Which place is cheaper, Santander or Santillana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santillana or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santillana or Santander? 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 Santander?
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.
Santander
Santander is the capital of the Cantabria Region which runs along the northern coast of Spain. Located right on the bay, it is a place of many historic churches and a handful of interesting museums that range from archaeological discoveries of the region, to maritime history, and cultural features like bullfighting. There is also a large selection of beaches for those looking for a more relaxing getaway in the sun and sand.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantillana €105Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Santillana is €105, while the average daily cost in Santander is €108. 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 Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantillana €60Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantillana €120Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Santillana and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Santillana or Santander? 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 Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santillana €17Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Santillana or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander 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 €30Santander €41
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 €23Santander €18
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 Santander
Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
- City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
- Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
- From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
- Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
- Guided Tour by Electric Bike: $53
- Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $54
- From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
- Santoña: Anchovy Factory Tour and Boat Trip: $70
- Tour to the Towns of the Western Coast of Cantabria: $78
- Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantillana €4.29Santander €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 comparing the travel costs between Santillana and Santander, we can see that Santander 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 Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santillana or Santander?
Santander has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Santillana and Santander, 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 Santander?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Santillana or Santander in the Summer?
Both Santander and Santillana are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Santillana is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santillana in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Santander averages at about 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Santander. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santander during summer. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Santillana usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santander. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantillana 19°C (66°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Santander in the Autumn?
Both Santander and Santillana during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Santillana is generally around the same temperature as Santander. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 16°C (60°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Santillana often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santander. Santillana gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun.
Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Santander. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantillana 16°C (60°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Santander in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Santander.
Santillana is around the same temperature as Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 9°C (49°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Santillana usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santander during winter. Santillana gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the winter. Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Santillana usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santander. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantillana 9°C (49°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Santander in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santillana as well as Santander.
In the spring, Santillana is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santillana in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the spring, Santillana often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santander. Santillana gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Santillana receives a lot of rain in the spring. Santillana usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Santander. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantillana 12°C (53°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Santillana
| Santillana | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 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.