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

Should you visit Biarritz or Santillana?

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

Should I visit Biarritz or Santillana? 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: Biarritz or Santillana?

Biarritz

Biarritz is an elegant seaside town on southwestern France's Basque coast that has been a popular resort since European royalty started visiting the area in the 1800s. It is located on France's Atlantic Coast in the Bay of Biscay. Half ritzy coastal resort, half summer surfer's hang-out, the seaside resort of Biarritz has been a favorite seaside getaway ever since Napoleon III and his Spanish-born wife Eugenie arrived during the mid-19th century. To entertain her court, the empress built a grand palace, which is now a luxurious hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Other than this exquisite villa by the sea, the names of the streets in Biarritz also hint at the city's royal past: Avenue de l'Imperatrice, Avenue de la Reine Victoria, and Esplanade Elizabeth II. Mansions decked with steeples and spectacular windows recall the city's 19th-century splendors. Though the royal influence of Biarritz has faded, the city is still a popular tourist destination for those looking for a classic summer holiday. Pristine sandy beaches, beautiful coastal villas, and stylish restaurants offer a sophisticated ambience. Wide seafront promenades and well-placed benches allow visitors to soak up the stunning natural landscape. Biarritz is also the capital of surfing in Europe.

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 Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to 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 Biarritz and Santillana, we can see that Biarritz 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 Biarritz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Biarritz 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 Biarritz Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Biarritz or Santillana?

Biarritz has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Biarritz 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 Biarritz 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 Biarritz or Santillana in the Summer?

Both Santillana and Biarritz during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Biarritz because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Biarritz is around the same temperature as Santillana in the summer. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Santillana, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Biarritz. In the summer, Biarritz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santillana. Biarritz gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

Biarritz usually gets more rain in July than Santillana. Biarritz gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Santillana in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Biarritz and Santillana. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year.

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

Biarritz usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during autumn. Biarritz gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santillana receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Biarritz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Santillana. Biarritz gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Biarritz or Santillana in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Biarritz as well as Santillana. Many travelers come to Biarritz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Biarritz is generally around the same temperature as Santillana. Daily temperatures in Biarritz average around 8°C (47°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Biarritz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santillana. Biarritz gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santillana. Biarritz receives a lot of rain in the winter. Biarritz usually gets more rain in January than Santillana. Biarritz gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Santillana in the Spring?

Both Santillana and Biarritz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Biarritz in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

Biarritz is around the same temperature as Santillana in the spring. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Biarritz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santillana during spring. Biarritz gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. It's quite rainy in Biarritz. In April, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Santillana. Biarritz gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santillana and Biarritz