Morning Walk in the Heart of Santander

Hello everyone. Today I went for a walk in the central area of Santander. I hadn't shared anything about this part of the city before. Today I explored the downtown area, known as the bourgeois hub of Santander. In fact the city as a whole exudes this atmosphere, but the center is undoubtedly its peak. Even if you’re not planning a trip to Santander, I hope you'll find my journey interesting.

Santander is a port city, but this hasn’t always brought good fortune. For example, there have been ship-related explosions. And a devastating fire in 1941 almost completely destroyed the old city center. People lost everything and the city had to be rebuilt. To honor the victims of this tragedy, there is a sculpture group here.

Santander is the capital of the Cantabria region and served as a summer residence for the Spanish royal family in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The city is home to many beautiful and fascinating spots.

It’s early Sunday morning and a calm atmosphere prevails in the city. People are jogging or walking in the green spaces. Preparations for the upcoming New Year celebrations are underway in various parts of the city. Lights are being strung on trees and decorations adorn the streets. Thanks to its location on the Atlantic Ocean, winters here are quite mild. Even though we’re in northern Spain, temperatures rarely drop below freezing.

During the walk, we visited one of the city’s iconic landmarks, the cathedral. This cathedral suffered severe damage during the great fire of 1941 and was later rebuilt. Today the city center is designed with a focus on post-fire needs, offering everything from education to shopping.

I came across a school building during my walk. Spain's education system has different levels: optional preschool (infantil) for children under six, followed by compulsory primary school (primaria) for ages 6-12, middle school (instituto) for ages 12-16 and optional high school (bachillerato) and university education. Public schools often have separate buildings for each level.

The city is gradually waking up. Streets are adorned with decorations and you can see people enjoying their morning coffee. It’s definitely the kind of day for a morning stroll in the city. By evening, the lights and decorations will be even more enchanting.

The coastline is stunning, especially in the summer when the beaches here are spectacular. I reached the Santander City Hall building. A banner is displayed in front, likely bearing a message against gender-based violence.

Near the city hall there’s another Christmas tree. If the one along the coast wasn’t enough, you can find another here. Similar decorations are likely spread across the city. The square is quite charming, surrounded by buildings in shades of yellow, green and red, blending beautifully with the autumn leaves. Cafés are open too, with some already serving breakfast.

As always when it comes to real estate prices, I recommend checking platforms like Idealista. Prices in Spain fluctuate often, though they currently seem to be trending upward. However, occasional drops do occur. For example, in Santander, older buildings in need of renovation can be found for around €70.000–€80.000. More livable and well-maintained homes start at approximately €120.000. It’s essential to verify the accuracy of listings and gather details by doing thorough research.

Today I stumbled upon a Sunday flea market. People were selling old items, paintings and similar goods. Next to the market is the San Francisco Church, whose style resembles central churches in many Spanish cities, differing primarily in size.

Beyond the square, newer Santander neighborhoods begin. Among the older buildings, you can spot structures in need of restoration. The city also offers plenty of attractions, including palm-lined areas and museums.

Given Santander’s hilly terrain, elevators have been installed in some areas to assist those who might find walking challenging. Today, we used one to ascend, a thoughtful addition that enhances the city’s accessibility for everyone.