Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Athens or Santillana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Santillana. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Athens or Santillana?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Santillana €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, 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 Athens and Santillana in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Santillana €60
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Santillana €120
Compare Hotels in Athens and Santillana
Looking for a hotel in Athens 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.
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: Athens Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Santillana €17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
-
Airport Bus for Two€6.40
-
Metro€1.50
-
Metro€2.00
-
Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
-
Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Athens to Piraeus (Athens) Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Private Athens International Airport to Piraeus Port Transfer: $80
- "Luxurious Transfer": $47
- AIRPORT TRANSFER in Athens : $28
- Airport Private Transfers: $79
- Airport Transfer: $109
- Airport Transfer/ Athens Greece: $28
- Airport Transfer: Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Business Car: $80
- Airport Transfer: Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Luxury Car: $126
- Airport Transfer: Athens to Athens Airport ATH by Luxury Van: $113
- Airport transfer: $131
- Arrival Private Transfer from Athens Airport ATH to Athens City by Minibus: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Santillana?
Prices for flights to both Santillana and Athens 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 dayAthens €37Santillana €30
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
-
Ice cream€3.00
-
Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $24
- Street Food Tour Market & City Centre: $42
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $46
- Greek Street Food Tour: $51
- Athens Street Food Tour: Explore City's Iconic Eateries: $52
- Middle-eastern Cuisine Cooking Class with Meal: $52
- Street Food Tour with Local Guide and 7 Tastings: $57
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $60
- Alternative, truly authentic food tour in secret Athens: $63
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Class with Meal: $63
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Classes in Athina: $64
- Light Lunch Tasting & Cooking Demo: $67
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.Athens €36Santillana €23
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Meouzo Online City Tour: $3.20
- Self-guided First Discovery Walk and Reading Tour: $3.21
- Exclusive Self-Guided Audio Tour into Byzantine Gems: $4.60
- A Neoclassical Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
- 360 Virtual tour of Ancient Athens: $6.00
- Herakleidon Museum of Ancient Greek Technology: Entry Ticket: $6.42
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Athens: $6.53
- Ancient Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Ancient Agora of Athens Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- The Best of Piraeus: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
- Greece: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $7.18
- Ancient Agora: Audiovisual self-guided tour with 3D models: $7.48
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 dayAthens €23Santillana €4.29
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $17
- Greek Wine Tasting: $23
- Premium Wine Tastings: $35
- Greek Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $43
- Athens Wine Tasting: $44
- Old Town Athens Wine Tasting: $52
- Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $52
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $53
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $53
- Greek food and wine tasting: $53
- Rare Greek Wine Tasting w/Sommelier by the Acropolis: $59
- Wine Tasting and Storytelling in a Historical Square in Athina: $60
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 Athens and Santillana, we can see that Athens 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens 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 Athens Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Santillana?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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 Athens 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 Athens or Santillana in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Santillana. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
In July, Athens is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), 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 Athens this time of the year. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in July than Santillana. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Santillana 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Athens or Santillana in the Autumn?
Both Santillana and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Athens is a little warmer than Santillana in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Santillana fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during autumn. Athens gets 206 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, Athens usually receives less rain than Santillana. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Santillana 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Athens or Santillana in the Winter?
Both Santillana and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Athens is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Santillana averages at about 9°C (49°F).
In the winter, Athens often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Athens gets 143 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. Athens usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Santillana 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Athens or Santillana in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Santillana. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Athens is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Athens gets 226 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, Athens usually receives less rain than Santillana. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Santillana 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santillana and Athens
| Athens | Santillana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.