Which place is cheaper, Volterra or Santillana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santillana or Volterra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santillana or Volterra? 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 Volterra?
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.
Volterra
Located in Tuscany, Volterra has an interesting history and impressive sights for travelers who want to see more of the Tuscan region than the popular city of Florence. The town was originally a Neolithic settlement and is believed to have been continuously inhabited since the end of the 8th century BC. It was a bishop's residence during the 5th century and then an episcopal power during the 12th century. It was later conquered by the Florentines but opposition to their rule led to much rebellion.
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 €105Volterra €101
The average daily cost (per person) in Santillana is €105, while the average daily cost in Volterra is €101. 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 Volterra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantillana €60Volterra €61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantillana €120Volterra €122
Compare Hotels in Santillana and Volterra
Looking for a hotel in Santillana or Volterra? 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 Volterra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santillana €17Volterra €4.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Volterra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Volterra:
- Private Transfer from San Gimignano to Firenze (FLR) Airport: $248
Is it cheaper to fly into Santillana or Volterra?
Prices for flights to both Volterra 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 €30Volterra €36
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 Volterra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Volterra.
- Buffet dinner at the farm: $49
- Dining experience at a local's home in San Gimignano with show cooking: $93
- Volterra - Olive oil tasting with lunch with lunch or dinner: $112
- Pizza Cooking Class: $112
- Fresh Pasta Cooking Class: $112
- "Hands in dough" Cooking Class with Lunch: $120
- Tuscan Cooking Class: $126
- Tuscany: Wine Tasting Lunch or Dinner: $128
- Winery Cave Dinner & Tasting in Tuscany - Romantic & Lovely : $137
- Fiorentina Steak Dinner & Wine Tasting: $164
- Cooking class, wine tasting and 2500 year old granaries: $175
- Cooking Classes in Tuscany among the Chianti Vineyards: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santillana €23Volterra €11
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 Volterra
Here are a few actual costs in Volterra for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cesani Wine Experience: $33
- Private Balsamic Vinegar Experience with Wine, Evo Oil & Meal: $69
- Cocktail Mixing Experience with Snacks: $75
- Chianti and Castle Small Group Tour from San Gimignano: $93
- San Gimignano, Volterra, St Galgano Abbey small group tour: $149
- Private Tour in San Gimignano: $150
- Volterra tour + Salt Mine visit by shuttle from Lucca&Pisa: $159
- Piazza dei Priori & Cathedral Private Walking Tour: $160
- Truffle Lunch & Hunting Experience in San Gimignano: $180
- Volterra - Archeotour by e-bike with tasting: $187
- Tuscany: Volterra Truffle Hunting Experience: $203
- Private Tour: San Gimignano Walking Tour: $207
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantillana €4.29Volterra €16
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 Volterra
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Volterra:
- San Gimignano: Chianti wine tasting : $33
- Casa Emma Wine Tasting : $34
- Gourmet Wine Tour San Gimignano Wine Tasting - San Quirico Winery: $36
- 5 Wine Tastings in San Gimignano: $60
- Lunch with Wine Tasting: $60
- "Gourmet" Wine Tasting at Cesani's: $66
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $71
- Vineyard Walk & Wine Tasting in Tuscany: $115
- Brunello Wine Tasting from San Gimignano: $130
- Exclusive evening wine tasting at organic winery : $218
- Chianti e-bike tour from Florence with wine tasting: $284
- Private Excursion: Volterra & San Gimignano+wine tastings: $289
When comparing the travel costs between Santillana and Volterra, we can see that Santillana 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 Volterra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santillana or Volterra?
Volterra has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Santillana and Volterra, 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 Volterra?
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 Volterra in the Summer?
Both Volterra and Santillana are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Volterra this time of year.
In July, Santillana is generally cooler than Volterra. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 19°C (66°F), and Volterra fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
It's quite sunny in Volterra. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Volterra during summer. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Volterra receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Santillana usually receives more rain than Volterra. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantillana 19°C (66°F)Volterra 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Volterra in the Autumn?
Both Volterra and Santillana during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Volterra for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Santillana is around the same temperature as Volterra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Volterra fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Volterra. Santillana gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Volterra receives 177 hours of full sun.
Volterra 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 October than Volterra. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantillana 16°C (60°F)Volterra 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Volterra in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Volterra. Furthermore, many visitors come to Volterra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Santillana is a little warmer than Volterra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santillana in January average around 9°C (49°F), and Volterra averages at about 7°C (45°F).
Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Volterra during winter. Santillana gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Volterra receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Santillana usually receives more rain than Volterra. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantillana 9°C (49°F)Volterra 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Santillana or Volterra in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santillana as well as Volterra. Additionally, most visitors come to Volterra for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Santillana is generally around the same temperature as Volterra. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 12°C (53°F), and Volterra fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Volterra. Santillana gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Volterra receives 192 hours of full sun.
Santillana receives a lot of rain in the spring. Santillana usually gets more rain in April than Volterra. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantillana 12°C (53°F)Volterra 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Volterra and Santillana
| Santillana | Volterra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 85 mm (3.3 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.