If you’re planning a getaway to the capital of Cantabria, there’s no better way to start than with one of the best walking tours in Santander. These guided tours, which operate on voluntary contributions at the end of the journey, are a fantastic way to discover the city’s secrets, history, and most beautiful spots… and also to get your bearings if it’s your first time!
Free tours not only allow you to discover emblematic places, but they do so through the eyes of a local guide passionate about their city. This personal touch makes the experience much more enriching and enjoyable, especially if you love soaking up the history and culture of your destination.
👉 We recommend reading our guide on what to see in Santander in one day to help you organize your trip and make the most of our city.
Here’s a selection of the best walking tours in Santander, perfect whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, with friends, or with family.
1. Walking tour through Santander’s historic center
This tour is perfect for those who want to get their first taste of the city. For about two hours, you’ll stroll through Santander’s historic heart with a guide who will share anecdotes, legends, and fascinating facts about the most emblematic places: the Cathedral, Plaza Porticada, Mercado del Este, and the Banco Santander building.
Beyond helping you get your bearings, this tour helps you understand how the city has evolved from its medieval origins to become an elegant coastal capital. A must-do to start your trip on the right foot.
🍞 A good moment to refuel before continuing to explore: right in the old town, just steps from Plaza Porticada, Solo Masamadre (Calle Marina, 1, on the corner of Calle del Medio) offers gluten-free options on its menu — verified TripAdvisor reviews confirm tacos, nachos and pasta prepared with separate cooking protocols for people with coeliac disease — a great, worry-free stop during the tour.
2. Walking tour through La Magdalena Peninsula and El Sardinero
This tour begins in a magical place: La Magdalena Peninsula, one of the city’s most beautiful areas, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Cantabrian Sea and see the exterior of the famous Magdalena Palace, former summer residence of Kings Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia.
From there, the route takes you to El Sardinero, one of Santander’s most elegant and stately areas. Its gardens, promenade, and beaches captivate everyone who visits. Ideal for those who enjoy combining history, landscape, and architecture. If you’re traveling with children, it’s a perfect plan, as they can run around the peninsula or enjoy the small marine park next to the palace.
3. Walking tour about the Great Fire of Santander
This tour is a bit different and very interesting if you’re passionate about local history. In 1941, a terrible fire ravaged much of central Santander. This free tour takes you through the affected areas and explains how that event forever marked our city.
Through stories, photographs, and testimonies, you’ll relive that night of south wind and flames that forever changed the city’s urban landscape. A unique way to discover the before and after of Santander through a very human and moving narrative. Without a doubt, one of the best free tours in Santander for the most curious travelers.
Want more?
Before you explore Santander
🛡️ We never travel without IATI travel insurance, a must for any getaway.
📶 To keep your GPS working between tours without running out of data, a Holafly eSIM keeps you connected at all times.
🚗 And if you’d rather explore at your own pace and combine Santander with other corners of Cantabria, rent a car with Discover Cars.
Guided Tours
Besides the free tours in Santander, the city offers other guided tours that are well worth your time. Some take you beyond what you’d see on a simple stroll, offering new perspectives or allowing you to enter unique places.
Here are four suggestions to keep exploring the city at your own pace:
- Santander Crimes and Mysteries Tour: perfect for those looking for a different experience, filled with unsettling stories and intriguing historical facts. Wander the streets as evening falls and let yourself be surprised by what history books don’t tell you.
- Guided Tour of Magdalena Palace: if you wanted to go inside after taking the free tour, this guided visit will allow you to discover its interior and learn all the architectural details and real anecdotes of this summer residence.
- Santander Tourist Bus: a very comfortable option if you prefer to discover the city without walking too much. You can hop on and off at different points and see all the essentials with an included audio guide. Highly recommended if you have limited time or are traveling with elderly people and children.
- Private Tour of Santander: ideal if you’re traveling in a group or prefer a personalized itinerary just for you and your companions. The guide will fully adapt to your interests and schedule.
Whether you decide on one of the best free tours in Santander, opt for a themed guided visit, or choose the classic tourist bus, the truth is that the city has much to tell. Walking its streets with a good guide is a wonderful way to connect with its history… and its soul.
👉 Glutendtrotter Travel Tip: If you can, take the free tour on your first day. It will help you get your bearings and then better choose which areas you want to explore more slowly.
Have you taken any of these tours? Tell me in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!
You might also be interested in reading:
- Where to eat gluten-free in Santander
- What to see in Cantabria in 5 days
- Cantabria in 7 days: complete guide
- The best beaches in Santander
- The best free tours in Comillas
*The cover photo for this post is from Canva
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does the walking tour of Santander’s historic center last?
About two hours, during which a local guide will take you through the city’s historic heart: the Cathedral, Plaza Porticada, Mercado del Este, and the Banco Santander building.
How many free walking tours are there in Santander?
There are currently three: the walking tour through the historic center, the free tour through La Magdalena Peninsula and El Sardinero, and the free tour about the Great Fire of Santander in 1941.
What can you see on the free tour of La Magdalena Peninsula and El Sardinero?
The exterior of Magdalena Palace, the former summer residence of Kings Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia, plus the promenade, gardens, and beaches of El Sardinero.
What happened in the Great Fire of Santander in 1941?
A fire destroyed much of the city center in a single night of southerly wind, permanently changing its urban landscape. The free tour about the fire visits the affected areas and explains what happened through stories and photographs.
What other paid guided tours are available in Santander besides the free tours?
The Santander Crimes and Mysteries Tour, a guided visit to the interior of Magdalena Palace, the tourist bus with audio guide, and a private, personalized tour.
