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

Should you visit Ephesus or Santillana?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Santillana, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Ephesus or Santillana?

Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).

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 Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Ephesus?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Santillana is $112. 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 Ephesus and Santillana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $70
    Santillana $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $140
    Santillana $128
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Santillana

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus 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.

Hotels in Ephesus


Hotels in Santillana


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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $51
    Santillana $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus

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

  • Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $164
  • Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $115
  • Ephesus Private Guided Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $80
  • From-to Izmir AirPort to-from Kusadası Private Airport Transfer: $75
  • Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $100
  • Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Kusadasi Centrum (All hotels, home...) transfers: $65
  • Kusadasi Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer: $40
  • Kusadasi Buggy Car Safari With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $40
  • Kusadasi Half Day Quad Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer: $50
  • Kusadasi Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $169
  • Kusadasi Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $93
  • Kusadasi International Golf Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $93

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Santillana?

Prices for flights to both Santillana and Ephesus 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
    Ephesus $33
    Santillana $33
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:


  • Sandwiches
    $0.15
  • Dessert
    $0.17
  • Lunch at Beach (for 2)
    $0.59
  • Snacks
    $0.25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus

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

  • Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110
  • Ephesus Tour with Cooking Class in the Village: $149
  • Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $211
  • Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $228

Typical Food Prices in Santillana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:


  • Breakfast
    $7.50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ephesus $59
    Santillana $24

Tours and Activities in Ephesus

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.

  • For Cruisers: Skip-the-line Private Free Ephesus Tour : $0.05
  • Self-guided Virtual Tour of The Highlights: $6.53
  • Entry Free: Drive by Ephesus and Ancient Wonder Tour: $12
  • Self-guided Virtual Tour of the ancient pearl of the Mediterranean: $17
  • Kusadasi Traditional Turkish Bath Hamam Experience : $17
  • SKIP THE LINE :Best Seller Ephesus Private Tour For Cruiser Guest: $19
  • Private & Mini Group Classical Ephesus Tour For Cruisers: $19
  • Skip the Line - Best of Ephesus: $19
  • Time Travel in Affordable and Spectacular Experience: $20
  • Best of Ephesus Guided Tour For Cruise Guest : $20
  • Kusadasi Scuba Diving Tour By Local Experts: $20
  • Kusadasi Quad Safari Adventure: $20

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $15
    Santillana $4.59
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.12

Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus

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

  • Skip-the-line Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $53
  • Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
  • Ephesus&Sirince Village with Wine Tasting Shore Ex: $100
  • Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $100
  • Ancient Ephesus tour with Wine Tasting in the village and visit to Mother's Mary House: $130
  • Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting: $134
  • Virgin Mary Bread and Wine Tour included Lunch: $300

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Santillana, we can see that Ephesus 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 Ephesus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ephesus 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 Ephesus Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Santillana?

Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus 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 Ephesus 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 Ephesus or Santillana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Santillana.

Ephesus is a little warmer than Santillana in the summer. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 27°C (81°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 Ephesus this time of the year. In the summer, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Santillana. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ephesus 27°C (81°F) 
    Santillana 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Santillana in the Autumn?

Both Santillana and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Ephesus is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ephesus in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Santillana averages at about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during autumn. Ephesus gets 232 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, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Santillana. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ephesus 19°C (66°F) 
    Santillana 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Santillana in the Winter?

Both Santillana and Ephesus during the winter are popular places to visit.

In January, Ephesus is generally around the same temperature as Santillana. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 10°C (50°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Ephesus gets 131 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Santillana. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ephesus 10°C (50°F) 
    Santillana 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Santillana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Santillana.

Ephesus is a little warmer than Santillana in the spring. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Ephesus gets 231 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, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Santillana. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ephesus 15°C (59°F) 
    Santillana 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santillana and Ephesus

Ephesus Santillana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)