Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Granada?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Granada or Santillana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Granada 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: Granada or Santillana?
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.
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 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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGranada €123Santillana €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is €123, 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 Granada and Santillana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGranada €59Santillana €60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGranada €118Santillana €120
Compare Hotels in Granada and Santillana
Looking for a hotel in Granada 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.
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 Santillana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Granada €22Santillana €17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Granada are as follows:
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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
Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or Santillana?
Prices for flights to both Santillana 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
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Food Meals for one dayGranada €37Santillana €30
Typical Food Prices in Granada
For Granada, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Sangria€2.50
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Sandwich to go€3.00
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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
Typical Food Prices in Santillana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:
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Breakfast€7.00
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Granada €28Santillana €23
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 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGranada €24Santillana €4.29
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
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 Granada and Santillana, we can see that Granada 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 Granada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Granada 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 Granada Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Granada or Santillana?
Granada has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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 Granada 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 Granada or Santillana in the Summer?
Both Santillana and Granada during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Granada because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Granada is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Santillana averages at about 19°C (66°F).
In Santillana, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Granada. In the summer, Granada often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.
Granada usually gets less rain in July than Santillana. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGranada 25°C (77°F)Santillana 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Granada or Santillana in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Santillana. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Granada this time of year.
In October, Granada is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 19°C (67°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Santillana receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Santillana. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGranada 19°C (67°F)Santillana 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Granada or Santillana in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Granada as well as Santillana. Many travelers come to Granada for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Granada is a little warmer than Santillana in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santillana. Granada usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGranada 12°C (54°F)Santillana 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Granada or Santillana in the Spring?
Both Santillana and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Granada in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Granada is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Santillana averages at about 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Santillana. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGranada 16°C (60°F)Santillana 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santillana and Granada
| Granada | Santillana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.