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

Should you visit Calais or Santander?

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

Should I visit Calais or Santander? 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: Calais or Santander?

Calais

Calais is a port city in northern France located across the English Channel from the clifftop town of Dover It's the principal ferry crossing point between France and England. Its old town, Calais-Nord, sits on an artificial island surrounded by canals.

Calais is a Cultural Link to Europe, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Belgium and England, on the Opal Coast in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The city of Calais is exceptionally located between sea and countryside. Calais is renowned for its lace, which can be found in haute-couture designs. Preserved natural spaces abound with its 23 km of coastline, rugged cliffs, breathtakingly diverse terrain, and coastal villages. Whether on foot, bike or horseback, and even in the water along the coast, there is plenty to do to make this a great option for a visit!

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 Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Calais or Santander?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Calais 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 Calais or Santander?

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 Calais or Santander in the Summer?

Both Santander and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

Calais is around the same temperature as Santander in the summer. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Santander. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. Calais usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santander during summer. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Calais usually receives less rain than Santander. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Calais or Santander in the Autumn?

Both Santander and Calais during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Calais is cooler than Santander. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Calais in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Santander averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Calais often gets less sunshine than Santander. Calais gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun.

Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Calais usually gets less rain in October than Santander. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Santander in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Santander. Many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Calais is generally much colder than Santander. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 4°C (40°F), and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Santander during winter. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Calais usually receives less rain than Santander. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Calais or Santander in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Calais as well as Santander. Most visitors come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Calais is cooler than Santander in the spring. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 9°C (47°F) in April, and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Calais often gets more sunshine than Santander. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santander. Calais usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santander and Calais