A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Santillana vs. Pontevedra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santillana or Pontevedra?

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

Should I visit Santillana or Pontevedra? 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 Pontevedra?

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.

Pontevedra

An important port city with a medieval past, Pontevedra sits on the northwestern coast of Spain where the Lerez River opens out into the ocean. It is a part of the Galicia region and is known for its seafood, charming plazas, and old world architecture that include a number of chapels, churches, and cathedrals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, and The Best Budget Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Pontevedra or Santillana?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santillana is €105, while the average daily cost in Pontevedra is €120. 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 Pontevedra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santillana 60
    Pontevedra 61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santillana 120
    Pontevedra 122
Compare Hotels in Santillana and Pontevedra

Looking for a hotel in Santillana or Pontevedra? 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.

Hotels in Santillana


Hotels in Pontevedra


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 Pontevedra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santillana 17
    Pontevedra 23

Is it cheaper to fly into Santillana or Pontevedra?

Prices for flights to both Pontevedra 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Santillana 30
    Pontevedra 42
Typical Food Prices in Santillana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:


  • Breakfast
    7.00

Typical Food Prices in Pontevedra

For Pontevedra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for 2
    11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pontevedra

For Pontevedra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Galician Cooking Class with Chef Instructor: $159

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santillana 23
    Pontevedra 19

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: $426

Tours and Activities in Pontevedra

For Pontevedra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Pontevedra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.78
  • O Grove Aquarium Experience: $16
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $43
  • NEW!! Private Walking Tour with local guide: $64
  • Walking Tour and Galician Food Tasting: $64

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santillana 4.29
    Pontevedra 20

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: $1,019

Sample the Local Flavors in Pontevedra

Also in Pontevedra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Albariño Wine Tasting with Winery Tour: $32


When comparing the travel costs between Santillana and Pontevedra, we can see that Pontevedra is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santillana Expensive? and Is Pontevedra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santillana or Pontevedra?

Pontevedra has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Santillana and Pontevedra, 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 Pontevedra?

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 Pontevedra in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santillana as well as Pontevedra.

Santillana is around the same temperature as Pontevedra in the summer. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Pontevedra fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pontevedra. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santillana this time of the year. In the summer, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Pontevedra. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pontevedra receives 299 hours of full sun.

Santillana usually gets more rain in July than Pontevedra. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Santillana 19°C (66°F) 
    Pontevedra 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Santillana or Pontevedra in the Autumn?

Both Pontevedra and Santillana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Santillana is around the same temperature as Pontevedra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santillana in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Pontevedra averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Pontevedra during autumn. Santillana gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Pontevedra receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pontevedra. It's quite rainy in Santillana. In October, Santillana usually receives less rain than Pontevedra. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Santillana 16°C (60°F) 
    Pontevedra 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Santillana or Pontevedra in the Winter?

Both Pontevedra and Santillana during the winter are popular places to visit.

In January, Santillana is generally around the same temperature as Pontevedra. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 9°C (49°F), and Pontevedra fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the winter, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Pontevedra. Santillana gets 91 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pontevedra receives 110 hours of full sun.

Pontevedra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually gets less rain in January than Pontevedra. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 232 mm (9.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Santillana 9°C (49°F) 
    Pontevedra 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Santillana or Pontevedra in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Pontevedra.

Santillana is cooler than Pontevedra in the spring. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Pontevedra fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Pontevedra during spring. Santillana gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Pontevedra receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pontevedra receives a lot of rain in the spring. Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Santillana usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pontevedra. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Santillana 12°C (53°F) 
    Pontevedra 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Pontevedra and Santillana

Santillana Pontevedra
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 232 mm (9.1 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 230 mm (9.1 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 13°C (56°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
Jun 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 21°C (70°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 21°C (69°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 186 mm (7.3 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 228 mm (9 in)