times to Travel › Spain › Santander, Spain

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How to Get from Santander to Other Destinations in Spain

There are more exciting places to visit nearby than Santander itself

Santander, a small city on the north coast of Spain, has its own airport served by cheap flights from Ryanair. But should you actually stay in Santander? And if not, where should you go?

Unfortunately, Santander is not the most exciting of cities. Nor is the region around it, which came bottom of mainland Spain's areas in my list of Spain Regions from Worst to Best .

However, Santander is well connected to some other cities in northern Spain, which can make it a perfect arrival point for a vacation in this part of the country.

One of the most exciting things about traveling from Santander is the FEVE narrow-gauge railway that departs both east and west from the city. It is slow, but more picturesque than taking the main train line.

• FEVE Narrow-Gauge Railway Timetables
• Book Train Tickets in Spain
• Book Bus Tickets in Spain

Bilbao and San Sebastian

Head east along the north coast of Spain to the gastronomical paradise that is the Basque Country. Bilbao is the nearest city of interest to Santander and likely to be your first port of call. But bear in mind that Bilbao has its own airport, so check flights there first.

See also: How to Plan the Perfect Bilbao and San Sebastian Trip

How to Get to Bilbao

It takes three hours on the narrow gauge FEVE rail line to get from Santander to Bilbao. There are three departs per day.

The bus takes an hour and a half and costs six euros, probably about the same as the train.

There are also occasional buses straight from Santander airport to Bilbao, taking just over an hour.

For San Sebastian , go via Bilbao . There are regular buses from Bilbao.

Oviedo, to the west of Santander, is the other obvious destination for those flying in to the area. Oviedo - and the wider region of Asturias - is famous for its cider and its unique cuisine. Just outside the city are some famous pre-Romanesque churches.

See also: What to Do in Oviedo

How to Get to Oviedo

There are two FEVE narrow-gauge railway journeys per day, but they take five hours.

Buses take around two-and-three-quarter hours, or up to three-and-a-half hours from Santander airport.

Picos de Europa

The Picos de Europa are Spain's most beautiful mountains. Situated between Oviedo and Santander, they make a great stop on your way west.

How to Get to the Picos de Europa from Santander

Take the FEVE to Unquera, which is good for reaching Desfiladero de Hermida, one of the deepest gorges in the world. The journey takes around two hours and costs about 5 euros.

There are also buses twice a day (and one from Santander airport) to Arriondas, another good gateway to the national park, taking two hours and costing about 10 euros. 

Logroño is the best city in Spain for tapas . It's also the capital of the Rioja wine region. Do you need more reasons to go?

See also:  The Best Wine and Tapas Bars in Logroño  

How to Get to Logroño

There are two buses per day from Santander to Logroño, taking around three hours and costing about 20 euros. 

The Spanish capital is well connected to Santander by train, but if you want to visit Madrid I would recommend flying direct and missing out Santander completely.

See also: How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Madrid

How to Get to Madrid from Santander

There are direct trains every couple of hours from Santander to Madrid. The journey takes 4h30m. The train arrives at Chamartin station in the north of the city. 

There are direct buses from Santander to Madrid. The journey takes about 6h. The bus arrives at the Avenida de America bus station in Madrid. 

Read about  Train and Bus Stations from Madrid .

It takes about 5h to drive the 450km from Santander to Madrid. Take the A67 and then the A231 to  Burgos  and then take the A1 to Madrid.

If you're visiting the Pamplona Running of the Bulls in July, Santander airport is a great arrival point.

How to Get to Pamplona

The bus from Santander to Pamplona takes 2h30 and costs about 15 euros.

There is no train.

The 250km journey can be covered in just over one hour, traveling mainly on the A8 and E5 roads.

Burgos is relatively close to Santander and is famous for its cathedral. It makes a good stop on the way to Madrid. However, it wouldn't be my top destination for a visit from Santander.

How to Get to Burgos

Buses from Santander to Burgos cost around 13 euros and take between two-and-a-half and three hours.

It takes about two hours to drive the 180km, via the A-67 and N-627 roads.

There are no trains.

I was disappointed how long it takes to get to Leon from Santander, considering they are  in northern Spain and don't  feel  so far apart. Leon is a great place to eat free  tapas the way it's supposed to be. Drive if you can.

How to Get to Leon

It takes about two-and-a-half hours to drive the 270km, taking the via A-67 and A-231 roads.

Buses from Santander to Leon take around five or six hours and cost 20 to 35 euros.

It's a long way to Santiago from Santander, so break up your journey in Oviedo.

See also: Guide to Santiago

How to Get to Santiago

Buses from Santander to Santiago take between seven and ten hours and cost about 50 euros. However, it only takes five hours to drive.

Barcelona is a long way from Santander. Are you sure making the journey is the best use of your time? 

See also: How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Barcelona

How to Get to Barcelona

Fly if you can. Both Ryanair and Vueling have flights.

The bus from Barcelona to Santander takes about ten hours and costs about 50 euros. 

There are no direct trains from barcelona to santander. you would have to change in  madrid ..

An alternative would be to take the FEVE narrow-gauge railway from  Santander to Bilbao and then the train to Bilbao. The bus would still be quicker.

It would take about six-and-a-half hours to drive the 700km from Barcelona to Santander, traveling mainly on the E90, E804 and A8. Note that some of these roads are toll roads. Find out about  Car Hire in Spain .

