Parque de La Magdalena, Municipal park in Santander, Spain
Parque de La Magdalena is a park spanning around 25,000 square meters surrounding the Royal Palace in Santander. Walking paths crisscross the grounds and open onto views of the Cantabrian Sea and El Sardinero beach.
The area remained empty until the late 1800s, with only a hermitage dedicated to Saint Magdalena and a defensive castle overlooking the bay. Later development transformed this once quiet location into the park that exists today.
The park features a small zoo section on the northern cliffs where visitors can watch seals, penguins, and sea lions in their spaces. These animals have become central to how locals and tourists experience and connect with the coastal landscape.
The park opens daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM and entry is free. Multiple entrances connect the grounds to public transportation, making it easy to arrive from different parts of the city.
The grounds display historical galleons from Vital Alsar, a Santander sailor, telling stories of past sea voyages and maritime heritage. These vessels offer a tangible connection to the region's seafaring past.
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