Magdalena Palace

In 1908, construction began on this majestic palace, which is now considered one of the most emblematic buildings in the city of Santander. Located at the top of the Magdalena peninsula, it was the summer residence of King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia. Since 1933, it has been the seat of the Menéndez Pelayo International University and also serves as a conference and meeting centre. 

During the summer, Magdalena Palace hosts different courses offered by the Menéndez Pelayo International University and, throughout its existence, it has hosted different events, such as ministerial summits.The Palace is an architectural mixture of various styles and influences, mainly English and French, as well as neo-montanesque and modernist. The result is a slender and elegant building. Notable features inside include its main staircase and the various halls. It also has an important collection of furniture, photographs and paintings from the time when the palace was a royal residence. Among the pictorial works are paintings by masters of the time, such as Sorolla. Guided tours are available by appointment, which can be requested on the Palace's website. In addition, the Palace is surrounded by extensive gardens, which are also worth a stroll around for beautiful views of the cliffs. In fact, the Magdalena peninsula has other tourist attractions, such as an open-air marine park, the La Cerda lighthouse, the Royal Stables and the beaches of La Magdalena and Bikini. There is a tourist train that runs along the Magdalena peninsula.