Just across one of the most beautiful bays in the world lies Santander. This city has been recognized as one of the most gorgeous in the world.  Santander is in the north of Spain, where beaches and mountains meet to create an amazing landscape.

There’s a lot to explore in the city and surrounding areas. The Altamira Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside the city. Visitors can tour the caves and explore several important pieces of prehistoric art. The paintings are nearly 14,000 years old and are some of the best-preserved examples in the world. There’s also the Natural Park of Cabarceno which has 750-hectares of old mine converted into a manmade reserve for several different species of endangered animals.

Heading into the beautiful city of Santander, the Centro Botin is the place to be. This cultural center has been designed by Renzo Piano, a Pritzker Prize-winning architect, to add a cultural space in the Pereda Gardens by the bay. This space has areas dedicated to contemporary art, music, film, theater, and literature. Visitors can see performances or simply wander through galleries and enjoy the space.

Santander has a lively shopping district just a short walk from the passenger cruise terminal. Along the bay are beaches and golf courses. The Maritime Museum provides a look into the history that made the city and in the Palacio de Festivals, you can spend time in the beautiful art galleries, ending the day dining in some of the area’s best restaurants.

Santander is known for being one of the most charming and beautiful cities on the north coast of Spain. With avant-garde buildings and elegant mansions nestled against white sand beaches, visitors will be enchanted by Santander from the moment they dock in the heart of the city.