San Juan De La Canal

Located in the city of Santander on Spain’s north coast, Playa de San Juan de la Canal is a very small, wide, and beige-colored beach that is among the most famous beaches in Santander.  Also known as Playa de San Juan de la Canal Beach, Playa de San Juan de la Canal has been awarded the Blue Flag by the European Union for its cleanliness.  Playa de San Juan de la Canal is a well-known destination for the celebrations on the night of San Juan Festival which features a very crowded night party held on the beach every June 23^rd.  

Playa de San Juan de la Canal offers many amenities including lifeguards, restrooms, showers, water sport equipment rentals, handicap accessible stairways, and a promenade with cafés, souvenir shops, and restaurants.  

There are many fun activities at Playa de San Juan de la Canal including swimming, surfing, biking, bicycling, sunbathing, and beach walking.  If you are looking for additional activities, there is a huge rock situated offshore which is a great fishing spot.  

Getting to Playa de San Juan de la Canal is very easy – the beach’s free parking lot is located at Av. Playa San Juan de la Canal, 42B, 39110 Santa Cruz de Bezana, Cantabria and provides easy access to the beach.

If you are looking for attractions near Playa de San Juan de la Canal, you can drive 20 minutes to Palacio de la Magdalena, a palace that was built in 1911 as a seasonal residence for the royal family of Spain and has been the setting for the Spanish television series Gran Hotel.  Parque Cabo Mayor is an awesome waterside park that is located at 39012 Santander and offers amazing views of the Bay of Santander, cliffs with hiking trails, and a lighthouse with an art gallery.  Mirador De Los Tranquilos is located at Bo. el Bosque, 92-98, 39160, Cantabria and features wooden benches that offer amazing views of the Bay of Biscay.  Another great attraction near Playa de San Juan de la Canal is Parque de Matalenas that is located at Av. del Faro, 12, 39012 Santander, has a playground, and is a great spot for picnicking and clicking Instagram-worthy pictures. 

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants within a 10-minute drive of Playa de San Juan de la Canal.  El Mirador Cantabro is a hamburger restaurant that features burgers, sandwiches, pies, French fries, and shakes - it is well-known for its gelato, coffee, friendly staff, and affordable prices.  Restaurante Rincon De La Canal is a Spanish-Mediterranean restaurant with a homely decor, indoor as well as outdoor seating, amazing water views, and an extensive wine list.  Restaurante Rincon De La Canal serves monkfish, laing, octopus, cortado, fruitcakes, and ice cream.  Restaurante La Farola serves fritos, plancha, meat items, lamb chops, fish, and pouting in a shaded patio setting on a terrace with city views.  Another good restaurant near Playa de San Juan de la Canal is Restaurante Pomodoro, an Italian restaurant with a nice menu that includes pizza, pasta, burritos, panna cotta, tiramisu cakes, and drinks.  The restaurant is popular for its salads, sangria, and wine.

If you are looking for a hotel near Playa de San Juan de la Canal, you can drive 20 minutes to the 4-Star Hotel Santemar that is located in front of the Bay and Santander and has a variety of on-site facilities including a pool, bar, buffet restaurant, gym, and nightclub.  Chateau La Roca Hotel is a 3-Star hotel with 60 rooms and suites with modern facilities and is surrounded by restaurants and cafes – it also has a nice bar.  If you are looking for affordable hotels near Playa de San Juan de la Canal, the 3-Star Hotel San Millan welcomes pets, has a pool, bar, spa, restaurant, and fitness center, and provides its guests with a terrace with city views – and El Jardin is a 2-Star hotel with spacious rooms featuring light-colored walls and flower decorations.  El Jardin offers a pool and hiking, windsurfing, fishing, and diving tours.