How to Get from City to City in Spain

How to Travel From Barcelona to Bordeaux by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

Plan the Perfect Trip to Spain

Best Train Journeys in Spain

Guide to Bus and Train Travel in Spain

Bilbao, Spain: Bus and Train Stations

How to Get to Oviedo and What to Do There

Best Internal Flights in Spain

A Tour of West France

Travel From the Spanish Capital to Galicia

San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela

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How to Get to France From Barcelona and Other Spanish Cities

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Traveling by Train in Europe: Where, Why, and How

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Update April 12, 2024

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Colombia Travel Advisory

Travel advisory january 2, 2024, colombia - level 3: reconsider travel.

Reissued with updates to the country summary.

Reconsider travel due to  crime  and  terrorism . Exercise increased caution due to civil unrest  and  kidnapping . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel to:

• Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán), and Norte de Santander departments due to crime and terrorism.
• The Colombia-Venezuela border region due to crime, kidnapping, and risk of detention when crossing into Venezuela from Colombia.  

Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide, assault, and armed robbery, is widespread. Organized criminal activities, such as extortion, robbery, and kidnapping, are common in some areas.

Terrorist groups and criminal organizations continue operating and carrying out attacks in Colombia. They may attack with little or no warning, targeting transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, police stations, military facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, airports, other public areas, and U.S. government facilities.

Demonstrations occur regularly throughout the country and can be about a variety of political or economic issues. They can shutdown roads and highways, often without prior notice or estimated reopening timelines. Demonstrations and road closures may significantly reduce access to public transportation and may disrupt travel within and between cities. Protests can become violent and can result in fatalities and injuries.

U.S. direct-hire government employees must adhere to the noted restrictions:

• They are not permitted to travel by road between most cities.
• Colombia’s land border areas are off-limits to U.S. government personnel unless specifically authorized.
• They may not use motorcycles.
• They may not hail street taxis or use public buses.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Colombia.

If you decide to travel to Colombia:

• Avoid protest areas and crowds.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Keep a low profile.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Colombia.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Arauca, Cauca, and Norte de Santander Departments – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, is widespread. Terrorist groups are active in some parts.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens as U.S. government-personnel travel to these areas is severely restricted due to security concerns.

Colombia - Venezuela Border – Level 4: Do Not Travel

U.S. citizens are advised not to travel to the border of Colombia and Venezuela. U.S. citizens are at risk of detention when crossing into Venezuela.

The Colombia-Venezuela border is not clearly marked, and U.S. citizens should not go near the border due to the risk of crossing into Venezuela accidentally.

U.S. citizens attempting to enter Venezuela without a visa have been charged with terrorism and other serious crimes and detained for long periods. For more information, see the Venezuela Travel Advisory.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, colombia map, search travel advisories, external link.

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• Credit cards

Going travelling

If you’re planning a trip abroad, there are a few things you may need to consider before going away.  

If you’re planning on travelling within the EU, you don’t need to let us know that you’ll be going abroad. If you’re planning on travelling outside the EU, you’ll need to let us know. The easiest way to do this is to:

• log on to Online Banking
• choose ‘Account Services’, then
• click ‘Use card abroad’.

Coronavirus travel disruption

Affected by travel cancellations or restrictions.

If your trip has been affected by restrictions put in place to combat the spread of coronavirus, we may be able to help if you paid using your Santander credit or debit card. In the first instance, you need to contact your travel provider. They’ll be able to explain your options, which could include changing travel dates or offering you a refund. If your travel provider can’t help you or you’re not happy with what they’ve offered you, we may be able to help you claim a refund.

If I cancel my holiday will I get my money back?

If you decide to cancel your booking, it’s unlikely we’ll be able to help you claim a refund. Please contact your travel provider to discuss your options or refer to their cancellation policy. 

My travel provider has cancelled my trip

If the travel provider has cancelled the booking, they’ll probably contact you to discuss your options. If they can’t offer a solution, we may be able to help you claim a refund.

My travel provider has offered me a credit voucher rather than a refund, can I make a claim?

If your booking has been cancelled and you’re not happy with the solution offered by the travel provider, we can help you claim a refund.

My travel provider has offered me a refund but has said it will take longer than usual

If you’ve been offered a refund by your travel provider, you should wait for this to come through. If you don’t receive it within the timescales they’ve given or you’re not happy with how long the refund will take, we may be able to help you claim your money back. 

I’ve tried to contact my travel provider as my booking has been cancelled, but they’re not responding. What can I do?

If you haven’t had a response or you can’t get in touch with them, we can raise a claim on your behalf. Remember that some companies may take longer than they usually would to respond because of the current situation. 

I have been refunded for my flight, but not for add-ons such as luggage and seat selection charges, can I claim?

Speak to the travel provider first as they should refund these charges. If they don’t offer a refund, then a claim may be submitted to us if you paid using your Santander debit or credit card. 

I’m paying for my holiday by instalments, should I cancel my payment?

As cancelling your payment may invalidate your holiday, we strongly suggest you discuss it with your travel provider before stopping any payments.

Fraud awareness

Criminals may use the coronavirus as a cover story to try and scam you out of your money. .

