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

Should you visit Aveiro or Santander?

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 Aveiro and Santander. 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: Aveiro or Santander?

Aveiro

Aveiro has great canals that are lined by houses. Because of this ambiance, the town has earned its nickname the "Portuguese Venice." While it's similar, don't put too much into the name. The town is also known for it's colorful boats, referred to as moliceiros, that ride along the canals and under the bridges.

While the canals are lovely, most visitors actually come for the beaches. Aveiro's beaches are known for their clean and pristine sand. The shore is referred to as the Silver Coast, and has comfortably warm water, which is another major draw to the area.

Aveiro is comfortable year around because it's winters are mild and warm and its summer is somewhat cool. The winter months get the most rain and the summer is usually the driest. If you're there during the fall and winter, the winds will be strong making it the best time for surfing, sailing, and other water sports.

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 The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Aveiro?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Aveiro is €80, while the average daily cost in Santander is €108. 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 Aveiro and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aveiro 46
    Santander 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aveiro 92
    Santander 102
Compare Hotels in Aveiro and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Aveiro 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 Aveiro


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: Aveiro Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aveiro 8.57
    Santander 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aveiro

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

  • Aveiro Private Transfer:To/From the Oporto Airport: $128

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Aveiro or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander and Aveiro 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
    Aveiro 28
    Santander 41

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aveiro 8.57
    Santander 18

Tours and Activities in Aveiro

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Aveiro.

  • From Porto: e-Bike Tour in Aveiro, Boat Trip and Costa Nova!: $84
  • Aveiro Privat City Tour w/ Local Boat 1 H Cruise & Egg Sweet: $96
  • Coimbra & Aveiro Amazing Cultural Full Day Tour from Porto: $102
  • Aveiro Private Tour, Bairrada Wine Cellars & Roasted Piglet: $117
  • Private Tour to Aveiro and Costa Nova unique striped houses: $117
  • Aveiro Tour: $139
  • From Lisbon: Aveiro, Moliceiro Boat and Coimbra Tour: $139
  • Half Day Tour with Boat Ride: $150
  • From Porto Private Tour Half Day in Aveiro and Costa Nova: $273
  • Porto to Lisbon private Tour, choose 2 or 3 stops on the way: $312

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
    Aveiro 17
    Santander 14


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

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


Which is Bigger, Aveiro or Santander?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Aveiro. When comparing the sizes of Aveiro 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 Aveiro 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 Aveiro or Santander in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Aveiro as well as Santander.

Aveiro is around the same temperature as Santander in the summer. The daily temperature in Aveiro averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santander. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aveiro this time of the year. In the summer, Aveiro often gets more sunshine than Santander. Aveiro gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.

Aveiro usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Aveiro gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Aveiro 21°C (69°F) 
    Santander 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Aveiro or Santander in the Autumn?

Both Santander and Aveiro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Aveiro is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aveiro in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Santander averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Aveiro usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Aveiro gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. It's quite rainy in Aveiro. In October, Aveiro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santander. Aveiro gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Aveiro 17°C (62°F) 
    Santander 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Aveiro or Santander in the Winter?

Both Santander and Aveiro during the winter are popular places to visit.

In January, Aveiro is generally around the same temperature as Santander. Daily temperatures in Aveiro average around 10°C (50°F), and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Aveiro often gets more sunshine than Santander. Aveiro gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.

Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Aveiro. Aveiro usually gets more rain in January than Santander. Aveiro gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Aveiro 10°C (50°F) 
    Santander 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Aveiro or Santander in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aveiro and Santander.

Aveiro is a little warmer than Santander in the spring. The daily temperature in Aveiro averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Aveiro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aveiro usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Aveiro gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the spring. Aveiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Aveiro usually receives less rain than Santander. Aveiro gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Aveiro 14°C (56°F) 
    Santander 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santander and Aveiro

Aveiro Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 14°C (56°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 21°C (69°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 20°C (67°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 11°C (51°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)