A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santillana vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santillana or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit Santillana or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Santillana or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Santillana has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Santillana and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Santillana or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Santillana are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Santillana is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Mont-Saint-Michel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santillana usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Santillana or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Santillana during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Santillana is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santillana in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Santillana often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel. Santillana gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually gets more rain in October than Mont-Saint-Michel. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santillana or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Mont-Saint-Michel. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Santillana is generally much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 9°C (49°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Santillana usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Santillana gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Santillana usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Santillana or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Santillana as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

Santillana is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Santillana gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Santillana receives a lot of rain in the spring. Santillana usually gets more rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Santillana