Elegant mansions, cave art, and sandy beaches: seven reasons why you should visit Santander
While British holidaymakers have long flocked to Barcelona, Madrid, or Seville for their Spanish city break, wise local tourists have another favourite: Santander, the capital of Cantabria. In this elegant coastal city on the Bay of Biscay, they spend mornings enjoying the bustle of the market, lazy afternoons on the beach and evenings on the terraces of pincho bars indulging in Basque-style tapas washed down with glasses of albariño. What's more, British tourists can reach Santander on a direct ferry – it docks in the city centre – from Portsmouth or Plymouth, which gives the potential added bonus of dolphin sightings in the Bay of Biscay. Although Santander is often considered the gateway to the rest of northern Spain, here are seven reasons why you should linger for longer.
Santander's most famous stretch of sand, El Sardinero (named after the large quantities of sardines that used to be found in the bay), is actually two beaches, separated by the Jardines de Piquío – a tranquil palm tree-lined pleasure garden created in the 1920s. Both beaches are broad, sun-drenched expanses of fine sand. Santander was a popular summer spot for nobility in the 19th century, when Spanish high society turned the area into a summer retreat and the first beach was benchmarked as their bathing ground, while the second was preserved for commoners. Today, both beaches can be enjoyed by everyone and an evening stroll along the promenade as the sun goes down is a pre-dinner delight not to be missed.
Built as the summer house of King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenie (the daughter of Queen Victoria's youngest child Beatrice), the Palacio de la Magdalena is a fusion of French and English architecture perched on a headland with sweeping sea views – Queen Victoria Eugenie felt it reminded her of childhood summers at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. The palace is no longer used by the royal family and part of the building is now a small museum showcasing the opulent interiors. Even without the museum visit, it's worth a walk up here to wander through the eucalyptus and pine trees that fill the surrounding parkland and enjoy some of the best panoramas in the city.
Just behind Santander's grand town hall, the bustling Mercado de la Esperanza has been supplying the city with fresh fish and vegetables since 1904. The ground floor brims with the morning's catch; stalls heave with gleaming anchovies, plump prawns and langoustines and slabs of tuna. Upstairs stalls stock local cheeses, meats, and Cantabrian delicacies, such as sobaos pasiegos, a butter cake, and orujo de Liébana, a strong grape-pomace brandy with a grappa-like kick that's known as the local 'firewater'.
People-watching is best done early in the morning (the market opens at 8am), when local chefs and home cooks examine the catch of the day and exchange gossip. Alternatively, pop in later in the morning to purchase a picnic lunch to eat on the beach – the market closes at 2pm. On Thursdays and Fridays you can also visit in the early evening between 5pm and 7.30pm. The market is closed on Sundays.
While the Palacio de la Magdalena is the building most people associate with Santander, the striking Centro Botín, designed by prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, is surely vying for that spot. Adjacent to the ferry port, its location means it's one of the first things you see when you arrive. Jutting out of the waterfront like two giant wedges of nata de Cantabria cheese, the building appears to float above the bay, with glass and ceramic tiles reflecting the shifting light. Inside, exhibitions range from Spanish masters to international contemporary artists, while outside, the surrounding Pereda Gardens offer shaded benches and green spaces where locals gather to read, chat, or simply enjoy the sea breeze. Beyond the exhibitions, the centre hosts regular film screenings, live performances, and creative workshops, making it a cultural hub for the city.
The Cave of Altamira, a half-hour drive outside the city, contains some of the world's most extraordinary prehistoric art and is easy to visit while staying in Santander. You don't need to hire a car as you can get the Alsa bus from Santander to Santillana del Mar – a medieval village with cobbled streets – from where it's a half-hour walk.
Although the original cave is now closed to protect its fragile paintings – which date from the Upper Palaeolithic period – the accurate replica at the nearby museum Altamira National Museum and Research Centre allows visitors to marvel at the vivid depictions of bison, deer, and horses, created more than 14,000 years ago. The museum is an excellent introduction to the prehistoric communities that once thrived in Cantabria, with interactive exhibits explaining the techniques used to create the paintings. The surrounding landscape gives a sense of the wilderness these early artists would have known.
Santander's old town is smaller than those of Spain's larger cities, partly due to a fire in 1941 that destroyed almost 400 buildings. However, it still packs a punch when it comes to food. Tapas bars serve up pinchos – small, tasty bites skewered on to slices of bread – alongside local favourites such as rabas (lightly battered squid) and boquerones fritos, battered and fried anchovies. For a sweet treat, try sobao pasiego, a traditional Cantabrian pastry that resembles a sponge cake. The narrow streets around Plaza Porticada and Calle del Medio are the best places to start a pincho crawl, hopping from bar to bar sampling house specialities and washing them down with a glass of vermouth or cider.
