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

Should you visit Caen 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 Caen 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: Caen or Santillana?

Caen

Caen is a city in France on the coast in the Calvados department of Lower Normandy. Caen is known for its historical buildings built during the reign of William the Conqueror, who was buried there. The town was destroyed almost completely in 1944 during WWII and it is a remarkable achievement that Caen has kept so many of its historical monuments given the terrible battle that besieged the town following the Normandy beach landings. After the war the town passed through 15 years of reconstruction, and continued to improve afterwards. In recent years the town has made further significant efforts and Caen now has an attractive, carefully restored, historic center. The city has also preserved the memory of its past by erecting a memorial and a museum dedicated to peace, the Memorial de Caen. The city is often considered the archetype of Normandy.

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 France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in 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 Caen and Santillana, we can see that Caen 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 Caen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Caen 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 Caen Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Caen or Santillana?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Caen 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 Caen 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 Caen or Santillana in the Summer?

Both Santillana and Caen during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

In the summer, Caen is around the same temperature as Santillana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Caen in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Santillana averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In Santillana, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Caen. In the summer, Caen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santillana. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Santillana. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Santillana in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Santillana. Many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions.

In October, Caen is generally cooler than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 12°C (54°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Caen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santillana during autumn. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santillana receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Caen usually receives less rain than Santillana. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Caen or Santillana in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Caen as well as Santillana. Many visitors come to Caen in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Caen can get quite cold in the winter. Caen is much colder than Santillana in the winter. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Caen often gets less sunshine than Santillana. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santillana. Caen usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Santillana in the Spring?

Both Santillana and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Caen for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Caen is cooler than Santillana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Caen in April average around 9°C (49°F), and Santillana averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Caen usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Caen gets 171 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. In April, Caen usually receives less rain than Santillana. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santillana and Caen