A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Annecy vs. Santillana for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Annecy or Santillana?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Annecy and Santillana can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Annecy or Santillana?

Annecy

Annecy is an alpine town in southeastern France, where Lake Annecy feeds into the Thiou River. It's known for its Vieille Ville (old town), with cobbled streets, winding canals and pastel-colored houses. Annecy is situated on a stunning aqua clear lake between the Northern alps of France. Only thirty minutes away from Geneva, Switzerland, this French-Swiss town is unlike any other. Another nickname for this city is the Venice of France because the small center of the city is filled with water passages lined with beautiful flower boxes. The city is romantic because the waterways filled with lights that illuminate the bricks and you feel as if you are in a whole other world with no one around you. The purity of the lake and the beauty of its setting compels Anneciens outdoors - in good weather it seems everyone is hanging out in pavement cafes, mountain-gazing along the lakefront, swimming in the lake, or just aimlessly cycling around it.

Santillana

A quaint town outside of Santander in northern Spain, Santillana de Mar is renowned for its medieval architecture. One of Spain's prettiest villages, Santillana del Mar and its cobbled streets are lined with palaces, churches, and balconies full of flowers. There are plenty of traditional shops selling local specialties, and it is nearby the UNESCO world heritage site of the Altamira Caves for something a little different.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Annecy and Santillana, we can see that Annecy is more expensive. And not only is Santillana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santillana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santillana and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Annecy would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Annecy than you might in Santillana.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Annecy Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Annecy or Santillana?

Annecy has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Annecy and Santillana, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Annecy or Santillana?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Annecy or Santillana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Annecy as well as Santillana. Most visitors come to Annecy for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Annecy is a little warmer than Santillana in the summer. The daily temperature in Annecy averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santillana. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Annecy this time of the year. In the summer, Annecy often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Annecy gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

Annecy usually gets more rain in July than Santillana. Annecy gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Annecy or Santillana in the Autumn?

Both Santillana and Annecy are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Annecy because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Annecy is cooler than Santillana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Annecy in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Santillana averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Annecy usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santillana during autumn. Annecy gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. In October, Annecy usually receives less rain than Santillana. Annecy gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Annecy or Santillana in the Winter?

Both Santillana and Annecy during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Annecy this time of year.

It's quite cold in Annecy in the winter. In January, Annecy is generally much colder than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Annecy average around 4°C (39°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Annecy often gets less sunshine than Santillana. Annecy gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun.

Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Annecy usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Annecy gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Annecy or Santillana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Annecy and Santillana. Many travelers come to Annecy for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Annecy is around the same temperature as Santillana in the spring. The daily temperature in Annecy averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Annecy usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Annecy gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Santillana receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Annecy usually receives less rain than Santillana. Annecy gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santillana and Annecy