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

Should you visit Pamukkale or Santillana?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pamukkale and Santillana can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Pamukkale or Santillana?

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is in southeastern Aegean Turkey and is historically a spa town that has been in existence since the 2nd century BC. It is popular with tourists for its beautiful hot springs and travertines, or pools that are coated in a very unique calcium covering. The area is very rich in mineral content and the water, which has been flowing for thousands of years, has deposited calcium in each pool. This unique whiteness creates an unworldly beauty that draws visitors from around the world. If you're visiting during the summer months when the sun is out in full force, don't forget the sunscreen, as the white reflects the light and you can end up with a sunburn quite quickly. You'll also want to make sure you have sunglasses available because the glare can be quite extreme.

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 Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Pamukkale?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pamukkale is $156, 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 Pamukkale and Santillana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pamukkale $56
    Santillana $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pamukkale $112
    Santillana $128
Compare Hotels in Pamukkale and Santillana

Looking for a hotel in Pamukkale 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 Pamukkale


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: Pamukkale Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pamukkale $35
    Santillana $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamukkale

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

  • Antalya: Guided Pamukkale Tour w/Lunch/Transfer: $84
  • Antalya; Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon Tour with Transfer: $280
  • City of Pamukkale/Denizli: Antalya Airport Private Transfer: $165
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Denizli City Hotels: $104
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $104
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels: $81
  • Denizli City Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $136
  • Pamukkale - Karahayit Transfer from Denizli Cardak Airport: $100
  • Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon w/Flight Certificates,Champagne Toast & Hotel Transfer: $90
  • Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $109
  • Pamukkale to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport-Departure Transfer: $125
  • Private Denizli Pamukkale Airport Transfer Service: $98

Is it cheaper to fly into Pamukkale or Santillana?

Prices for flights to both Santillana and Pamukkale 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
    Pamukkale $69
    Santillana $33

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.
    Pamukkale $54
    Santillana $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pamukkale

For Pamukkale, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance fees Travertines & Pool
    $2.01

Tours and Activities in Pamukkale

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

  • Antalya: Pamukkale Guided Tour With Optional Balloon Flight: $37
  • Pamukkale City Highlights Small Group Guided Tour with Lunch: $40
  • Full Day Pamukkale City Tour From Pamukkale And Karahayit Hotels: $45
  • Pamukkale Paragliding Experience By Local Expert Pilots: $48
  • From Antalya: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour with Lunch: $48
  • Shared Pamukkale Group Tour from Pamukkale: $57
  • From Bodrum: Pamukkale & Hierapolis Guided Tour with Lunch: $63
  • Kusadasi or Selcuk: Pamukkale Guided Group Tour: $67
  • Pamukkale Tour From Pamukkale : $71
  • Antalya: Full-Day Pamukkale Tour: $80
  • Shared Cultural Tour in Pamukkale and Hierapolis: $81
  • Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour: $85

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
    Pamukkale $15
    Santillana $4.59

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


Which is Bigger, Pamukkale or Santillana?

Pamukkale has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Pamukkale 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 Pamukkale 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 Pamukkale or Santillana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pamukkale as well as Santillana.

In July, Pamukkale is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Pamukkale average around 28°C (82°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 Pamukkale this time of the year. In the summer, Pamukkale often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Pamukkale gets 356 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

Pamukkale usually gets less rain in July than Santillana. Pamukkale gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pamukkale 28°C (82°F) 
    Santillana 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Pamukkale or Santillana in the Autumn?

Both Santillana and Pamukkale are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

Pamukkale is a little warmer than Santillana in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pamukkale 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 Pamukkale. Pamukkale usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during autumn. Pamukkale gets 232 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, Pamukkale usually receives less rain than Santillana. Pamukkale gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Pamukkale or Santillana in the Winter?

Both Santillana and Pamukkale during the winter are popular places to visit.

In the winter, Pamukkale is around the same temperature as Santillana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pamukkale in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Santillana averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Pamukkale often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Pamukkale gets 137 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamukkale. Pamukkale usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Pamukkale gets 111 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
    Pamukkale 9°C (48°F) 
    Santillana 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Pamukkale or Santillana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamukkale and Santillana.

In April, Pamukkale is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Pamukkale average around 17°C (62°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Pamukkale, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pamukkale usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Pamukkale gets 226 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, Pamukkale usually receives less rain than Santillana. Pamukkale gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pamukkale 17°C (62°F) 
    Santillana 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santillana and Pamukkale

Pamukkale Santillana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 52 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 10°C (51°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)