Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Heraklion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Heraklion or Santillana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Heraklion and Santillana can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Heraklion or Santillana?
Heraklion
The largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion on first glance is almost completely modern - a frenzy of traffic, concrete, and dust. Do not expect pristine beaches and glittering waves (those can be found on other parts of Crete). Heraklion is first and foremost a city. Once you get past its grittiness, you will find that there are some attractive features beneath first impressions. The antiquity of the place lies embedded in the modern and is presented in one of the best museums in Greece, the food is excellent, and the people are friendly and welcoming. And though the sea is not great for swimming, its presence along the Venetian port will take you to another time if you need a break from Heraklion's bustling center.
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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHeraklion €158Santillana €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €158, 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 Heraklion and Santillana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHeraklion €81Santillana €60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHeraklion €162Santillana €120
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Santillana
Looking for a hotel in Heraklion 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: Heraklion Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Heraklion €31Santillana €17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion
Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Acqua Plus Water Park Admission with Optional Transfer: $32
- Crete Private Taxi Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Bali: $95
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Malia: $81
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Panormo: $103
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos: $122
- Crete Private Transfer from Heraklion to Hersonissos: $51
- Day Cruise from Heraklion with Catamaran & Transfer service: $123
- From Airport to Elounda Private Transfer: $107
- From Private Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands: $4,021
- Heraklion Airport (HER): Private Transfer to Heraklion Port: $105
- Heraklion Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Heraklion city: $137
- Heraklion Int Airport (HER): Transfer to Heraklion hotels: $137
Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Santillana?
Prices for flights to both Santillana and Heraklion 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 dayHeraklion €52Santillana €30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Troy Dinner-Show: $33
- Spectacular Dinner-Show: $44
- From Village Cretan Night, Live Dancers & dinner: $48
- Cretan Night with Dinner & Live Show: $49
- Crete: Olive Oil Festival, Farm Dinner, Live Show & Pickup: $59
- Cretan Farm with scenic view: Olive Mill Festival & dinner: $64
- Amazing Sunset Safari Route with Dinner: $84
- Cook with Locals | Cretan cooking Class at Archanes (transfer - lunch included): $86
- Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine: $90
- Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $97
- Food tour tasting walking tour: $123
- E-bike Food Tour Tasting in Heraklion : $125
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.Heraklion €38Santillana €23
Tours and Activities in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket: $8.56
- CRETAquarium Entrance Ticket in Crete: $8.73
- Mobile Self-Guided Audio Sightseeing Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Crete: Palace of Knossos E-Ticket and Optional Audio Guide: $11
- Herakleion: City Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
- Heraklion Market & CretAquarium *Skip the line: $16
- Heraklion City Tour - Aquarium: $17
- Knossos Palace: E-ticket with Audio and Heraklion City Tour: $18
- Party Bike 1 hour Experience in Malia : $19
- Knossos Self-Guided Treasure Hunt & Tour KIDS: $21
- Minoan Day Experience: $22
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 dayHeraklion €26Santillana €4.29
Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion
Also in Heraklion, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $95
- Ecobike Wine Tasting Tour in Heraklion: $115
- Ecobike Tour with Wine Tasting: $118
- Luxury Private Wine Tasting Experience in Haralabakis Winery: $119
- Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with wine Tastings: $125
- Half Day Semi Private Wine Tour with Tastings: $134
- Semi Private Heraklion Valley Wine Tour with Lunch: $159
- The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $180
- Private SUV Wine Tour with Lunch: $183
- Full Day Private Crete Wine Tour Experience from Heraklion : $190
- Full day Knossos Palace, Local Distillery, Lunch @ Archanes: $192
- Knossos, Olive Mill, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $196
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 Heraklion and Santillana, we can see that Heraklion 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 Heraklion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heraklion 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 Heraklion Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Santillana?
Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion 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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion or Santillana in the Summer?
Both Santillana and Heraklion during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Heraklion is a little warmer than Santillana in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In Santillana, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the summer, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.
Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Santillana. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHeraklion 25°C (78°F)Santillana 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Santillana in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Santillana. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Heraklion is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Santillana averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 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, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Santillana. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 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 OctoberHeraklion 20°C (68°F)Santillana 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Santillana in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Santillana. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the winter, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santillana. Heraklion usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 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 JanuaryHeraklion 12°C (54°F)Santillana 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Santillana in the Spring?
Both Santillana and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Heraklion is a little warmer than Santillana in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Heraklion gets 224 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, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Santillana. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 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 AprilHeraklion 16°C (61°F)Santillana 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santillana and Heraklion
| Heraklion | Santillana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 77 mm (3 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.