Faro Santander Opens its Doors in Cantabria's Capital
Overlooking the bay in the heart of Cantabria's capital, one of Santander's best-loved buildings begins a new chapter today.
For decades it was the headquarters of Banco Santander on the waterfront Paseo de Pereda, though from 8 September, it's welcoming the public as Faro Santander, a new arts centre that His Majesty King Felipe VI formally inaugurated on the eve of its opening.
From Bank to Beacon
The Pereda Building has reinvented itself many times over. Its story began in the late eighteenth century, and it served as a hotel and a sailing club long before the bank moved in during the 1920s. Its best-known feature came in the 1950s: a monumental arch joining its twin wings, topped by four sculpted figures. The arch has since become one of the most photographed sights on Santander's seafront.
The latest chapter has been shaped by British architect Sir David Chipperfield, the 2023 Pritzker Prize laureate. His approach respects the building's heritage while opening up its interiors to visitors for the first time. Run by the Banco Santander Foundation, Faro Santander, whose name means "lighthouse" in Spanish, is designed as a cultural meeting point for locals and international visitors alike.
Surrealism, Mexican Modernism and More
The centre opens with three headline exhibitions.
The first draws on the bank's own art collection, while the second is dedicated to modern Mexican art from the renowned Gelman Santander Collection, running until 10 January 2027.
For British visitors, The Symptomatic Surreal: Leonora Carrington (until 31 January 2027) offers a particularly compelling link. The Lancashire-born artist spent a troubled period in Santander in 1940, and the city left a lasting mark on her life and work. The exhibition explores that connection, while elsewhere in the building, an immersive installation reveals the building's past, and a dedicated space showcases emerging artists supported through the centre's creative grants programme.
A Festive Welcome
While entry is free for everyone until 17 September, the opening fortnight is packed with talks, family activities and live music, and on Saturday 12 September a free open-air festival will fill the gardens outside.
The festival brings together local Cantabrian musicians and ends with the building's façade lit up after dark. On the upper floors, a rooftop terrace and restaurant serve seasonal Cantabrian cuisine with panoramic views over the bay.
Planning a Visit?
From 18 September, Faro Santander will open daily from 10am to 8pm, except on Tuesdays (public holidays aside). Adult tickets are €14, and under-18s go free. Audio guides can be accessed on visitors' own phones at no extra cost, and daily guided tours are also available. Full details and bookings are available at www.farosantander.com.
Well connected to the UK by ferry, Santander is fast becoming one of northern Spain's most rewarding city breaks. Faro Santander joins the striking Centro Botín a short stroll along the seafront, and together they add fresh cultural appeal to a city already celebrated for its golden beaches, Belle Époque elegance and outstanding food scene.
For all press enquiries contact Jessica Harvey Taylor on Jessica.harvey@tourspain.es or the Spanish Tourist Office's PR agency LOTUS on spain@wearelotus.co.uk.