Festival Internacional de Santander
- When: 1st – 25th August 2018
- Where: Santander, Spain
- Website: festivalsantander.com
The Santander International Festival is endowed with art, culture and entertainment. It is held during the month of August and there are several historical sites in the city of Santander chosen to showcase its wide range of activities and events.
The programme consists of music concerts, theatre performances, recitals, opera, ballet and dance. Some of these activities are very traditional and some are innovative new twists on an old classic. For over three weeks, palaces, gardens, churches and caves are all set to host a multitude of artists from different performing arts.
Santander, just a boat ride away from Britain
The historic town centre of Santander is spectacular, as are its natural surroundings – mountains with views of the Cantabrian Sea. For a relaxing time in the sun, one of the places you simply must visit in Santander in its famous beach El Sardinero, but for an exciting day out you can take the car up to see the famous Altamira Caves in Cantabria.
Santander is one of the most exalted tourist destinations on the northern Spanish coast, and better yet, there’s even a ferry that will take you direct from the south coast of England, either from Plymouth or Portsmouth.
From the city’s Cathedral and the Paseo de Pereda to the Festival Palace, the Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology and all its popular parks, take advantage of some free days out in the town and enjoy everything it has to offer.
What’s on at the Santander International Festival?
The Festival Internacional de Santander is one of the most popular music festivals in Cantabria. It has been held every year since the middle of the 20th century in the city of Santander. Its program is varied and very authentic, with great performances from well-known voices on the scene today. The aim is to surprise the public and create expectation, something the event organisers usually manage to achieve.
Dances and recitals, concerts of early music, symphonic and baroque events and family-centred shows all make up the roster for this festival in an incomparable historical setting. As far as ticket prices are concerned, they are quite affordable so that everyone can have the chance to enjoy the famous festival.
Its origins date back to 1948 at the Menéndez Pelayo International University. At that time there were theatre performances and music events to show university students, mostly foreigners, the local art of the place. Over time, it managed to attract the attention of other audiences and became a popular public event.
A few years later, all kinds of artistic shows were already taking place with open-air theatre performances, choirs and national Spanish art dances and orchestras. Little by little, other types of cultural manifestations such as operas and ballet were included in the programme until the Santander International Festival was formed as we know it today.
Throughout all this time, Santander has hosted many professional companies, soloists and performers of renowned prestige such as Antonio Gades and the dancer Rudolf Nureyev, among others. In 1990, the Festival Palace was completed, becoming one of the most representative buildings of the festival, and the city itself, along with other historic buildings.
Find property on idealista
- Properties for sale: Santander and the Costa de Cantabria
- Long-term rentals: Santander and the Costa de Cantabria
Tennis, sunshine, and style: Davis Cup 2025 arrives in Marbella
Spain will host Denmark in an electrifying Davis Cup Qualifier at Marbella’s prestigious Puente Romano Tennis Club from 13–14 September 2025. This decisive tie will determine which nation earns a coveted place in the Final 8 in Bologna this November — and it’s set to be one of the highlights of Marbella’s late-summer social calendar.
Discover the most beautiful white villages in Andalusia and Southern Spain
Southern Spain is famous for its sunshine, beaches, rich culture and historic towns – but nothing quite compares to its pueblos blancos, or white villages. These charming whitewashed towns are found throughout Andalusia, Murcia, and Extremadura, offering stunning views, fascinating architecture, and a peaceful escape from the modern world.
Madrid, the safest city in the world according to Trump
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has described Madrid as the safest city in the world. He made the statement during a press briefing in which he announced that the federal government would take control of the Washington DC police, with the aim of reducing crime rates.
Living in Coripe: houses from €20K in rural Seville
Tucked away in the province of Seville, Coripe is the kind of place that barely registers on the usual tourist map. This is precisely why its property market is so remarkable, with traditional village houses starting from around €20,000. It’s an ideal spot for anyone seeking an authentic, rural Andalusian life without the hefty price tag.
Living in Sant Pere de Ribes: coast, city and countryside
For anyone considering living in Sant Pere de Ribes, this town in the Garraf region offers a wonderfully peaceful lifestyle while still keeping you well-connected to Barcelona. Its fantastic spot means you’re never far from the coast and can easily explore the many natural areas nearby.
Typical Balearic Islands dishes: this is the archipelago's cuisine
Visitors to the Balearic Islands don't only love their idyllic landscapes and crystal-clear beaches but also their rich, time-honoured cuisine that reflects centuries of history, cultural fusion and a deep respect for local ingredients.
Living in Madrid: calling the capital home
As Spain's capital, Madrid is a powerhouse of art, business, and culture. It’s a city with a personality very different to the coastal spots many people first think of in Spain. Proudly landlocked, the city has scorching summers and crisp winters. It's a city that comes alive after dark, with a social scene that revolves around late dinners and finding the perfect terrace for a caña.