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

Should you visit Nice 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 Nice 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: Nice or Santillana?

Nice

Nice, in the French Riviera, is one of the most popular destinations in France. It's located on the southeast coast along the Mediterranean Sea and is the second largest French city on the Mediterranean. It is an energetic city that attracts all types of vacationers from every age group and demographic. It's the 5th largest city in the country and is the capital of the Alpes Maritimes departement. The metropolitan area has a population of about 1 million.

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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Nice?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nice is €131, 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 Nice and Santillana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nice 59
    Santillana 60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nice 118
    Santillana 120
Compare Hotels in Nice and Santillana

Looking for a hotel in Nice 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 Nice


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: Nice Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nice 25
    Santillana 17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nice

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nice:

  • Arrival Transfer from Côte d'Azur Airport NCE to Nice City in Private Car: $44
  • Arrival Transfer from Nice Airport NCE to Nice city by Sedan: $59
  • Arrival Transfer: Nice Airport NCE to Cannes in Luxury Van: $116
  • Arrival Transfer: Nice Airport NCE to Monaco in Business Car: $109
  • Cruise Port Hercule to Monaco hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
  • Day Trip / transfer to and from aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur: $92
  • Departure Transfer: Monaco to Nice Airport NCE in Business Car: $109
  • Departure Transfer: Monaco to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Van: $130
  • Departure Transfer: Villefranche Port to Nice Airport: $53
  • Ferry Transfer to Sainte Marguerite Island from Nice: $56
  • From Nice Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Monaco: $150
  • From Nice Airport: Private Transfer to Cannes: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Nice or Santillana?

Prices for flights to both Santillana and Nice 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
    Nice 49
    Santillana 30
Typical Food Prices in Nice

Some typical examples of dining costs in Nice are as follows:


  • Slushee
    2.50
  • Strawberries
    4.00
  • Loaf of Bread
    3.20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nice

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nice.

  • Nice Small-Group Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties & Wine Tasting: $84
  • Viator Exclusive: Organic French Dinner in the Garden of Nice: $95
  • The Flavors of Nice Food Tour: $103
  • Old Nice Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Nice Evening Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Viator Exclusive: Local Cooking Class & Dinner with View of Nice: $107
  • 3.5-Hour Original Old Town Food Tour: $107
  • Private French Cooking Class with a Fun Local Noel: $112
  • PRIVATE Award-Winning Nice Food Tour: 6 or 10 Tastings: $112
  • Food Tour + Wine Pairing Lunch with a local Sommelier: $133
  • Half Day Afternoon Walking Food Tour with Dinner: $147
  • Dinner in the vineyard French Riviera: $192

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.
    Nice 12
    Santillana 23

Tours and Activities in Nice

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nice are as follows:

  • Vieux Nice : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.13
  • Nice : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.13
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Ticket to Musée National du Sport: $6.42
  • Nice Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Monaco Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.95
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
  • Nice's Old Town Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Navigating A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Nice city tour: audio guide app in your smartphone: $7.49

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
    Nice 17
    Santillana 4.29

Sample the Local Flavors in Nice

Also in Nice, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Nice Bar Crawl | Best Bars In 1 Night! VIP + FREE SHOTS: $5.99
  • Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entry and Free Shots: $16
  • Pub Crawl Nice with Drinking Games and Optional Drink special: $17
  • Nice : Guided Pub / Bar Crawl with Shots and Nightclub Entry: $21
  • Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $23
  • Nice Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $45
  • New Year's Eve Pub Crawl with Shots and VIP Club Entry: $52
  • New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl Nice France: $53
  • Provence Organic Wine Tasting Half Day Tour from Nice: $65
  • Wine Tasting: Tour de France in Nice City Centre: $74
  • Half-Day Saint Paul de Vence and Wine Tasting Tour: $82
  • Half-Day Wine Tasting and Saint Paul de Vence Tour from Nice: $84

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 Nice and Santillana, we can see that Nice 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 Nice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nice 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 Nice Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nice or Santillana?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Nice 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 Nice 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 Nice or Santillana in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nice and Santillana. Many travelers come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Nice is a little warmer than Santillana in the summer. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In July, Nice usually receives less rain than Santillana. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Nice or Santillana in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nice as well as Santillana. Many visitors come to Nice in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nice is around the same temperature as Santillana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nice in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Santillana averages at about 16°C (60°F).

It's quite rainy in Santillana. Nice receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nice usually gets less rain in October than Santillana. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nice 17°C (63°F) 
    Santillana 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Nice or Santillana in the Winter?

Both Santillana and Nice are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nice for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Nice is generally around the same temperature as Santillana. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 9°C (48°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. In January, Nice usually receives less rain than Santillana. Nice 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 January
    Nice 9°C (48°F) 
    Santillana 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Nice or Santillana in the Spring?

Both Santillana and Nice during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Nice because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Nice is a little warmer than Santillana in the spring. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nice usually gets less rain in April than Santillana. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nice 13°C (56°F) 
    Santillana 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santillana and Nice

Nice Santillana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 16°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 21°C (69°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 10°C (49°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)