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

Should you visit Santillana or Cinque Terre?

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

Should I visit Santillana or Cinque Terre? 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 Cinque Terre?

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.

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


Which place is cheaper, Cinque Terre or Santillana?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Santillana is €105, 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 Santillana and Cinque Terre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santillana 60
    Cinque Terre 72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santillana 120
    Cinque Terre 144
Compare Hotels in Santillana and Cinque Terre

Looking for a hotel in Santillana 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 Santillana


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: Santillana Hotel Prices and Cinque Terre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santillana 17
    Cinque Terre 16

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 Santillana or Cinque Terre?

Prices for flights to both Cinque Terre 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Santillana 30
    Cinque Terre 41
Typical Food Prices in Santillana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:


  • Breakfast
    7.00

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.
    Santillana 23
    Cinque Terre 13

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

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
    Santillana 4.29
    Cinque Terre 6.71

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

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 Santillana and Cinque Terre, we can see that Cinque Terre 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 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 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 Cinque Terre Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santillana or Cinque Terre?

Santillana has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cinque Terre. When comparing the sizes of Santillana 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 Santillana 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 Santillana or Cinque Terre in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Santillana is cooler than Cinque Terre. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santillana in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Cinque Terre averages at about 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 Santillana this time of the year. In the summer, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Cinque Terre. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 316 hours of full sun.

Santillana usually gets more rain in July than Cinque Terre. Santillana 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
    Santillana 19°C (66°F) 
    Cinque Terre 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Santillana or Cinque Terre in the Autumn?

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

In October, Santillana is generally around the same temperature as Cinque Terre. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 16°C (60°F), and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Cinque Terre during autumn. Santillana 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 Santillana. In October, Santillana usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Santillana 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
    Santillana 16°C (60°F) 
    Cinque Terre 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Santillana or Cinque Terre in the Winter?

Both Cinque Terre and Santillana during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Cinque Terre because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Santillana is a little warmer than Cinque Terre in the winter. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 9°C (49°F) in January, and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Cinque Terre. Santillana 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 Santillana. Santillana usually gets more rain in January than Cinque Terre. Santillana 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
    Santillana 9°C (49°F) 
    Cinque Terre 8°C (46°F)

Should I visit Santillana or Cinque Terre in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Cinque Terre. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cinque Terre this time of year.

In the spring, Santillana is cooler than Cinque Terre. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santillana in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Cinque Terre averages at about 14°C (57°F).

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

Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Santillana usually receives more rain than Cinque Terre. Santillana 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
    Santillana 12°C (53°F) 
    Cinque Terre 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Cinque Terre and Santillana

Santillana 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)