Bilbao to Santander: Private day trip
Private ride with a local driver
6h 30mRound tripPrivate driver
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About your trip
Leave Bilbao behind and journey to Santander, a refined seaside city. Expect coastal vistas, historic elegance, and excellent food.
Exclusively yours: private vehicle and professional driver
Discover local insights you won't find in guidebooks
Experience the freedom to explore at your own speed
Perfectly planned for families, friends, or solo travelers
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet our professional driver right where you prefer in Bilbao whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.Discover more with local expertise
Your driver’s local insights will set the tone for your day trip. A hidden café here, a must-try restaurant there; insider tips you’ll love sharing later. This isn’t a guided tour but your ride will be rich with stories and discoveries along the way. And throughout the day, your driver will be available for you as needed, ready to assist, happy to help, making your trip stress-free.Explore at your own pace
Your Daytrip driver meets you in Bilbao and ensures a smooth coastal journey to Santander, handling all logistics while you relax and enjoy the scenery.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.Good to know
- Two-way private car transfer
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized pickup and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Complimentary bottled water
- Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
- Entry/Admission tickets to paid attractions Santander should be purchased separately unless specified otherwise
- Meals, snacks, and gratuity are not included
From €120
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€360
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
Start in Bilbao
You choose the pickup spot.
1
Santander
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 4 hours - admission not included
A refined coastal city known for cultural heritage and golden Atlantic beaches.
Main attractions • Palacio de la Magdalena, early 20th-century royal residence of King Alfonso XIII • Playa del Sardinero, a wide, iconic beach with uninterrupted ocean views • Centro Botin, a striking oceanside contemporary arts center • Rebuilt after the 1941 fire, shaping Santander’s modern, elegant layout • Open coastal vistas along the Bay of Biscay, ideal for sunset watching
What to Eat • Rabas (fried calamari), grilled fish, and fresh seafood with Cantabrian white wine
What to Buy • Santona anchovies, gourmet preserves, and regional wines
Take Note • The solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, peaks around 20:27–20:28 in Santander; Playa del Sardinero and the Magdalena Peninsula offer excellent views, arrive early for a clear spot and be sure to check official sources for the exact timing
Back to Bilbao
We’ll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?Contact our Customer Support. We are available 24/7
Daytrip is loved all around the world. Here's why.
Know more about your day trip
Yes, Santander has several excellent beaches. Playa del Sardinero is the largest and most famous, with golden sand and good facilities. Playa de la Magdalena is calmer and more sheltered, ideal for families. Atlantic waters can feel cool, but summer swimming and surf lessons are popular along this stretch of coast.
Santander sits about 65 miles (105 km) west of Bilbao along Spain's northern coast. The drive takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes each way, with scenic Bay of Biscay views along the route. It's a popular and easy day trip for travelers based in the Basque Country.
Yes, Santander's center is compact and very walkable. Most sights, including the cathedral, port, Centro Botin, and main shopping streets, lie within easy strolling distance. The Magdalena Peninsula and Sardinero beach are a longer walk or a short ride away. Bring comfortable shoes for the mix of flat streets and gentle hills.
Yes, Santander offers a relaxed, elegant counterpart to Bilbao's edgy art scene. Where Bilbao is industrial and design-driven, Santander is a refined seaside city with golden beaches, royal residences, and traditional Cantabrian cuisine. The contrast makes them a great pairing on a single trip to northern Spain.
Santander's main highlights include the Palacio de la Magdalena, a former royal residence on a peninsula with sweeping ocean views. Other must-sees are Playa del Sardinero beach, the Centro Botin contemporary arts center designed by Renzo Piano, the cathedral, and the lively Mercado de la Esperanza food market.
Santander is known for top-quality seafood and Cantabrian cuisine. Try rabas (fried calamari), grilled fish, anchovies from nearby Santona, and rice dishes with shellfish. Pair them with crisp local white wines or cider. The bars around Calle Hernan Cortes and the city's mercados are great spots to graze.
Late June through September brings the warmest weather and the liveliest beach scene. Spring and early fall are quieter and pleasant for sightseeing, though showers are more common. Winters are mild but rainy. If you want to combine swimming, festivals, and dining outdoors, July and August are ideal.
Pack comfortable walking shoes and a light layer, since coastal breezes can feel cool even on warm days. In summer, bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a hat for the beach. A light rain jacket is wise outside of July and August. Cards are widely accepted, but small cash helps at markets.
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