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Vogue Arabia
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue Arabia
A Century of Glamour, Restored: Inside the Rebirth of Madrid's Iconic Palace Hotel
It's called The Palace, and it could not be any other way. At the beginning of the last century, Madrid was a booming city, but there wasn't a single luxury hotel to host the well-heeled visitors who came to town. This was noticed by King Alfonso XIII – great-grandfather of the current king of Spain, Felipe VI – who, during the horse races in Deauville, challenged Belgian entrepreneur Georges Marquet to do something about it. Marquet's team moved to Madrid, acquired the plot previously occupied by the Palace of the Dukes of Medinaceli and began the construction of The Palace. The first stone of the hotel was laid in March 1911, and in only 18 months, the building was completed, opening its doors on 12 October 1912 and becoming the most modern hotel in Europe. Over the decades, an array of star guests stayed at the legendary venue, adding a layer of glamour to its reputation. World-famous American author Ernest Hemingway always booked the closest room by the bar, even mentioning its famous dry martini in the novel Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises . Picasso stayed several times in 1917 while designing sets for the Russian Ballet in Madrid. The mysterious spy Mata Hari enjoyed her last days of freedom at The Palace, before being arrested while trying to cross the border into France. The list goes on and on, including the double Nobel Prize winner in physics and chemistry Marie Curie, as well as Einstein, Salvador Dalí, Stravinsky, Strauss and so many more. The hotel has undergone several renovations over the years, with the most significant being finalised in 2024. The Palace has completed its restoration after nearly two years of work, and its rebirth is felt as soon as you approach its surroundings, right by the Plaza Mayor. After being repainted so many times, the facade lost its original colours and design, erasing some of its most important characteristics. And when it was built, only black-and-white photography existed. To rediscover the building's original colours – a warm beige tone with terracotta detailing – the Ruiz Larrea Arquitectura studio invested in a complex scientific analysis that penetrated 10 layers of old paint, also restoring floral ornaments and garlands. When The Palace first opened its doors, it had 800 rooms. Today, it offers 470 rooms and suites. The hotel was the largest and most advanced hotel in Europe, and the first in Spain to offer a bathroom and telephone in every room. Naturally, when it was time to refresh its interiors, star architect Lázaro Rosa Violán sought to preserve this important historical essence. Violán is one of Spain's most reputed names in design, having created El Nacional, Cotton House Hotel and Amazónico. His influence also extends to the Middle East, where he worked on Dubai's Gattopardo, Bar des Prés and Bâoli Beach Club. 'We wanted to create something modern, but not trendy,' Violán explains,noting that the inspiration for the rooms came from the hotel surroundings. 'Blue is the dominant colour, referencing the skies of Madrid,' he says. 'There are also botanical elements inspired by the surrounding gardens, and even mythological creatures referencing the Neptuno Fountain next door. We also added fireplaces to all units, to make guests feel really at home.' If you visit The Palace, you will quickly discover that its ex libris is the glamorous La Cúpula, the restaurant under a dramatic glass dome designed in 1912 by Eduardo Ferrés I Puig and executed by the master glass-makers Mauméjean – also involved in the glasswork of Barcelona's monumental Sagrada Familia. With a cascade of bright and romantic floral motifs, the structure is made up of 1,875 panes of glass, which were completely dismantled, catalogued and restored to their original colours. Moving from the lobby, the iconic palm chandelier was reinstalled in its original position beneath the dome, crowning the space with its original grandeur. 'When you have a project of this calibre, you need to respect history and let it always lead the process,' concludes Violán. 'The Palace is an icon, not just a hotel.' Rooms start at 550 Euros per night.
