Santander

Sunny Santander is the capital of Spain's Cantabria region, attracting both Spaniards and sun-seeking foreigners, with its blissful beaches and top-notch attractions. While the sandy shore is the go-to for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing, the city boasts bustling shopping streets, a cornucopia of bars and restaurants, numerous museums, and a characterful old town.

The city's star attraction however is the grandiose Palacio de la Magdalena. Built as a vacation home for the Spanish royal family, its design features flourishes of English, French and regional architecture, and cuts an impressive figure on the rocky La Magdalena Peninsula.