Updated May 2026 · Written by the Hostal La Mexicana team
Visiting Santander without a car is not just feasible — it's often the most comfortable option for a short city break. The historic centre is mostly pedestrianised, parking is expensive and scarce, and the attractions are concentrated enough to walk between them. For the places that need a bus or regional coach, the connections are reliable and the stops are well signposted.
What you can do entirely on foot from the centre
If you stay in the city centre (around C/ Juan de Herrera or the Ayuntamiento), the following are all within 20 minutes on foot with no transport needed:
- MUPAC — 5 min. Prehistory museum, best in northern Spain for cave art context.
- Paseo de Pereda and the bay front — 6 min. Stone Crane, Pereda Building, views of the bay.
- Cathedral and old town streets — 6 min. 13th-century crypt, post-fire 20th-century nave, the upper streets of the barrio pesquero.
- Puertochico — 7 min. The small marina and the most atmospheric neighbourhood near the centre.
- Centro Botín — 8 min. Renzo Piano building above the bay, temporary exhibitions.
- La Magdalena peninsula — 20 min. 3–4 km perimeter walk, Palacio de la Magdalena, 270-degree bay views.
- Faro Santander / Pereda Building — 6 min. Opening autumn 2026, but already impressive from outside.
Santander urban buses (TUS) — key lines
| Line | Route | Useful for | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 4 | Centre → La Magdalena → El Sardinero | Sardinero beaches (Primera and Segunda) | Every 10–15 min in summer |
| Line 7 | Centre → Mataleñas | Cabo Mayor lighthouse (15 min walk from Mataleñas stop) | Less frequent; check tusbus.com |
| Line 1 | Circular city centre loop | Cross-centre transfers without walking | Every 10–15 min |
TUS tickets are purchased on board (exact change helpful) or via the TUS app. The same ticket is valid for 1 hour with transfers. Current timetables at tusbus.com.
Day trips by regional bus
| Destination | Journey time | Main reason to go | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santillana del Mar | ~40 min | Best-preserved medieval town in Cantabria, near Altamira | Buses from Santander bus station; several per day |
| Comillas | ~1h | Gaudí's El Capricho, the Pontifical University, the Sobrellano Palace | Summer services more frequent |
| Puente Viesgo | ~35 min | El Castillo cave (Palaeolithic paintings, advance booking required) | Bus from Santander to Puente Viesgo; limited services |
| Castro Urdiales | ~1h | Coastal town, Gothic church on the sea, good seafood | Direct buses from the bus station |
All regional buses depart from the Santander bus station on C/ Navas de Tolosa, 10 minutes on foot from Hostal La Mexicana. Check schedules at autobusesdecantabria.com.
Getting to and from Santander without a car
Santander is well connected without needing to drive:
- By train (RENFE): direct connections from Madrid (4h 30 min, Alvia), Bilbao (approx 1h 30 min) and other northern cities. Station is 8 min on foot from the hostal.
- By regional train (FEVE): the narrow-gauge network connects Santander with Oviedo, Gijón and smaller Cantabrian towns. Same station as RENFE.
- By bus: ALSA and other operators run from Madrid (approx 5h), Bilbao (1h 30 min), San Sebastián and other cities. Bus station is 10 min on foot from the hostal.
- By ferry: Brittany Ferries runs crossings from Plymouth and Portsmouth (UK). The ferry terminal is in the bay, a short taxi or bus ride from the centre.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Santander without a car?
Yes. The city centre, MUPAC, Centro Botín, Puertochico and La Magdalena are all walkable from a central base. El Sardinero beach is 15 min on TUS bus line 4. Cabo Mayor lighthouse is on bus line 7 to Mataleñas. Day trips to Santillana del Mar and other Cantabrian towns run by regional bus from the Santander bus station.
What bus goes to El Sardinero from the city centre?
TUS bus line 4. It departs from Paseo de Pereda and reaches El Sardinero (Primera and Segunda beach) in about 15 minutes. Tickets on board or via the TUS app. Check times at tusbus.com.
Can you get to Altamira from Santander without a car?
Yes. Regional buses from the Santander bus station connect with Santillana del Mar (30 km, ~40 min), from where the Altamira Museum and Neocueva are walkable or a short taxi ride. The actual Altamira cave requires advance booking. Check timetables at autobusesdecantabria.com.