The Cabo Mayor Lighthouse is located in the most northeasterly point of Santander, where the Cantabrian Sea crashes against rugged cliffs. Built in 1839, it has guided sailors with its powerful beam for nearly two centuries and is the most important lighthouse in Cantabria. When the beam became fully automated in 2001, parts of the lighthouse and surrounding buildings were turned into an arts centre, in which historic maritime charts and faded photographs recount the lighthouse's long service. It's worth the walk up the winding path to watch the waves carve the coastline, and pick up one of the cliff paths to continue enjoying the panoramic views along the Mataleñas Path.
To start planning your Santander city break, visit brittany-ferries.co.uk
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
11 best stalls in Whampoa Makan Place that pack a tasty wham
Whether you call it Whampoa Makan Place, Whampoa Market or just 'that food centre in Whampoa,' one thing's for sure: it's a treasure trove of great eats. Interestingly, this food centre is split into 2 blocks: 90 and 91 — the latter catering to early risers with its breakfast picks, while the former houses stalls for the lunch-and-dinner crowd. Either way, you're bound to find something you fancy no matter what time you swing by. Here are 11 best stalls in Whampoa Makan Place that pack a tasty wham. Feeling peckish? A plate of nasi ayam from Mat Noh & Rose Authentic Ginger Fried Chicken Rice will do just the trick. This Muslim-owned stall may be tucked away in a far corner of the food centre, but that certainly hasn't stopped it from achieving main character status for its stellar ginger fried chicken rice. The Standard Chicken Rice (S$4.50) features a mound of fragrant basmati rice accompanied by a hunk of fragrant Malay-style fried chicken, crowned with a distinctive sliver of vibrant orange skin and a smattering of fried batter bits that lend the tender, ginger-perfumed chicken a satisfying crunchy contrast. Equally delicious are the chilli and soy sauce, both of which elevate everything on your plate. Drop by early if you're eyeing their Begedil (S$1), or, jazz up your meal with add-ons like Tofu/Tempeh (S$0.50), Stir-fried Vegetables (S$1) or Chicken Skin (S$1) anytime. +65 8400 2206 Tue to Sat: 9am – 3pm Closed on Sun & Mon Facebook | Instagram It's not every day that a fish soup stall earns a Michelin Bib in Singapore, but Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon is 1 of just 4 stalls to do so. Better yet, it's clinched the coveted award twice in a row, in 2023 and 2024. A third on the horizon, perhaps? But yes, be prepared to queue during peak hours. It's pretty much a rite of passage. They've got your usual fish soup offerings, including Sliced/Fried Fish Soup/Rice, Sliced/Fried Fish Bee Hoon, Fish Porridge and even Special Tom Yum Soup, all priced at an affordable S$5.50 each. The Fried Fish Soup is your answer to any rainy day. It boils down to its addictive, umami-rich broth, naturally sweet from hours of simmering fish bones. Add in the lightly battered fried fish slices — crisp on the outside, meaty and fresh within — and you've got comfort in a bowl. Tue, Thu, Sat & Sun: 9am – 2pm Closed on Mon, Wed & Fri Not to be confused with the famed Taiwanese Eat 3 Bowls, Three Bowls 来三碗 doles out bowls of Sarawak kolo mee. And though it opened just last December, this new kid on the block has already been drawing a steady stream of patrons — and for good reason. One bite of the Pork Chop Kolo Mee (S$6.50) was all it took to earn a spot among my favourites. The noodles stood out from other renditions I've tried — think mee kia-style springiness with a firm, chewy bite and none of that off-putting alkalinity. Tossed in ample lard oil and chilli powder, they were slurp-worthy and moreish till the very end. The savoury minced pork and crispy Din Tai Fung-style pork chop made for excellent complements, too. If you're more of a traditionalist, the Home Taste Kolo Mee (S$4.50/S$5.50) is a great shout. Otherwise, the Chicken Chop Kolo Mee (S$6.50), Fish Roll Fish Ball Kolo Mee (S$4) and Wanton Kolo Mee (S$4) are solid picks if you're craving other protein options. Wed to Mon: 12pm – 9pm Closed on Tue Amoy Street Lor Mee… at Whampoa Makan Place? Sounds geographically confusing, I suppose. But make no mistake, this stall is touted as the 'best lu mian in town'. And well, there's only one way to find out: give it a go. Good news for the indecisive — the stall offers just 2 menu items: the signature Lor Mee (S$4) and the amped-up Jumbo Meal (S$5). The standard bowl features the usual suspects: pork belly, ngoh hiang, fried dory fish nuggets and batang fish, all