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

Should you visit Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne 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: Carcassonne or Santillana?

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a hilltop town in southern France. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Carcassonne is located in the Aude plain between historic trade routes, linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean sea and the Massif Central to the Pyrenees. The Romans recognized its strategic importance and occupied its hilltop until the demise of the Western Roman Empire and was later taken over in the fifth century by the Visigoths who founded the city. Its desirable location led successive rulers to expand its fortifications until the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. It is famous for its medieval citadel, La Cite, which has numerous watchtowers and double-walled fortifications. The first walls were built in Gallo-Roman times, with major additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries. With its position on a rocky hilltop, zigzag battlements, stout walls and spiky turrets, the fortified city of Carcassonne looks like something out of a children's storybook when it's seen from afar. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, it's most people's idea of the perfect medieval castle. It attracts over four million visitors every year, peaking in high summer. Time your visit for late in the day (or even better in spring or fall) to truly appreciate the old town's medieval charm.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Carcassonne and Santillana, we can see that Carcassonne is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Santillana?

Carcassonne has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne or Santillana in the Summer?

Both Santillana and Carcassonne during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

In the summer, Carcassonne is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Carcassonne in July average around 24°C (75°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 Carcassonne. In the summer, Carcassonne often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in July than Santillana. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Santillana in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Santillana. Many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Santillana. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 17°C (62°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Carcassonne usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during autumn. Carcassonne gets 161 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, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Santillana. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Santillana in the Winter?

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

Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Santillana in the winter. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Carcassonne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santillana. Carcassonne gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santillana. Carcassonne usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Santillana in the Spring?

Both Santillana and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Carcassonne is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Carcassonne in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Santillana averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Carcassonne usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Carcassonne gets 178 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, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Santillana. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santillana and Carcassonne