Hafen
Santander

Spanning some 600 kilometers, northern Spain’s magnificent Cantabrian coast is a region as known for its intensely green landscapes as it is for its regal seafaring heritage. This half-day excursion introduces you to both, by land and sea.

A catamaran sail on Santoña Bay
Travel by coach to the village of Santoña, a tuna and anchovy canning port considered the spot where Colombus’ famed caravel ‘Santa María’ was built in the 1400s. Walk to the catamaran dock and step aboard for a 75-minute sail across the city’s photogenic bay. Witness the impressive cliffs and wetlands of Marismas park, Horse Lighthouse, the fortress, and other landmarks en route to Laredo. Along the way,  taste the delicious local specialty, sobao, accompanied by sweet wine.

A walk in Laredo

Disembark in a town once a favored resort stop for European royals, today a popular destination for vacationers of all nationalities. Laredo’s La Salvé beach alone is reason enough – but your knowledgeable guide will introduce others on a relaxed walk followed by a bit of free time to explore on your own.

A visit to Castro Urdiales

Reboard the coach for 30 scenic minutes to reach the extremely charming old fishing village of Castro Urdiales, its town centre recognized as a significant medieval historic site. Spend a fascinating hour wandering with your guide along narrow streets lined with ancient houses and ranks of iron-railed balconies reflecting the evolving styles centuries past. Afterward, the return drive to Santander takes about an hour.

Perched on the Cantabrian coast some 60 scenic minutes’ drive west of Santander, majestic Comillas awaits your discovery. A former summer getaway of King Alfonso XII, this photogenic coastal city is uniquely rich in Spanish history and magnificent “Modernista” architecture.

During your expertly guided walking tour, you’ll encounter atmospheric cobbled streets and squares hosting ancestral houses, elaborate sculpted towers, and notable Modernist buildings. Commanding a city hilltop is Comillas Pontifical University, its monumental bronze entry gates alone worthy of your awe. Equally impressive is the monumental exterior of Sobrellano Palace, renowned for its unusual fusion of English Neo-Gothic austerity with delicately decorative Venetian elements.

But the undisputed showstopper of any Comillas outing is yet to come as your guide leads the way to the incomparable ‘Capricho de Gaudí’ – designed by über-genius architect Antoni Gaudí and completed in 1885. Few notable examples of his work exist outside Catalonia – and of those, the Caprice is surely the most flamboyant. Its vibrant tilework, curvaceous towers and chimneys, and utterly fantastical facades are unmistakably Gaudi.

Once your guide has presented the building exterior and its interesting background, you’ll have time to walk through the inside on your own. After this, enjoy another 30 minutes of free time for perusing this magnificent village before the hour’s drive back to Santander.

Participate in an in-depth walking inspection of Santillana del Mar, a beautifully preserved medieval waypoint along northern Spain’s fabled Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route – and one of the most significant historical cities in Cantabria. Founded in the 8^th century, the city endures as a true showplace of Romanesque architecture.

Located about an hour east by coach from Santander pier, this delightful town of cobbled lanes and splendid stone and brick buildings presents an entrancing snapshot of long-past times. With your knowledgeable guide in the lead, traverse the centuries – and learn of the town’s many legends and secrets – as you stroll a historic quarter where the defensive Tower of Don Borja and Merino Tower still stand guard over Renaissance-era palaces with stories to tell.

Visit landmarks like the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana – built on the site of a 12th-century hermitage and graced with handsome cloisters and a façade rich with religious sculpture.

After about an hour, with your guided walk now complete, enjoy another 30 minutes or so of free time for browsing the local shops and soaking up yet more of Santillana del Mar’s distinctive character on your own before reboarding the coach for the 45-minute return drive to Santander and your ship.  

Relax and enjoy an informative panoramic orientation drive around one of northern Spain’s most engaging seaside cities. Wind your way through Santander, passing the leafy elegance of Pereda Gardens and scenic charm of Puertochico harbor before heading out to the  Bay of Santander and the stunning parklands of the Magdalena Peninsula. Stop for breathtaking views at the Palacio de la Magdalena, the sprawling former summer residence and 69-acre gardens built in 1912 for the Spanish royal family. Take a few minutes to explore the exterior of this major cultural heritage site and, with luck, record a few unforgettable photos of its privileged setting.

The peak sightseeing continues as the drive back toward the ship brings you past El Sardinero Beach, a Blue Flag strand still clad in the elegant promenades and fashionable hotels of its Belle Epoque golden era – with modern surfers added to the scene. Other highlights encountered include the elegant Gran Casino, Porticada Square, Santander’s Town Hall, and the impressively sizeable Cathedral of the Assumption, dating to the 15^th century.

All in all, this relaxed survey offers you a solid introduction to Santander – without expending undue energy or time.