Beware of criminals contacting you offering to help you recover money for cancelled travel plans. Find out more about current fraud and scams and how to protect yourself.

Your travel company has gone into administration

Claiming your money back if your travel company has ceased trading.

If you've been affected by your travel provider becoming insolvent, you can make a claim if:

• you paid using your credit or debit card, and
• your payment was made less than 540 days (approximately 18 months) ago, and
• you’re not covered by ABTA, ATOL or a similar financial protection scheme or your travel insurance provider (if any) has confirmed that it won’t cover your claim, or
• you’ve spoken to your travel provider, ABTA, ATOL, a similar financial protection scheme or your travel insurance provider and they’ve directed you to us, as your card issuer, to raise a claim.

The easiest way to do this is by using our claim form in Online Banking.

• Log on to Online Banking
• Click ‘Account services’ tab 
• Choose ‘Other services’ in the left-hand side menu 
• Scroll down to ‘Debit card services’ or ‘Credit card services’
• Click ‘Make a claim’ and start filling in the form 

If you don’t use Online Banking, please contact us

Want to sign up for Online Banking? Read our Online Banking page to learn how.

Please complete the form and upload your supporting documentation. 

Once you’ve submitted your form, we’ll:

• send you an email to confirm we’ve received your claim
• take a look at your documents and let you know if we need more information.

Submitting a claim by calling us

Once we’ve taken details of your claim, we’ll send you a disputed transaction form, which you’ll need to sign and return to us enclosing your supporting documents. Once we’ve received everything we need, we’ll be able to raise your claim for you. 

Supporting documentation

It’s important that you provide documents to support your claim. If you claim online, you’ll need to upload your documents when you submit your claim. If you call us to make a claim, you’ll need to return the documents to us along with the disputed transaction form that we’ll send to you. Without any supporting documents it may be difficult to assess whether your claim should be successful or not. Please keep the originals for your own records and avoid stapling your documents together or attaching them to the disputed transaction form.

Raising your claim 

Once we’ve received your claim and supporting documentation it will be assessed by a case handler and a decision will be made based on the information you’ve provided. If we then raise a claim with your travel provider, we’ll pay the amount you're claiming for back into the account it was paid from. This is done while we await the outcome of your claim and we'll send you a confirmation letter explaining what happens next.

Most claims take up to 45 working days (9 weeks) to complete, however some claims may take longer if, for example, lots of customers are claiming (for example when a larger travel provider becomes insolvent).

Your claim may be unsuccessful. If it is, we’ll explain why. 

Payments not made by debit or credit card

If you’ve paid by cash , cheque , or Direct Debit we’re sorry but we can’t raise a claim for you. Please speak to your travel provider, ABTA, ATOL, a similar financial protection scheme or your travel insurer for further guidance on making a claim.

Payments made through payment processors such as PayPal

If you paid your travel company using a payment processor such as PayPal, we can only process claims if you selected to pay using your credit or debit card. If you chose to pay directly from your nominated bank account using your account number and sort code (this will show as ‘DD to PayPal’ on your statement) you’ll need to refer to your travel provider ABTA, ATOL, a similar financial protection scheme or your travel insurer for further guidance on making a claim. 

Section 75 

Following the chargeback process set out above is usually the quickest and easiest way to try and recover sums paid. However, if you paid by credit card you may instead wish to make a claim under Section 75 Consumer Credit Act 1974 instead. More information on this can be provided on request. 

Criminals will use a company going into liquidation as a cover story to try and scam you out of your money. 

It’s important that you keep your personal, security and card information safe and secure as criminals may target your accounts. They may contact you pretending to be Santander, the police or another organisation and use this information to convince you they’re genuine. Take Five to check that you’re speaking to a genuine person by calling us directly using the number on our website before discussing any details about your account, card or claim.

Criminals will sometimes use a tactic called ‘spoofing’ where they make it look as if their telephone number, email or text is from your bank (or other organisation) – they can even make them appear in the same thread alongside genuine messages. They may ask you to make a payment or share your security details, such as Online Banking passwords or One Time Passcodes (OTPs). These must never be shared with anyone even if they say they’re from Santander.

Using your card abroad

Let us know if you're travelling.

We will continue to monitor your account for fraud and unusual transactions whilst you’re abroad and we’ll contact you if we detect unusual activity. If you keep your mobile phone with you, you’ll be able to confirm genuine transactions as soon as we contact you.

We recommend you pay for your first purchase abroad by entering your PIN (rather than using contactless). This provides an extra layer of confirmation that your transactions are genuine.

If you’ve forgotten your PIN, you can use the mobile app  to view it.

If you need a new PIN, you can request a new one through Online Banking or contact us

If the PIN on your debit or credit card is locked for any reason, for example you entered it incorrectly 3 times or it’s a replacement PIN, you need to unlock it prior to travelling. This needs to be done at a Santander or Link cash machine before you leave the UK as it can’t be unlocked when you are overseas.

If you are travelling outside the EU, let us know so we can place a note on your account to say you are travelling.

The easiest way to let us know when you’re travelling outside the EU is to:

• choose ‘Account Services’, then 

Alternatively, you can contact us if you’d like more support. Remember, if you’re calling from outside the UK, please call the number on the back of your Santander card.

Fees and charges abroad - debit card

This depends on which card you hold with us and which type of transaction you make. The two kinds of transactions are:

Making a purchase abroad or online in a currency other than pounds to buy goods or services.

