Santander

The questions people ask first about Santander, 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
• SafetySantander is a low-crime city and safe to walk at night in the centre and along the seafront.
• RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
• Emergency numbers112 All services (police, fire, ambulance) · 091 National police · 062 Guardia Civil (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 Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport (Camargo, 5 km east of downtown; Alsa bus to the bus station every 30 min, 06:30–23:00, about 10 min).SDR Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport (Camargo, 5 km east of downtown; Alsa bus to the bus station every 30 min, 6:30 AM–11:00 PM, about 10 min).SDR Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport (Camargo, 3.1 mi east of downtown; Alsa bus to the bus station every 30 min, 06:30–23:00, about 10 min).SDR Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport (Camargo, 3.1 mi east of downtown; Alsa bus to the bus station every 30 min, 6:30 AM–11:00 PM, about 10 min).
• Getting aroundThe centre is walkable: Town Hall to Magdalena headland or El Sardinero is 4 km.The centre is walkable: Town Hall to Magdalena headland or El Sardinero is 2.5 mi.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
• Metro or bus rideTUS single bus ticket€1.30 (≈ US$2) (check)
• Museum or sight ticketCathedral entry€2 (≈ US$3) adult, €1 (≈ US$2) child or concession (check)
• Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€25 (≈ US$30)
• Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
• High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)

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 →

The centre is walkable: Town Hall to Magdalena headland or El Sardinero is 4 km. TUS city buses run 24 lines; a single ticket is €1.30 in 2026, pay on boarding, no transfers, or €0.66 per journey on a rechargeable card (€1 for the card plus €6 minimum load, free transfers within one hour, not valid on the airport bus). Taxi ranks at the bus and railway stations.

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Santander. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

• officialSantander municipal tourist office
• officialTurismo de Cantabria
• officialTUS Santander city buses
• officialAena — Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport
• officialRenfe
• officialAlsa
• officialBrittany Ferries
• officialCentro Botín
• officialMuseos de Cantabria
• officialSantander city council
• secondaryWikivoyage: Santander, revision 5338741 (CC BY-SA 4.0)