Which place is cheaper, Como or Santillana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Santillana or Como?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santillana or Como? 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 Como?
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.
Como
At the foot of the jagged cliffs of the Alps lies an expanse of shimmering waters made a golden white by the sun and pockmarked by sailors. Its blue waters beckon you to come forth and dive deep into the mystic body of Lago di Como, or Lake Como. With an area of 146 square kilometers, Lake Como is the third largest lake in Italy, right after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. The lake was originally named by the Romans after the city of Comum, now presently called Como. Lake Como is shaped into an inverted "Y," with towns like Como, Lecco, Bellagio, Menaggio and Lierna situated around it.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantillana €105Como €214
The average daily cost (per person) in Santillana is €105, while the average daily cost in Como is €214. 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 Como in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantillana €60Como €146
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantillana €120Como €292
Compare Hotels in Santillana and Como
Looking for a hotel in Santillana or Como? 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 Como Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santillana €17Como €14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Como
Also for Como, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Argegno: Private Transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $235
- Bellagio to Malpensa Airport Milan (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $78
- Como Private Transfer from Como city centre to Milan Malpensa Airport: $221
- From Bellagio or Como hotels to Venice (+water taxi) - Private Transfer: $193
- From Como : Private 1-Way Transfer to Malpensa airport: $336
- From Private 1-Way Transfer to Linate airport: $306
- From Milan center : Private 1-Way Transfer to Como: $275
- Milan Private Transfer from Cernobbio (Como) to Milan airports (LIN or MPX): $243
- Pirvate transfer from Malpensa airport to Como and Cernobbio: $207
- Private Transfer From Lecco or Malgrate: $65
- Private Transfer from Como to Milan hotels: $53
- Private Transfer from Lezzeno or Pognana Lario or Faggeto Lario: $169
Is it cheaper to fly into Santillana or Como?
Prices for flights to both Como 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 daySantillana €30Como €60
Typical Food Prices in Santillana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:
-
Breakfast€7.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Como
For Como, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- COOKING, EATING, LOVING - Lasagna cooking Class for everyone!: $45
- Cantonese Dimsum Cooking Lesson in Como or Lugano with Chef Ling: $49
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Lentate Verbano with Show Cooking: $93
- Lake Como Food Tour - Eat like a real Local: $108
- Tour and historical dinner: Lake Como 1690: $131
- Como Food Tour and the Farmers Market: $139
- Homemade Pasta Cooking Class: $160
- Como Area: Pizza Training Experience: $160
- Pizza Training Experience. Como Area: $163
- Lecco Bike Tour & Pizza Lunch: $163
- Private Market Tour & Lunch or Dinner with a Local: $171
- Como Food Tour: $180
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santillana €23Como -
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
Tours and Activities in Como
For Como, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Agra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Como: $8.71
- Como Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
- Como Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.94
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Como and its Breathtaking Lakeside: $20
- Self-Guided Tour of Como and its Breathtaking Lakeside: $20
- Lake Self-Guided Walking Tour - Downtown Como: $21
- Como City Audio Guide and Skip The Ticket Line to Brunate: $22
- Como City Walking Tour : $27
- City Tour with Duomo Visit and First Basin Lake Cruise: $32
- Guided City Walking Tour: $32
- 90minutes Tea Preparation and Tasting Experience in Como: $33
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySantillana €4.29Como -
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Como
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Como:
- Domaso: Wine Tasting at the Winery on Como Lake: $60
- Italian Wine Tasting & Food Como Lake: $70
- Lake Food and Wine tour in Colico: $114
- Wine Tastings with Chef Luigi Gandola: $135
- Private Wine Tasting in Bellagio with Chef Luigi Gandola: $185
- Food and Wine Tours Lake Como: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santillana and Como, we can see that Como 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 Como would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Como 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 Como Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santillana or Como?
Como has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Santillana and Como, 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 Como?
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 Como in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Santillana as well as Como. Additionally, many visitors come to Como in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Santillana is cooler than Como. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santillana in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Como averages at about 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Como. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santillana this time of the year. In the summer, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Como. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.
Santillana usually gets less rain in July than Como. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySantillana 19°C (66°F)Como 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Como in the Autumn?
Both Como and Santillana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Santillana is generally around the same temperature as Como. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 16°C (60°F), and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Como during autumn. Santillana gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Como. It's quite rainy in Santillana. In October, Santillana usually receives more rain than Como. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantillana 16°C (60°F)Como 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Como in the Winter?
Both Como and Santillana during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Como because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Como can be very cold. Santillana is much warmer than Como in the winter. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 9°C (49°F) in January, and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
In the winter, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Como. Santillana gets 91 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually gets more rain in January than Como. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantillana 9°C (49°F)Como 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Como in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Como. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Como this time of year.
In the spring, Santillana is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santillana in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Como averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Como during spring. Santillana gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 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 Como. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantillana 12°C (53°F)Como 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Como and Santillana
| Santillana | Como | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.