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

Should you visit Calais or Santillana?

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

Should I visit Calais 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: Calais or Santillana?

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!

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 Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors 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 Calais and Santillana, we can see that Calais 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 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 Santillana.

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

Which is Bigger, Calais or Santillana?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Calais 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 Calais or Santillana?

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 Santillana in the Summer?

Both Santillana and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Calais is generally around the same temperature as Santillana. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 17°C (63°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

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

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

Should I visit Calais or Santillana in the Autumn?

Both Santillana and Calais during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

Calais is cooler than Santillana in the autumn. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Santillana fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

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

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

Should I visit Calais or Santillana in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. In the winter, Calais is much colder than Santillana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Calais in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Santillana averages at about 9°C (49°F).

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

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

Should I visit Calais or Santillana in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Calais as well as Santillana. Many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Calais is generally cooler than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 9°C (47°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Santillana and Calais