6 - Sardinero Beach
Sardinero beach is divided in two beaches by the gardens of Piquio about one-quarter the way along its length. Together they sum up 4,300 feet (1,300 meters) long and 260 feet (80 meters) deep and form by far the longest beach in Santander. This magnificent beach features fine golden sand and moderate waves and it is bordered by a wide promenade running its entire length. This part of the city is also called “Sardinero” and is the touristic centre of Santander, with hotels, restaurants, and the Grand Casino.
The origin of the “First” and the “Second” beach of El Sardinero must be sought in the late nineteenth century, with fashion eminently bourgeois wave baths. The “first” beach was basically frequented by the bourgeois while the “second” was frequented by the working-class.
First Sardinero Beach
This is the part of the beach next to La Concha (the Shell) and the closest to the Magdalena Palace. Next to it we can find many hotels, some very relevant like the Hotel Sardinero. Other emblematic building next to the beach is the Grand Casino which mimics the Monte Carlo. It is currently a very popular beach due to its extension, proximity to the hotel area and services (this beach even has an elevator to grant access to the beach for disabled people).
ACCESS: you can Access it very easily from the Castañeda Avenue.
Second Sardinero Beach
This is the largest beach in Santander and also located next to some hotels. This beach offers all type of services (facilities including toilets, showers, chairs, parasols and a park for children).
Next to the Second beach, you can also find a very large parking, however, it remains a difficult task to park there in high season due to its high popularity.
ACCESS: you can Access it very easily from the promenade walking downstairs.
CHARACTERISTICS
LENGHT 1300m WIDTH 80m
WAVES moderate NUDIST no
SAND golden ROCKS no
LIFEGUARD yes WATER SPORTS yes
TOILETS yes SHOWERS yes
PARKING yes DISABLED ACCESS yes
RESTAURANTS yes CAMPING no
KIOSK no OCCUPATION high
TYPE urban BUS STOP yes
ACCESS easy