Which place is cheaper, Positano or Santillana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santillana or Positano?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santillana or Positano? 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 Positano?
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.
Positano
Located on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy, Positano is a very scenic town that offers spectacular coastal views. The town sits on the edge of a hill and flows down toward the sea. Because of its dramatic beauty, Positano attracts thousands of visitors year around.
The town dates back to medieval times when it was a port for the Amalfi Republic. It thrived throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries but by the mid-nineteenth century its prosperity was falling. During those times more than half of the population left, migrating predominantly to America. During the 1950s the town gained popularity as a tourist destination, in part because of John Steinbeck's essay about the area in Harper's Bazaar (May, 1953).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantillana €105Positano €222
The average daily cost (per person) in Santillana is €105, while the average daily cost in Positano is €222. 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 Positano in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantillana €60Positano €148
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantillana €120Positano €296
Compare Hotels in Santillana and Positano
Looking for a hotel in Santillana or Positano? 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 Positano Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santillana €17Positano €7.73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Positano
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Positano:
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Bus Ticket€1.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Positano
Also for Positano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Amalfi and Positano cruise with transfer included: $94
- Cozy Private Door-to-Door Transfer from Positano to Naples: $145
- From Sorrento & Pompeii Private Tour w/ Transfers: $642
- From Salerno Station: 1-Way Private Transfer to Positano: $266
- From the Coast: Pompeii the Real All Inclusive Service(Guide,Transfer,Ticket): $257
- Naples: Private Minivan Transfer to or from the Amalfi Coast: $123
- Positano or Ravello to Naples airport/station private departure transfer: $176
- Positano to Fiumicino Rome Airport (FCO) - Departure Private Transfer: $224
- Positano to Napoli Airport (NAP) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- One-Way Private Transfer to Naples: $133
- Private Transfer to Naples with WiFi: $214
- Private Transfer to Sorrento, Rome or Naples: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Santillana or Positano?
Prices for flights to both Positano 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 €30Positano €53
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
Typical Food Prices in Positano
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Positano:
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)€31
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Pizza in a Restaurant€9.32
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Sandwich in a Restaurant€12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Positano
For Positano, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Gastronomical Amalfi Coast Hike with Cooking Class: $45
- Cooking class with Pasta, mozzarella and Tiramisu with wine: $64
- Cooking lesson: tagliatelle, mozzarella and tiramisu: $76
- Amalfi Coast Cooking Class: Pasta Mozzarella & Tiramisu with Wine: $88
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Sant'Agnello with Show Cooking: $93
- Sorrento Pizza School Activity in Italy: $98
- Small Group Positano Cooking Class Gnocchi Tiramisù with Drinks : $147
- Lemon & sea food cooking class at local's home: $169
- Small Group Home Cooking Class with a Local: $191
- Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine: $191
- Cesarine: Small group Pizza and Tiramisu Class in Positano: $195
- Vico Equense: Market Tour, Home Cooking Class, and Dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santillana €23Positano €60
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Positano
For Positano, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Chair & Umbrella at Spiaggia Grande€17
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Day Trip of Capri & Amalfi€80
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Sunset Cruise€24
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Full Day Wine Tour€97
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Cooking Class€65
Tours and Activities in Positano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Positano.
- From Sorrento: Positano Mini Cruise: $36
- Positano Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $66
- Sunset Tour Experience - Shared: $75
- Amalfi Coast Sunset Group Boat Tour with Prosecco: $80
- Golden Hour around Positano Sunset Group Cruise : $82
- Unforgettable sunset tour in Positano: $87
- From Amalfi Coast Sunset Cruise - Group Tour: $97
- Sunset Group Boat Tour from Positano or Praiano: $104
- Full Day Amalfi Small Group Cruise from Positano : $104
- Old Town Walking Tour with Archaeologist Guide: $106
- Sunset Boat Cruise from Maiori: $106
- Sunset Boat Cruise from Amalfi: $106
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantillana €4.29Positano €15
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Positano
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Positano:
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Bottle of Limoncello€16
Sample the Local Flavors in Positano
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Positano:
- 5 Wine Tastings with Typical Products in Sorrento Coast: $76
- Small Group Positano Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $108
- Pompeii Wine Tasting Tour from Positano: $246
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santillana and Positano, we can see that Positano 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 Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano 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 Positano Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santillana or Positano?
Santillana has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Santillana and Positano, 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 Positano?
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 Positano in the Summer?
Both Positano and Santillana during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Positano because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Santillana is cooler than Positano. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santillana in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Positano averages at about 23°C (74°F).
In Positano, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Santillana. In the summer, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Positano. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 313 hours of full sun.
Santillana usually gets more rain in July than Positano. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Positano receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantillana 19°C (66°F)Positano 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Positano in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Positano. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Positano this time of year.
In October, Santillana is generally around the same temperature as Positano. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 16°C (60°F), and Positano fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Positano during autumn. Santillana gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Positano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Santillana usually receives around the same amount of rain as Positano. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Positano 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)Positano 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Positano in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Santillana as well as Positano. Additionally, many travelers come to Positano for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Santillana is a little warmer than Positano in the winter. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 9°C (49°F) in January, and Positano fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Positano. Santillana gets 91 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 115 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Positano. Santillana receives a lot of rain in the winter. Santillana usually gets more rain in January than Positano. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Positano 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)Positano 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Positano in the Spring?
Both Positano and Santillana are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Positano in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Santillana is around the same temperature as Positano. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santillana in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Positano averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Positano during spring. Santillana gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Santillana. In April, Santillana usually receives more rain than Positano. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Positano 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)Positano 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Positano and Santillana
| Santillana | Positano | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.