December, with its short days and its characteristic cold air, offers, especially during its festive dates, a unique opportunity to discover northern Spain from another angle. Its landscapes are transformed, with mountains covered in snow and valleys dyed in tones. … winter in a atmosphere that invites you to stroll peacefully through the cities.
The Christmas period further reinforces this attraction. Festive lights and decorations illuminate the streets, creating pleasant contrasts with the cold. THE Markets, local traditions and winter gastronomy complete the experienceoffering the visitor an approach to Nordic culture at one of its most emblematic times of the year.
Many of these northern cities become even more recommended destinations in December. The festivities combine with the tranquility of the low season, allowing you to enjoy charming accommodationlandscapes free of crowds and more authentic hospitality.
Among these places, Santillana del Mar stands out.whose Christmas atmosphere is even more surprising by the contrast with its medieval streets. Festive lights blend into the cobblestone squares, creating an almost magical setting. Walking around this city in December is like experiencing a different Christmas: intimate, historic and enveloped in a special charm.
Where is Santillana del Mar
Santillana del Mar stands out at Christmas for its spectacular lighting with more than 500,000 bulbsimmersive events like the “In Nomine Lux” show (end of November) or other traditions like the performance of the Living Crib in the Plaza Mayor (December 19, 2025). For all these reasons, this city has deserved to be called the “Christmas Village”. To get around Santilla del Mar, you can consult the official Moovit website.
Check out the Santillana del Mar 2025 Christmas program here.
A city that stands out for its cobbled streets, its emblazoned residences and, in general, a medieval atmosphere very uniform. In addition, very close to its urban center is the Altamira Caveconsidered a jewel of prehistoric rock art and included in 1985 on the UNESCO World Heritage List, at the request of the Spanish government.
Santillana del Mar is located about 30 kilometers from Santander. It is bordered to the north by the Cantabrian Sea, to the east by Suances, to the south by Torrelavega and Reocín and to the west by Alfoz de Lloredo, other villages of great Cantabrian tradition.
The best restaurants in Santillana del Mar
Santillana del Mar, as it could not be otherwise, projects the traditional Cantabrian gastronomyfocused on local sea and mountain products. Some of its signature dishes are mountain stew and squid tails.
This type of gastronomy can be enjoyed in restaurants in Santillana del Mar, such as Restaurante El Porche, Restaurante Gran Duque or Restaurante El Castillo, the latter located in the town’s Plaza Mayor.
Other more exclusive options are the Palacio Mijares restaurant, a place to enjoy local cuisine in a 16th century palace. XVI, or La Nueva Santuca restaurant, specializing in livestock.
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