Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Cefalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cefalu 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 Cefalu 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: Cefalu or Santillana?
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.
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 Adventure Tours to Italy, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCefalu €119Santillana €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Cefalu is €119, while the average daily cost in Santillana is €105. 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 Santillana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCefalu €87Santillana €60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCefalu €174Santillana €120
Compare Hotels in Cefalu and Santillana
Looking for a hotel in Cefalu or Santillana? 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.
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 Santillana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cefalu €4.29Santillana €17
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Cefalu or Santillana?
Prices for flights to both Santillana 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
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Food Meals for one dayCefalu €28Santillana €30
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
Typical Food Prices in Santillana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:
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Breakfast€7.00
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cefalu €5.71Santillana €23
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 Santillana
Here are a few actual costs in Santillana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Memorable Family Walking Tour in Ancient Santillana del Mar: $428
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCefalu €11Santillana €4.29
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Santillana
Also in Santillana, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Santillana Uncorked: A Wine Tasting Adventure: $1,022
When comparing the travel costs between Cefalu and Santillana, 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 Santillana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cefalu or Santillana?
Cefalu has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Cefalu 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 Cefalu 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 Cefalu or Santillana in the Summer?
Both Santillana and Cefalu during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cefalu this time of year.
Cefalu is a little warmer than Santillana in the summer. The daily temperature in Cefalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In Santillana, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cefalu. In the summer, Cefalu often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Cefalu gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.
Cefalu usually gets less rain in July than Santillana. Cefalu gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCefalu 26°C (79°F)Santillana 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Cefalu or Santillana in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cefalu and Santillana. Many travelers come to Cefalu for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Cefalu is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cefalu in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Santillana averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Cefalu usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during autumn. Cefalu gets 189 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, Cefalu usually receives less rain than Santillana. Cefalu gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCefalu 19°C (67°F)Santillana 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Cefalu or Santillana in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cefalu as well as Santillana. Many visitors come to Cefalu in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Cefalu is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Cefalu average around 10°C (51°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the winter, Cefalu often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Cefalu gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santillana. Cefalu usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Cefalu gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCefalu 10°C (51°F)Santillana 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Cefalu or Santillana in the Spring?
Both Santillana and Cefalu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cefalu for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.
Cefalu is a little warmer than Santillana in the spring. The daily temperature in Cefalu averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cefalu. Cefalu usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Cefalu gets 204 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, Cefalu usually receives less rain than Santillana. Cefalu gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCefalu 15°C (58°F)Santillana 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santillana and Cefalu
| Cefalu | Santillana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.