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

Should you visit Giverny or Santillana?

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

Should I visit Giverny 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: Giverny or Santillana?

Giverny

Giverny (pronounced jee-vair-knee) is a commune in Northern France. It sits on the right bank of the River Seine where it meets the River Epte. This area has been a settlement since Neolithic times and the town has various monuments from many periods of its long existence. Beginning around 1887, a number of American Impressionist artists settled to work in Giverny, drawn by the landscapes, the overall atmosphere, and the presence of Monet. It has now become a place of pilgrimage for many art lovers. It was here that Claude Monet lived for 43 years, until his death at the age of 86 in 1926. Although his house is now prized by connoisseurs of 19th-century interior decoration, it's his garden, with its Japanese-inspired water-lily pond and bridge, that remains the high point for many, as it is a 5-acre, three-dimensional Impressionist painting where you can stroll around at leisure. Most make this a day trip, but Giverny has some lovely lodgings, so you could also overnight here.

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 Coach Bus Tours in France, The Best Adventure Tours to 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 Giverny and Santillana, we can see that Giverny 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 Giverny would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Giverny 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 Giverny Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Giverny or Santillana?

Santillana has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Giverny 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 Giverny 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 Giverny or Santillana in the Summer?

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

Giverny is around the same temperature as Santillana in the summer. The daily temperature in Giverny 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 Giverny this time of the year. In the summer, Giverny often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Giverny gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

Giverny usually gets more rain in July than Santillana. Giverny gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Giverny or Santillana in the Autumn?

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

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

Giverny usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santillana during autumn. Giverny gets 127 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, Giverny usually receives less rain than Santillana. Giverny gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Giverny or Santillana in the Winter?

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

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

In the winter, Giverny often gets less sunshine than Santillana. Giverny gets 62 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. Giverny usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Giverny 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 Giverny or Santillana in the Spring?

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

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

Giverny usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Giverny gets 172 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, Giverny usually receives less rain than Santillana. Giverny gets 50 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 Giverny