Which place is cheaper, Plitvice Lakes National Park or Santillana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santillana or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santillana or Plitvice Lakes National Park? 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?
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.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
One of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe, Plitvice Lakes National Park is an area of green forests laced with a system of interconnected turquoise lakes. It was set aside as a national park in 1949, and was later designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantillana €105Plitvice Lakes National Park €125
The average daily cost (per person) in Santillana is €105, while the average daily cost in Plitvice Lakes National Park is €125. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantillana €60Plitvice Lakes National Park €60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantillana €120Plitvice Lakes National Park €120
Compare Hotels in Santillana and Plitvice Lakes National Park
Looking for a hotel in Santillana or Plitvice Lakes National Park? 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 €17Plitvice Lakes National Park €26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Also for Plitvice Lakes National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Plitvice Lakes to Zagreb private one-way transfer: $150
- From Zadar: Round-Trip Transfer to Plitvice Lakes: $42
- Plitvice lakes Guiding with Transfer: $182
- Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $271
- Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zagreb Airport (ZAG): $232
Is it cheaper to fly into Santillana or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Prices for flights to both Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 €30Plitvice Lakes National Park €40
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santillana €23Plitvice Lakes National Park €34
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 Plitvice Lakes National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Plitvice Lakes National Park.
- Plitvice Lakes: National Park Official Entry Ticket: $11
- Plitvice Lakes National Park Admission Ticket: $14
- Half day tour around Plitvice Lakes: $29
- Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $36
- Plitvice Lakes: Guided Walking Tour and Boat Ride: $36
- Plitvice lakes: Guided walking tour with a boat ride: $37
- Private Guided Fairy Tale Tour in Ogulin: $38
- Plitvice Guided Tour- Tickets only RESERVED: $44
- From Split and Trogir: Plitvice Lakes Economy Group Tour: $48
- Abandoned military airbase Zeljava -2h guided tour: $55
- From Split: Plitvice Lakes Guided tour: $70
- Plitvice Lakes National Park - Inspiration Buggy Tour: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantillana €4.29Plitvice Lakes National Park €14
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santillana and Plitvice Lakes National Park, we can see that Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Santillana or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?
Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Santillana during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Santillana is generally cooler than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 19°C (66°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In Plitvice Lakes National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Santillana. In the summer, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 266 hours of full sun.
Santillana usually gets less rain in July than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantillana 19°C (66°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Plitvice Lakes National Park. Furthermore, many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
Santillana is a little warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Santillana usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Plitvice Lakes National Park during autumn. Santillana gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Santillana usually receives more rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantillana 16°C (60°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Santillana as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Additionally, most visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the cuisine during these months.
Plitvice Lakes National Park can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Santillana is much warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santillana in January average around 9°C (49°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 1°C (35°F).
In the winter, Santillana often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Santillana gets 91 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 54 hours of full sun.
Santillana receives a lot of rain in the winter. Santillana usually gets more rain in January than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantillana 9°C (49°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?
Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Santillana are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the natural beauty.
In April, Santillana is generally around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 12°C (53°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during spring. Santillana gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Santillana. In April, Santillana usually receives more rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantillana 12°C (53°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Santillana
| Santillana | Plitvice Lakes National Park | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.