Can you imagine exploring Santander through the eyes of the writers who loved it? This city is not just sea and palaces: it’s also poetry, history, and living literature. Today, we invite you on a unique journey to discover Santander in a different way: a literary route, step by step.
Get ready to walk, dream, and read your way through squares, libraries, and corners brimming with words.

Santander: A Literary City by the Sea

Since the late 19th century, Santander has inspired some of Spain’s greatest authors. Writers like Benito Pérez Galdós, Gerardo Diego, and José Hierro found not just a summer retreat here, but also a creative haven.

Every corner of this city holds a fragment of history and literature. And the best part: you can explore it on your own or join guided tours. Here’s our suggestion to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

1. Plaza de Pombo: The Literary Heart of Santander

Start your walk at Plaza de Pombo, one of the city’s most emblematic spots. Beneath its arcades and cafés, artists and intellectuals used to gather. Here you can picture Benito Pérez Galdós chatting with his great friend Menéndez Pelayo.

Nearby, don’t miss Calle San Quintín, where Galdós spent his summers and which now bears his name.

2. Menéndez Pelayo Library: A Temple of Knowledge

Just a few minutes’ walk away, you’ll find the Menéndez Pelayo Library on Calle Rubio. Founded by the great Cantabrian scholar himself, it houses more than 45,000 volumes, many annotated by hand.

Next to it, visit the monument to Menéndez Pelayo and stroll through the gardens—perfect for pausing to read a poem.

3. Gerardo Diego Foundation: Poetry at Home

On Calle Gravina stands the Gerardo Diego Foundation, in the poet’s former home. Manuscripts, personal objects, and documents bring you closer to his work and life.

From here, begin your own journey through the places that inspired Diego: Puertochico, the sea, the bay…

4. Paseo de Pereda: Novels by the Sea

One of Santander’s most beautiful stretches is Paseo de Pereda, alongside the Pereda Gardens. Here you’ll find the statue of José María de Pereda, author of “Sotileza” and chronicler of Cantabrian coastal life.

This boulevard, lined with stately buildings, is perfect for a stroll and letting your imagination wander.

5. Puerto Chico: Verses and Sea Breezes

From Paseo de Pereda, head to Puerto Chico. This charming marina is one of the city’s most intimate spots and was home to José Hierro. His poetry, marked by this city, comes to life here, among boats, cafés, and sea views.

6. Playa del Camello and Jardines de Piquío: The Sea as Muse

Continuing along El Sardinero, you’ll reach Playa del Camello, where a sculpture pays tribute to Ramón Muriedas. This spot also inspired poets like José Luis Hidalgo, whose work is steeped in the sea and its melancholy.

At the nearby Jardines de Piquío, sit and gaze out over the Cantabrian Sea—it’s easy to see why so many verses were born here.

7. Palacio de la Magdalena: Between Novel and Postcard

Continue your route to the Magdalena Peninsula and its iconic palace. This grand building was a source of inspiration for Concha Espina, one of the great narrators of the 20th century. Her works “La esfinge maragata” and “La niña de Luzmela” find echoes here.

You can visit her monument in the city center to pay tribute to her legacy.

8. Ciriego Cemetery: Memory of Writers

For a more introspective pause, head to Ciriego Cemetery, where writers like Víctor de la Serna rest. This serene place is a fitting close to the route, inviting reflection on the legacy of those who captured the spirit of this city in words.

How to Organize Your Literary Walk through Santander

You can follow this route on your own using this article, or join guided tours organized by local cultural organizations. Bring a notebook, a book of poems… or simply your camera to capture each soulful corner.

Tip: look out for the literary map, available at the tourist offices or on specialized websites.

Santander Isn’t Just Seen—It’s Read

Every square, statue, street, and garden in Santander hides a story, a novel, a poem. If you love books and the sea, this route is for you. Have you already visited any of these places? Share your experience with us on Facebook, X, or Instagram with the hashtag #FancyCantabria.
Because Cantabria is infinite… also in stories.