Magdalena and Sardinero

Travelling around the city

They are two of the most appreciated places by the people of Santander.

On this tour you will get to know an elegant space full of history.

The best place to start this walk is Avenida Reina Victoria, built to connect the First Beach with the city centre. Palaces, mansions and luxury hotels for the nobility were built along the avenue. Walking through the Magdalena you can enjoy a panoramic view of the bay.

At the end of the avenue, you will see the Magdalena Peninsula. This park has an area of ​​24.5 hectares and offers a multitude of activities. It surrounds Bikini Beach and Magdalena Beach.

Bikini Beach owes its name to the fact that, during the sixties, foreign students who attended summer courses wore this garment on the beach.

Magdalena Beach, a beach that is very popular with families with young children.

At the top of the Magdalena peninsula, there is the Palace of La Magdalena, the former summer residence of the kings Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia. It currently hosts the UIMP summer courses, as well as events of various kinds throughout the year.

From the northeast façade of El Palacio de La Magdalena you will see the Mouro Island, whose lighthouse was built in 1858 with the aim of notifying ships of their entry into the Bay.

On the other side of the peninsula, Camel Beach is located. This beach owes its name to the shape of one of its rocks, located to the right of the sandbank. Informal “palas” competitions are usually held here, a very popular sport in Santander. (wooden paddle to play tennis on the beach)

The next beach is Playa de la Concha, named after the way it was in another time, it has all the services and, on low tide days, you can walk to the First beach. Formerly, next to the sandbank, was the hermitage of San Roque, built in 1870; instead you will see some gardens that receive the same name.

Leaving both beaches behind, we arrive at one of the most famous squares in Santander, Plaza de Italia, at the foot of the Gran Casino, where many take the opportunity to sit on one of its benches and enjoy ice cream from the nearby ice cream shops.

Right in front of this square, there are two of the favorite beaches of Santander, the First and Second of El Sardinero.

The First beach is, without a doubt, the most iconic of Santander, since the nobility and the bourgeoisie used to go there. The Second was reserved for the common people. Today, everyone is welcome to enjoy the fine, golden sand.

In front of the First beach, is the Gran Casino del Sardinero, its classic lines make it a clear example of the Belle Époque. Built in 1916, it remained open until 1939. After going through ups and downs, it was reopened in 2001. Currently, it also has an exhibition hall, cafeteria and party room.

Going up the slope that is on the side of the casino, we arrive at the San Roque Gardens, quite peculiar due to their steep slope. It has a children's play area, a rest area and a traditional bowling alley. The large number of pine trees makes this space a place to enjoy and breathe.

For its part, the “Los Pinares” chalet, the work of the architect Valentín Lavín Casalis, is a good example of mountain architecture.

Nearby you will discover the Fuente de Cacho, such is its importance that there is a popular song with its name. Even today it is usually sung at key events such as the chupinazo at city festivals or sporting successes.

If we go back down towards the beach and move towards the second, we will cross the famous Piquío Gardens, these gardens separate both beaches, the first and the second, and are the ideal place to walk. Thanks to its viewpoint, you can contemplate one of the best views of the city.

Nearby, between The Second Beach and the Football Stadium, is Mesones Park, one of the most popular, especially in summer. It has a large esplanade of grass and an artificial pond.

The Football Stadium is known as “Campos de Sport del Sardinero”, is the soccer stadium of the city in which the Real Racing Club de Santander team plays.

Right in front, you will see the Exhibition Palace, an avant-garde style building that hosts all kinds of cultural events, conventions, fairs and exhibitions in its 6,400 m2.

Leaving these two buildings behind, you will find a huge building in the shape of a whale, the Sports Palace. In addition to hosting sports competitions, it has a museum inside, which shows a journey through the history of sports in Cantabria and exhibits the trophies, kits and objects donated by the great athletes of the region.

Just behind, is one of the greenest lungs of the city, Parque de las Llamas. In its 11 hectares of extension, it includes recreational areas, green areas and a wide network of paths, fields, aquatic spaces and a leisure area that surround a large central area that many birds choose as a wetland to make their nests or rest from their migratory trips.

In the park you will also find a cafeteria-restaurant, car park, bike lane, and the Escenario Santander concert hall, whose space hosts a multitude of events.

Going back and crossing the Mesones Park again, we will arrive at the Mirador de García Lago, which offers a panoramic view of El Sardinero.

If you retrace your steps you will see a roundabout, cross the street and go up some stairs that will take you to the Mataleñas Path. Through it you will reach one of the most beautiful places in Santander: Cabo Menor.

Following the path you will arrive at a small beach of fine golden sand that disappears at high tide, Molinucos Beach.

Right on the other side is the Mataleñas Park. You will be able to access it thanks to the multiple entrances located along the path. In it you will find an extensive green area, equipped with a children's playground and from where you can enjoy impressive views. Also, if you are a sports lover, at one end of the park, in the middle of nature, there is a 1,200-meter circuit.

Continuing the path you will arrive at Mataleñas Beach, an ideal place to enjoy good views while you take a bath.

Through the park you will arrive at Cabo Mayor. As you ascend, you will see the monument to the Fallen in the Civil War and a viewpoint. To the right of this, there is a door with some stairs through which you will access the Cape itself and walk to its end.

At the top you will see the Cabo Mayor Lighthouse with more than 30 meters high, it is the most important lighthouse in Cantabria. Built in 1839 in the same place where, since ancient times, ships were signaled with flags during the day and with fire at night.

Inside the Cabo Mayor Lighthouse, you will find the Cabo Mayor Lighthouse Art Center, a museum specialized in the icon of the lighthouse and all its symbolism.