Palacio de la Magdalena

Santander


The eclectically styled, English-inspired palace crowning the Península de la Magdalena was built between 1908 and 1912 as a gift from Santander to Spain's royal family, who used it every summer until 1930. Detailed 45-minute guided tours (in Spanish) show you oak floors, bronze chandeliers, surprisingly simple bedrooms, a carved chestnut-wood staircase and what was the king’s study.

Visits are limited to weekends only in summer, when the palace hosts the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo (www.uimp.es), a global get-together for specialists in all sorts of disciplines.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Santander attractions

1. Península de la Magdalena

0.19 MILES

At the eastern tip of the bay, this sprawling parkland is perfect for a stroll, and popular with picnickers. Kids will enjoy the resident seals, sea lions…

2. Playa del Puntal

0.8 MILES

A 2km-long finger of sand jutting across the bay towards Santander, Playa del Puntal is idyllic on calm days (but beware the currents). A couple of…

3. Playa del Sardinero

0.9 MILES

El Sardinero’s 1.5km-long strand of gorgeous golden sand faces the open sea, north of the Península de la Magdalena. It’s backed by some of Santander’s…

4. Museo Marítimo del Cantábrico

0.96 MILES

Find out all about Cantabria’s long seafaring history at Santander’s maritime museum, 800m east of the Puerto Chico marina. The four floors cover all…

5. Playa de Somo

1.47 MILES

Across the bay from Santander, and just beyond Playa del Puntal, Playa de Somo is a beautiful, gold-tinged beach, often with pretty good surf. A year…

6. Playa de Mataleñas

1.58 MILES

Tucked deep between two rocky headlands just north of El Sardinero, this tiny golden cove gets packed during the summer months. From the northern end of…

7. Plaza de Cañadío

1.83 MILES

The epicentre of Santander's nightlife scene, Plaza de Cañadío is packed with bars and restaurants that keep buzzing into the wee hours.

8. Plaza de Pombo

1.86 MILES

Lined with trees, ringed with cafes and sporting a gazebo in its centre, this long, rectangular plaza is one of Santander's most popular public spaces…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "spain/cantabria-asturias-and-galicia/santander/attractions/palacio-de-la-magdalena/a/poi-sig/1481711/360749",
      "destination": "Santander",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Spain",
      "region": "Cantabria",
      "city": "Santander",
      "position": "superzone"
    }