Santander still retains the elegance of a time when it was a favourite summer destination for the aristocracy and royalty. You can see it in its buildings and feel it in many corners of the city. You’ll notice it as you stroll around the unmissable Magdalena Peninsula and its palace, or when you sit down to enjoy some rabas — Cantabrian-style fried squid — or one of the city’s famous Spanish omelettes filled with all kinds of ingredients on the terraces of Calle Castelar. Santander in summer is just what you need if you’re looking for a stylish holiday with something for every taste. Don’t believe us? Let us prove it.

August in Santander could easily be spent going from one festival to the next. No, we’re not exaggerating. For much of the month, the city becomes something of a paradise for live music lovers, with the more classical programme offered each year by the Santander International Festival, the indie rock sounds of Sonorama Day and the urban music of the Negrita Music Festival.

If there’s anything better than enjoying Santander’s elegance up close, it’s seeing it from the sea. Ask about Los Reginas, a long-established company specialising in passenger boat trips. From aboard one of its boats, you can discover the vast estuary that forms the Bay of Santander or sail along the nearby Ría de Cubas. Expect unforgettable scenery: the blues of the water, the white of the sand and the green of the landscape, along with plenty of stories during the journey to help you understand the history of this region. Before you get off the boat, make sure they tell you about El Puntal.

We know you’ll have heard of El Sardinero, both its First and Second Beaches, and even Los Peligros Beach, which, despite its name, is a sheltered spot that’s perfect for families with children. But there’s a good chance you won’t have heard much about El Puntal. This enormous strip of sand closes off the Bay of Santander on its eastern side, and when you set foot on it, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped onto one of those picture-perfect beaches where the water is turquoise and the sand, under the blazing sun, is so white you almost have to squint.

Santander is a city of parks and green spaces. It even has one, Mataleñas Park, stretching across a headland known as Cabo Menor. Just imagine the views: it’s not every day you get to push your little ones on a swing with the Cantabrian Sea as a backdrop. What’s more, if you keep following the pedestrian path, you’ll gradually discover the north of the city and its rugged coastline: cliffs, beaches and even a lighthouse, as well as a mausoleum and an adventure park, Tirolinas Go.

Santander has its Semana Grande, held in July, as well as its Semanuca, at the end of August, when the city honours its patron saints, Saint Emeterius and Saint Celedonius. The celebrations include markets selling typical local products, parades, processions, brass bands, concerts, theatre performances, workshops and children’s activities… In short, just the plan you need to end the summer — and your holiday — on a high.

We wouldn’t want the blue of the Cantabrian Sea to make you regret missing out on the green landscapes inland. Remember this name: Fuente Dé. This is where you can take the cable car, which in around four minutes climbs 753 metres to an altitude of 1,823 metres in the Picos de Europa National Park. Few things make you feel quite as small as reaching the top and finding yourself surrounded by the vastness of nature: rugged peaks, intensely green meadows and air so pure you can almost feel it clearing your lungs.

At El Balcón de la Bahía Suites by Sercotel, you’ll fall in love with the views over the Bay of Santander. And with its location too. It couldn’t be more convenient: close to the city centre, but also within easy reach of the Magdalena Peninsula and several beaches. We should warn you that you may find it hard to leave your room: they’re spacious and charming, with thoughtful touches that make you feel that this really is your place in the city. But we can also promise that you will. After all, how could you not when, if you ask us at reception, we’ll tell you everything Santander has in store for you?