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

Should you visit Nafplio or Santillana?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Nafplio or Santillana? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Nafplio or Santillana?

Nafplio

The destination of Nafplio exists as a historic seaport town on the Peloponnese peninsula. From prevailing as a major port under royal succession in the Middle Ages to standing under the Republic of Venice, Ottoman Empire, and finally becoming capital of the First Hellenic Republic and then the Kingdom of Greece, this place has seen it all. Nafplio is now the capital of the region of Argolis.

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 Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Nafplio?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nafplio is €112, 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 Nafplio and Santillana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nafplio 50
    Santillana 60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nafplio 100
    Santillana 120
Compare Hotels in Nafplio and Santillana

Looking for a hotel in Nafplio 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 Nafplio


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: Nafplio Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nafplio 46
    Santillana 17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nafplio

Also for Nafplio, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Athens: Bus Transfer to/from Nafplio: $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Nafplio or Santillana?

Prices for flights to both Santillana and Nafplio 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
    Nafplio 34
    Santillana 30

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.
    Nafplio 22
    Santillana 23

Tours and Activities in Nafplio

For Nafplio, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Nafplio Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour: $11
  • Highlights Walking Tour: $59
  • City Walking Tour: $86
  • Mycenae-Nafplio-Epidaurus Private Full Day Tour with Sedan: $91
  • From Nafplion: Mycenae, Corinth Canal and Epidavros Day Tour: $182
  • Visit Ancient Corinth Mycenae Nafplio Canal Private Tour 8H: $188
  • Mycenae Epidavrous Nafplio Isthmus Canal Full Day Tour 8 H: $199
  • From Hydra Island Private-Tour to Nafplio, Epidaurus&Mycenae: $385
  • Argolis: Full-Day Private Peloponnese Tour from Athens: $427
  • From Athens: Peloponnese Full Day Private Tour & Audio Tour: $503
  • Peloponnese: Mycenae Nafplio Epidaurus Private Tour & Audio: $503
  • Athens: Corinth, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Nafplio Day Tour: $524

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
    Nafplio 6.86
    Santillana 4.29

Sample the Local Flavors in Nafplio

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nafplio:

  • Nafplion: Nemea Vineyards Wine Tour: $171
  • "Wine tasting Tour in Nemea and Visit tour in Nafplio": $295

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 Nafplio and Santillana, we can see that Nafplio 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 Nafplio Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Santillana?

Nafplio has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio 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 Nafplio 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 Nafplio or Santillana in the Summer?

Both Santillana and Nafplio during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nafplio is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 25°C (76°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Santillana, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the summer, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets less rain in July than Santillana. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nafplio 25°C (76°F) 
    Santillana 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Nafplio or Santillana in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Santillana. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year.

Nafplio is a little warmer than Santillana in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Santillana fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Nafplio, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during autumn. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santillana receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nafplio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Santillana. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nafplio 19°C (66°F) 
    Santillana 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Nafplio or Santillana in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Santillana. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Nafplio is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nafplio in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Santillana averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santillana. Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nafplio usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nafplio 10°C (51°F) 
    Santillana 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Nafplio or Santillana in the Spring?

Both Santillana and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Nafplio is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 15°C (58°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Nafplio gets 217 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, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Santillana. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nafplio 15°C (58°F) 
    Santillana 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santillana and Nafplio

Nafplio Santillana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 102 mm (4 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 25°C (76°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 154 mm (6.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)


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