The Guardian
02-05-2025
- The Guardian
Magnificent mountains, beautiful beaches and elegant cities
Tucked up against Spain's lush northern coastline, Cantabria is a gloriously unsung region. Atlantic waters lap a coastline of rugged cliffs and beaches of creamy sands, while the emerald countryside rises sharply in the south-west to become the serrated Picos de Europa mountain range. At the heart of this so-called 'green coast' is the elegant city of Santander, presiding over neighbouring medieval towns, quiet fishing villages, and a surprising Gaudí masterpiece. And inland, green valleys and sheer limestone peaks are laced with walking routes and flecked with stone villages hunched down against the elements. Cantabria is also compact, meaning you can combine beach and mountains, hiking and history all in one trip. And the diverse scenery makes for incredible cuisine, too – from fresh seafood to stout cheeses, hearty stews, and locally raised beef. Kick off your Cantabrian adventure in Santander, a longtime favourite of Spanish royalty and the perfect base for exploring the region's 136 miles of coastline. It has a distinctly aristocratic air, with grand mansions, patio restaurants and Alfonso XIII's summer residence, Palacio de la Magdalena. Known as the 'bride of the sea', Santander's refined old town contrasts with its bustling fishing district and surprising contemporary quarter, crowned by the Renzo Piano-designed Centro Botín cultural space. The Centro Botín, Santander's seaside cultural space. Photograph: Stéphane Aboudaram While Santander has its own crescents of golden sand, it's worth exploring the rest of the Cantabrian coast. Head east and you'll find Noja, just 25 miles away, a quaint town set between the sea and mountains, where 17th-century villas and mansions overlook two sandy beaches. Farther on is Castro Urdiales, once a Roman settlement and characterised by its medieval old town. Or you can head west, where Santillana del Mar sits just 18 miles away from Santander, revelling in its title as one of Spain's most beautiful towns. Considered a national monument for its medieval architecture, it's also notable for the nearby Altamira caves, famed for their prehistoric cave art – one of the finest examples in the world. You can find out more about the 14,000-year-old paintings at the museum. The stunning Gaudí-designed El Capricho Just 9 miles west, you'll find Comillas, a pretty coastal town of cobbled streets, tree-dotted squares and modernist architecture. Make a beeline for El Capricho, a Gaudí-designed summer house seemingly plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale. Then, just 6 miles on, the picturesque fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera features serene beaches and the breathtaking backdrop of the snow-dusted peaks of the Picos de Europa. If you're looking to explore at a slower pace, follow a section of the Northern Way, one of the routes that make up the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, which links together many of these coastal towns and villages. Head inland and you'll discover the rugged peaks and vibrant valleys of the Picos de Europa, Spain's first national park. You can hike through the park at your own pace, with more than 30 self-guided walks, dipping into villages where local life seems perennially unchanged. This is the only national park in Spain that is inhabited, and its cultural heritage is as important as the nearly 2,000 species of plants and the wildlife that ranges from roe deer and grouse to Egyptian vultures, golden eagles and the Iberian wolf. You don't have to be an expert hiker to experience the mountains at their best. You can reach a height of almost 2,000 metres in just four minutes via the Fuente Dé cable car. From there, the impressive Picos crags provide an exhilarating backdrop for leisurely hikes between villages. The pretty medieval town of Potes, set in the mountain's foothills and criss-crossed by waterways, makes an excellent base for mountain exploration. Whether you're hiking or cycling, surfing the coast, or simply strolling around medieval towns, you're sure to work up quite the appetite. Luckily, Cantabria's landscapes have a lot to offer when it comes to inspiring ingredients. On the coast, you can dine on spider crab and goose barnacles, king prawns, sweet langoustines, and fresh anchovies. Local favourites include sorropotún de bonito, a tuna stew cooked with onions, peppers, garlic and stale bread; baked sardines; parsley-rich hake in green sauce (merluza en salsa verde); and rabas (fried squid). In the mountains, meats and cheeses take centre stage. Look out for wheels of smoky quesucos de Liebana or Picón Bejes-Tresviso. Tudanca cattle is famed for its flavourful meat, and you'll also find game, such as wild boar and venison. For pork, try cocido montañés, a meaty feast consisting of chorizo, pork ribs, beans, potatoes and leafy greens, or cocido lebaniego de Potes, a stew made with chorizo, chickpeas and cabbage. Delicious authentic Cantabrian food includes cheeses such as Picón Bejes-Tresviso and, on the coast, freshly-caught sardines. Photographs: Alamy; Stocksy United Cantabria's distinctive cuisine is a reflection of the varied landscapes that define this underrated region. And its compact size means you can combine Atlantic surf and ancient pilgrimage routes, mountain wildlife experiences and rich culture all in one trip. With regular ferries from both Plymouth and Portsmouth to Santander, it's easy to reach Cantabria. It means you can take your car and pack it up with bikes, hiking gear and even the family dog for your trip. And with comfortable cabins and great facilities, the holiday begins when you step aboard. Brittany Ferries' ships sail the route from Plymouth to Santander, with just one night aboard flagship ferry Pont-Aven. Restaurant choices range from self-service to fine dining Le Flora, serving langoustines, smoked salmon and champagne. Guests can also enjoy the choice of two cinemas, a video games room, swimming pool and leisure area. There are also two sailings a week from Portsmouth, both across two nights. Restaurants and bars serve up snacks and Spanish cuisine. Relax on the sundeck, shop the boutique, and let the little ones have fun in the play areas. The cabins on these ships have the largest and most comfortable beds in the fleet. From country cottages to beachfront hotels, there's an impressive range of package holidays available to book through Brittany Ferries. Find out more about travelling with Brittany Ferries
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Magnificent mountains, beautiful beaches and elegant cities
