One of my recent trips was to this magnificent palace in Santander. It was the setting of Grand Hotel, a period time Netflix series from 2011 and I wanted to see it in person. It took me some years but I finally was there and I can tell you it was worth the wait.
Santander, in the north of Spain, is a combination of green mountain landscapes with white sand beaches, elegant mansions and grand architecture.
The Peninsula of La Magdalena covers an approximate area of 25 hectares and it is part of the Bay of Santander. The palace is situated at the highest point of the Peninsula and its construction took part between 1908 and 1912. The purpose was to present Kings Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia with a summer residence. The monarchs and their children spent their summers in the palace between 1913 and 1930 followed by many of the aristocracy who started the tradition of summers in the north to get away from Madrid’s heat.
Today, the palace is an atypical Convention and Meeting Centre. It hosts meetings of various kinds, including civil weddings. From June to September the Menéndez Pelayo International University holds conferences and congresses here.
The outdoors can be visited any time and you must get there on foot as cars are not allowed but it is a very nice walk among trees and amazing views of the sea. Guided visits inside the palace are available but you need to make a reservation. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and they take you through all the magnificent rooms for only 3 euros.
GaliciaStyle 
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