A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Granada vs. Santander for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Granada or Santander?

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

Should I visit Granada 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: Granada or Santander?

Granada

Granada is a city of southern Spain located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the autonomous community of Andalucia. Perhaps the most notable feature of the city is its medieval architecture that dates to the Moorish occupation of Spain. Each example stands from another time and place, strong fortresses and castles against the backdrop of lumbering mountains. Yet they are surrounded by a city thriving with modern day quirks. From castles and fortresses to bars, restaurants, and cafes, Granada is a unique setting for an otherworldly getaway.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Granada?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is €123, 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 Granada and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Granada 59
    Santander 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Granada 118
    Santander 102
Compare Hotels in Granada and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Granada 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.

Hotels in Granada


Hotels in Santander


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: Granada Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Granada 22
    Santander 24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Granada are as follows:


  • 7 Trip Bus Pass
    5.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada

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

  • Cordoba and its Mosque from Granada with Private Transfer: $262
  • From Transfer to Seville with Cordoba Guided Tour: $749
  • From Granada; Private transfer to Sierra Nevada (all hotels): $171
  • Granada - Jaén Airport Transfers in a VIP coach: $235
  • Granada Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $45
  • Granada Luxury Private Airport Transfer: $214
  • Granada Private Intercity Transfer to Malaga: $175
  • Granada Private Transfer from the city centre to Granada Airport: $55
  • Granada airport private arrival transfer, Mercedes Sedan: $142
  • Granada airport private arrival transfer, Mercedes minivan: $218
  • Granada to Cordoba Private Transfer: $265
  • Granada to Malaga Airport Private Transfer: $229

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
  • Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander and Granada 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
    Granada 37
    Santander 41
Typical Food Prices in Granada

For Granada, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Sangria
    2.50
  • Sandwich to go
    3.00
  • Bocadillo & Drink
    6.25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Granada

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

  • Sacromonte Caves Flamenco Show with Dinner: $62
  • Dinner and Show flamenco in the Albayzin Granada: $62
  • Walking Food Tour: $75
  • 2-Day Geopark Desert, Ancient Culture and Food Tour: $169

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Granada 28
    Santander 18

Tours and Activities in Granada

For Granada, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
  • Sacromonte Caves Museum Admission Ticket: $5.35
  • Granada City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Sacromonte Abbey Entry Ticket with Audio Guide: $6.42
  • Granada Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Granada City Train 1 or 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Ticket: $7.49
  • Self-Guided City Exploration Smartphone Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
  • Granada (Alhambra): Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
  • Albaicín and Sacromonte’s Iconic Sights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Historic Center and Lower Albaicin Walking Tour: $9.62

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 day
    Granada 24
    Santander 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Granada

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Granada:

  • Granada Traditional Tapas and Wine Tour - by Oh My Good Guide!: $77
  • BEST OF Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: $100


When comparing the travel costs between Granada and Santander, we can see that Granada 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 Granada Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Granada or Santander?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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 Granada 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 Granada or Santander in the Summer?

Both Santander and Granada during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Granada this time of year.

In July, Granada is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 25°C (77°F), and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Granada. In the summer, Granada often gets more sunshine than Santander. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Granada 25°C (77°F) 
    Santander 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Granada or Santander in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Santander. Many travelers come to Granada for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Granada is a little warmer than Santander in the autumn. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Santander. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Granada 19°C (67°F) 
    Santander 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Granada or Santander in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Granada as well as Santander. Many visitors come to Granada in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Granada is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the winter temperatures in Granada in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Santander averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Santander. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santander. Granada usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Granada 12°C (54°F) 
    Santander 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Granada or Santander in the Spring?

Both Santander and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Granada for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Granada is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 16°C (60°F), and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Santander. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Granada 16°C (60°F) 
    Santander 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santander and Granada

Granada Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 75 mm (3 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 14°C (57°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 25°C (78°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 15°C (60°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 13°C (55°F) 102 mm (4 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)