The Best Cafés and Coffee Shops in Santander
Santander is the capital of Spain’s Cantabria region, and sits on the north coast. An industrial city with maritime heritage, it’s home to some impressively elegant architecture and beautiful beaches. Here are some of our favourite cafés and coffee shops in Santander, where you can refuel whilst you’re exploring.
A Petit Santander
Cafe, Deli, Pastries, Dessert, Spanish
Chocolatería Áliva
Cafe, Pastries, Tea , Coffee, Fast Food, Vegetarian, Dessert
One of Santander’s best and oldest (open since 1960) cafés for for chocolate con churros, Chocolatería Áliva features long canteen-style tables and a relaxed, but busy atmosphere. While you can have coffee and sponge cakes here, too, you’re better off ordering their signature fresh crispy churros (similar to long fried doughnuts) and cup of thick, dark hot chocolate.
Café de Pombo
Cafe, Pastries
Situated on the graceful porticoed Plaza Pombo, Café de Pombo is both an elegant and historic choice. Painted in dark green and decorated with lots of brass lamps, mirrors and beautifully carved wooden furniture, it makes quite the statement. It’s a little pricier than other cafés in the city, but you’re paying for the atmosphere and history, as well as the food. There is even a famous painting of the café, by the artist José Gutiérrez Solana, which now hangs in the Reina Sofía art museum in Madrid.
Cafe Suizo
Cafe, Pastries, Tea , Coffee, Fast Food
A modern café with a lovely sunny terrace outside, Cafe Suizo is ideal for breakfasts, as well as for mid-morning or late afternoon snacks. They serve everything from coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice to pastries, filled sandwiches and apple tarts.
Chocolateria Valor
Cafe, Pastry Shop, Bakery, Pastries, Dessert
This chain café is popular all over Spain, particularly for its famous hot chocolate, which comes from the town of Valor in the province of Granada in Andalusia. Thick and sweet and almost custard-like, it’s best paired with some freshly made churros.
La Gallofa
Bar, Pastries, Beer, Wine, Spanish
This grungy, hipster-style café has a chic industrial feel with bare concrete walls, exposed wires and pipes, glammed up by colourful tiles, hanging lamps and intricate ceiling carvings. It’s essentially a bakery with a huge seating area, serving up everything from pastries and cakes to sandwiches and rolls. Those looking for something more substantial can also order empanadas and slices of tortilla.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
