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

Should you visit Peniche 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 Peniche and Santillana can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Peniche or Santillana?

Peniche

Peniche is a beach destination with many attractions for travelers. First, the raging sea and the lay of the land make this a popular surfing destination. The best of many supreme beaches is Praia dos Supertubos, which has a tubular wave fit for big time international events. Peniche has also been a port since the Early Modern Age, when a fort was constructed to defend it. This monument has an absorbing history, first as a maritime defense and then a prison during the Estado Novo regime in the 20th century. The walled historic center makes for pleasant strolling, and the seaside fort where Salazar's regime detained political prisoners is a must-see for anyone interested in Portuguese history. Artisan lovers will enjoy Peniche's specialty, handmade lace, and it is even possible to see the lace-work in action. And on top of everything, Peniche also has the Berlingas Islands, a natural reserve off the coast, which are well worth a visit.

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Peniche and Santillana, we can see that Peniche 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 Peniche would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Peniche 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 Peniche Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Peniche or Santillana?

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

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

Peniche is a little warmer than Santillana in the summer. The daily temperature in Peniche averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, 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 Peniche this time of the year. In the summer, Peniche often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Peniche gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

Peniche usually gets less rain in July than Santillana. Peniche gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Peniche or Santillana in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Peniche is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Peniche in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Santillana averages at about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Peniche. Peniche usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during autumn. Peniche gets 213 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, Peniche usually receives less rain than Santillana. Peniche gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Peniche or Santillana in the Winter?

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

In January, Peniche is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Peniche average around 12°C (53°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Peniche often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Peniche gets 144 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 Peniche. Peniche usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Peniche gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Peniche or Santillana in the Spring?

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

Peniche is a little warmer than Santillana in the spring. The daily temperature in Peniche averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Peniche, it's very sunny this time of the year. Peniche usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Peniche gets 235 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, Peniche usually receives less rain than Santillana. Peniche gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santillana and Peniche