Santander Cruise Holidays
The port city of Santander, in the historic region of Cantabria on the northern Spanish coast, maybe most associated with been a ferry port rather than a cruise port but there are a number of cruise lines that offer itineraries including a stop in the city.
Unfortunately, a lot of the old medieval city was lost in the Great Fire of 1941 but that is not to say that there isn’t a lot of historic in the city including many stunning examples of Spanish architecture.
There are lots of attractions for holidaymakers to enjoy in and around the city and whist the port doesn’t have the same number of options for cruisers when compared to the nearby ports of Bilbao and La Rochelle, there is still plenty of choice when it comes to lines, ships and destinations that offer a stop in the city.
Cruises To Santander
Santander Cruise Guide
If you have already booked your next cruise of the region on a holiday that calls into the port and you are at the research stage, our guide brings you all of the information that you need to make the most of your time onshore.
If on the other hand you are still planning your next cruise and are trying to decide whether a day in Santander is a good choice for you or not, our guide makes it easier to make that decision and make sure that your next holiday is as great as possible.
Type of Cruises Available
If you prefer not to fly on holiday, there is no need for a cruise to Santander as there are a number of cruises that call into the port on cruises from the United Kingdom.
You also have a decent choice of destinations to choose from although the vast majority of cruises that call into the port are heading for the Iberian Peninsula and usually stop in the port on the way to, or back from, Porto or Lisbon in Portugal.
If you would like to spend more time in the region, there are a few cruises that start off in the Western Med and call into the port but the other type of cruise with the biggest range of options is a repositioning cruise.
Most of these types of cruises are ones that start in the UK and end in one of the big Mediterranean port such as Barcelona or Rome (or vice versus) and from time to time, there will be a trans-Atlantic crossing that stops into the port.
Santander Cruise Port Location
The port of Santander is located close to the city centre which makes it easy to explore on your own.
Santander Attractions
Santander is a busy business centre in northern Spain, including been home to the headquarters of the Santander banking group that was established in the city.
Its headquarters building is a popular photo spot but if you are looking for arguably the most stunning architecture in the city, the Palacio de la Magdalena is a must visit and offer stunning views of the bay the city sits in.
The most iconic piece of modern architecture is the Centro Botin which stands out on the cities sea front, which is an attraction in its own right as many visitors simply walk along the long promenade, take in the sea views and call into one of the many bars and cafes that can be found along it.
There are a number of beaches that offer the chance to relax and unwind with the El Sardinero and Playa del Camello beaches amongst the most popular.
If you arrive in port on a wet day, you are in an Atlantic ocean port city of course, there are a number of options including the Museo Martimimo del Cantabrico, which a maritime museum and aquarium.
Another popular choice is the aforementioned Centro Botin which h a modern art museum where the coastal views are just as impressive as the art on display.
If the views of Santander Bay are of interest to you, there is no better way to take them in than to enjoy a ride on the Funicular del Rio del la Pila, where you can look our over the bay at the mountains surrounding the city.
Santander Shorex
One of the most popular excursion for those wanting to head out of the city is to spend time exploring the beautiful Picos de Europa National Park where you can take a cable car to enjoy a bird eye view of the mountains that surround the city or if prefer heading underground, the beautiful El Soplao cave is a must visit.
Best Time To Visit
The majority of the reasons to visit the city are outside and need you to walk some distance to enjoy.
From its beautiful beaches to its beautiful seafront and from the surrounding mountains to the city centre attractions, a clear blue sky and warm weather will really make the most of your time onshore so we would recommend visiting Santander in the summer months, with June, July, and September perhaps the best months as it can get very busy in August.
Transport
Unfortunately, the public transportation in and around the city is somewhat limited, with buses been the dominant mode of transport.
Walking around the city is the best way to explore but if you prefer to let somebody else take care of finding your way around a new city, there are open top tour buses offered to make it simpler.
Santander Cruises From UK
If you are wanting to visit the Spanish city of Santander on a direct cruise from the United Kingdom, the great news is that you can.
A number of lines offer the chance to visit the popular port in the summer on itineraries that visit the Iberian Peninsula.
It is also possible to enjoy repositioning cruises to or from the UK to destinations such as the Western Med or for trans-Atlantic crossings although these are often limited to one or 2 trips a year.
Santander Cruise From Southampton
If you would like the widest range of itineraries, ships, and lines that cruise to Santander from these shores, then the port of Southampton is the place to start.
