A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santander vs. Cinque Terre for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santander or Cinque Terre?

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 Santander and Cinque Terre can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Santander or Cinque Terre?

Santander

Santander is the capital of the Cantabria Region which runs along the northern coast of Spain. Located right on the bay, it is a place of many historic churches and a handful of interesting museums that range from archaeological discoveries of the region, to maritime history, and cultural features like bullfighting. There is also a large selection of beaches for those looking for a more relaxing getaway in the sun and sand.

Cinque Terre

Located on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline, Cinque Terra consists of five seaside villages exuding a charm that dates back to medieval times. Fishing boats bob in the harbors, bringing fresh seafood to the tables of the region, while age old vineyards make for fragrant signature wines. Cinque Terre is considered to be a National Park, with its five villages earning a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their beauty and timelessness.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Cinque Terre or Santander?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Santander is €108, while the average daily cost in Cinque Terre is €140. 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 Santander and Cinque Terre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santander 51
    Cinque Terre 72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santander 102
    Cinque Terre 144
Compare Hotels in Santander and Cinque Terre

Looking for a hotel in Santander or Cinque Terre? 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 Santander


Hotels in Cinque Terre


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: Santander Hotel Prices and Cinque Terre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santander 24
    Cinque Terre 16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $44
  • Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
  • Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $252
  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cinque Terre

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Cinque Terre:


  • Ferry Day Pass
    15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cinque Terre

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

  • Private Transfer from Cinque Terre to La Spezia by car or van: $142

Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Cinque Terre?

Prices for flights to both Cinque Terre and Santander 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
    Santander 41
    Cinque Terre 41

Typical Food Prices in Cinque Terre

For Cinque Terre, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Whole Pizza
    9.50
  • Panini
    3.75
  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    52
  • Fresh Focaccia
    2.12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cinque Terre

For Cinque Terre, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Riomaggiore: $195
  • Cinque Terre Food Tour (half day): $273

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santander 18
    Cinque Terre 13

Tours and Activities in Santander

Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
  • From Cantabria Private Tour: $492
  • From Gastronomic Tour: $128
  • From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
  • From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
  • Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $55
  • Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
  • Gastronomy tour: $120
  • Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
  • Picos de Europa and Potes Guided Tour from Santander : $84
  • Private Puente Viesgo Caves Full-Day Tour from Santander: $213
  • 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cinque Terre

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cinque Terre's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Double Kayak Rental (One Hour)
    10
  • Bagni Eden Beach Club Umbrella
    16
  • Cinque Terre Card (One Day)
    5.00
  • Cinque Terre Card (Three Days)
    12

Tours and Activities in Cinque Terre

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

  • Cinque Terre Pesto experience in Riomaggiore: $49
  • Marine Biology & Snorkelling Experience in the Cinque Terre : $59
  • Kayak experience with Carnassa Tour in Cinque Terre + Snorkeling: $73
  • From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Tour by Train with Limoncino: $89
  • La Spezia: Cinque Terre Guided Hiking Tour: $95
  • Cinque Terre Kayak Adventure from Riomaggiore: $98
  • Kayak tour from Monterosso to Vernazza: $98
  • Half Day Guided Tour of the Cinque Terre from the Sea: $104
  • 2-Hour Boat Tour at sunset in the Cinque Terre with Pesto tasting and focaccia: $104
  • Cinque Terre Hybrid Boat Tour: $109
  • The heart of the 5 Terre: Monterosso and national park ebike tour: $120
  • Cinque Terre Sunset Cruise with Aperitif: $131

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santander 14
    Cinque Terre 6.71

Typical Alcohol Prices in Cinque Terre

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Cinque Terre:


  • Glass of Local Wine
    2.90

Sample the Local Flavors in Cinque Terre

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

  • BarCa Winery Cinqueterre Tour with Wine Tasting & Pesto Class: $60
  • Cinque terre wine tour and tasting with the somelier: $74
  • Eco Hiking and Wine Tasting in Cinque Terre : $97
  • Cinque Terre Walking Tour with Food and Wine Tastings: $169


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santander and Cinque Terre, we can see that Cinque Terre is more expensive. And not only is Santander much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santander would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santander 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 Cinque Terre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cinque Terre than you might in Santander.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santander Expensive? and Is Cinque Terre Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santander or Cinque Terre?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Cinque Terre. When comparing the sizes of Santander and Cinque Terre, 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 Santander or Cinque Terre?

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 Santander or Cinque Terre in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santander as well as Cinque Terre. Also, many travelers come to Cinque Terre for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Santander is cooler than Cinque Terre in the summer. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cinque Terre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santander this time of the year. In the summer, Santander often gets less sunshine than Cinque Terre. Santander gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 316 hours of full sun.

Santander usually gets more rain in July than Cinque Terre. Santander gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Santander 19°C (66°F) 
    Cinque Terre 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Santander or Cinque Terre in the Autumn?

Both Cinque Terre and Santander are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Cinque Terre in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Santander usually receives less sunshine than Cinque Terre during autumn. Santander gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cinque Terre. It's quite rainy in Santander. In October, Santander usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Santander gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Santander 16°C (60°F) 
    Cinque Terre 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Santander or Cinque Terre in the Winter?

Both Cinque Terre and Santander during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cinque Terre for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Santander is generally a little warmer than Cinque Terre. Daily temperatures in Santander average around 9°C (49°F), and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Santander often gets less sunshine than Cinque Terre. Santander gets 91 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 105 hours of full sun.

Cinque Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. Santander usually gets more rain in January than Cinque Terre. Santander gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Santander 9°C (49°F) 
    Cinque Terre 8°C (46°F)

Should I visit Santander or Cinque Terre in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santander and Cinque Terre. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Cinque Terre because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Santander is cooler than Cinque Terre in the spring. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Santander usually receives less sunshine than Cinque Terre during spring. Santander gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Santander usually receives more rain than Cinque Terre. Santander gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Santander 12°C (53°F) 
    Cinque Terre 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Cinque Terre and Santander

Santander Cinque Terre
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jun 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)