Which place is cheaper, La Spezia or Santillana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santillana or La Spezia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santillana or La Spezia? 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 La Spezia?
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.
La Spezia
Located on the coast beside the Ligurian Sea, La Spezia is known for its military and commercial harbors hosting the arsenal of the Italian Navy. It is also well connected by rail and by boat to Cinque Terre National Park - a unique collection of five medieval villages along the coastline - as well as other coastal towns of the region. Other attractions include a number of museums as well as an annual boat race called Palio de Golfo.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantillana €105La Spezia €198
The average daily cost (per person) in Santillana is €105, while the average daily cost in La Spezia is €198. 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 La Spezia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantillana €60La Spezia €113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantillana €120La Spezia €226
Compare Hotels in Santillana and La Spezia
Looking for a hotel in Santillana or La Spezia? 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 La Spezia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santillana €17La Spezia €41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Spezia
Also for La Spezia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer from La Spezia to Porto Venere or Lerici: $91
- La Spezia Cruise Port to Florence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $260
- La Spezia Cruise Port to La Spezia hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
- La Spezia Cruise Port to La Spezia hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $44
- Private Transfer Porto Venere or Lerici to La Spezia by car / van: $91
- Private Transfer from La Spezia Cruise Port to Pisa Airport (PSA): $92
- Private Transfer from La Spezia Port to La Spezia Hotels: $22
- Private Transfer from La Spezia to Cinque Terre by car or van: $142
Is it cheaper to fly into Santillana or La Spezia?
Prices for flights to both La Spezia 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 €30La Spezia €56
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 La Spezia
For La Spezia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- La Spezia Cinque Terre Food Tour: $91
- Small-Group Street Food Tour: $95
- Tour of Apericena at Sunset and Dinner on Boat: $96
- Portovenere: Sunset Cruise with Aperitif and Dinner: $96
- La Spezia Cinque Terre Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $97
- Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in La Spezia: $115
- Porto Venere & Islands Sunset Boat Tour w/ Dinner: $138
- Market Tour & Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $149
- Private Cooking Class in an Italian Home: $155
- Market Visit and Seafood Cooking Class with Lunch: $156
- Cesarine: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in La Spezia: $158
- Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in La Spezia: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santillana €23La Spezia €37
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 La Spezia
For La Spezia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus City Tour Ticket: $27
- From Round-Trip to Pisa Cruise Shore Excursion: $42
- Guided Walking Tour with Italian-Inspired Music: $43
- From La Spezia to Pisa with optional Leaning Tower Ticket: $49
- The Sunset Tour: $54
- Portovenere & the 3 Islands: Sunset Boat Tour from La Spezia: $58
- From Florence & Pisa Cruise Shore Excursion: $58
- Boat Tour of the 3 Islands & Portovenere: $66
- Cinque Terre Tour by Boat: $68
- Sunset Boat Tour with drinks and Snacks: $75
- Sunset Boat Tour with Aperitivo and Snacks: $75
- Kayak Tour Levanto Exploration and Nature: $81
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantillana €4.29La Spezia €35
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 La Spezia
Also in La Spezia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- boat tour with seafood and wine tasting: $214
- Lucca city tour and Pisa tower + wine tasting from La Spezia Port: $217
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santillana and La Spezia, we can see that La Spezia 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 La Spezia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Spezia 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 La Spezia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santillana or La Spezia?
La Spezia has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Santillana and La Spezia, 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.
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.