Which place is cheaper, Pompeii or Santillana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santillana or Pompeii?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santillana or Pompeii? 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 Pompeii?
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.
Pompeii
Pompeii was once a 160-acre Roman port city, called home by more than 20,000 residents. In 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted and after burying the entire city 16 feet deep in ash, the debris destroyed everything in its path, killing thousands of people and affecting more than 200 square miles around the area.
However, the phenomenon is that the ash preserved everything as it was in that time and to this day, you can visit and observe life as it was nearly two thousand years ago, as figures of people running from the explosion have been burned permanently into history.
The best time to visit Pompeii is during spring, after the rains of March and before the scorching heat of June and July. On the downside, this is the beginning of the busy season for tourists, so while you'll enjoy pleasant weather, you won't be likely to avoid crowds. Conversely, November starts the low-season for travel, so you can easily skip the crowds, though you may have to compromise on weather, as the rains return this time of year. Rain and crowds won't be an issue if you visit during winter, but be warned, temperatures drop down to the 50's during the day, accompanied by winds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantillana €105Pompeii €151
The average daily cost (per person) in Santillana is €105, while the average daily cost in Pompeii is €151. 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 Pompeii in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantillana €60Pompeii €70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantillana €120Pompeii €140
Compare Hotels in Santillana and Pompeii
Looking for a hotel in Santillana or Pompeii? 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 Pompeii Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santillana €17Pompeii €54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pompeii
Also for Pompeii, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Organic Wine Tasting & Lunch on Vesuvius with Transfer from Pompeii: $132
- Private transfer Ravello to Naples: $121
- Private transfer from Ravello to Naples: $121
- Small Group Pompeii Wine Tasting with Lunch & Transfer Included : $97
- Transfer Private from Ravello to Naples: $239
- Transfer Ravello to Naples: $121
- Transfer from Pompeii to Naples or viceversa: $66
- Transfers Ravello - Naples: $207
- Transfers from Naples to Sorrento Positano Amalfi Ravello Maiori: $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Santillana or Pompeii?
Prices for flights to both Pompeii 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 €30Pompeii €35
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 Pompeii
For Pompeii, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Neapolitan Dinner in Pompei - Villa Franca - Family Restourant: $38
- Cooking Class with Italian Mamma in Pompeii: $65
- Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Pompei: $93
- Pompei tour with a 2000 years roman dinner: $112
- Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Pompei: $142
- Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Pompei: $158
- Private Cooking Class with Lunch or Dinner in Pompei: $158
- Private market tour and cooking class with lunch or dinner in Pompei: $206
- guided tour of the ruins and cooking class fresh pasta : $272
- Cooking class: Pasta Experience in Pompei, Italy: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santillana €23Pompeii €77
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 Pompeii
For Pompeii, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- The Rise, Fall, and Rediscovery of A Self-Guided Tour: $20
- Pompeii Express 1 hour Guided Tour: $21
- Pompeii Ticket with Optional Guided Tour: $31
- PompeiI VIP: Guided Tour with your Archaeologist in a Small Group : $32
- Entrance ticket to the Valle dell'Orso Water Park: $33
- Pompeii for kids or adults skip the line small group walking tour 2 hours: $33
- Pompeii Skip the Line ticket + Audioguide: $35
- Pompeii Archeological Site Fast Track Entry Ticket : $36
- Pompeii tour with archaeologist: $38
- Pompeii Tour with experienced guide: $38
- guided tour of the archaeological excavations of Pompeii: $38
- Semi-Private Tour of Pompeii Ruins: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantillana €4.29Pompeii €7.31
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 Pompeii
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Pompeii:
- Wine Tasting Tour on the Slopes of Vesuvius: $46
- Wine Tasting on Mt. Vesuvius: $55
- Seafood Lunch with Wine Tasting & Tour on a golf cart: $87
- Guided Tour of Pompeii Ruins with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $98
- Private Wine Tour and Tasting in Pompeii with a Local: $124
- Pompeii Guided Tour & Horse Riding on Vesuvius with Wine Tasting: $191
- Pompeii, Herculaneum and scenic drive of the Mt. Vesuvius with wine tasting: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santillana and Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii 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 Pompeii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pompeii 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 Pompeii Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Santillana or Pompeii?
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 Pompeii in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Santillana as well as Pompeii. Additionally, many travelers come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Santillana is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santillana in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Pompeii averages at about 23°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santillana this time of the year. In the summer, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.
Santillana usually gets more rain in July than Pompeii. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantillana 19°C (66°F)Pompeii 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Pompeii in the Autumn?
Both Pompeii and Santillana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In October, Santillana is generally around the same temperature as Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 16°C (60°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Santillana gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. It's quite rainy in Santillana. In October, Santillana usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pompeii. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantillana 16°C (60°F)Pompeii 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Pompeii in the Winter?
Both Pompeii and Santillana during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Pompeii for the museums during these months.
Santillana is a little warmer than Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 9°C (49°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Santillana gets 91 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.
Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually gets more rain in January than Pompeii. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantillana 9°C (49°F)Pompeii 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Pompeii in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Pompeii.
In the spring, Santillana is around the same temperature as Pompeii. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santillana in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Pompeii averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Santillana gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 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 Pompeii. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantillana 12°C (53°F)Pompeii 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Pompeii and Santillana
| Santillana | Pompeii | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.