Santander Ferry Port
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Santander ferry port offers regular ferry services to Plymouth, Poole and Portsmouth in England.
Catch a crossing to Santander ferry terminal on these routes:
- Portsmouth to Santander (Brittany Ferries)
- Plymouth to Santander (Brittany Ferries)
Santander Ferry Terminal Map and Directions
Address: Estación Maritima, Santander, 39002.
About Santander
Santander ferry port is located in the centre of the city of Santander, capital of the Spanish region of Cantabria, and is within easy reach of tourist attractions, shops, bars and restaurants. Once checked-in and parked in your designated car lane, passengers are free to head off to visit the city.
Getting to Santander Ferry Port
By Car
The arrival directions to Santander have changed to allow work to progess on the city's new Art Centre.
From the motorways A-67 or S-10: Follow signs for “Santander” ignoring the yellow “Puerto” signs. On approaching the city and after passing the car dealerships, drive through a small tunnel. After 800m, bear right following the bright yellow sign for Ferry (it will have a car symbol) then continue until you reach a small roundabout. Take the third exit and go through the Port of Santander control point, also signed “Ferry” with the Brittany Ferries logo. The new Brittany Ferries check-in area will be to the left as you enter the restricted area.
From Santander city centre: From the sea front at Pereda Gardens with the Brittany terminal on your left, follow the orange signs for “Ferry”. You will be directed to bear right on “Avenida de Castilla”. When you reach the end of the avenue, turn left following the signs for ferry. Continue 700m and bear right, then at the roundabout take the third exit and go through the Port of Santander control point, also signed “Ferry” with the Brittany Ferries logo. The new Brittany Ferries check-in area will be to the left as you enter the restricted area.
By Train
Santander train station is 5-10 minutes away from the terminal with services to Madrid, Bilbao, Alicante and Oviedo. RENFE is the national railway system and has links to almost every town in Spain.
Santander Ferry Port Facilities
Café/ Bar
A small café and toilets are located at the back of the car lanes (after vehicle check-in). Alternatively there is a café on the ground floor of the terminal which is open only during the high season.
Disabled Facilities
Disabled passengers can access the terminal via a ramp and the Brittany Ferries information desk is on the ground floor of the terminal. Toilets can be found on the ground floor of the terminal and close to the check-in kiosks with access to the ship for foot passengers is by an escalator or lift via the first floor to the ship's gangway. Those passengers who require additional assistance may experience a slight delay before being able to board Please note that the layout of the port and the distance between the car park and the terminal (10 - 15 minutes walk at a regular walking pace) can be difficult for those with reduced mobility or wheelchair users.
Tourist Information
There is a tourist information desk located inside the terminal building which is open for arrivals and departures. A larger tourist information office can be found in the centre of Santander.
Parking at Santander Ferry Port
Parking is only permitted for dropping off and picking up. Passengers wishing to park for longer must use one of the paying car parks nearby. Please note that there are parking restrictions throughout Santander for any vehicle over 1.8m in height.
Port information is provided by Eurodrive for guidance only.
More About Santander
Santander is situated west of the Basque Country in the neighbouring region of Cantabria, around 390 km North of Madrid and 115 km North West of Bilbao. A bustling regional capital and a popular holiday resort, Santander offers award-winning sandy beaches, outstanding shopping facilities and a host of restaurants, bars and hotels. Santander ferry port is situated in the centre of town; however, the stunning surrounding countryside and mountains are well worth exploring. Santander provides good road connections to the whole of Spain, Portugal and the South of France, making it an ideal gateway for UK travellers. Brittany Ferries, which has two departures a week to Plymouth, is a regular operator from the port of Santander.
On average 140,000 passengers a year pass through the Port of Santander. With excellent facilities for ferries and cruise ships, including a passenger terminal in the heart of the city, the ferry port of Santander offers a wide and attractive range of leisure options.
Santander History. The port activity in Santander dates back more than 2,000 years. The Port of Santander was founded by the Romans in 19BC and became an important centre for the export of minerals to the Roman Empire. The first written reference to the Port of Santander is in a document of Sancho II of Castille in 1068. The Port of Santander became a key element in the commercial and maritime network of the Kingdom of Castille in the early Middle Ages and 16th century. Felipe II designated the Port of Santander as the main naval base for Cantabria on 1570. In 1639 the Real Astillero de Guarnizo (Royal Dockyards) on the outskirts of Santander, were created. In 1765 the Royal decree governing free trade, which allowed the Port of Santander to trade with the Spanish colonies, was enacted. In 1785, the consulate of Santander was built. Midway through the 19th century Santander became one of the nation's leading port cities as a result of colonial trading. Throughout the centuries, the sea and the port have been the fundamental elements of a community which, through fishing, defence, shipbuilding and maritime trade, has maintained a constant presence on the world stage.
Santander was badly damaged by a fire in 1941 which destroyed the old quarter and most of its dwellings. The town was later rebuilt along original lines, with wide boulevards, a waterfront promenade, sidewalk cafes, shops, restaurants, and hotels.
Santander Shopping and Dining. Many of the boutiques and stores of Santander aren't in the city at all but within a 50-unit shopping centre three kilometres from town, beside the road leading to the airport. Fundación Marcellino Botín is an antiques gallery richly stocked with old furniture and paintings with rich veneers.
If you are feeling lucky, head for the gaming tables of the Gran Casino del Sardinero and afterwards relax in Lisboa, a bar/restaurant/café in the same complex.
Santander Attractions. The seafront of Santander is home to many attractions. The royal Magdalena Palace is near the Sardiniero beach and next to some pretty gardens and a casino. The Altamira Cave, to the South West of Santander, has famous drawings of bison Stone Age paintings.
Santander has some of Spain's best beaches, including Playa de Castaneda, Playa del Sardinero, and Playa de la Concha. Less crowded is El Puntal, a beautiful beach only accessible by boat. Santander's lighthouse, situated 2km from El Sardinero, has extensive views and a restaurant.
Other attractions include the Biblioteca Menéndez y Pelayo, Casa Museo, and Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes, with an array of works by Flemish, Spanish, and Italian artists. The Museo Regional de Prehistoria y Arqueología de Cantabria has interesting artefacts discovered in the Cantabrian province. Meanwhile, Roman ruins were discovered in 1983 beneath the north aisle of the 13th century Cathedral, a famous Santander fortress which was rebuilt after the 1941 fire. Holidaymakers should also visit the art gallery Artesantander, and architectural buildings Casa Pombo, Palacio Real de La Magdalena, Centro Cultural Caja Cantabria
Find out more about Santander and the Port of Santander.