A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Meknes vs. Santillana for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Meknes 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 Meknes 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: Meknes or Santillana?

Meknes

So you love a bustling nightlife with fine restaurants and meaningful historical buildings, but you hate all the tourists. Well, it maybe time to visit Meknes, Morocco. Since most travelers head straight to Fez, that leaves Meknes relatively untouched and remains free of the usual hassles that plague other major destinations.

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 Adventure Tours to Morocco, The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Meknes?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Meknes is $46, while the average daily cost in Santillana is $112. 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 Meknes and Santillana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Meknes $26
    Santillana $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Meknes $52
    Santillana $128
Compare Hotels in Meknes and Santillana

Looking for a hotel in Meknes 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.

Hotels in Meknes


Hotels in Santillana


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: Meknes Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Meknes $1.46
    Santillana $18

Is it cheaper to fly into Meknes or Santillana?

Prices for flights to both Santillana and Meknes 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
    Meknes $14
    Santillana $33
Typical Food Prices in Meknes

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Meknes:


  • Popcorn
    $0.20
  • Spices
    $2.49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Meknes

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

  • Fes Medina :Grocery shopping & cooking Class with Fatima: $95

Typical Food Prices in Santillana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:


  • Breakfast
    $7.50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Meknes $3.55
    Santillana $24

Tours and Activities in Meknes

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Meknes.

  • From Fez: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes Full Day Tour: $17
  • Fes Volubilis Tour: $45
  • From Rabat: Volubilis and Meknes Full-day Tour: $258

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Meknes $2.62
    Santillana $4.59
Typical Alcohol Prices in Meknes

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Meknes:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $4.58

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 Meknes and Santillana, we can see that Santillana is more expensive. And not only is Meknes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Meknes is in Africa and Santillana is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Meknes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Meknes 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 Santillana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santillana than you might in Meknes.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Meknes Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Meknes or Santillana?

Meknes has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Meknes 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 Meknes or Santillana?

Santillana has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Meknes experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Meknes or Santillana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Meknes as well as Santillana. Meknes attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Meknes is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Meknes average around 23°C (73°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santillana. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Meknes this time of the year. In the summer, Meknes often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Meknes gets 330 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

Meknes usually gets less rain in July than Santillana. Meknes gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Meknes 23°C (73°F) 
    Santillana 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Meknes or Santillana in the Autumn?

Both Santillana and Meknes are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Meknes throughout the year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Meknes. Meknes usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during autumn. Meknes gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. In October, Meknes usually receives less rain than Santillana. Meknes gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Meknes 19°C (67°F) 
    Santillana 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Meknes or Santillana in the Winter?

Both Santillana and Meknes during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Meknes because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

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

In the winter, Meknes often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Meknes gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun.

Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Meknes usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Meknes gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Meknes 12°C (54°F) 
    Santillana 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Meknes or Santillana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Meknes and Santillana. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Meknes year-round.

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

In Meknes, it's very sunny this time of the year. Meknes usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Meknes gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Santillana receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Meknes usually receives less rain than Santillana. Meknes gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Meknes 16°C (60°F) 
    Santillana 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santillana and Meknes

Meknes Santillana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 0 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 13°C (55°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)


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