Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Malaga or Santillana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Malaga and Santillana. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Malaga or Santillana?
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €140Santillana €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, 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 Malaga and Santillana in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Santillana €60
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Santillana €120
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Santillana
Looking for a hotel in Malaga 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: Malaga Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Santillana €17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Marbella - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Airport Transfer: Malaga Airport AGP to Malaga by Luxury Van: $57
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $51
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Car: $73
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Van: $53
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $51
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Arrival private Transfer: $19
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Granada - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $98
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Malaga - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Marbella - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
- Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Arrival Transfer: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Santillana?
Prices for flights to both Santillana and Malaga 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 dayMalaga €35Santillana €30
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
-
Dinner for 2€30
-
Dinner for 2€44
-
Breakfast for 2€8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Dinner and Show at Alegría Flamenco & Restaurant in Malaga: $65
- Malaga Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $86
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
- Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147
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.Malaga €31Santillana €23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
-
Entrance to Castillos€7.10
-
Concert€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.36
- Guided Walking Tour of the Old Town of Frigiliana: $5.45
- Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Malaga: $7.08
- Ronda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.95
- Malaga Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Skip the Line: Centre Pompidou in Malaga Ticket: $9.82
- Museo Carmen Thyssen de Malaga Entrance Ticket: $12
- Skip the Line: Malaga Automobile and Fashion Museum Entrance Ticket: $13
- Guided tour in Ronda: $13
- Andalucia's City Of Dreams: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ronda: $15
- Tour around the Central Market of Malaga: $16
- 1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour: $16
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: $426
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Santillana €4.29
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $17
- Guided Cellar Tour and wine tasting: $35
- Frigiliana Small-Group Hike and Wine Tasting Tour from Malaga: $60
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
- Malaga Food Walking Tour with Tapas & Wine Tasting: $98
- Ronda Tour & Winery Experience with Wine Tasting from Malaga: $109
- Malaga Tapas and Wine Tour: $136
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: $1,019
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Santillana, we can see that Malaga 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga 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 Malaga Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Santillana?
Malaga has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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 Malaga or Santillana?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Malaga or Santillana in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Santillana. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Malaga this time of year.
Malaga is a little warmer than Santillana in the summer. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santillana this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during summer. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Malaga usually receives less rain than Santillana. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)Santillana 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Santillana in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Santillana. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Malaga is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malaga in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Santillana averages at about 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the autumn, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santillana. Malaga usually gets less rain in October than Santillana. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)Santillana 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Santillana in the Winter?
Both Santillana and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Malaga in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In January, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 12°C (54°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during winter. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. In January, Malaga usually receives less rain than Santillana. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)Santillana 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Santillana in the Spring?
Both Santillana and Malaga during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
Malaga is a little warmer than Santillana in the spring. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the spring, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun.
Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Malaga usually gets less rain in April than Santillana. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)Santillana 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santillana and Malaga
| Malaga | 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.