Which place is cheaper, Santander or Marbella?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Marbella or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Santander, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Marbella or Santander?
Marbella
Marbella is a city in southern Spain in the province of Malaga. It is part of the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) and is located on the Mediterranean Sea between Malaga and the Strait of Gibraltar. It is one of the most important tourist cities in the area and receives many national and international tourists year round due to its climate and tourism structures. Marbella is a bit of a glamorous city due to its beauty and resort-type environment. The old town with its narrow cobbled streets and flower-filled plazas is packed with shops and art galleries selling boutique clothes and accessories, and handmade wares. The city has significant archaeological and historical heritage and many events and performances throughout the year.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, and The Best Budget Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMarbella €117Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Marbella is €117, 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 Marbella and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMarbella €61Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMarbella €122Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Marbella and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Marbella 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.
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: Marbella Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Marbella €24Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marbella
Also for Marbella, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Costa del Sol: Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Malaga Airport: $75
- From Malaga: Private Transfer Malaga Airport to Marbella: $235
- Private Transfer from Algarrobo to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $109
- Private Transfer from Alhaurín El Grande to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $67
- Private Transfer from Benahavís to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $131
- Private Transfer from Benajarafe to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $70
- Private Transfer from Benamargosa to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $120
- Private Transfer from Benaoján to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $214
- Private Transfer from Estepona to Malaga (AGP) airport: $155
- Private Transfer from Fuengirola to Malaga (AGP) airport: $64
- Private Transfer from Guadalmina to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $131
- Private Transfer from La Quinta Golf Resort to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $132
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 Marbella or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Marbella 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 dayMarbella €38Santander €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marbella
For Marbella, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour: $87
- Gourmet Cooking Class & Culture in the rural Montes de Malaga.: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Marbella €19Santander €18
Tours and Activities in Marbella
For Marbella, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover the Old Town through a Self-Guided Tour: $4.60
- Marbella Old Town Walking Tour : $15
- Sightseeing Walking Tour: $21
- Guided tour and olive oil tasting in Alhaurin el Grande (Málaga) : $22
- Marbella Old Town: Group Tour with a True Local: $24
- Marbella Old Town group tour with a True Local: $24
- group walking Tour: $26
- Explore Marbella Old Town: Tapas Tasting Adventure: $27
- Marbella like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $32
- Bike City Tour Marbella: $32
- Dolphin Watching Adventure in Estepona Bay: $38
- Canyoning Experience Near Marbella (Benahavís River Walk): $43
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMarbella €5.71Santander €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Marbella
Also in Marbella, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Manilva & Gaucin Wine Tour from the Costa del Sol: $152
- From Manilva Sunset Wine Tasting Tour with Tapas: $159
- Ronda Full Day Wine Tour from Marbella: $195
- From Antequera Wine Tour with Tastings and Lunch: $213
- From Axarquia Wine Tour with Wine Pairing Lunch: $234
- Full-Day Private Ronda Wine Tour Experience from Marbella: $262
- VIP Ronda Wine Tour and Tasting and Gourmet Lunch Experience with Winemaker: $271
When comparing the travel costs between Marbella and Santander, we can see that Marbella 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 Marbella Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Marbella or Santander?
Santander has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella 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 Marbella 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 Marbella or Santander in the Summer?
Both Santander and Marbella during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Marbella is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marbella in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Santander averages at about 19°C (66°F).
In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marbella. In the summer, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Santander. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.
Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMarbella 25°C (77°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Marbella or Santander in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Santander. The autumn months attract visitors to Marbella because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 19°C (67°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Marbella 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, Marbella usually receives less rain than Santander. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMarbella 19°C (67°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Marbella or Santander in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Santander. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marbella this time of year.
Marbella is a little warmer than Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the winter, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Santander. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Marbella usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMarbella 12°C (54°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Marbella or Santander in the Spring?
Both Santander and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Marbella is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marbella in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Marbella 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, Marbella usually receives less rain than Santander. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMarbella 16°C (60°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Marbella
| Marbella | 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) |
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.