A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Santillana vs. Ezcaray for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santillana or Ezcaray?

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

Should I visit Santillana or Ezcaray? 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 Ezcaray?

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.

Ezcaray

Ezcaray, Spain is a great place to go if you are looking for a scenic, relaxing, and peaceful destination. It is located in the Sierra de la Demanda mountains on the banks of the Oja river. Because of the mountain range nearby, it is also a great place for mountaineers. Ezcaray is a small town with big charm and momentous possibilities. It is located right at the base of the San Lorenzo peak in the Oja valley in the La Rioja region of Spain. The town has a population of less than 2,000, so it is a far cry from big city life, but that's part of what makes it such a gem to visit. Some say it is one of the best locations to get an authentic feel of real Spain without the big touristy populations. Its sheer beauty has also been compared to something out of a fairy tale.

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.

When comparing the travel costs between Santillana and Ezcaray, we can see that Ezcaray is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Santillana or Ezcaray?

Santillana has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Ezcaray. When comparing the sizes of Santillana and Ezcaray, 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 Ezcaray?

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 Ezcaray in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santillana as well as Ezcaray.

In July, Santillana is generally around the same temperature as Ezcaray. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 19°C (66°F), and Ezcaray fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santillana this time of the year. In the summer, Santillana often gets more sunshine than Ezcaray. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ezcaray receives 188 hours of full sun.

Santillana usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Ezcaray. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santillana or Ezcaray in the Autumn?

Both Ezcaray and Santillana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

Santillana is around the same temperature as Ezcaray in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Ezcaray fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Santillana usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ezcaray during autumn. Santillana gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Ezcaray receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ezcaray. It's quite rainy in Santillana. In October, Santillana usually receives more rain than Ezcaray. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santillana or Ezcaray in the Winter?

Both Ezcaray and Santillana during the winter are popular places to visit.

In the winter, Santillana is around the same temperature as Ezcaray. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santillana in January average around 9°C (49°F), and Ezcaray averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Santillana often gets more sunshine than Ezcaray. Santillana gets 91 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ezcaray receives 77 hours of full sun.

Ezcaray 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 Ezcaray. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santillana or Ezcaray in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Ezcaray.

In April, Santillana is generally around the same temperature as Ezcaray. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 12°C (53°F), and Ezcaray fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Santillana usually receives more sunshine than Ezcaray during spring. Santillana gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Ezcaray receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

Ezcaray receives a lot of rain in the spring. Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Santillana usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ezcaray. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ezcaray and Santillana