On the La Magdalena Peninsula in Santander stands a palace that has remained one of the city’s main attractions for over a century. Built in 1913 as a gift to the Spanish monarchs Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia, this architectural complex overlooking the Cantabrian Sea served for many years as the royal family’s summer residence.
This year, the Palacio de La Magdalena is once again drawing the attention of tourists and locals thanks to the launch of a series of theatrical guided tours. This new format will not only introduce guests to the history of the building, but also allow them to see areas that are usually closed to the general public.
The tours will take place over two Sundays—August 24th and September 7th, with two sessions each day. Visitors can look forward to a 50-minute journey through the palace halls, where they will be greeted by actors portraying historical figures. The guide will take on the role of a palace staff member, leading guests along a route and introducing them to key figures of the past—architect Gonzalo Bringas, King Alfonso XIII, Queen Victoria Eugenia, and a poet associated with Santander’s university life in the 20th century.
Special attention is given to access to exclusive rooms on the ground floor, which are usually open only for special events. With this new initiative, tickets for the theatrical tour will cost 17 euros. The price for regular tours remains unchanged—6.50 euros for adults and 4.50 euros for concession categories. Children under six can visit the palace free of charge.
Tickets are already available for purchase on official platforms. Organizers note that if demand is high, additional tour dates may be added on weekends.
La Magdalena Palace, recognized as a historical and artistic monument in 1982, also serves an educational purpose—it hosts the summer campus of the Menéndez Pelayo International University. For this reason, standard palace tours are scheduled until September 15 as follows: on Saturdays at 10:00, 11:00, 16:00, and 17:00, and on Sundays at 11:00, 12:00, and 13:00.
During the tours, visitors can see iconic rooms such as Victoria Eugenia’s office, the family lounge featuring works by Sorolla and Sotomayor, and the royal hall, which houses Renaissance cabinets and historical portraits. The palace grounds are open daily for walks from 8:00 to 22:00, and entry to the parks and gardens is free.
La Magdalena Palace has long been a symbol of Santander and one of the region’s most visited landmarks. Themed tours offer a unique chance to glimpse normally hidden aspects of its history and experience the royal era’s atmosphere, reinterpreted for today. This format has already proven to be an effective way to highlight the city’s cultural heritage and keep public interest in its historical monuments alive.
For those planning to visit the palace this summer, it is an opportunity not only to learn more about Santander’s past, but also to become part of a living performance taking place within the walls of one of Cantabria’s most beautiful coastal buildings.
