When I told people I was studying abroad in Santander, Spain, this summer, they frequently asked about the larger cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona, which are more common destinations for students. Although less well-known, the city of Santander has plenty to offer. Looking back, six key moments stand out as the highlights of my time here in Santander.
Watching the World Cup at Centro Botín
The first was experiencing Spain’s soccer culture. Luckily, during the first two weeks of the program, the World Cup tournament was in full action. Although the matches were not played in Santander, there was no shortage of enthusiasm in the city. All over the streets, fans wore their Spain jerseys and celebrated big goals together with their “Yo soy Español” chants.
The most enjoyable place to watch the matches was the outdoor amphitheater Centro Botín, where hundreds of people gathered to see Spain win it all on July 19. The opportunity to watch the game on the big screen, with the rowdy atmosphere, while simultaneously absorbing the view of the Bay of Santander, was incredible. Watching the World Cup matches while studying abroad gave me a new appreciation for the role soccer plays in Spanish culture.
Experiencing Recortadores at Plaza de Toros de Santander
Another special experience of my time in Santander was attending a Recortadores event at the Plaza de Toros de Santander. Before visiting Spain, I only knew about the bullfighting tradition from history classes and movies.
Different from a traditional bullfight, the recortadores event featured the Recortadores — athletes who evade bulls through intense acrobatic jumps, strong footwork, and quick spins, which are performed for the entire stadium. For example, one of the recortadores would perform a thrilling backflip over the bull as it charged in his direction.
All the close calls and impressive maneuvers by the recortadores created a highly energized, lively environment not too different from a football game at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. Leaving the Plaza de Toros arena, I realized that my background knowledge from class set up my most significant firsthand study abroad experiences as it did here with the bulls.
Santander’s Summer Festival Fireworks
One of Santander’s yearly events is La Semana Grande, the city’s annual summer festival, held for 10 days from July 17-26, featuring concerts, local food, cultural events, and celebrations. My highlight was experiencing the fireworks on Friday, July 24. As the evening drew closer, thousands of Santanderinos gathered along Segunda Playa El Sardinero to claim their spots for the show.
Later, when the fireworks began, they lit up the entire bay and reflected off the water, exciting the crowd. Standing on the beach during this moment, surrounded by a swarm of people, made me feel more like a local than a visitor. The experience stood out because it reminded me of the importance of community immersion while studying abroad and taking in authentic local traditions.
Peña Cabarga Hike
One day, my classmate and I decided to hike Peña Cabarga, a mountain that offers beautiful views of the city and the coastline. It was a two-and-a-half-hour hike up to the summit, which was worth it to reach the Mirador de Peña Cabarga (Peña Cabarga’s viewpoint). From there, we took in the stunning view, which included the entire city skyline, the Bay of Santander, and the Cantabrian mountain range.
Before I arrived, I pictured Santander as a bustling city with beaches, but I was pleasantly surprised that it included mountains as well. Standing at the mirador was rewarding because I believe in the importance of exploring outside the city limits for an off-the-beaten-path adventure.
Palacio de la Magdalena
Another afternoon, a group of my classmates and I ventured out to explore the Palacio de la Magdalena and the surrounding Magdalena Peninsula, a well-regarded natural sight to see. Stepping onto the palace grounds, I was amazed by the excellent display of historical architecture and the panoramic views.
As discussed in my Spanish Literature and Culture Class, the palace was built in 1912 as a summer residence for King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenie. Each summer for nearly 20 years, the arrival of their family turned Santander into one of the country’s most important summer vacation destinations for locals trying to escape the heat of the Spanish south and enjoy the cooler climate of the north.
Having the opportunity to explore the palace truly allowed me to immerse myself in a defining piece of both Santander and Spanish royal history.
Riding Renfe
One of the biggest advantages of studying abroad in Spain was the reliable and efficient public transportation. When I took a weekend trip from Santander to Madrid, I used the Renfe Alvia high-speed train, which made the journey simple.
The ride was an easy four-and-a-half-hour trip, which allowed me to take in the scenery and observe the vast geographical contrast when traveling from the mountainous Cantabrian region to the drier plains of Central Spain where Madrid is located.
Coming from Austin, where driving is a necessity, the convenience of stepping on a train transformed the travel experience from a logistical stressor into an enticing opportunity.
Like the Mercado del Este, where I often have dinner that offers everything from sardines, empanadas, jamon Iberico, tapas, salmon sandwiches, mussels, and even pizza, Santander, Spain, offers a variety of experiences everyone can enjoy.
This blog was contributed by Lucien Dans, Global Ambassador for Summer 2026. Lucien is a College of Liberal Arts senior participating in the faculty-led program “Language and Culture” in Santander, Spain.
