Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Messina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Messina 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 Messina 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: Messina or Santillana?
Messina
Messina is a city in the northwest area of Sicily. There are only five kilometers across the Straits of Messina to the Calabria region of mainland Italy. You can reach Messina by boats which travel every hour from the town of Villa San Giovanni in mainland Italy. There are also a couple of hydrofoils that make the trip every day from Reggio di Calabria. During the summer season don't be surprised to see cruise ships arriving with crowds of tourists. They are usually docked right downtown and are therefore hard to miss. Messina is also connected to mainland Italy by train, which are transported across the Straits of Messina by ferry.
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMessina €118Santillana €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Messina is €118, 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 Messina and Santillana in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMessina €65Santillana €60
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMessina €130Santillana €120
Compare Hotels in Messina and Santillana
Looking for a hotel in Messina 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: Messina Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Messina €22Santillana €17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Messina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Messina:
- From Private Air-Conditioned Transfer to Taormina: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Messina or Santillana?
Prices for flights to both Santillana and Messina 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 dayMessina €37Santillana €30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Messina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Messina.
- Private Home Cooking Demo with a Four-Course Meal: $112
- Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Messina: $115
- Market Tour & Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $149
- Messina Private Home Cooking Class: $155
- Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Messina: $158
- Market Tour, Private Home Cooking Class and Dinner: $202
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.Messina €21Santillana €23
Tours and Activities in Messina
Here are a few actual costs in Messina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Alfotour 2/3 hour tour with swimming stop: $32
- 2,5-Hour Messina Walking Tour: $46
- Guided City Highlights Walking Tour: $47
- The Godfather Movie Tour from Messina: $84
- Messina Taormina: cultural heritage experience: $85
- Messina and Taormina City Tour from Messina - Private tour: $87
- Taormina Shore Excursion from Messina - Shared tour: $87
- Taormina and Castelmola Tour from Messina: $98
- 3-Hour Messina Segway PT Authorized Tour: $118
- Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion: $120
- Etna Alcantara tour: the majestic lava landscape : $126
- Taormina and Castelmola: Private tour: $149
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 dayMessina €18Santillana €4.29
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 comparing the travel costs between Messina and Santillana, we can see that Messina 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 Messina Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Messina or Santillana?
Messina has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Messina 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 Messina 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 Messina or Santillana in the Summer?
Both Santillana and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Messina is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Messina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Santillana averages at about 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Santillana. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during summer. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Messina usually receives less rain than Santillana. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyMessina 27°C (80°F)Santillana 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Messina or Santillana in the Autumn?
Both Santillana and Messina during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Messina in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Messina is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 21°C (69°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Messina often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun.
Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually gets less rain in October than Santillana. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMessina 21°C (69°F)Santillana 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Messina or Santillana in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Santillana. Most visitors come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Messina is a little warmer than Santillana in the winter. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Messina usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during winter. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.
Santillana receives a lot of rain in the winter. Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Messina usually receives less rain than Santillana. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMessina 13°C (55°F)Santillana 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Messina or Santillana in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Messina as well as Santillana. The spring months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Messina is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Messina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Santillana averages at about 12°C (53°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Messina this time of the year. In the spring, Messina often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santillana. Messina usually gets less rain in April than Santillana. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilMessina 16°C (60°F)Santillana 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santillana and Messina
| Messina | Santillana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (74°F) | 14 mm (0.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (62°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 117 mm (4.6 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.