A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Gran Canaria vs. Santillana for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Gran Canaria or Santillana?

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

Should I visit Gran Canaria 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: Gran Canaria or Santillana?

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.

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 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.


Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Gran Canaria?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Gran Canaria is €125, while the average daily cost in Santillana is €105. 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 Santillana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gran Canaria 63
    Santillana 60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gran Canaria 126
    Santillana 120
Compare Hotels in Gran Canaria and Santillana

Looking for a hotel in Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria


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: Santillana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gran Canaria 46
    Santillana 17

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Gran Canaria or Santillana?

Prices for flights to both Santillana 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 day
    Gran Canaria 34
    Santillana 30

Typical Food Prices in Santillana

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


  • Breakfast
    7.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gran Canaria 20
    Santillana 23

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 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
    Gran Canaria 7.14
    Santillana 4.29

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

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 Gran Canaria and Santillana, we can see that Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Gran Canaria or Santillana?

Gran Canaria has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria or Santillana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gran Canaria as well as Santillana.

In July, Gran Canaria is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Gran Canaria average around 23°C (73°F), 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 Gran Canaria this time of the year. In the summer, Gran Canaria often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Gran Canaria gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

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


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gran Canaria 23°C (73°F) 
    Santillana 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Gran Canaria or Santillana in the Autumn?

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

Gran Canaria is a little warmer than Santillana in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gran Canaria averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Santillana fluctuates around 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 Santillana during autumn. Gran Canaria gets 213 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, Gran Canaria usually receives less rain than Santillana. Gran Canaria gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gran Canaria 23°C (73°F) 
    Santillana 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Gran Canaria or Santillana in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Gran Canaria is much warmer than Santillana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gran Canaria in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Santillana averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Gran Canaria often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Gran Canaria gets 187 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. Gran Canaria usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Gran Canaria gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gran Canaria 18°C (64°F) 
    Santillana 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Gran Canaria or Santillana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gran Canaria and Santillana.

In April, Gran Canaria is generally much warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Gran Canaria average around 19°C (66°F), and Santillana 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 Santillana during spring. Gran Canaria gets 225 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, Gran Canaria usually receives less rain than Santillana. Gran Canaria gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gran Canaria 19°C (66°F) 
    Santillana 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santillana and Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria Santillana
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)