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

Should you visit Dijon or Santillana?

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

Should I visit Dijon 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: Dijon or Santillana?

Dijon

Dijon is a city in eastern France, capital of the Cote-d'Or department and of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region. Archaeological finds in this area date back to the Neolithic period, but Dijon later became a Roman settlement before later becoming home to the Dukes of Burgundy between the 11th and 15th centuries. Dijon was a place of tremendous wealth and power, one of the great European centers of art, learning and science. The city has retained varied architectural styles from many of the main periods of the past millennium, including Capetian, Gothic, and Renaissance. Many still-inhabited town houses in the city's central district date from the 18th century and earlier. Dijon is famous for Dijon mustard which originated in 1856, when Jean Naigeon of Dijon substituted verjuice, the acidic green juice of not-quite-ripe grapes, for vinegar in the traditional mustard recipe. Dijon is one of France's most appealing cities. Filled with elegant medieval and Renaissance buildings, the lively center is wonderful for strolling, especially if you like to mix your cultural enrichment with excellent food, fine wine and shopping.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to France, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dijon and Santillana, we can see that Dijon is more expensive. And not only is Santillana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santillana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santillana and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dijon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dijon than you might in Santillana.

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

Which is Bigger, Dijon or Santillana?

Dijon has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Dijon 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 Dijon or Santillana?

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 Dijon or Santillana in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dijon and Santillana. The summer months attract visitors to Dijon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dijon is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dijon in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Santillana averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santillana this time of the year. In Dijon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dijon usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during summer. Dijon gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dijon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santillana. Dijon gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dijon or Santillana in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dijon as well as Santillana. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Dijon this time of year.

In October, Dijon is generally cooler than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Dijon average around 13°C (55°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Dijon often gets less sunshine than Santillana. Dijon gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santillana. Dijon usually gets less rain in October than Santillana. Dijon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dijon or Santillana in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dijon. Dijon is much colder than Santillana in the winter. The daily temperature in Dijon averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Dijon usually receives less sunshine than Santillana during winter. Dijon gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. In January, Dijon usually receives less rain than Santillana. Dijon gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dijon or Santillana in the Spring?

Both Santillana and Dijon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dijon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dijon is around the same temperature as Santillana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dijon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Santillana averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Dijon often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Dijon gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun.

Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dijon usually gets less rain in April than Santillana. Dijon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santillana and Dijon