Which place is cheaper, Santander or Gran Canaria?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Gran Canaria or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gran Canaria or Santander? 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: Gran Canaria or Santander?
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located just off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is the third largest of the islands, and is known for its variety of volcanic beaches. This island is sometimes called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found, which allow for a range of activities like hiking, biking, surfing, and scuba diving.
Santander
Santander is the capital of the Cantabria Region which runs along the northern coast of Spain. Located right on the bay, it is a place of many historic churches and a handful of interesting museums that range from archaeological discoveries of the region, to maritime history, and cultural features like bullfighting. There is also a large selection of beaches for those looking for a more relaxing getaway in the sun and sand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGran Canaria €125Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Gran Canaria is €125, while the average daily cost in Santander is €108. 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 Gran Canaria and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGran Canaria €63Santander €51
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGran Canaria €126Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Gran Canaria and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Gran Canaria or Santander? 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: Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gran Canaria €46Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gran Canaria
Also for Gran Canaria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Buggy Tour of 2 hours in the afternoon with Transfers only South Zone: $71
- El Salobre: Horse Riding Adventure with Transfer Options: $32
- From Playa del Inglés: Guided Jet Ski Tour & Hotel Transfers: $160
- Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) to Playa del Ingles - Arrival Transfer: $33
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from El Salobre to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $47
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Fataga to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $79
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Gáldar to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $64
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Ingenio to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $31
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from La Milagrosa to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $43
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Agüimes: $31
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Amadores: $61
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Anfí del Mar: $61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Gran Canaria or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Gran Canaria 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 dayGran Canaria €34Santander €41
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gran Canaria €20Santander €18
Tours and Activities in Gran Canaria
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gran Canaria.
- Walking tour Vegueta (old town Las Palmas): $7.49
- Walking tour old town Las Palmas Vegueta: $7.64
- Las Palmas: Old Town Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.45
- Agüimes: Cocodrilo Park Zoo Entry Ticket: $11
- Banana Plantation Guided Tour & Tasting: $13
- Angry Birds Activity Park Entry Ticket: $14
- Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $14
- Skip the Line: Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $14
- Maspalomas: Bowling Session Entry Ticket at Holiday World: $15
- Taurito: Lago Taurito Water Park Entrance Ticket: $17
- Puerto de Mogan: Friday Market Experience: $24
- Winery Tour, Wine Museum, and Tasting: $24
Tours and Activities in Santander
Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
- From Cantabria Private Tour: $492
- From Gastronomic Tour: $128
- From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
- From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
- Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $54
- Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
- Gastronomy tour: $119
- Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
- Picos de Europa and Potes Guided Tour from Santander : $84
- Private Puente Viesgo Caves Full-Day Tour from Santander: $212
- 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGran Canaria €7.14Santander €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Gran Canaria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gran Canaria:
- Spanish Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $52
- Spanish Cured Meats & Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $60
- Gran Canaria Picnic Experience & Wine Tasting: $102
When comparing the travel costs between Gran Canaria and Santander, we can see that Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gran Canaria or Santander?
Gran Canaria has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Gran Canaria and Santander, 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 Gran Canaria or Santander?
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 Gran Canaria or Santander in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Gran Canaria as well as Santander.
Gran Canaria is a little warmer than Santander in the summer. The daily temperature in Gran Canaria averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santander. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gran Canaria this time of the year. In the summer, Gran Canaria often gets more sunshine than Santander. Gran Canaria gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.
Gran Canaria usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Gran Canaria gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyGran Canaria 23°C (73°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Gran Canaria or Santander in the Autumn?
Both Santander and Gran Canaria are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Gran Canaria is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gran Canaria in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Santander averages at about 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Gran Canaria gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In October, Gran Canaria usually receives less rain than Santander. Gran Canaria gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGran Canaria 23°C (73°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Gran Canaria or Santander in the Winter?
Both Santander and Gran Canaria during the winter are popular places to visit.
In January, Gran Canaria is generally much warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Gran Canaria average around 18°C (64°F), and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the winter, Gran Canaria often gets more sunshine than Santander. Gran Canaria gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.
Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Gran Canaria usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Gran Canaria gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGran Canaria 18°C (64°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Gran Canaria or Santander in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gran Canaria and Santander.
Gran Canaria is much warmer than Santander in the spring. The daily temperature in Gran Canaria averages around 19°C (66°F) in April, and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In Gran Canaria, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gran Canaria usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Gran Canaria gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Gran Canaria usually receives less rain than Santander. Gran Canaria gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilGran Canaria 19°C (66°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Gran Canaria
| Gran Canaria | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.