Major city · Spain
San Vicente de la Barquera
Spend a full day exploring the historic centre, castle and beaches; add a half‑day if you want a beach or a short day‑trip to nearby towns.
San Vicente de la Barquera is a small Cantabrian coastal town (pop. ~4 300) with a walkable historic centre, a 13th‑century castle and several sandy Atlantic beaches. It is a good half‑day stop on a Cantabria road‑trip or a relaxed one‑day base for beach and nature park visits.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb
- Airport
- SDR
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Vicente de la Barquera091 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Vicente de la Barquera, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Spain-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.Spain-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas.Spain-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.Spain-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Spain-wide
- SafetySan Vicente de la Barquera is low‑risk; watch for occasional summer traffic on the bridge and keep valuables secure on the beach.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
- Emergency numbers091 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall shops close about 14:00–17:00 and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Small shops close about 2:00 PM–5:00 PM and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Spain-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSDR Santander Airport (about 30 km (19 mi) north, bus or taxi to town).SDR Santander Airport (about 19 mi (30 km) north, bus or taxi to town).
- Getting aroundTown is compact; most sights are within 10 min walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café€1.50–2.00 (≈ US$2–3)
- BeerBeer (draft) in a bar€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))€12–15 (≈ US$14–18)
- Museum or sight ticketCastillo del Rey entry€2 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€25 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedDouble room (2 ppl), a night, per room€80 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedDouble room (2 ppl), a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €70 (≈ US$85) · High €110 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SDR Santander Airport (about 30 km (19 mi) north, bus or taxi to town)SDR Santander Airport (about 19 mi (30 km) north, bus or taxi to town)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Vicente de la Barquera: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is compact; most sights are within 10 min walk. Taxis are available (few firms). Buses run four times daily from Santander via Torrelavega; the central bus station is near the castle.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Comillas
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Bus from San Vicente via Torrelavega, about 30 min
Coastal resort with 19th‑century architecture.
Santillana del Mar
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus via Torrelavega, about 40 min
Medieval village, nearby Altamira caves.
Santander
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 15 min
Alsa or Cantabria bus, 65 min
Regional capital with museums and port.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Cantón
50 m north of bus station, basic rooms
Pensión Arenal
Clean simple rooms on Arenal 17
Hotel Faro
North end of the bridge, near Fuente Nueva 1
Camping El Rosal
Tent €18 + €7 per person, 100 m north of Hotel Playa de Merón
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €45–70 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €70–110 (≈ US$85–130) excl. bed
- High
- €110 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (2 ppl)1 × 1 night × €80 | €80 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €70 | €140 |
| Alsa bus Madrid–San Vicente (round‑trip)2 × €70 · check | €140 |
| Taxi within town (10 km)2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × €30 · check | €60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €45 |
| Trip total≈ €248 per person per day, bed included | €495≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | €1.50–2.00 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Tapas plate | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Beer (draft) in a bar | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Taxi (5 km) | €12–15 (≈ US$14–18) |
| Castillo del Rey entry | €2 (≈ US$3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus service is limited to four trips per day; plan around the schedule.
- Summer can bring traffic bottlenecks at Puente de la Maza.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 091
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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San Vicente de la BarqueraSan Vicente de la Barquera
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police091
- Fire and ambulance112
Embassy
US consulate in Bilbao (check address); other embassies in Madrid.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Alsa bus Madrid → San Vicente (one way): ≈ €70, 6 h 30 min (check)
- Local bus San Vicente → Comillas: ≈ €3, 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está la parada del autobús? — Where is the bus stop? (ˈdonde esˈta la paˈɾaða del ˈautobus)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Vicente de la Barquera. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about San Vicente de la Barquera
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