Withdrawing money (foreign currency) and buying traveller's cheques - withdrawing cash abroad (either in a bank or at a cash machine), or buying traveller's cheques or foreign currency when abroad (at another bank, bureau de change or other outlet displaying the Mastercard/Visa sign) in a currency other than pounds. 

When you use your card abroad you may be charged a foreign currency conversion fee, unless you have one of the following accounts**: 

• Santander Edge current account,
• Santander Edge Up current account,
• Private Current Account (v2)

You also won’t be charged a foreign currency conversion fee with the Zero debit card (which is not available to new customers).

The table below shows the charges on our cards when used abroad

*We won't charge you when you use your personal debit card to make withdrawals at Santander cash machines abroad. You'll find our cash machines in Spain, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and the USA. Make sure you choose to pay in the local currency to avoid being charged any other fees.

**We won’t charge you for using your Santander Edge, Santander Edge Up or Private Current Account (v2) debit card to withdraw cash and make payments abroad. The 0% foreign conversion fee is applied 3 working days after you have opened or transferred to one of these accounts. If you use your debit card outside the UK before then, the standard foreign currency conversion fee of 2.95% will apply. This fee is non-refundable. For more information, take a look at the Fee Information Document for your account. Local banks may charge their own fees when you use one of their cash machines.

Debit Mastercard - Illustrative Cost Examples based on a €100 (Euro) transaction

Visa - illustrative cost examples based on a €100 (euro) transaction.

For all other cards not shown here, please refer to your Key Facts Document (KFD).

^ Mastercard exchange rate of €1 = 0.86068 as at 1 June 2023 ^^ Visa exchange rate of €1 = 0.866278 as at 1 June 2023 ^^^ The 0% foreign conversion fee is applied 3 working days after you’ve opened or transferred to one of these accounts. If you use your debit card outside the UK before then, the standard foreign currency conversion fee of 2.95% will apply. This fee is non-refundable. For more information, take a look at the Fee Information Document for your account. Local banks may charge their own fees when you use one of their cash machines.

The exchange rates reflect the rate applicable when the payment scheme (Visa or Mastercard) processed the transaction and not the date on which the transaction took place.

Remember to pay using local currency

When you use your card abroad, retailers will often give you the choice of paying in either the local currency or pounds. Always choose to pay using the local currency unless you're sure the exchange rate is more favourable. If you choose pounds, the retailer will handle the conversion and may charge you a fee.

We will convert the foreign currency using the exchange rate set by Visa or Mastercard (subject to card type) on the date the transaction is charged to your account, together with any applicable foreign usage fees as set out in the table above.

The exchange rate used may differ from the rate that applied on the actual date of the transaction as exchange rates vary on a daily basis. The exchange rate used when the transaction is processed and the amount of the transaction in sterling after the application of the exchange rate will be detailed on your statement.

Using your card abroad calculator

You can use our calculator to see daily exchange rates and calculate the total cost of using your Santander debit or cash card abroad. For EEA currencies you’ll also be able to see how this compares to the ECB exchange rate.

• All main adult bank current accounts can benefit from fee-free cash machines withdrawals at Santander branded cash machines in Spain, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and the USA, when using a Santander personal debit card and choosing the local currency.
• Daily cash withdrawal limits apply. Please see the General Terms & Conditions for full details (pdf) (289 KB)

Fees and charges abroad - credit card

This depends on which credit card you hold with us and which type of transaction you make. The two kinds of transactions are:

Making a purchase abroad or online in a currency other than sterling to buy goods or services.

Withdrawing money (foreign currency) and buying traveller's cheques - withdrawing cash abroad (either in a bank or at a cash machine), or buying traveller's cheques or foreign currency when abroad (at another bank, bureau de change or other outlet displaying the Mastercard/Visa sign) in a currency other than sterling. Please note there is no interest free period on cash withdrawals and interest will be charged from the date of withdrawal.

What are the charges?

When you use your card abroad you may be charged a non-sterling transaction fee or a cash transactions fee, depending on if you’re making a purchase or withdrawing money.

The table below shows the charges on our credit cards when used abroad.

Illustrative cost examples based on a €100 (Euro) transaction if using the Santander Edge, 1I2I3, All in One or Santander World Elite Credit Card

Illustrative cost examples based on a €100 (euro) transaction if using the everyday no balance transfer fee credit card or everyday long term balance transfer credit card, for all other cards not shown here, please refer to your key facts document.

^Mastercard exchange rate of €1 = 0.86068 as at 1 June 2023

The exchange rates reflect the rate applicable when the relevant payment scheme (Mastercard or Visa) processed the transaction and not the date on which the transaction took place.

You can use our calculator to see daily exchange rates and calculate the total cost of using your Santander credit card abroad. For EEA currencies you’ll also be able to see how this compares to the ECB exchange rate.

A daily cash withdrawal limit of £300 applies, unless otherwise advised.

Ordering your travel money

Over 60 currencies available from Australian Dollars, Euros, United States Dollars to Vietnamese Dong. 

Order before 3pm on a working day and we’ll aim to deliver your money the next working day to your home. You can also choose a Saturday delivery for an additional fee (Sunday deliveries aren’t available). 

