Best Family Hotels in Santander, Spain
Updated 1 July 2026 · 60 real hotels
Santander offers families a great mix of beachside city hotels and nearby rural properties with extra space and relaxed settings. Whether you need a central base for exploring El Sardinero beach and the Magdalena Peninsula or a quieter spot a few kilometres out, the options below cover a range of budgets and locations. Prioritise space, parking, and proximity to green areas and the waterfront for the smoothest family stay.
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Santander sits on a broad bay in Cantabria, giving families immediate access to wide sandy beaches, the Cabárceno Nature Park about 20 kilometres to the south, and a compact city centre that is easy to navigate on foot or by bus. The Playa del Sardinero and the Magdalena Peninsula are the two anchors of most family itineraries: both are walkable from central accommodation and free to visit. Rainy days are covered by the Museo de Prehistoria y Arqueología de Cantabria and several indoor markets close to the port.
When choosing where to stay with children, the key factors in Santander are whether the property offers enough sleeping space, how straightforward parking is, and how far you are willing to travel to reach the beach or a park. Several of the hotels listed here sit within the city itself, while others are located between 5 and 13 kilometres away in quieter villages, which can mean lower rates and more outdoor space at the cost of a short drive into town. The picks below reflect that spectrum, from a full apartment in the city centre to countryside properties in Santa Cruz de Bezana and the hills above the bay.
Our selection in Santander
A real selection, real prices, from the most affordable to the showstopper.
| Hotel | Area | Rating | Price / night |
|---|---|---|---|
| SURFtoLIVE House - Hostel ★★ | Santander : à 5,9 km | ★ 5 | 55 €/nuit |
| Hotel Picos de Europa ★★ | Cabildo de Arriba | ★ 4.5 | 59 €/nuit |
| Estudios Aranzazu ★★ | Perines | ★ 3.7 | 59 €/nuit |
| Apartamentos Santander Maliaño Suites 3000 ★★★ | Camargo : à 5 km de Santander | ★ 3.5 | 59 €/nuit |
| Arha Santander ★★★ | Castilla-Hermida | ★ 3.4 | 60 €/nuit |
| Château La Roca ★★★ | Sancibrián : à 5,3 km de Santander | ★ 4.3 | 62 €/nuit |
| Hotel Los Ángeles ★★★ | Santander : à 6,6 km | ★ 4 | 62 €/nuit |
| Calas de Liencres ★★★ | Santander : à 9,7 km | ★ 4.2 | 63 €/nuit |
| Ibis Styles Santander ★★★ | Santander | ★ 4.5 | 64 €/nuit |
| Hotel Finca Alcamino ★★★ | Santa Cruz de Bezana : à 9,2 km de Santander | ★ 4.6 | 65 €/nuit |
Frequently asked questions
Which option gives families the most living space in central Santander?+
Cornelia Suites 03 in Santander is listed as an entire apartment, which means a separate living area, a kitchen for preparing meals, and no shared corridors with other guests. At 355 euros per night it sits at the top of the price range, but the ability to cook, store snacks and spread out can offset dining costs for a family of four or more staying several nights.
Are there good-value family options a short distance outside the city?+
Yes. Hostería las Fuentes is 6.3 kilometres from Santander and starts at 126 euros per night, while Hotel Mercedes in Muriedas is 5.4 kilometres out from 165 euros per night. Hotel Finca Alcamino in Santa Cruz de Bezana, about 9 kilometres away, is priced from 130 euros per night and sits in a rural setting with more outdoor surroundings, which suits families with young children who need room to move around.
What family-friendly attractions are close to Santander city-centre hotels?+
From a central address such as Center Suite Acebedos you can reach Playa del Sardinero in roughly 15 minutes by bus or a 30-minute walk along the seafront promenade. The Magdalena Peninsula, home to a small zoo with sea lions and penguins, is free to enter and sits between the beach and the old town. The ferry terminal for day trips to El Puntal sandbar is also within easy reach of the centre.
Is a car necessary if staying at one of the hotels outside Santander?+
A car is strongly recommended for properties in Muriedas, Santa Cruz de Bezana, Hermosa and Perines. Public bus connections exist but schedules can be infrequent, and travelling with children and luggage is much easier with your own vehicle. On the positive side, having a car also opens up day trips to Cabárceno Nature Park and the beaches of the Cantabrian coast, which are highlights for most families visiting the region.