Which place is cheaper, Lake Garda or Santillana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santillana or Lake Garda?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santillana or Lake Garda? 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 Lake Garda?
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.
Lake Garda
As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantillana €105Lake Garda €166
The average daily cost (per person) in Santillana is €105, while the average daily cost in Lake Garda is €166. 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 Lake Garda in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantillana €60Lake Garda €84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantillana €120Lake Garda €168
Compare Hotels in Santillana and Lake Garda
Looking for a hotel in Santillana or Lake Garda? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santillana €17Lake Garda €66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Garda
Also for Lake Garda, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Verona VRN Airport to Lake Garda: $109
- Verona Opera Arena: Transfer from Lake Garda & Opera Ticket: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Santillana or Lake Garda?
Prices for flights to both Lake Garda 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 €30Lake Garda €42
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 Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Fresh Pasta and Tiramisù Private Cooking Class with Meal : $65
- Valpolicella Wine and Food Tour: $75
- Cusina - Cooking Class: Fresh Pasta with wine tasting: $86
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cecina with Show Cooking: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santillana €23Lake Garda €30
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 Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Gardaland SEA LIFE Aquarium: Open Date Entry Ticket: $9.62
- Lake Garda Mini Cruise: Sirmione Peninsula: $13
- Hotel Villa Cariola Pool Entry Ticket: $20
- From San Felice del Benaco: Islands Boat Tour: $27
- Sunset Tour in Sirmione : $27
- Tour in the Winery and tasting: $32
- Bardolino: Vineyard Tour with Wine, Olive Oil & Food Tasting: $37
- Lazise: Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience: $42
- Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience in Lazise: $43
- Winery Tour and Tasting of Garda Wines in Lazise: $44
- Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione from Garda/Bardolino: $48
- From Garda/Bardolino: 4-hour Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantillana €4.29Lake Garda €19
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 Lake Garda
Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bardolino: Wine tasting at Cantina Valetti: $26
- Wine Tasting and Tour of Lugana Wines in Sirmione: $32
- Wine Tasting with Local Food in Lazise Countryside: $32
- Vineyards Tour and Wine Tasting: $42
- Garda Hills Wine Tour and Tasting: $42
- Wine Tasting in Historical Center of Lazise: $44
- Art Experience with Food and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $55
- E-Bike Tour and wine tasting in Lazise Countryside: $87
- E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $87
- Lazise: Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $90
- Castles boat tour with Bardolino wine tasting and nibbles: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santillana and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Santillana or Lake Garda?
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 Lake Garda in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Santillana as well as Lake Garda. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.
Santillana is cooler than Lake Garda in the summer. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lake Garda. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santillana this time of the year. In the summer, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Lake Garda. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.
Santillana usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantillana 19°C (66°F)Lake Garda 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Lake Garda in the Autumn?
Both Lake Garda and Santillana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Santillana is a little warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santillana in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 14°C (57°F).
Santillana usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda during autumn. Santillana gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Santillana. In October, Santillana usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantillana 16°C (60°F)Lake Garda 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Lake Garda in the Winter?
Both Lake Garda and Santillana during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Lake Garda can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Santillana is generally much warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 9°C (49°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
In the winter, Santillana often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda. Santillana gets 91 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantillana 9°C (49°F)Lake Garda 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Lake Garda in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Lake Garda. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
Santillana is around the same temperature as Lake Garda in the spring. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Santillana gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 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 Lake Garda. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantillana 12°C (53°F)Lake Garda 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Santillana
| Santillana | Lake Garda | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 51 mm (2 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.