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

Should you visit Santillana or Zagreb?

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

Should I visit Santillana or Zagreb? 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 Zagreb?

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.

Zagreb

Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.


Which place is cheaper, Zagreb 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 Zagreb is €77. 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 Zagreb in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santillana 60
    Zagreb 48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santillana 120
    Zagreb 96
Compare Hotels in Santillana and Zagreb

Looking for a hotel in Santillana or Zagreb? 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 Zagreb


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 Zagreb Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santillana 17
    Zagreb 9.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:

  • Airport Zagreb Transfer and Shuttle : $98
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Zagreb Airport ZAG to Zagreb City by Business Car: $47
  • Departure Private Transfer from Zagreb City to Zagreb Airport ZAG by Minivan: $66
  • Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) to Zagreb-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
  • From Sarajevo: One-Way Transfer to Zagreb & Plitvice Lakes: $428
  • From Split: Transfer to Zagreb with Stop at Plitvice Lakes: $149
  • From Plitvice Lakes Round-Trip Comfort Bus Transfer: $16
  • From Transfer to Split & Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $159
  • Guided transfer from Zagreb to Split with Plitvice Lakes stop: $152
  • Luxury Private Transfer Zagreb - Zagreb Airport: $40
  • Luxury Private Transfer Zagreb Airport to Hotels and Vice Versa: $87
  • One-Way Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $43

Is it cheaper to fly into Santillana or Zagreb?

Prices for flights to both Zagreb 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
    Zagreb 16
Typical Food Prices in Santillana

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


  • Breakfast
    7.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.

  • Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $74
  • Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $75
  • Private Authentic Croatian Cooking Class in Central Zagreb: $114
  • Private Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $144
  • PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $196
  • Wine & Food tour of Plešivica near Zagreb: $952

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santillana 23
    Zagreb 12

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 Zagreb

Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Nikola Tesla Technical Museum Ticket: $4.28
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.35
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Skip-the-Ticket-Line Museum of Broken Relationships: $7.49
  • Zagreb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket: $9.62
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Zagreb's Old Town: Walking In-App Audio Tour(ENG): $11
  • Small-Group Walking Highlights Tour: $16
  • City Walking Tour w/ Funicular Ride and WW2 Tunnels: $19
  • City Walking Tour with Funicular Ride & WW2 Tunnels: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santillana 4.29
    Zagreb 8.90

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 Zagreb

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

  • Zagreb Pub Crawl: $16
  • Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $32
  • Zagreb Wine Tasting & Jarun Lake Tour: $75
  • Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $199
  • Fairytale castle & delicious wine tasting and lunch: $202
  • Private Wine Tasting Tour from Zagreb: $208


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santillana and Zagreb, we can see that Santillana is more expensive. And not only is Zagreb much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zagreb would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zagreb 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 Zagreb.

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


Which is Bigger, Santillana or Zagreb?

Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Santillana and Zagreb, 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 Zagreb?

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 Zagreb in the Summer?

Both Zagreb and Santillana are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Zagreb. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually receives less sunshine than Zagreb during summer. Santillana gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santillana usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Santillana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Santillana 19°C (66°F) 
    Zagreb 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Santillana or Zagreb in the Autumn?

Both Zagreb and Santillana during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

In the autumn, Santillana is a little warmer than Zagreb. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santillana in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Santillana often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb. Santillana gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. Santillana usually gets more rain in October than Zagreb. Santillana gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Santillana 16°C (60°F) 
    Zagreb 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Santillana or Zagreb in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santillana and Zagreb. Also, many travelers come to Zagreb for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Zagreb. In January, Santillana is generally much warmer than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Santillana average around 9°C (49°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

Santillana usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during winter. Santillana gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 54 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 Zagreb. Santillana gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Santillana 9°C (49°F) 
    Zagreb 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Santillana or Zagreb in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Santillana as well as Zagreb. Also, many visitors come to Zagreb in the spring for the activities around the city.

Santillana is around the same temperature as Zagreb in the spring. The daily temperature in Santillana averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Santillana often gets less sunshine than Zagreb. Santillana gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun.

Santillana receives a lot of rain in the spring. Santillana usually gets more rain in April than Zagreb. Santillana gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Santillana 12°C (53°F) 
    Zagreb 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Santillana

Santillana Zagreb
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 1°C (35°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 4°C (39°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 8°C (47°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 20°C (69°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)