In the early 20th century, King Alfonso XIII built his summer palace in Santander, and the royal spirit still lingers in pastel villas, sweeping promenades, and the golden crescent of El Sardinero Beach. In 1941 a devastating fire erased much of the medieval heart, forcing the city to reinvent itself. What remains today are two distinct identities: a graceful seaside escape with lively beaches and fine dining, and a place whose roots reach back 15,000 years, visible in the prehistoric cave art of Altamira and Puente Viesgo. Modern life adds yet another layer, from surfers chasing Atlantic swells to the bold glass curves of the Renzo Piano-designed Centro Botín, a must-see for lovers of contemporary art and architecture.
In the early 20th century, King Alfonso XIII built his summer palace in Santander, and the royal spirit still lingers in pastel villas, sweeping promenades, and the golden crescent of El Sardinero Beach. In 1941 a devastating fire erased much of the medieval heart, forcing the city to reinvent itself. What remains today are two distinct identities: a graceful seaside escape with lively beaches and fine dining, and a place whose roots reach back 15,000 years, visible in the prehistoric cave art of Altamira and Puente Viesgo. Modern life adds yet another layer, from surfers chasing Atlantic swells to the bold glass curves of the Renzo Piano-designed Centro Botín, a must-see for lovers of contemporary art and architecture.