A lesser-known city in Spain has been branded the best place to live in Europe by a German documentary.
State television network ZDF is currently filming a programme in the very north of the country.
According to them, it is the port city of Santander that offers the best quality of life on the continent.
The German show is being led by journalist Christian Sievers, who has already interviewed the mayor, Gema Igual, about what makes the Cantabrian capital an ‘ideal’ city to live in.
Igual said: ‘Santander continues to attract the attention of national and international media as a city capable of offering the best of a major metropolis, while allowing for a better quality of life with a close and enjoyable environment.’
The documentary will air on June 9 and will focus on Santander as a model of quality of life, described by producers as a ‘hidden gem’.
Among the filming locations is the the Mercado de la Esperanza (Hope Market), where they spoke with its merchants, plus the Botin Centre, the Bay of Santander and its beaches.
According to a press release by the City Council, the Germans have shown particular interest in Santander’s ‘tranquility, beauty, and marine, natural, and scenic surroundings, as well as its leisure, gastronomic, and tourist offerings.’
Santander has a range of pristine beaches, including Playa del Sardinero, Playa de Mataleñas and Playa de la Magdalena. Unlike other tourist resorts, they rarely become crowded.
Meanwhile, its coastline is dramatic, and hikers and skiiers have the Picos de Europa mountains nearby.
Santander also has lots of green spaces, making it ideal for those who enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle.
And if you don’t like crowds, Santander could be for you – plus it’s easy to walk or bike around and it boasts good public transport networks.
There is also relatively low crime, and it is known for its tapas and seafood, most of it caught fresh from the Cantabrian Sea.
For those who like to travel, Santander offers quick routes to Bilbao and San Sebastian – and France in the north.
