Santander Population 2026
Santander has a population of 173,635, making it the #37 biggest city in 🇪🇸 Spain, located in Cantabria. Roughly 0.4% of Spain's population lives here. It is about 19× smaller than Madrid, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
173,635
Rank in Spain
#37
Coordinates
43.47°N, 3.80°W
~1 m elevation · Europe/Madrid
Distance to capital (Madrid)
339 km
211 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Cantabria
| City | Population | Rank in Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Torrelavega | 55,297 | #135 |
| Castro-Urdiales | 31,977 | #230 |
| Camargo | 30,263 | #248 |
| El Astillero | 18,108 | #443 |
Cities near Santander
- El Astillero18,108 people · ~7 km away
- Camargo30,263 people · ~9 km away
- Torrelavega55,297 people · ~24 km away
- Castro-Urdiales31,977 people · ~48 km away
- Santurtzi46,978 people · ~64 km away
- Getxo80,770 people · ~65 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Santander?
Santander has a population of 173,635 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #37 biggest city in Spain.
What region is Santander in?
Santander is located in Cantabria, Spain.
Is Santander the capital of Spain?
No, the capital of Spain is Madrid, about 339 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.