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

Should you visit Chartres or Santillana?

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

Should I visit Chartres 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: Chartres or Santillana?

Chartres

Chartres is a city in north-central France southwest of Paris. It is famed for its massive Cathedrale Notre-Dame. The well-preserved Gothic cathedral, completed in 1220, features 2 towering spires, Romanesque sculptures and elaborate rose windows. The cathedral is unique in that it has two very different steeples – one Gothic, the other Romanesque. Follow them to check out the cathedral's dazzling blue stained-glass windows and its collection of relics, including the Sainte Voile (Holy Veil) said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus, which have lured pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The nearby Centre International du Vitrail has workshops and exhibits on stained-glass art. Chartres also had a carefully preserved old city, which is adjacent to the cathedral with staircases and steep streets lined with half-timbered medieval houses leading downhill to the narrow western channel of the Eure River, romantically spanned by footbridges.

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Santillana?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Santillana. The summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Chartres is around the same temperature as Santillana in the summer. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santillana. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In the summer, Chartres often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets more rain in July than Santillana. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Santillana in the Autumn?

Both Santillana and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In the autumn, Chartres is cooler than Santillana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chartres in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Santillana averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Chartres usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santillana during autumn. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. In October, Chartres usually receives less rain than Santillana. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chartres or Santillana in the Winter?

Both Santillana and Chartres during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chartres. In January, Chartres is generally much colder than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 5°C (40°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Santillana. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun.

Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chartres usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Santillana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Santillana. Many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm.

Chartres is around the same temperature as Santillana in the spring. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Chartres usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Santillana receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Chartres usually receives less rain than Santillana. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santillana and Chartres