Using the online form below you’ll see our conversion rates and, if you’re happy, you can order immediately with your Santander debit or credit card – commission free.

We don’t provide Traveller’s Cheques.

Order your travel money online

Arranging your travel insurance

Enjoy your time away knowing you and your family are covered.

Whether you're planning a journey for yourself or with your family, we can provide comprehensive travel insurance to give peace of mind in the event of a health or medical emergency, lost baggage or travel delays.

If you’re a Santander customer you’ll get a 30% discount if you apply online.

Santander Travel Insurance is provided by Chubb European Group SE (CEG).

Find out more about travel insurance

Using our mobile banking app abroad

Using Mobile Banking on your phone or device is an easy way to track what you're spending during your trip. Check the latest transactions and balances, transfer money and even report a lost or stolen card.

We recommend connecting to local Wi-Fi hotspots when using Mobile Banking abroad to avoid roaming data charges. Using the app through your mobile's 3G or 4G signal may incur charges, so please check with your mobile provider if your device is set up to use (has 'roaming') in the country you're visiting and what your charges may be.

Learn about Mobile Banking with us

Stay up-to-date with alerts

Our free text and email alerts let you stay up-to-date with what's happening in your accounts while you're away.

Learn more and how to set up your alerts

Ask us a question

When logged into Mobile or Online Banking, Sandi, our digital assistant, can help get the answers you need

Do your banking online

Ways for you to manage your money without leaving home

Two week warning over bank trick to claim FREE railcard for cut-price train tickets

Opening up a new account with one high street bank could make you eligible for discounted train travel

• 14:57, 17 APR 2024

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People aged between 20 and 25 can currently claim a free four-year railcard through one high street bank - but there's not much time left to secure the deal.

Santander confirmed earlier this month that eligible customers who open a new account and follow a few simple steps will be able to claim the free card. A railcard provides one third off train travel across England, Scotland, Wales, and the London Underground, so can help to save hundreds of pounds on train tickets.

In order to claim the railcard, all customers need to do is open any Santander current account, or switch a current account to Santander. The offer ends on April 30 so you need to make the switch soon to ensure you get the perk.

Read more: UK inflation falls to 3.2 per cent - what it could mean for interest rates

Andrea Melville, director of current accounts, savings and business banking at Santander said: “With the days becoming longer and promises of sunshine just around the corner, we’re all planning to make the most of spring – whether that’s a staycation, a daytrip to somewhere different, or simply taking advantage of longer evenings with friends.

“Not only does the railcard give users a third off train travel to get where they want to go, but paired with our Edge and Edge Up current accounts, customers can also benefit from cashback on their travel, as well as on their everyday spending and household bills.”

How to get the Santander free railcard

In order to claim the railcard, customers must complete an application to open one of the following accounts before April 30:

• Santander Edge
• Santander Edge Up

Customers must also deposit at least £500 into the account before May 14 to be eligible for the railcard. However, you shouldn't wait until then as Santander has warned that there are a limited number of cards available and the offer may end prior to April 30.

Once customers have followed the necessary steps, Santander will go through all of its eligible customers from May 15 and will send out codes which can be redeemed for the railcard. The bank confirmed that all eligible customers should receive the free railcard by July 31.

• Most Recent

Off the Unbeaten Track Edward Adrian-Vallance's travel site

• About Edward
• Country guides
• Overland Travel

View when driving from Yelisovo airport to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

The first myth I want to disprove is that getting to Kamchatka is extremely costly. It’s not. Going between February and April, a return flight from Moscow can be had for 11,000 roubles (US$380 / £220). Not bad for 18 hours total flying time. In summer the flights are more expensive but still, if you book them a few months in advance, can be got for 16,000 roubles return.

It’s true, many people will tell you that March and April are the worst months to visit because the snow is starting to melt and everything’s a bit sloshy and dirty in settlements. On the other hand, these are great months for the independent traveller! During winter zimniki (temporary winter roads made of compacted snow or simply frozen river surfaces) open up all over Kamchatka, granting access to communities that in summer are totally isolated. Hitch hiking is possible right from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to the very north of the peninsula. Alternatively, vehicles can be hired in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky from tour firms. Also in the winter or early spring months places can be reached that are away even from the zimniki, either by snowmobile or by the use of cross country skis. For example, Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Eurasia’s largest active volcano, can be accessed from the village of Klyuchi without the need even for a guide by a traveller with a pair of cross country skis. Bears do not wake up until mid-April so this is not a danger, but bears almost never attack anyone anyway.

The main disadvantages of winter travel in Kamchatka are that it is cold, there is no greenery and there are no bears, which some people come here especially to see.

The second myth I’d like to dispel is that travel around the peninsula requires hiring a helicopter. As mentioned above, in winter you can get almost anywhere by hitch hiking. I even hitched a lift with bear hunters on snowmobiles from their village to a reindeer herder encampment 100km away. In summer snowmobiles are replaced by horses, and transport is reduced from long distance ice-road journeys to irregular inter-settlement all-terrain vehicle trips. Hitch hiking is possible on these all-terrain vehicles though.

