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

Should you visit Cefalu or Santander?

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 Cefalu and Santander. 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: Cefalu or Santander?

Cefalu

Cefalu is a fishing village and beach resort that is located on the northern coast of Sicily, Italy. It sits on the Tyerrhenian Sea and is just 70 kilometers from Palermo and 185 kilometers from Messina. The town has a small population of under 14,000 residents but is a significant tourist destination on the island of Sicily. The city is flooded with millions of tourists every year from around Sicily, elsewhere in Italy, and abroad. During the summer months it is not uncommon for the city's population to triple, putting a lot of pressure on the main streets and roads around town. The city is popular as a beach resort with a youthful vibe and an active nightlife.

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 Adventure Tours to Italy, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Cefalu?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cefalu is €119, 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 Cefalu and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cefalu 87
    Santander 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cefalu 174
    Santander 102
Compare Hotels in Cefalu and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Cefalu 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 Cefalu


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: Cefalu Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cefalu 4.29
    Santander 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cefalu

Also for Cefalu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Alberi del Paradiso, Cefalù for APT Palermo or vice versa, Private Transfer: $98
  • Club Med Cefalù to Palermo airport or vice versa, Private Transfer: $109
  • Costa Verde HOTEL Cefalù, for Palermo airport, Private Transfer: $87
  • Departure Private Transfer Cefalù to Palermo Airport PMO by Business Car or Van: $156
  • Hotel Kalura, Cefalù for Palermo airport or vice versa, Private Transfer: $109
  • Le Calette, Cefalù to Palermo airport or vice versa, Private Transfer: $109
  • Private transfer from Palermo airport to Cefalù or vice versa: $104
  • Transfer Palermo Airport - Cefalù and vice versa: $174

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Cefalu or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander and Cefalu 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
    Cefalu 28
    Santander 41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cefalu

For Cefalu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class in a Sicilian countryhouse: $251

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cefalu 5.71
    Santander 18

Tours and Activities in Cefalu

For Cefalu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Etna tour from Cefalù: $62
  • Nebrodi and Halaesa valley jeep tours: $125
  • Safari Jeep Wild Adventure: $136
  • High Madonie wild jeep adventure: $163
  • Madonie wild adventure: $224
  • Cefalu Etna wild jeep experience: $272

Tours and Activities in Santander

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

  • City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
  • From Cantabria Private Tour: $492
  • From Gastronomic Tour: $128
  • From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
  • From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
  • Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $54
  • Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
  • Gastronomy tour: $119
  • Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
  • Picos de Europa and Potes Guided Tour from Santander : $84
  • Private Puente Viesgo Caves Full-Day Tour from Santander: $212
  • 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cefalu 11
    Santander 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Cefalu

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

  • Castelbuono Tour and Wine Tasting in a Medieval Abbey: $49


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


Which is Bigger, Cefalu or Santander?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cefalu. When comparing the sizes of Cefalu 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 Cefalu or Santander?

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 Cefalu or Santander in the Summer?

Both Santander and Cefalu during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cefalu for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cefalu. In the summer, Cefalu often gets more sunshine than Santander. Cefalu gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.

Cefalu usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Cefalu gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Cefalu or Santander in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cefalu and Santander. Many visitors come to Cefalu in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Cefalu usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Cefalu gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Cefalu usually receives less rain than Santander. Cefalu gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Cefalu or Santander in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cefalu as well as Santander. Most visitors come to Cefalu for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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

In the winter, Cefalu often gets more sunshine than Santander. Cefalu gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santander. Cefalu usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Cefalu gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Cefalu or Santander in the Spring?

Both Santander and Cefalu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Cefalu because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cefalu. Cefalu usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Cefalu gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In April, Cefalu usually receives less rain than Santander. Cefalu gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Santander and Cefalu

Cefalu Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 19°C (65°F) 23 mm (0.9 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) 2 mm (0.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 14 mm (0.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 24°C (74°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 75 mm (2.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)


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