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

Should you visit Santander or Genoa?

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 Genoa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Santander or Genoa?

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.

Genoa

Located on the coast of northwest Italy, Genoa is a port city and capital of the Liguria region. With a long history as a rich and powerful trade center, Genoa's past of many centuries is still visible in its old port, stunning architecture, and charming alleyways. A traveler can spend days walking along seaside villas, admiring towering churches, and shopping the boutiques of the city. Genoa is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, featuring what is thought to be his birth home and many other quaint abodes.

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, Genoa 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 Genoa is €150. 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 Genoa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santander 51
    Genoa 88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santander 102
    Genoa 176
Compare Hotels in Santander and Genoa

Looking for a hotel in Santander or Genoa? 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 Genoa


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 Genoa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santander 24
    Genoa 8.69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
  • Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Genoa

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

  • Departure Private Transfer Genoa, Savona or Portofino to GOA Airport by Sedan: $44
  • From Genoa to Florence Hotels - Private Transfer: $145
  • From Genova: Portofino Return Transfer by Open-Top Bus: $63
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Genoa - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Genoa - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Milan - Arrival Private Transfer: $111
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Milan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $222
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Portofino hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
  • Genoa Airport Transfers : Genoa City to Genoa Airport GOA in Business Car: $65
  • Genoa Airport Transfers : Genoa City to Genoa Airport GOA in Minivan: $65
  • Genoa Airport to Savona Cruise Port Private Arrival Transfer: $59
  • Genoa Cruise Port to Genoa city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Genoa?

Prices for flights to both Genoa 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
    Genoa 51

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Genoa

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

  • Genoese cooking lesson in the garden with lunch: $68
  • Genoa Old town Food Tour: $74
  • Itinerant dinner in the old town: $75
  • Street Food Tour: $84
  • Do Eat Better Experience - Food Tours in Genoa: $86
  • Traditional Food Tour: $91
  • Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Camogli: $93
  • Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Savona: $93
  • Dining experience with cooking demo and wines in Rapallo: $93
  • Traditional Home Cooking Class in Genoa: $93
  • Tour of Genoa historic center and wine tasting with dinner: $93
  • Small-group Street food tour in Savona: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santander 18
    Genoa 20

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: $54
  • Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
  • Gastronomy tour: $119
  • 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: $212
  • 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14

Tours and Activities in Genoa

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Genoa Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
  • City Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.95
  • City Highlights Self-guided Walking Tour: $8.45
  • Lighthouse Entrance Ticket: $8.56
  • Finance and Nobility Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Finance and Nobility: Explore medieval Genoa on a self-guided audio tour: $8.99
  • Historic Guided Tour of Christopher Columbus' House: $11
  • The City of Children and Young Museum Entry Ticket: $13
  • Historic Shops in Tour Through Tradition and Flavours: $15
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Center: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santander 14
    Genoa 10

Sample the Local Flavors in Genoa

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

  • Guided Eco Hiking and Sea View Wine Tasting in Portofino Park: $75
  • 3 Hour Pesto Making and Wine Tasting Activity in Campetto Genoa: $105
  • CAMOGLI: PRIVATE Ligurian Wine Tasting Experience and walking on National Park: $125


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


Which is Bigger, Santander or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Santander and Genoa, 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 Genoa?

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 Genoa in the Summer?

Both Genoa and Santander during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Santander is cooler than Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

In Genoa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Santander. In the summer, Santander often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Santander gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Santander usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Santander gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Santander 19°C (66°F) 
    Genoa 25°C (76°F)

Should I visit Santander or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santander and Genoa. Furthermore, many visitors come to Genoa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Santander is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santander in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

Santander usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Santander gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Santander usually receives more rain than Genoa. Santander gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Santander 16°C (60°F) 
    Genoa 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Santander or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Santander as well as Genoa. Additionally, most visitors come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Santander is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Santander average around 9°C (49°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Santander often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Santander gets 91 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the winter. Santander usually gets more rain in January than Genoa. Santander gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Santander 9°C (49°F) 
    Genoa 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Santander or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Santander are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Santander is cooler than Genoa in the spring. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Santander usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during spring. Santander gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Santander. In April, Santander usually receives more rain than Genoa. Santander gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Santander 12°C (53°F) 
    Genoa 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Genoa and Santander

Santander Genoa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 15°C (58°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 21°C (71°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Nov 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)