Throughout the year there are fairly expensive public helicopter flights to all settlements which are nevertheless much cheaper than hiring your own helicopter. There is also one permanent, year-round dirt road leading halfway up the peninsula. Some distance after the town of Milkovo, about 350km north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky , it forks. The right fork leads to Klyuchi , site of Eurasia’s largest active volcano, and further to the port town of Ust-Kamchatsk. The left fork leads to the indigenous Even villages of Anavgay and Esso. Daily buses go from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Klyuchi , Anavgay and Esso, costing about 1000 roubles each way. In winter a zimnik passable by lorries heads north from Anavgay 36 hours to the otherwise isolated town of Palana. From Palana more zimniki head further north to yet more isolated settlements. From the peninsula’s very northernmost settlements there are even EXTREMELY irregular snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle connections with Magadan Oblast and Chukotka. Another zimnik, only passable by all-terrain vehicle, heads from Anavgay to the village of Ust-Khayryuzovo on Kamchatka’s west coast.

• Kamchatka’s Indigenous
• Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

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Money latest: Five big lenders hike mortgage rates amid interest rate uncertainty

A council that oversees many popular tourist towns on the Kent coast has said it is considering implementing a tourism tax to maximise income from visitors. Read this plus all the latest consumer and personal finance news below - and listen to the Ian King Business podcast as you scroll.

Monday 22 April 2024 22:57, UK

• Five big lenders hike mortgage rates amid interest rate uncertainty
• Popular seaside towns considering tourist tax
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TikTok Shop has partnered with five second-hand luxury resellers to launch a pre-loved category on the app.

Designer products are now available to buy from five UK brands - Hardly Ever Worn It, Sign of the Times, Luxe Collective, Sellier Knightsbridge and Break Archive.

The social media app said the new category will support suers in being able to learn more about luxury fashion, find style inspiration and purchase pieces.

All of the brand's involved posted about the launch, with the Luxe Collective - which recently gained investment after appearing on the BBC's Dragon's Den - said it had been "waiting years to do this".

@luxecollective Come & Join me this Friday at 3pm to chat and shop Pre Loved Luxury on TikTok! 📲 ♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) - Danilo Stankovic

Jan Wilk, head of UK operations at TikTok Shop, said: "This announcement is an exciting first step in the world of preowned fashion for TikTok Shop.

"TikTok Shop is already a leader when it comes to discovery-based commerce and with a vibrant fashion community thriving on TikTok, this provides a unique opportunity for retailers to reach new audiences and customers with an inspiring and accessible way to embrace luxury fashion."

The launch of the category comes after the app launched a refurbished technology category, allowing users to buy second-hand mobile phones and tablets through the app.

Comments by the prime minister describing an alleged "sick note culture" in the UK have been heavily criticised by senior mental health professionals.

Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, said Rishi Sunak's suggestions were "contrary to the reality for people up and down the country".

The PM said he wanted his government to be "more ambitious about helping people back to work and more honest about the risk of over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life".

He has proposed a series of measures, including removing benefits after 12 months for those deemed fit for work but who do not comply with conditions set by their work coach, such as accepting a job offer.

The PM said 850,000 people had been signed off since the COVID pandemic - with half related to depression.

He also claimed the total being spent on benefits for people of working age with a disability or health condition had increased by almost two-thirds since the pandemic to £69bn - more than the entire budget for schools or policing.

"I will never dismiss or downplay the illnesses people have," the prime minister said. 

"But just as it would be wrong to dismiss this growing trend, so it would be wrong to merely sit back and accept it because it's too hard, too controversial, or for fear of causing offence."

But Dr Hughes said: "We are deeply disappointed that the prime minister's speech continues a trend in recent rhetoric which conjures up the image of a 'mental health culture' that has 'gone too far'. 

"This is harmful, inaccurate and contrary to the reality for people up and down the country.

"The truth is that mental health services are at breaking point following years of under investment with many people getting increasingly unwell while they wait to receive support. 

"To imply that it is easy both to be signed-off work and then to access benefits is deeply damaging.

"It is insulting to the 1.9 million people on a waiting list to get mental health support, and to the GPs whose expert judgement is being called into question."

Disability charity Scope said the measures were a "full-on assault on disabled people" and were "dangerous and risk leaving disabled people destitute".

By James Sillars , business reporter

The FTSE 100 has ended a long wait to achieve a new record high.

The index, which comprises the 100 most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange, closed Monday's session on 8,023 points after a jump of 128 points or 1.6%.

That was the highest closing sum since February last year when the 8,000 barrier was breached for the first time in its history.

The previous record stood at 8,012.

The performance today was driven by a strong showing for companies across the board, particularly financial and consumer-linked stocks such as those for retailers.

The index has been gaining ground in recent weeks on growing hopes for a cut in UK interest rates as inflation eases - with strong evidence that the economy has turned a corner after the recession during the second half of last year.

Analysts credited the push for a new high on two main factors; confidence that a major escalation in the Middle East conflict will be avoided and a weakening in the value of the pound against the US dollar.

Sterling is trading at five-month lows against the greenback at just $1.23 and was half a cent down on the day.

This is a consequence of dollar strength as opposed to pound weakness as expectations are growing across the Atlantic that the Federal Reserve's expected interest rate cuts are further down the track than had been predicted.

Higher interest rates tend to be supportive of a currency which, in this case, is the world's reserve currency.

A weaker pound helps FTSE 100 constituent companies which make money in the United States.

That is because it boosts their bottom line when those dollar earnings are booked back in the UK and converted back to pounds.