generously portioned to go with every slurp of thick, aromatic gravy. Be sure to hit it with vinegar, garlic and pepper too. As for the Jumbo Meal, expect upsized portions of all 4 ingredients and an onsen egg — a surefire choice for the seriously hungry. Trust us, this one's not for those with small appetites. Daily: 6.30am – 3pm Facebook Widely regarded as one of the best rojak stalls in Singapore, Balestier Road Hoover Rojak is a must-eat for fans of the beloved (and admittedly acquired-taste) dish. This acclaimed stall traces its roots back to the 1960s, when it began as a humble Toa Payoh pushcart run by its late founder. Today, his son carries on the legacy — continuing to please crowds with their rojak year after year. As straightforward as it gets, the menu features just their signature Rojak in S$4 and S$5 portions. Each plate is a wonderfully messy medley of ingredients like fresh cucumber, turnip, tau pok and youtiao, as well as rarities like green mango and chewy jellyfish slivers. Everything's thoroughly tossed in a sweet, tangy Penang-style sauce made with fermented prawn paste, sugar and ginger flower, then finished with a plentiful shower of crunchy peanut shavings. showered with crunchy peanut shavings. Wed to Sun: 9.30am – 2.30pm Closed on Mon & Tue Yes, you read that signboard right. You can still get a plate of char kway teow for just S$3 in this economy at Chuan Kee Fried Kway Teow. Naturally, the regular snaking queues are a package deal with this stall. Rumour also has it that it sells out before its official 3pm closing time on some days. Each plate is fried to order by a solo elderly uncle said to wield decades of experience under his belt. Don't let the price tag fool you either; you'll be dealt with a sizable mix of yellow noodles and kway teow, fried with egg, fish cakes, cockles, taugeh and lup cheong. The noodles lean on the drier, savoury side, with a well-balanced profile that's neither too sweet nor salty — perfect for those with lighter palates. And yes, there's wok hei to go around. Wed, Thu & Sat to Mon: 11am – 3pm Closed on Tue to Fri 12 best char kway teow stalls in Singapore that will hit the sweet spot Even if you're not the biggest fan of wanton mee, Golden Roast Char Siew's rendition is bound to knock your socks off. This 34-year-old stall is run by an elderly couple and has called Whampoa Makan Place home since 2020, after years of shifting around various coffeeshops across Singapore. Now, just take a look at that mountainous display of glistening roast meat and golden-brown ngoh hiang rolls, and tell me you're not already salivating. The Wanton Mee is priced at S$4.50 (Small) and S$5.50 (Large), with each plate featuring a bed of chewy noodles tossed in a savoury soy-based sauce and surprisingly potent chilli, topped with vegetables and char siew that's roasted in-house on the daily. A bowl of warm, peppery soup is served on the side, with silky wantons that I enjoyed for their toothsome meat filling. I was also impressed by the char siew which, despite its run-of-the-mill appearance, had a meaty bite and tender mouthfeel. Truly a cut above the rest. I also couldn't resist ordering a piece of Ngoh Hiang (S$1.50). The bolstery beancurd roll was chock-full of five-spiced pork and was deep-fried to a perfect amalgamation of crunchy and soft. Sat to Thu: 8am – 7pm Closed on Sun If you're down for a bowl of hearty beef noodles, make a beeline for the father-son-run Kim Huat Teochew Beef Noodles. Although, if you can't spot the name, just keep an eye out for the striking red signboard with its name in stylised Chinese calligraphy. This stall comes with quite the backstory. It started out in the 1960s as a pig organ soup pushcart, only pivoting to beef kway teow in the early 2000s after weathering a series of setbacks. Call it a comeback, and a delicious one at that! The stall's offerings include 3 varieties of beef noodles: Sliced Beef Noodles (S$6/S$8), Mixed Meat (S$6/S$8) — which adds tripe, brisket and tendon to the tender beef slices — and a Mixed Soup & Noodles Set (S$7/S$8) for the best of all worlds. You can opt for either soup or dry versions, but we'd argue that the X-factor lies in the broth. Made with a secret recipe, the soup is rich, savoury and absolutely slurp-worthy — one that you'll savour down to the very last drop. Tue to Sun: 9.30am – 5pm Closed on Mon Facebook | Instagram Early birds, this one's definitely for you. Tanglin Halt A1 Carrot Cake fires up the wok at 5am and wraps up by lunchtime, dishing out chye tow kway and Teochew kueh to start your day on the right note. Choose from Black or White Carrot Cake (S$3/S$4/S$5), both featuring soft radish cake cubes stir-fried