Updated May 2026 · Written by the Hostal La Mexicana team
Faro Santander is the name of the cultural project promoted by Fundación Banco Santander in the Pereda Building, at Paseo de Pereda 9, facing the bay of Santander. The space has not yet opened to the public — opening is scheduled for autumn 2026 — but the building that will house it is already one of the most recognisable in the historic city centre and deserves attention in its own right. This guide covers what is known about the project, the building's history and how it fits into the city's cultural map.
The project: what Faro Santander will be
Faro Santander is conceived as a space where art, culture and technology converge. The programme will combine temporary contemporary art exhibitions, displays from the Fundación Banco Santander's own collection, performing arts, technology events and educational and environmental activities open to all audiences.
The project was officially presented at ARCO 2026. The Fundación Banco Santander manages one of the most significant contemporary art collections in Spain, with major international works and a strong commitment to new production. Faro Santander will be its permanent home in Cantabria.
The opening date remains approximate. For exact dates and programme, the reference is the official website: fundacionbancosantander.com.
The Pereda Building: architecture worth visiting now
The Pereda Building is one of the most distinctive architectural ensembles in Santander. The current structure has its roots in an 18th-century building, rebuilt in 1880, which Banco Santander acquired in 1919 for its main headquarters. The most recognisable extension was designed in 1958 by Cantabrian architect Javier González de Riancho — also responsible for the Magdalena Palace — and consists of a twin building joined to the original by a monumental arch that is today the most photographed feature of the complex.
The bay-facing facade incorporates four statues by sculptor Blanes representing the arts, culture, trade and navigation. Although the building is not open to visitors until the inauguration of Faro Santander, walking past it along Paseo de Pereda is already worth a detour: the arch, the statues and the proportions of the ensemble are hard to overlook.
Location and access from the hostal
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Paseo de Pereda 9 (also C/ Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola 3) |
| Distance from hostal | 6 minutes on foot |
| Route | C/ Juan de Herrera → Ayuntamiento → Paseo de Pereda → east |
| Planned opening | Autumn 2026 (subject to update) |
| Promoter | Fundación Banco Santander |
| Official website | fundacionbancosantander.com |
The cultural triangle of the centre
When Faro Santander opens, central Santander will have three major cultural venues within 15 minutes on foot from the Ayuntamiento:
- MUPAC (C/ Hernán Cortés 4) — 5–6 min from the Ayuntamiento. Prehistoric art, cave painting reproductions, free admission Sunday pm.
- Centro Botín (Jardines de Pereda) — 11 min. International contemporary art, Renzo Piano architecture above the bay.
- Faro Santander (Paseo de Pereda 9) — 6 min. Art, culture and technology in the Pereda Building.
All three are within 8 minutes walking distance of each other, making it feasible to visit all three in a single day if the schedules work out.
What to do in the meantime: Paseo de Pereda
Until Faro Santander opens, Paseo de Pereda itself is one of the best reasons to visit the area. The seafront boulevard, with direct views of the bay, connects the centre with Centro Botín and Puertochico. The Pereda Building is along the route and can be admired from outside at any time. It is the same promenade covered in the bay walk guide.
Frequently asked questions
When does Faro Santander open?
Opening is scheduled for autumn 2026. The exact date may change; check the official Fundación Banco Santander website before travelling if the visit is the main purpose of the trip. Until it opens, the building can be seen from outside on Paseo de Pereda 9 at any time.
Where is Faro Santander?
At the Pereda Building, Paseo de Pereda 9, 6 minutes on foot from central Santander (Ayuntamiento). Also accessible from C/ Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola 3. It is between Centro Botín (300 m to the east) and the Paseo de Pereda waterfront.
What will Faro Santander be?
A cultural space of the Fundación Banco Santander with temporary contemporary art exhibitions, displays from its own collection, performing arts and educational activities. The building — designed by González de Riancho in 1958 with a monumental arch and four facade statues — is already one of the most recognisable on Paseo de Pereda.