Tucked up against Spain's lush northern coastline, Cantabria is a gloriously unsung region. Atlantic waters lap a coastline of rugged cliffs and beaches of creamy sands, while the emerald countryside rises sharply in the south-west to become the serrated Picos de Europa mountain range. At the heart of this so-called 'green coast' is the elegant city of Santander, presiding over neighbouring medieval towns, quiet fishing villages, and a surprising Gaudí masterpiece. And inland, green valleys and sheer limestone peaks are laced with walking routes and flecked with stone villages hunched down against the elements. Cantabria is also compact, meaning you can combine beach and mountains, hiking and history all in one trip. And the diverse scenery makes for incredible cuisine, too – from fresh seafood to stout cheeses, hearty stews, and locally raised beef. Kick off your Cantabrian adventure in Santander, a longtime favourite of Spanish royalty and the perfect base for exploring the region's 136 miles of coastline. It has a distinctly aristocratic air, with grand mansions, patio restaurants and Alfonso XIII's summer residence, Palacio de la Magdalena. Known as the 'bride of the sea', Santander's refined old town contrasts with its bustling fishing district and surprising contemporary quarter, crowned by the Renzo Piano-designed Centro Botín cultural space. The Centro Botín, Santander's seaside cultural space. Photograph: Stéphane Aboudaram While Santander has its own crescents of golden sand, it's worth exploring the rest of the Cantabrian coast. Head east and you'll find Noja, just 25 miles away, a quaint town set between the sea and mountains, where 17th-century villas and mansions overlook two sandy beaches. Farther on is Castro Urdiales, once a Roman settlement and characterised by its medieval old town. Or you can head west, where Santillana del Mar sits just 18 miles away from Santander, revelling in its title as one of Spain's most beautiful towns. Considered a national monument for its medieval architecture, it's also notable for the nearby Altamira caves, famed for their prehistoric cave art – one of the finest examples in the world. You can find out more about the 14,000-year-old paintings at the museum. The stunning Gaudí-designed El Capricho Just 9 miles west, you'll find Comillas, a pretty coastal town of cobbled streets, tree-dotted squares and modernist architecture. Make a beeline for El Capricho, a Gaudí-designed summer house seemingly plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale. Then, just 6 miles on, the picturesque fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera features serene beaches and the breathtaking backdrop of the snow-dusted peaks of the Picos de Europa. If you're looking to explore at a slower pace, follow a section of the Northern Way, one of the routes that make up the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, which links together many of these coastal towns and villages. Head inland and you'll discover the rugged peaks and vibrant valleys of the Picos de Europa, Spain's first national park. You can hike through the park at your own pace, with more than 30 self-guided walks, dipping into villages where local life seems perennially unchanged. This is the only national park in Spain that is inhabited, and its cultural heritage is as important as the nearly 2,000 species of plants and the wildlife that ranges from roe deer and grouse to Egyptian vultures, golden eagles and the Iberian wolf. The Picos de Europa national park. Photograph: DanielYou don't have to be an expert hiker to experience the mountains at their best. You can reach a height of almost 2,000 metres in just four minutes via the Fuente Dé cable car. From there, the impressive Picos crags provide an exhilarating backdrop for leisurely hikes between villages. The pretty medieval town of Potes, set in the mountain's foothills and criss-crossed by waterways, makes an excellent base for mountain exploration. Whether you're hiking or cycling, surfing the coast, or simply strolling around medieval towns, you're sure to work up quite the appetite. Luckily, Cantabria's landscapes have a lot to offer when it comes to inspiring ingredients. On the coast, you can dine on spider crab and goose barnacles, king prawns, sweet langoustines, and fresh anchovies. Local favourites include sorropotún de bonito, a tuna stew cooked with onions, peppers, garlic and stale bread; baked sardines; parsley-rich hake in green sauce (merluza en salsa verde); and rabas (fried squid). In the mountains, meats and cheeses take centre stage. Look out for wheels of smoky quesucos de Liebana or Picón Bejes-Tresviso. Tudanca cattle is famed for its flavourful meat, and you'll also find game, such as wild boar and venison. For pork, try cocido montañés, a meaty feast consisting of chorizo, pork ribs, beans, potatoes and leafy greens, or cocido lebaniego de Potes, a stew made with chorizo, chickpeas and cabbage. Delicious authentic Cantabrian food includes cheeses such as Picón Bejes-Tresviso and, on the coast, freshly-caught sardines. Photographs: Alamy; Stocksy United Cantabria's distinctive cuisine is a reflection of the varied landscapes that define this underrated region. And its compact size means you can combine Atlantic surf and ancient pilgrimage routes, mountain wildlife experiences and rich culture all in one trip. With regular ferries from both Plymouth and Portsmouth to Santander, it's easy to reach Cantabria. It means you can take your car and pack it up with bikes, hiking gear and even the family dog for your trip. And with comfortable cabins and great facilities, the holiday begins when you step aboard. Brittany Ferries' ships sail the route from Plymouth to Santander, with just one night aboard flagship ferry Pont-Aven. Restaurant choices range from self-service to fine dining Le Flora, serving langoustines, smoked salmon and champagne. Guests can also enjoy the choice of two cinemas, a video games room, swimming pool and leisure area. There are also two sailings a week from Portsmouth, both across two nights. Restaurants and bars serve up snacks and Spanish cuisine. Relax on the sundeck, shop the boutique, and let the little ones have fun in the play areas. The cabins on these ships have the largest and most comfortable beds in the fleet. From country cottages to beachfront hotels, there's an impressive range of package holidays available to book through Brittany Ferries. Find out more about travelling with Brittany Ferries
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
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
The Guardian
19-04-2025
- The Guardian
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