Read the rest of our report here .

The typical price of a property coming on the market across Britain increased by £4,207 month-on-month in April, according to Rightmove. 

The property website said a jump in new sellers and the sales of bigger family-sized homes are a key factor behind the growth. 

It means the average price tag for a home is only £570 short of the record-high reached in May 2023. 

The average new seller asking price across Britain is now £372,324.

This month, the average asking price for a "top of the ladder" home is £682,661, up by more than £18,000 from £664,422 in March. 

The first four months of 2024 have been an improvement on last year, the website said, with the market witnessing boosts in both buyer and seller activity this spring.

First-time buyers are facing the most expensive conditions for more than 70 years, according to a report by the Building Societies Association.

The report said taking the first step on the property ladder is increasingly dependent on help from relatives and the need to have two incomes that are higher than the average. 

Written by housing market analyst Neal Hudson, the report calls on the government to commission an independent review with the aim of providing solutions that increase the number of true non-returner first-time buyers, both now and in the future.

Mr Hudson also says building societies need more flexibility to help them to support more first-time buyers.

Tesla - owned by billionaire Elon Musk - has cut the price of some of its electric car models after reporting a fall in sales.

The revamped Model 3 car fell by 14,000 yuan (£1,500) in China, putting the price tag at just under £26,000 for the car that upgrades the interior and exterior styling of the original 2017 model. 

It comes as Tesla grapples with competition from China, the world's largest automobile market, which is rolling out cheaper electric car models.

"Tesla prices must change frequently in order to match production with demand," Musk posted on X this weekend.

There have also been price cuts in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, a Tesla spokesperson said. 

In Germany, the price of the Model 3 rear-wheel-drive is now showing as €40,990 (£35,357), down from €42,990 (£37,000), where the price had been since February.

It follows cuts in the US of the Model Y, Model X, Model S and the full self-driving driver assistant software.

Earlier, this month, the company reported a decline in its global quarterly deliveries for the first time in nearly four years. 

Musk also announced that more than 10% of the company's global workforce will be laid off as it braces for its first annual drop in deliveries.

A council that oversees many popular tourist towns on the Kent coast has said it is considering implementing a tourism tax as a way of maximising income from visitors.  

A new report by Thanet District Council - which includes the towns of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate - highlights the negative impact of tourism in the area and puts forward a number of recommendations to help with this.

One of those recommendations is levying what it calls a "modest tourism tax" on those staying overnight.

The report also proposes levying additional council tax on second homes that may be being rented out as short-term holiday lets.

Justifying the recommendations, the report says: "We want a booming visitor economy but we are acutely aware of the additional costs visitors bring, so we need to make every effort to secure income for the council to set against those costs."

Conservative district councillor John Davis welcomed the proposed changes during a meeting of the overview and scrutiny panel on 16 April.

"It's an important initiative," he said.

"I would like to welcome costs on Airbnbs and the like, because in Ramsgate we have 866 homes for short-term let and 21 flats.

"This is absolutely obscene."

Thanet has seen the biggest growth of tourism enterprises over the last five years.

According to 2024 analysis by Kent County Council , 4.4% of these enterprises are accommodation for visitors.

Train drivers who are members of the Aslef union at 16 companies have announced fresh strike dates as part of their long-running dispute over pay.

Drivers at different companies will walk out on various dates between 7 May and 9 May.

They will also refuse to work non-contractual overtime from 6 May to 11 May.

Read the full story here ...

NatWest, Barclays, Accord, Leeds Building Society and HSBC have all announced rate increases today - amid concern interest rates may not fall as much as expected this year.

Swap rates - which dictate how much it costs lenders to lend - have increased in the past week after US inflation came in higher than expected. Economists are divided about what this means for UK interest rates - with some pointing out that the UK economy is struggling far more, and therefore cuts are still imminent.

The London Stock Exchange Group is still pricing in a June cut and two further cuts before the end of the year. Analysts at Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs Group, Capital Economics and Bloomberg Economics all concur.

However, some economists have suggested we may have to wait until November for a first cut from the 16-year high of 5.25%.

Lenders, it seems, are growing more cautious.

Responding to today's hikes, Elliott Culley, director at Switch Mortgage Finance, told Newspage: "The rate rollercoaster rolls on. 

"Just when the market appears to be picking up some momentum, there is a sharp change of direction. 

"We are now seeing the spike in swap rates last week filtering through to the public as lenders raise their rates in response. 

"The volatility we are experiencing currently really amplifies how important it is to secure a rate as soon as possible, as this could save you hundreds of pounds, especially for existing homeowners."

Simon Bridgland, broker/director at Release Freedom, added: "This morning, I have been calling clients who have been sitting on the fence urging them to proceed as this increase is potentially going to be with us for several months. 

"Inaction will weigh heavily on household purses so don't delay, there is a finite amount of hours left to get deals done before the increases take effect, pick up the phone to your broker immediately or you will be paying more money for years to come."

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Planning a vacation here’s your 2024 summer travel insurance guide.

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The joy of a summer vacation. But do you have protection for your trip?

Planning a vacation this summer? Yeah, you and just about everyone else.

More than 9 out of 10 Americans say they'll travel more this year, according to a recent Nationwide Travel Insurance survey . Most of those trips will happen in June, July and August.

