Santander Beaches, Coastline and Water Sports

(Santander, Cantabria, Spain)

The beaches of Santander have long been the city's number one draw card and each summer attract many thousands of sun seekers, who come here to sunbathe, swim and simply relax. Some of the most popular of Santander's beaches are highly suitable for families and also lend themselves to an array of water sports, with surfing and windsurfing being possible at the Playa de Valdearenas and the Playa de la Magdalena, respectively.

No less than five of the beaches in the Santander area have been awarded the European Union Blue Flag for extreme cleanliness and extensive facilities, and the Playa Primera de El Sardinero remains one of the firm favourites. Another rather endearing sandy stretch is the Playa de Bikinis, which actually earned its name during the 1950s, when university students from the city's very own Menendez Pelayo International University first dared to wear their fashionable bikinis on this actual spot.


The main beaches are explained in detail below.

• Playa de Bikinis - one of Santander's most famous beaches and located off the Avenida de la Magdalena, the Playa de Bikinis stands near to the Magdalena Palace and also the Tower Island (Torre). Lifeguards, showers, spectacular coastal scenery and 650-metres / 2,130-feet of sand are the main attractions on offer
• Playa de Covachos - without question one of the most attractive of all the beaches within Cantabria, the Playa de Covachos lies within Santa Cruz de Bezana and these beautiful golden sands are just 8 km / 5 miles from Santander. There is an allocated area for nudists if you are brave enough for an all-over suntan
• Playa de El Bocal - just 3 km / 2 miles from central Santander, the Playa de El Bocal is sandwiched between the Punta Vergajo and the Punta Cortada, and is extremely sheltered. Fishing, tennis and lifeguards can all be found here
• Playa de El Camello - next to the Avenida de la Reina Victoria, the Playa de El Camello translates as 'Camel Beach' and is named after its very distinctive rock formation, which has been naturally eroded over the years. The inviting azure waters are just so outstanding that they look as if they should be fronting a beach on Hawaii. Although appearing rather natural, the Playa de El Camello is actually a man-made Blue Flag beach and stretches for around 500 metres / 1,640 feet in total
• Playa de El Puntal - a leading summer destination, the Playa de El Puntal is located outside of the city and within the resort of Somo (Ribamontán al Mar). However, with in excess of 5 km / 3 miles of stunning sand and gorgeous coastal scenery, this is one day trip well worth making, and the giant sand dunes here are famous throughout the north of Spain
• Playa de la Concha - translated as literally the Shell Beach, the Playa de la Concha stands within the very heart of El Sardinero, where it has become one of the most-loved beaches in the city and famed for its pale white sand. The Playa de la Concha is around 200 metres / 655 feet long and can only be accessed by steps
• Playa de la Magdalena - awarded a prestigious Blue Flag and lying within Santander bay and facing southwards, the Playa de la Magdalena provides a pleasant, sheltered setting and is a little more than 340 metres / 1,115 feet in length. Water sports available here include windsurfing and also sailing
• Playa de la Maruca - tourists wishing to sunbathe on the sands of Playa de la Maruca will find this richly coloured stretch of sand some 3 km / 2 miles to the north-west of Santander and alongside the San Pedro del Mar river, next to the Monte district
• Playa de la Virgen del Mar - around 6 km / 4 miles to the north-east of the city and off the Calle de San Román, the Playa de la Virgen del Mar is relatively quiet and features both nearby parking and daily lifeguards, as well as a simple footbridge connecting a small island
• Playa de Langre - sited on the Langre coast and just outside of the city, the Playa de Langre boasts more than 1,000 metres / 3,280 feet of fine sands and is actually divided into two adjoining beaches, one of which has become a nudist beach. Daily cleaning ensures that the sands are fresh and of a high quality
• Playa de Los Molinucos - the smallest beach in Santander and located on the Camino Peatonal, the Playa de Los Molinucos is to be found on the northern side of the Segunda Playa, next to the Cabo Menor and within the very tourist friendly area of El Sardinero. Apart from the sea and sand, people regularly come here for the views of the Peninsula de la Magdalena, for the tennis, and also for the fishing
• Playa de Los Peligros - enjoying an enticing bayfront situation, the Playa de Los Peligros can be found on the far easterly side of Santander and is roughly 200 metres / 656 feet long. Lifeguards and well-placed showers are just some of the main amenities on offer here
• Playa de Matalenas - sandwiched between the Cabo Mayor and Cabo Menor area, the Playa de Matalenas is a really beautiful 'Blue Flag' beach in Santander and sitting on the outskirts of the city, its 230-metre / 755-foot beachfront remains relatively uncrowded and peaceful, even in the height of the busy summer tourist season
• Playa de Somocuevas - lying directly to the west of Santander, within the Liencres area and Piélagos neighbourhood, the Playa de Somocuevas features soft sands gently sloping into the seafront and is a favourite spot for naturists. Do be warned though that the steps leading to the beach itself are rather steep
• Playa de Valdearenas - at around 15 km / 9 miles from Santander and situated within the nearby resort of Pueblo del Sol, the Playa de Valdearenas is one of the biggest beaches in the area and is some 2 km / 1.5 miles long. Many surfers, windsurfers and further water sports opportunities present themselves on this scenic beachfront, which is actually a part of the Parque Natural de las Dunas de Liencres
• Playa Primera de El Sardinero - suitable for all ages and conveniently next to the Plaza de Italia, the Playa Primera de El Sardinero is approximately 300 metres / 985 feet long and is known for its Blue Flag, water sports, sun parasols and loungers, and proximity to the Gran Casino
• Playa Segunda de El Sardinero - most holiday makers looking for a beach in Santander tend to pay a visit to the Playa Segunda de El Sardinero, which also goes by the name of the Playa de Castaneda. This is amongst the biggest Blue Flag beaches within the Cantabria area and stretches for just over 1 km / 0.5 miles. Being so popular, the amenities are well developed and include lifeguards, car parking, eateries, shops and showers
• Portio Beach - one of Santander's most appealing and scenic beaches, the golden sands and dramatic rock faces here are almost dreamy and the surrounding waters are as close to crystal clear as possible. Portio Beach is some 250 metres / 820 feet long and is particularly family friendly
• La Punta Parayas Beach - enjoying a scenic setting alongside the Avenida Parayas and the bay of Santander, the Punta Parayas is close to the city centre and is actually a man-made stretch of sand. Always busy, this popular beachfront is only a little more than 30 metres / 98 feet in length and is near to the Astillero Estuary
• San Juan de la Canal Beach - located outside of the city and near to the Soto de la Marina, the San Juan de la Canal Beach stretches for around 200 metres / 655 feet and is well worth searching out if you want to come somewhere away from the summer crowds. There are good facilities here, such as showers and a car park