Santander Spain is located on the ocean and features a small historic center and a few beaches. Santander Tourism has a major tourist attraction in the Magdalena Palace which was used as a summer getaway of Spanish royalty. Set on a fine bay, Santander Central has attractive urban beaches. Other sights worth having a look at include the Jardines de Pereda and its carousel, a mundane cathedral with a Gothic crypt (Plaza de Obispo), and a Municipal Fine Arts Museum. August is the premium time on a Santander Map when the music and arts festivals are held and the town gets filled with foreigners and accommodation is at a premium. Magdalena and El Sardinero beaches extend out near the city centre and are a little unnoticed because of a beautiful casino and the football stadium.

The seafront has a building the Palacio de la Magdalena on the green headland separating the two beaches. Chugging around smoothly around the pretty hilly gardens past a sea-lion zoo and polo pitch is a mini train. The Maritime Museum of Cantabria is on the far western edge of Playa de la Magdalena and is an attraction of Santander Spain for its aquarium with its elegant rays and slithery eels. The well designed museum overlooks the water.  The Archaeological Museum and the Fine Arts Museum are also highlights of a trip to Santander Central. The two districts, Somo and Pedrana are accessible by boat trip from the Paseo de Pereda. Boat excursions around the bay in the summer months are an additional attraction.