Title: Plaza Porticada in Santander City Centre - Tours and Activities | Expedia.ca [Plaza Porticada Hotels](https://expedia.ca/Plaza-Porticada-Hotels.0-l6122414-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Plaza Porticada Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Plaza-Porticada.d6122414.Car-Rental-Guide)[Santander City Centre Vacations](https://expedia.ca/Santander-City-Centre.d553248633937780725.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Plaza Porticada Tours and Activities ![Plaza Porticada featuring a square or plaza and heritage architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6122414/e6329f7c-bd41-4f8c-b5c2-a9f2cba1a6d1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Plaza Porticada featuring a square or plaza and heritage architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6122414/e6329f7c-bd41-4f8c-b5c2-a9f2cba1a6d1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Plaza Porticada featuring interior views and heritage elements as well as a small group of people](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6122414/a306ee23-36d1-4dc1-955b-fad4aa8e482c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Plaza Porticada featuring street scenes and heritage architecture as well as a couple](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6122414/b9179993-7c4a-4df1-b63a-6953acaf5444.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Plaza Porticada which includes street scenes, heritage architecture and a square or plaza](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6122414/5c41132e-de31-41e7-a2f9-7b67e1298cf6.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Plaza Porticada Activities --- --- #### In the heart of the city’s commercial area is a beautiful square surrounded by a collection of grand arcaded buildings. Plaza Porticada was one of the phoenixes that rose from the ashes of a fire that ripped through most of Santander in 1941, almost destroying the city. It is also known as the Plaza de Velarde, after Pedro Velarde, a military figure who died in the 1808 uprising against the French occupation of Madrid. Come here to admire the stately architecture of the surrounding buildings. Stand in the middle of the square for a good view of the buildings, which are occupied by government offices and a bank. The look is Herrerian, a Spanish architectural style that was developed in the 16th century and is characterized by geometric precision and little or no decoration. Go over to the building belonging to the Caja Santander and Cantabria. The porch of this bank's offices is adorned with two naturalistic nude statutes of a man holding a honeycomb and a woman carrying two pitchers. These figures represent savings and charity and were created by the Bilbao-born sculptor Agustín de la Herrán Matorras. Their nakedness caused a lot of controversy at the time of their unveiling. Elsewhere in the plaza, gaze up at the monument to Velarde. It represents the national hero brandishing a sword and standing next to a canon. Contemplate your surroundings while enjoying a coffee and pastry at one of the cafés in the plaza. During your time in the city, there may be opportunities to watch concerts and see exhibitions in the square. Throughout the year it often hosts free cultural activities. Plaza Porticada is located in the center of the city, close to numerous bus stops and garages where parking is available for a fee. After your visit leave the square and explore other notable attractions that are within easy walking distance. These include the centuries-old Gothic Santander Cathedral and the Jardines de Pereda. Also nearby are some of Santander’s main shopping streets such as Calle Juan de Herrera and Calle Calvo Sotelo. ### Popular places to visit ![Parroquia Santisimo Cristo featuring heritage elements and interior views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532487517/132d17ec-c3e7-4179-a5f3-e58465d3313f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Parroquia Santisimo Cristo Examine religious works of art beneath the low vaulted ceiling of a church that makes up the lower section of Santander Cathedral. [](https://expedia.ca/Parroquia-Santisimo-Cristo-Santander-City-Centre.d553248621532487517.Vacation-Attraction) ![Santander which includes markets, interior views and a bar](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635200585601/1042b64c-2ba1-448a-be44-28c09f74f350.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Mercado del Este During your visit to Santander, you can do some window-shopping at Mercado del Este. Wander the beautiful beaches and waterfront in the area. [](https://expedia.ca/Mercado-Del-Este-Santander-City-Centre.d553248635200585601.Vacation-Attraction) ![Santander Cathedral showing heritage architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6122412/52831eb6-1b1b-469d-acac-ce3da106eab4.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Santander Cathedral 5/5(1 review) This fortress-like building is actually two churches combined and stands on a pile of Roman ruins. Inside, see religious works of art and sacred relics. [](https://expedia.ca/Santander-Cathedral-Santander-City-Centre.d6122412.Vacation-Attraction) ![Jardines de Pereda which includes a bridge, a river or creek and hiking or walking](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621533072377/d0c04997-b93f-4919-81f0-7f6bdb9259ea.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Jardines de Pereda Wander along the charming promenade and inspect the wonderful statues and fountain in gardens built on the city’s old port. [](https://expedia.ca/Jardines-De-Pereda-Santander-City-Centre.d553248621533072377.Vacation-Attraction) ![Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria showing interior views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532487528/54be3b4e-1870-4143-ab08-0e9d801df50c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria Inspect the intriguing ancient objects excavated from several archaeological digs of prehistoric and medieval sites dotted around the Cantabria region. [](https://expedia.ca/Museum-Of-Prehistory-And-Archaeology-Of-Cantabria-Santander-City-Centre.d553248621532487528.Vacation-Attraction) ![Banco Santander showing heritage architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621562487822/ae2729da-25b7-4779-9c63-7bfc70a721fe.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Banco Santander Consider the importance of this institution in the banking world while you marvel at the building’s vast hole through which vehicles pass. [](https://expedia.ca/Banco-Santander-Santander-City-Centre.d553248621562487822.Vacation-Attraction) --- ## Best Lodging Options Near Plaza Porticada ## Check availability on hotels close to Plaza Porticada [Tonight ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6122414&startDate=2026-02-22&endDate=2026-02-23)[Feb 22 - Feb 23](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6122414&startDate=2026-02-22&endDate=2026-02-23) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6122414&startDate=2026-02-23&endDate=2026-02-24)[Feb 23 - Feb 24](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6122414&startDate=2026-02-23&endDate=2026-02-24) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6122414&startDate=27%2F02%2F2026&endDate=01%2F03%2F2026)[Feb 27 - Mar 1](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6122414&startDate=27%2F02%2F2026&endDate=01%2F03%2F2026) ![Hotel Bahia](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/570000/562100/562045/58d989aa_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Hotel Bahia C/ Cádiz, 22 Santander Cantabria [](https://expedia.ca/Santander-Hotels-Hotel-Bahia.h562045.Hotel-Information) ![Dorma Coliseum](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/920000/915900/915811/768ef403_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Dorma Coliseum Plaza de los Remedios, 1 Santander Cantabria [](https://expedia.ca/Santander-Hotels-Dorma-Coliseum.h915811.Hotel-Information) ![Sercotel El Balcón de la Bahía](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/43000000/42550000/42548900/42548802/2d9b7134_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Sercotel El Balcón de la Bahía Paseo Menéndez Pelayo 44 Santander Cantabria [](https://expedia.ca/Santander-Hotels-El-Balcon-De-La-Bahia-Suites.h42548802.Hotel-Information) ![Hotel Santemar](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/6300/6233/47aeaf77_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Hotel Santemar C/ Joaquin Costa, 28 Santander Cantabria [](https://expedia.ca/Santander-Hotels-Hotel-Santemar.h6233.Hotel-Information) ![Hotel Picos de Europa](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/13000000/12080000/12072300/12072212/3c571fbb_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Hotel Picos de Europa Arco Iris 2, Plaza Numancia Santander Cantabria [](https://expedia.ca/Santander-Hotels-Hotel-Picos-De-Europa.h12072212.Hotel-Information) ![PLAZA SANTANDER](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/111000000/110400000/110395800/110395771/3dc16e7b_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### PLAZA SANTANDER C. 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