Dog-Friendly Attractions in Santander

The Renzo Piano-designed cultural centre that hovers above the bay on stilts, surrounded by the redesigned Jardines de Pereda gardens. Dogs on lead are welcome around the centre's outdoor plaza and on the pedestrian footbridges over the harbour avenue, with one of the best bay views in town. The interior galleries do not admit dogs (assistance dogs only).

The 19th-century lighthouse at the city's northernmost point, perched on cliffs above the open Cantabrian Sea. The surrounding clifftop trail runs around 2 km along the dramatic coastal edge between Cabo Mayor and Cabo Menor, with whale and dolphin sightings in spring and autumn. Dogs on lead are welcome on the entire trail; the small lighthouse art museum inside does not admit dogs.

The 13th-century Gothic cathedral of Santander stands on two levels (lower Crypt of Cristo and upper cathedral) on top of an early Roman site, a few minutes from the Paseo Pereda. Dogs on lead are welcome on the surrounding pedestrian Plaza Porticada and along the cathedral terrace with views over the bay; the cathedral interior and crypt do not admit dogs.