A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santillana vs. Ravenna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santillana or Ravenna?

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

Should I visit Santillana or Ravenna? 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 Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a city in northeast Italy in the Emilia-Romagna region. People head to Ravenna because it has a wonderful, quaint, small town atmosphere. It is also home to the Mosaic Basilica. You can reach Ravenna if you are travel by train from either Bologna or Rimini. You can also fly into a small airport in Forli twenty kilometers away, which is served by Ryanair. Once you're in Ravenna you'll want to spend your time walking around the small town. The quaint streets are lined with interesting shops, cafes and restaurants. Prices tend to be a little higher if you're in the area immediately around the Basilica, but as you explore further you'll find the prices go down. Also be aware that most places observe a siesta and close between the hours of 12:30 and 4:00. If you're interested in shopping for clothes, Ravenna has some of Italy's top fashion available outside of the larger city's. You can see what's in style and purchase some of the high quality Italian cloths similar to what you might find in Milan or Rome.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santillana and Ravenna, we can see that Santillana is more expensive. And not only is Ravenna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ravenna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ravenna 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 Santillana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santillana than you might in Ravenna.

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

Which is Bigger, Santillana or Ravenna?

Ravenna has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Santillana and Ravenna, 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 Ravenna?

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 Ravenna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santillana as well as Ravenna. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Santillana is cooler than Ravenna in the summer. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Ravenna fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Santillana usually gets less rain in July than Ravenna. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santillana or Ravenna in the Autumn?

Both Ravenna and Santillana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year.

In the autumn, Santillana is around the same temperature as Ravenna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santillana in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Ravenna averages at about 14°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Santillana. In October, Santillana usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santillana or Ravenna in the Winter?

Both Ravenna and Santillana during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ravenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ravenna. In January, Santillana is generally much warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 9°C (49°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually gets more rain in January than Ravenna. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santillana or Ravenna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Ravenna. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ravenna in the spring for the small town charm.

Santillana is around the same temperature as Ravenna in the spring. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Ravenna fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Santillana usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Santillana