Explore Cantabria
Life between sandy bays and mountain villages comes with Santander's seaside elegance.
About Cantabria
Cantabria lies on Spain's green north coast, between the Basque Country and Asturias. Its capital, Santander, is an elegant city on a wide bay, with long sandy beaches at El Sardinero and grand buildings from the early twentieth century. Just inland, the mountains of the Picos de Europa rise steeply, so beaches and hiking trails are never far apart.
The climate is mild and green: summers are pleasant rather than hot, and rain falls throughout the year. Santander has its own airport, and ferries sail from the port to England.
Santander asks €3,323/m² (August 2026), well below San Sebastián and Bilbao. The transfer tax on resale homes is 9%.
What to know first
- Santander, an elegant seaside city on a wide bay
- Sandy beaches and the Picos de Europa close together
- Mild summers and a green, rainy climate
- Prices well below San Sebastián and Bilbao
- Its own airport and ferries to England
Asking prices compared
Ranked on asking price per m². Municipalities and sub-municipal entries are listed apart, because a district cannot be ranked against the municipality that contains it.
| Place | Asking price / m² | Population | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole municipalities | |||
| Santander | €3,323/m² | 175,082 | Mid |
How the prices spread
Santander is the only city on the site in Cantabria. It asks clearly less than San Sebastián and Bilbao, and slightly more than the Asturian and Galician cities to the west. Within the city, homes near El Sardinero and the bay ask the most.
The table shows average asking prices, not sale prices. Within one town, prices can vary a lot from one area to the next.
Who each part suits
An elegant city by the sea
A city on a wide bay with long beaches, culture and its own airport and ferry port.
Cities in Cantabria
Browse properties by city
The case for
- Beaches and mountains together
Sandy beaches on the coast and the Picos de Europa less than two hours away.
- Mild summers
Pleasant summer temperatures without the heat of southern Spain.
- More affordable than the Basque Country
Santander asks about half of what San Sebastián does.
- Ferries to England
Regular sailings from Santander to Portsmouth and Plymouth.
- A calm, safe way of life
A relaxed pace and a high quality of life.
The case against
- Rain throughout the year
Green landscapes come with frequent grey and rainy days.
- No high-speed train yet
The train journey to Madrid takes considerably longer than from Asturias or Galicia.
- A 9% transfer tax
Higher than in the Basque Country, Andalusia or Madrid.
- Quiet in winter
Coastal towns are much quieter outside the summer.
- Few international buyers
Fewer services in other languages than on the Mediterranean coasts.
Questions buyers ask
- What taxes do I pay when buying?
- On a resale home, 9% transfer tax. Buyers under 40 and large families pay a reduced rate on a main home, subject to conditions. New-build homes pay VAT instead of transfer tax. Ask a tax adviser about your situation.
- How do I get there?
- Santander airport has flights to Spanish and European cities, and ferries sail to Portsmouth and Plymouth. Bilbao airport is about an hour and a quarter away.
- What is the climate like?
- Mild and green. Summers are pleasant rather than hot, winters are cool, and rain falls throughout the year.
- How far are the mountains?
- The Picos de Europa are less than two hours from Santander by car, with hiking, villages and spectacular views.
- Is it cheaper than the Basque Country?
- Yes, clearly. Santander asks about half of what San Sebastián does, and less than Bilbao.
- Is there a high-speed train?
- Not yet. Trains run to Madrid, but the journey is slower than from Asturias or Galicia.
Where you might be better off elsewhere
If you want the same green coast at even lower prices, with high-speed trains to Madrid, look at Asturias just to the west. If you want the lowest purchase tax in Spain, look at the Basque Country. And if sun matters more than greenery, the Mediterranean coasts are the alternative.