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

Should you visit Santillana or Hondarribia?

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

Should I visit Santillana or Hondarribia? 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 Hondarribia?

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.

Hondarribia

The characteristic Spanish buildings painted in the brightest, most vibrant of colors only match the true spirit of the town, Hondarribia, Spain. Hondarribia is located on the west shore of Bidasoa river's mouth in Gipuzkoa of Basque Country. The town is rich in its Spanish history, holding both an ancient old quarter with walls and a castle within. Hondarribia is also known for its gorgeous beach of bright blue water across the Bidasoa alongside the fertile, roaming mountain of Jaizkibel. What's more, Hondarribia faces the border of Hendaye, France, so if you are yearning to expand your cultural learning, take a service boat over to Spain's friendly neighbor! No matter if you want to explore the ancient architecture or enjoy the cooling waters of the bay, Hondarribia is definitely a location known for its beauty and activity!

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

Which is Bigger, Santillana or Hondarribia?

Hondarribia has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Santillana and Hondarribia, 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 Hondarribia?

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 Hondarribia in the Summer?

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

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hondarribia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santillana this time of the year. In the summer, Santillana often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hondarribia. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hondarribia receives 209 hours of full sun.

Santillana usually gets less rain in July than Hondarribia. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hondarribia receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santillana or Hondarribia in the Autumn?

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

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

Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Hondarribia during autumn. Santillana gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Hondarribia receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hondarribia. It's quite rainy in Santillana. In October, Santillana usually receives less rain than Hondarribia. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Hondarribia receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santillana or Hondarribia in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Santillana is around the same temperature as Hondarribia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santillana in January average around 9°C (49°F), and Hondarribia averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Santillana often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hondarribia. Santillana gets 91 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hondarribia receives 85 hours of full sun.

Hondarribia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually gets less rain in January than Hondarribia. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hondarribia receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santillana or Hondarribia in the Spring?

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

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

Santillana usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hondarribia during spring. Santillana gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Hondarribia receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

Hondarribia receives a lot of rain in the spring. Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Santillana usually receives less rain than Hondarribia. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Hondarribia receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hondarribia and Santillana