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

Should you visit Catania or Santander?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Catania and Santander can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Catania or Santander?

Catania

Located on the east coast of Sicily, Catania is at the base of Mount Etna, which is the largest volcano in Europe. It's also the island's second largest city and a major transportation center for the area. With almost one million residents in the metropolitan area, the city serves as an important economic base and university town for Sicily. It's a vibrant city with a young population, a lively downtown, and an excellent nightlife. The city has an abundance of Sicilian Baroque architecture and the downtown area, where much of it is this architecture is concentrated, has been declared a World Heritage Site.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Catania?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Catania is €120, while the average daily cost in Santander is €108. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Catania and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Catania 65
    Santander 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Catania 130
    Santander 102
Compare Hotels in Catania and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Catania or Santander? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Catania


Hotels in Santander


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Catania Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Catania 20
    Santander 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Catania

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Catania:

  • Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Palermo by Car: $722
  • Catania Airport: Private Transfer to Catania and Acireale: $52
  • Catania International Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Syracuse: $6.63
  • Catania International Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Taormina: $7.49
  • Catania Private Transfer (Taormina, Siracusa, Noto, Messina, Naxos, Etna, etc): $71
  • Catania Airport to/from Verdura Resort Transfer: $321
  • From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Agrigento: $373
  • From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Catania: $63
  • From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Siracusa: $155
  • From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Siracusa: $134
  • From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Taormina: $155
  • From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Van Transfer to Taormina: $176

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
  • Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
  • Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251

Is it cheaper to fly into Catania or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander and Catania change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Catania 41
    Santander 41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Catania

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Catania.

  • Catania Street Food Tour: Fish Market & City Centre: $38
  • Catania Street Food Tour: $52
  • Cooking class & visit to the Catania Historical market: $59
  • Patisserie Food tour: $60
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $63
  • Food tour of Catania by night: $64
  • Catania Street Food Tour: $67
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $73
  • Aci Trezza boat tour with dinner on board: $85
  • Cooking Class Tiramisù: $95
  • Cooking Class Arancini in Catania: $96
  • Cooking class Pizza: $96

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Catania 19
    Santander 18

Tours and Activities in Catania

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Catania are as follows:

  • One-way tickets to travel between airport and city: $2.69
  • Benedictine Monastery of Guided tour in English: $11
  • Heart of the City Guided Walking Tour: $21
  • The heart of the City - Guided tour in Italian: $21
  • Underground Catania Tickets and Guided Tour: $21
  • the heart of the City - Guided Walking Tour: $21
  • City Highlights Walking Tour: $24
  • City Highlights Tour with Guide: $27
  • Food Tasting Tour in an ancient church: $35
  • Tasting tour in the ancient church of Piazza Scammacca: $35
  • Pozzo di Gaspare Farm Guided Tour with Tastings: $37
  • 2 hours guided tour of Catania: $40

Tours and Activities in Santander

Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
  • Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
  • From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
  • Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
  • Guided Tour by Electric Bike: $53
  • Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $54
  • From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
  • Santoña: Anchovy Factory Tour and Boat Trip: $70
  • Tour to the Towns of the Western Coast of Cantabria: $78
  • Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour: $82

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Catania 18
    Santander 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Catania

Also in Catania, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Volcanic Wine Tasting in a Metropolitan Market: $48
  • Wine Tasting in the South Slope of Etna: $50
  • Etna: Urban Winery, Vineyards Walk & Wine Tasting at Sunset: $62
  • Wine tour in Catania: $102
  • Mt Etna and Wine tasting tour from Catania: $116
  • Full-Day Etna and Wine Tour from Catania: $126
  • From Mt.Etna picnic and wine tasting: $128
  • Guided Tour of Etna with Wine Tasting & Appetizers: $139
  • Etna trekking and wine tasting: $147
  • Tour Etna & Wine Tasting: $158
  • Etna Tour and Lunch in a Winery with Wine Tasting: $265
  • From Catania/Taormina: Mount Etna Private Wine Tasting Tour: $433


When comparing the travel costs between Catania and Santander, we can see that Catania 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 Catania Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Catania or Santander?

Catania has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Catania 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 Catania 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 Catania or Santander in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Catania and Santander. The summer months attract visitors to Catania because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Catania is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Catania in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Santander averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santander this time of the year. In Catania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Catania usually receives more sunshine than Santander during summer. Catania gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Catania usually receives less rain than Santander. Catania gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Catania 26°C (79°F) 
    Santander 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Catania or Santander in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Catania as well as Santander. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Catania this time of year.

In October, Catania is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Catania average around 19°C (67°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Catania often gets more sunshine than Santander. Catania gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santander. Catania receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Catania usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Santander. Catania gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Catania 19°C (67°F) 
    Santander 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Catania or Santander in the Winter?

Both Santander and Catania are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Catania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Catania is a little warmer than Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Catania averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Catania usually receives more sunshine than Santander during winter. Catania gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In January, Catania usually receives less rain than Santander. Catania gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Catania 10°C (51°F) 
    Santander 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Catania or Santander in the Spring?

Both Santander and Catania during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Catania in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Catania is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Catania in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Catania. In the spring, Catania often gets more sunshine than Santander. Catania gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun.

Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Catania usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Catania gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Catania 15°C (58°F) 
    Santander 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santander and Catania

Catania Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 19°C (65°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 24°C (74°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 128 mm (5 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)


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