TAKE a look at the fabulous city break spot with sandy beaches, fantastic architecture, a beautiful coastline and unique activities. The coastal city of Santander in Spain is just two hours and 5 minutes away from Dublin Airport . Ryanair offers flights to Santander from €19.
99 and it takes under 15 minutes to reach the area by public transport. It is situated in the Cantabria region on Spain's north coast, which attracts thousands of visitors for its unique landscapes and incredible weather. Santander boasts sandy beaches , historical buildings, museums and a fabulous coastline.
It's the perfect area for a day trip as the popular tourist town of Somo and the bustling town of Torrelavega are just a stone's throw away. There is a wide variety of exciting things for visitors to see and do, including wine and food tours and museum and beach trips. The temperatures range between 15 and 22°C, meaning people can still wear their summer outfits.
Playa Primera de El Sardinero is one of the main charms that the area has to offer - and it's just minutes from the heart of the busy coastal town. Tourists flock to the popular beach spot for its soft golden sand, crystal clear waters, calm waves and breathtaking views of the coast. The beach offers sunbeds with an umbrella and a table for a relaxing experience at cheap rates.
A set of two sunbeds with an umbrella and a table is priced from €13 for the day. There are outdoor showers, toilets and a small shack available at the beach. Minutes from the beach, you will find gorgeous cafes, restaurants, bars and local shops in the beautiful Old Town, boasting incredible traditional coastal architecture.
The venues near the beach often provide local cuisine and products that represent the town and the country, meaning a lot of fresh seafood, Mediterranean dishes and desserts to try. Santander is hailed for its affordable activities, food, wine, and fabulous nightlife as well as unique restaurant venues - with some carved out of stone. Many restaurants and pubs can be found on the streets, with a bottle of beer costing as little as €2.
50, while a meal out at a mid-range restaurant will cost around €13. And they make affordable cocktails, including the famous Rioja and Cava, which are widely loved by Spanish people. The nightlife is superb as it offers many varieties of music, bars and clubs that express the culture of the Spanish people - and it stays open until sunrise.
Locals often urge visitors to try out their famous Mediterranean food tours, or to take a cooking class. They will be provided up to three hours of fabulous Mediterranean dishes with delicious local wines and desserts - and they have an option to learn how to cook these yummy dishes. The tours are mainly found in the heart of the Old Town.
Another activity that tourists are urged to visit is the Puente Viesgo Caves, located at Puente Viesgo and Las Monedas, which boasts gorgeous archaeologically significant cave paintings. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the most important caves in the world for its cave paintings. There's also the fabulous Palacio Real de La Magdalena, a fabulous palace that provides striking views of the coastal city.
The average price per night at a three-star hotel costs around €80..
