A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antalya vs. Santander for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Antalya or Santander?

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

Should I visit Antalya or Santander? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Antalya or Santander?

Antalya

Antalya is the largest city along Turkey's Mediterranean coast and the eighth largest city in the country with over one million people in the metropolitan area. The city dates back to about 200 BC when it was settled by the Attalid Dynasty of Pergamon and soon conquered by the Romans. The city was ruled by several different groups and most recently was transferred to Italian suzerainty following World War I. It became part of Turkey following the War of Independence. The city has seen an influx of development in recent years and it has grown into a tourism mecca with more than 12 million visitors in 2014.

Santander

Santander is the capital of the Cantabria Region which runs along the northern coast of Spain. Located right on the bay, it is a place of many historic churches and a handful of interesting museums that range from archaeological discoveries of the region, to maritime history, and cultural features like bullfighting. There is also a large selection of beaches for those looking for a more relaxing getaway in the sun and sand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Antalya?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Antalya is $147, while the average daily cost in Santander is $116. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Antalya and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antalya $55
    Santander $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antalya $110
    Santander $110
Compare Hotels in Antalya and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Antalya or Santander? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Antalya


Hotels in Santander


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Antalya Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antalya $110
    Santander $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antalya

Also for Antalya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - Economy: $88
  • Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - TOP VIP Minibus: $132
  • Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - VIP Minibus: $117
  • Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - VIP Minivan: $103
  • Private Transfer From Antalya Airport To Denizyaka / Gündoğdu / Çolaklı: $76
  • Private Transfer From Antalya Airport To Titreyengöl / Sorgun: $91
  • AYT - Konyaaltı | Private Transfer Between Antalya Airport: $37
  • Adana Airport Transfers to Adana city Hotels: $55
  • Adana Airport Transfers to Tarsus city Hotels: $82
  • Airport Private Transfer from Antalya to Side/Belek/Kundu: $65
  • Alanya City Tour, Boat Trip & Cable Car with Transfer from Side: $63
  • Alanya/Mahmutlar: Private Transfer to/from Antalya Airport: $42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
  • Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Antalya or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander and Antalya change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Antalya $25
    Santander $44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antalya

For Antalya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Pamukkalea and Salda Lake Tour with Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner: $40
  • Traditional Turkish Tastes at Antalya Food Tour: $47
  • Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Dinner: $73
  • Full day trip to Pamukkale from Side with dinner: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antalya $46
    Santander $19

Tours and Activities in Antalya

For Antalya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Antalya Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $3.21
  • Bazaar Self-Guided Smartphone App Tour: $6.00
  • Antalya Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
  • Antalya Scavenger Hunt And Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Antalya Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Self-Guided Audio City Tour on Your Phone: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Antalya Sand Sculpture Museum Admission Ticket: $11
  • Sulu Island and Adrasan Bay: Boat Tour with Lunch: $13
  • Full-Day Private Rafting Adventure in Karabük Türkiye: $13
  • Spa and Skin Care Experience with Massage and Drink: $14

Tours and Activities in Santander

Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
  • From Cantabria Private Tour: $492
  • From Gastronomic Tour: $128
  • From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
  • From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
  • Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $54
  • Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
  • Gastronomy tour: $119
  • Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
  • Picos de Europa and Potes Guided Tour from Santander : $84
  • Private Puente Viesgo Caves Full-Day Tour from Santander: $212
  • 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antalya $20
    Santander $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antalya and Santander, we can see that Antalya is more expensive. And not only is Santander much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santander would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santander 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 Antalya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antalya than you might in Santander.

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


Which is Bigger, Antalya or Santander?

Antalya has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Antalya and Santander, 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 Antalya or Santander?

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 Antalya or Santander in the Summer?

Both Santander and Antalya during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Antalya this time of year.

Antalya is a little warmer than Santander in the summer. The daily temperature in Antalya averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Antalya. In the summer, Antalya often gets more sunshine than Santander. Antalya gets 376 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.

Antalya usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Antalya gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Antalya 28°C (83°F) 
    Santander 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Antalya or Santander in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Antalya and Santander. Many travelers come to Antalya for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Antalya is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Antalya in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Santander averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In Antalya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Antalya usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Antalya gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Antalya usually receives less rain than Santander. Antalya gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Antalya 21°C (69°F) 
    Santander 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Antalya or Santander in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Antalya as well as Santander. Many visitors come to Antalya in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Antalya is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Antalya average around 11°C (51°F), and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Antalya often gets more sunshine than Santander. Antalya gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santander. Antalya receives a lot of rain in the winter. Antalya usually gets more rain in January than Santander. Antalya gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Antalya 11°C (51°F) 
    Santander 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Antalya or Santander in the Spring?

Both Santander and Antalya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Antalya for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Antalya is a little warmer than Santander in the spring. The daily temperature in Antalya averages around 16°C (62°F) in April, and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Antalya. Antalya usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Antalya gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In April, Antalya usually receives less rain than Santander. Antalya gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Antalya 16°C (62°F) 
    Santander 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santander and Antalya

Antalya Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 239 mm (9.4 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 16°C (62°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 20°C (69°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 21°C (69°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 227 mm (8.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)