with eggs and loads of umami-rich chye poh — the former slicked with sweet dark sauce while the latter sports a crispy crust of even more eggs. It's no surprise that each has its own share of devotees. Our advice? Just get them both. If you're looking to zhng up your plate or simply aren't in the mood for chye tow kway, you can go for their pan-fried Teochew kueh in the likes of Soon Kueh (S$1.40), Png Kueh (S$1.30) and Ku Chye Kueh (S$1.40). Tue to Sun: 5am – 12pm Closed on Mon Team Cookie or Team Flaky egg tarts? If you're in the latter camp like I am, Qinde Egg Tart will be right up your alley. Nestled in the centre lane of Whampoa Makan Place, this gem of a bakery specialises in Portuguese egg tarts (or pasteis de nata) — great as a snack or post-meal treat. Priced at just S$1.80 a pop, the tarts come in 3 flavours: Original, Pandan and Chocolate. I snagged the Original and Pandan tarts while they were still warm and toasty, and I was far from disappointed. The custard fillings were velvety, pleasantly gelatinous and brimming of milky richness, with a fragrant kiss of pandan in the latter. They weren't too sweet either, and beautifully contrasted with the flaky, not-too-greasy golden pastry. The owner's really friendly, too, so there's no doubt I'll be back for more of these creamy, bite-sized morsels. Mon to Thu: 9.30am – 6.30pm Fri to Sun: 9.30am – 7pm Facebook And that's not all for the sweet tooths! Rounding off this list is Nyonya Chendol, which impressively stands as the only chendol stall in Singapore with a spot on the Michelin guide. Here, the acclaimed dessert comes in 4 variations: Original (S$2), Red Bean (S$2.50), Sweet Corn (S$2.50) and D24 Durian (S$3.50). Picture this: a mountain of shaved ice doused in sweet, smoky gula melaka syrup and creamy coconut milk, topped with earthy azuki beans and chewy pandan jelly noodles. Pretty much teh ultimate antidote to Singapore's sweltering heat, if we do say so ourselves. Feeling extra? Go for the D24 Durian Chendol, which crowns your bowl with a scoop of pungent-in-the-best-way D24 durian purée, adding an indulgent, creamy twist to this already iconic dessert. Mon to Fri: 11am – 8.30pm Sat & Sun: 11am – 9pm Facebook 11 best hawker stalls at Chong Pang Market & Food Centre to fuel you up The post 11 best stalls in Whampoa Makan Place that pack a tasty wham appeared first on


Eater
10 hours ago
- Eater
The Strip's Biggest Food Hall Just Opened — Here's What to Eat
A new food hall has opened on the Las Vegas Strip — the latest in a citywide boom of food halls that bring together local favorites, national chains, and celebrity chef brands under one roof. And Via Via, which debuted Monday, June 9 at the Venetian Resort, might just be the city's most exciting one yet. While some Las Vegas casinos have traded buffets for brand-new food halls, Via Via took a different approach — transforming its existing food court by swapping out familiar mall staples like Bonanno's and Fatburger for buzzy, sought-after restaurants from across the country. One standout is Howlin' Ray's, the cult-favorite Los Angeles spot known for its Nashville-style hot chicken. Its fans once lined up for hours to get fried chicken sandwiches, and even nine years after opening its first location in LA's Chinatown, lines are still a common sight on weekends. James Beard Award nominee and New York Times best-selling author Mason Hereford is bringing a double dose of New Orleans flavor to the Las Vegas Strip. His cult-favorite spots, Turkey and the Wolf and Molly's Rise and Shine, are now slinging sandwiches and breakfast hits at Via Via. Turkey and the Wolf, the sandwich slinger that Bon Appétit crowned America's Best New Restaurant in 2017, is known for its offbeat menu — think double-decker collard green sandwiches and chicken pot pie-stuffed empanadas with tarragon buttermilk. Right next door, Hereford's Magazine Street breakfast spot, Molly's Rise and Shine, serves up playful takes on the morning classics, like a Grand Slam McMuffin stacked with sausage patties, American cheese, grilled onions, and house-made English muffins. Also at Via Via, acclaimed New York noodle spot Ivan Ramen serves some of the city's most enjoyable noodles on the Las Vegas Strip — a critic once declared its ramen 'so good it will make your eyes explode.' But the menu goes well beyond ramen, offering a lineup of inventive, izakaya-style small plates like asparagus with miso nuta and stracciatella, spicy pickles, and wagyu pastrami buns. Some may remember chef Ray Garcia, the talent behind ¡Viva! at Resorts World, and his B.S. Taqueria from its stint at the short-lived Sundry food hall in southwest Las Vegas, where it served