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

Should you visit Arles 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 Arles and Santillana can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Arles or Santillana?

Arles

Arles is a city (and commune) in the south of France, in the Bouches-du-Rhone department. A large part of the Camargue is located on the territory of the commune, making it the largest commune in Metropolitan France in terms of territory. The city has a long history, and was considerably important in the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. The Roman and Romanesque Monuments of Arles were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1981. The Dutch post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles from 1888 to 1889 and produced over 300 paintings and drawings during his time there. The Arles area is full of culture and rich in history. It has many treasures, points of interest, and colorful sunbaked houses and is a great introduction into the Camarguais culture.

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 Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Arles?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Arles is €142, while the average daily cost in Santillana is €105. 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 Arles and Santillana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arles 71
    Santillana 60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arles 142
    Santillana 120
Compare Hotels in Arles and Santillana

Looking for a hotel in Arles or Santillana? 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 Arles


Hotels in Santillana


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: Arles Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arles 23
    Santillana 17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arles

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arles:

  • Arles to Marseille Airport (MRS) - Departure Private Transfer: $117

Is it cheaper to fly into Arles or Santillana?

Prices for flights to both Santillana and Arles 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
    Arles 52
    Santillana 30
Typical Food Prices in Arles

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arles:


  • Cooked Clams
    4.50
  • Ice Cream
    1.00

Typical Food Prices in Santillana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:


  • Breakfast
    7.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arles 31
    Santillana 23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arles

Here are a few typical costs in Arles for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Castle Entrance Fee
    5.50

Tours and Activities in Arles

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

  • Provence Region Roman Abbey of Montmajour Entrance Ticket: $7.64
  • City tour 45mn of the city, its history, its monuments,: $70
  • City tour 1 hour of the city, its history, its monuments,: $84
  • From Avignon: Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence & Saint-Rémy Tour: $106
  • Arles 2-Hour Private Walking Tour: $187
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour: $201
  • Half Day Private Guided Tour of Arles: $202
  • Private Guided Tour of Arles: $218
  • Art and History Walking Tour: $299
  • Arles Private guided walking tour from Marseille: $342
  • Arles, Saint-Rémy & Les Baux De Provence: Guided Tour: $1,176

Tours and Activities in Santillana

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

  • Memorable Family Walking Tour in Ancient Santillana del Mar: $428

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arles 24
    Santillana 4.29

Sample the Local Flavors in Arles

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Arles:

  • Lavender Field & Distillery Tour between Nimes & Arles: $6.20

Sample the Local Flavors in Santillana

Also in Santillana, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Santillana Uncorked: A Wine Tasting Adventure: $1,022


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arles and Santillana, we can see that Arles 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 Arles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arles 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 Arles Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Arles or Santillana?

Arles has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Arles 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 Arles or Santillana?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Arles or Santillana in the Summer?

Both Santillana and Arles are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Arles is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 24°C (75°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Santillana. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. Arles usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during summer. Arles gets 354 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Arles usually receives less rain than Santillana. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Arles 24°C (75°F) 
    Santillana 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Arles or Santillana in the Autumn?

Both Santillana and Arles during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Arles because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Arles is around the same temperature as Santillana in the autumn. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Santillana fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Arles often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Arles gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun.

Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Arles. Arles usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Santillana. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Arles 16°C (61°F) 
    Santillana 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Arles or Santillana in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Arles and Santillana. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In the winter, Arles is cooler than Santillana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Arles in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Santillana averages at about 9°C (49°F).

Arles usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during winter. Arles gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.

Santillana receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Arles usually receives less rain than Santillana. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Arles 7°C (44°F) 
    Santillana 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Arles or Santillana in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Arles as well as Santillana. Many travelers come to Arles for the natural beauty.

In April, Arles is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 13°C (56°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. In the spring, Arles often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Arles gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santillana. Arles usually gets less rain in April than Santillana. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Arles 13°C (56°F) 
    Santillana 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santillana and Arles

Arles Santillana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 7°C (44°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 10°C (50°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 60 mm (2.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 20°C (69°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 11°C (51°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)