Not just that, but 40 percent of the respondents say they'll spend more this year than last year. So how do you protect your vacation investment?

Travel insurance is the standard answer, but what kind of insurance — and how do you find it? That's the question many Americans are wrestling with as they make their travel plans.

Protecting your vacation is a serious concern this summer, experts say.

“Travelers are beefing up their trip protection with security advisory and extraction protection," notes Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies .

It's not just that they're spending more. It's that there's more to lose. The ongoing war in Ukraine, the Hamas attacks on Israel, and other violent conflicts have made travel insurance a key part of trip planning.

This summer may break travel records, experts say.

Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best covid travel insurance plans, it's going to be a busy summer for travel.

Overall policy sales for the 2024 summer travel season are up this year, but there's a spike in sales for policies in August, which is typically the busiest time of the summer. "Sales are up more than 25% over last year," says Stan Sandberg, co-founder of travel insurance site TravelInsurance.com .

Western Europe continues to be the most popular summer destination for Americans, with some notable hotspots. Travel insurance sales for Greece are up over 60% this year compared with 2023, followed by Norway and Portugal, which are up 57% and 52%, respectively, according to Sandberg.

Everyone's travel insurance needs are different, according to the pros.

What should you insure when you travel this summer?

Laura Heidt, the insurance desk manager for Brownell Travel in Birmingham, Ala., says there are some things every travel insurance policy should cover this summer.

"I always recommend people insure for the unexpected, such as flight delays, missed connections and medical coverage while out of the country," she says. "If you are willing to forgo the cancellation and delay coverages, which are typically the most expensive parts of a policy, you should still, absolutely, cover yourself with at least the medical component."

Heidt says she's seen a 10% boost in travel insurance sales for this summer compared with the same time last year, and many people are opting for the pricier "cancel for any reason" policies, which allow you to cancel your trip and receive a partial refund of your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.

Travel insurance companies are seeing a similar trend.

"A majority of travelers choose a comprehensive travel insurance plan which includes coverage for trip cancellation, emergency medical, lost or delayed baggage and delay," explains Tim Dodge, vice president of marketing at Arch RoamRight .

He says this year, travelers are purchasing travel insurance on average within 11 days of their trip deposit to receive the additional benefit of the waiver exclusion for pre-existing conditions.

If you're traveling with kids, you'll need extra travel insurance protection.

Get a policy that's tailored to your needs

Travel insurance comes in all shapes and sizes. So you'll want to try a few on for size before you buy. You can actually do that, since most policies have a "free look" period that makes them fully refundable for the first week or two (depending on the policy).

"It's important to consider your specific travel plans and any potential disruptions in order to protect your investment," says Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association (USTIA).

He says traditional plans offer coverage for unexpected cancellations, interruptions, delays, emergency medical expenses and lost or delayed baggage. For international travel, USTIA advises opting for a plan with emergency medical and medical evacuation coverage.

It also depends on who you're traveling with. For example, if you're traveling with your children, you'll want to consider a family-friendly priced travel insurance plan. But your destination also matters, says Carol Mueller, vice president at Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP).

"For young families, I typically recommend the ExactCare plan due to its pricing of two children at no additional cost for every one adult on the policy," she says. "However, for families venturing abroad, I’d suggest considering a plan like BHTP's LuxuryCare, which is designed to meet the distinctive needs of a high-investment vacation.”

You have choices when it comes to family coverage. For example, Allianz’s OneTrip Prime plan also includes coverage for kids 17 and younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

Medical evacuations can be expensive.

Look beyond travel insurance for extra protection

Mike Hallman, CEO of the air medical transport and travel security program Medjet , says MedjetHorizon memberships are selling briskly. They offer 24/7 security and crisis response, as well as transportation to a hospital at home if you're injured. Travelers are skittish even if they aren't going bungee-jumping.

"With geopolitical tensions still growing — all the riots in France, Italy, Ecuador and other tourist destinations over the last year — and crime causing the threat level to be raised for the Bahamas and Jamaica, it’s no wonder," he adds.

He makes a good point. Travel insurance can cover many of the events you're likely to encounter, such as a missed connection, lost luggage or a medical emergency. But it's also important to know what isn't covered — and to make plans accordingly.

Beware of travel insurance "overconfidence"

The summer travel season is still a few months away, but insurance experts are worried. Yes, they've seen a general uptick in insurance sales, but some travelers remain unprotected.

"We've started to see early signs that travelers are exercising less caution and are slightly less likely to sign up for travel insurance," says Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance .

By comparison, travelers purchased plenty of medical insurance in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. Cronin believes travelers were terrified of getting stuck with COVID-19 in a foreign country without insurance.

"To those who are thinking about traveling internationally without travel insurance, my recommendation is to spend a few minutes looking deeper before deciding," he adds.

Some types of insurance, such as a standalone medical policy, cost just a few dollars a day. A medical evacuation membership is also affordable. And even full-featured travel insurance policies can be cost-effective when you consider the benefits.

"Don’t put your summer travel memories, or your investment, at risk by forgoing the right vacation coverage," says Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz Partners USA . "With international travel peaking during the summer season, an unprotected trip can leave travelers on the hook for costs resulting from an unexpected trip delay or medical emergency abroad."

Bottom line: Seriously consider travel insurance to protect your trip — and don't be overconfident. You never know what might happen this summer.

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