Which place is cheaper, Bilbao or Santillana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santillana or Bilbao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santillana or Bilbao? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Santillana or Bilbao?
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.
Bilbao
The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, and The Best Budget Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantillana €105Bilbao €137
The average daily cost (per person) in Santillana is €105, while the average daily cost in Bilbao is €137. 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 Santillana and Bilbao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantillana €60Bilbao €72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantillana €120Bilbao €144
Compare Hotels in Santillana and Bilbao
Looking for a hotel in Santillana or Bilbao? 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.
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: Santillana Hotel Prices and Bilbao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santillana €17Bilbao €26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $60
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Luxury Van: $80
- Bilbao Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Various Cities : $45
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to Pamplona: $415
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to San Sebastian: $314
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to Santander: $314
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to Vitoria-Gasteiz: $208
- Bilbao Airport to the Basque Country: Private Transfers: $90
- Bilbao city to Bilbao Airport (BIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Departure Private Transfer from Bilbao City to Bilbao airport BIO by Luxury Van: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Santillana or Bilbao?
Prices for flights to both Bilbao and Santillana 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
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Food Meals for one daySantillana €30Bilbao €45
Typical Food Prices in Santillana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:
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Breakfast€7.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Basque Food Tour with Guide: $85
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $101
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairing: $109
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class with Open Bar: $112
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao: $115
- Basque Flavours: High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $120
- Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $133
- Private Food Tour, Food Lovers with Tastings: $133
- Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $142
- Traditional Basque Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $154
- Guggenheim Museum Visit & Private Walking Food Tour: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santillana €23Bilbao €29
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: $426
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bilbao Cathedral and San Anton Church Entry Ticket: $4.26
- Bilbao Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: $7.44
- VITORIA DE LEGEND night tour: $11
- Bilbao Confidential Tour: Industrialists and Bourgeois: $13
- Tour of the Great Villas in Getxo and Hanging Bridge: $16
- Bilbao tour: $17
- San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour: $18
- Bilbao Estuary and Abra Bay Boat Tour: $20
- City Highlights Guided Bike Tour: $27
- Bilbao Historical Small Group Tour : $28
- Walking tour of Bilbao with pintxo and drink: $31
- Private Kayak Tour along the Getxo Coast and Hanging Bridge: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantillana €4.29Bilbao €21
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: $1,017
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Bilbao: $24
- Immersive Evening Spanish Wine Tasting w/ Sommelier: $53
- Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $79
- Txakoli, Gaztelugatxe, & Urdaibai with wine tasting: $80
- Guided tour of Txakoli wine tasting and tasting of wine and typical products: $147
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $176
- Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $186
- From Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour: $239
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Vitoria: $240
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $246
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Vitoria: $251
- La Rioja Boutique Wine Tour - 2 Wineries & Picnic Lunch (From Bilbao): $257
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santillana and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao 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 Santillana Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santillana or Bilbao?
Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Santillana and Bilbao, 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 Santillana or Bilbao?
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 Santillana or Bilbao in the Summer?
Both Bilbao and Santillana are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Santillana is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the summer. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during summer. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Santillana usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bilbao. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantillana 19°C (66°F)Bilbao 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Bilbao in the Autumn?
Both Bilbao and Santillana during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.
In the autumn, Santillana is around the same temperature as Bilbao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santillana in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Bilbao averages at about 16°C (62°F).
In the autumn, Santillana often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao. Santillana gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.
Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually gets more rain in October than Bilbao. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantillana 16°C (60°F)Bilbao 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Bilbao in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Bilbao. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene.
In January, Santillana is generally around the same temperature as Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 9°C (49°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Santillana usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Santillana gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.
Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Santillana usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantillana 9°C (49°F)Bilbao 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Bilbao in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santillana as well as Bilbao. Additionally, many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city.
Santillana is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the spring. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the spring, Santillana often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Santillana gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Santillana receives a lot of rain in the spring. Santillana usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bilbao. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantillana 12°C (53°F)Bilbao 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Bilbao and Santillana
| Santillana | Bilbao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.