tacos, small bites, and a deep tequila list that rivaled full-service bars. Now, the concept returns with a fresh take at Via Via. On the menu are dishes like chile-rubbed al pastor, wood-fire grilled cauliflower, and house-made chorizo, all tucked into freshly pressed heirloom corn tortillas. The Lower East Side's Scarr's Pizza has been serving pies for nearly a decade, but even its newest location drew lines around the block when it opened in 2023. Owner Scarr Pimentel grinds his own flour in-house to create the ideal foundation for a simple, perfect slice of cheese 'za. All'Antico Vinaio, the legendary sandwich shop from Florence known for its round-the-block lines, square-cut schiacciata bread, and towering stacks of cured meats and cheeses, opened its second Las Vegas location at the food hall. The first outpost debuted at UnCommons last year. Lastly, the hospitality group behind Death & Co. — the influential cocktail bar that helped define the modern cocktail renaissance — is bringing its latest concept to Las Vegas. Close Company, which debuted in Nashville just a couple of weeks ago, offers the same high-caliber cocktails as its predecessor but in a more relaxed, neighborhood-style setting. It marks the first Las Vegas venture for Gin & Luck, the team behind Death & Co. locations in New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Washington, D.C., and Seattle. Via Via is the latest addition to Las Vegas's ongoing food hall boom. At the Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood, Tacotarian recently opened inside the new Miracle Eats food court, which is slowly filling out with other vendors like Irv's Burgers and Fat Sal's. Like the Venetian, Caesars Palace also gave its food court a glow-up, replacing its functional but forgettable stalls with celebrity names like Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri's Chicken Guy. Off-Strip, the short-lived Sundry, which famously closed exactly one year after opening last June, is being replaced by a popular Hawaiian food hall focused on Asian street food. And newcomer H-Mart has brought its own built-in food hall packed with Korean and other Asian favorites. Via Via follows in the footsteps of Proper Eats at Aria, bringing together talent that already draws crowds in cities across the U.S. With names like Howlin' Ray's, Ivan Ramen, Turkey and the Wolf, and Death & Co. — and menus this stacked — Via Via isn't just a food hall; it's a cheat sheet for what's hot in American dining right now. See More: Vegas Restaurant News Vegas Restaurant Openings
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
'I flew from Manchester to Ibiza and spent less than a night out in the UK'
A savvy Brit spent less jetting to Ibiza than she would have done on a night out in the UK. Savannah Southward decided against paying extortionate prices in Blighty. The 22-year-old booked some cheap flights to spend 17 hours dancing and soaking up the Spanish sun. Savannah and her pal Leighton Speak spent just £45 on their Ryanair tickets from Manchester Airport. READ MORE: Cordon in place and forensics scouring scene after shooting READ MORE: LIVE: Emergency services called to ongoing incident on railway line as trains stopped - updates The duo landed in Ibiza at around 10pm before heading to British DJ duo CamelPhat's opening party at nightclub Pacha. The salon owner arrived around midnight and partied until 6am, before the pair headed to the beach. The pals sunbathed their hangovers away and topped up their tans before heading back to the UK. She spent £40 at the club and £15 on spending money so in total the trip costs her £100. 'Even though Ibiza is an expensive place I didn't spend more than I would on a night in the UK,' Savannah, of Wigton, near Carlisle, Cumbria, told Luxury Travel Daily. 'I think a lot of people do day trips abroad because there's always cheap flights and sometimes you spend less than you would in the UK. 'I would absolutely pick Ibiza nightlife over the UK, it's always so busy with so many options of clubs and music. 'We landed about 10pm and had some pre-drinks before we went to CamelPhat's opening party at Pacha. 'It opened at 11pm but we got there for about 12:30am and stayed until 6am. 'We then waited on the beach until it was time to go back to the airport about 12pm. 'We didn't go to sleep but we were definitely ready for a nap when we got on the plane. 'The whole night went so fast we didn't even have time to think about being tired. 'We both agreed it was the best night out we've ever had and now we know how easy and affordable it is we have rebooked for July.' The duo took the trip last month flying out on 20 May and returning the next day.