A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Setubal vs. Santander for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Setubal or Santander?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Setubal and Santander can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Setubal or Santander?

Setubal

Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.

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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Setubal?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Setubal is €123, 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 Setubal and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Setubal 59
    Santander 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Setubal 118
    Santander 102
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Setubal 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.

Hotels in Setubal


Hotels in Santander


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: Setubal Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Setubal 54
    Santander 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal

Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $22
  • Paragliding experience near Lisbon with transfers from Lisbon: $148
  • Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $197

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
  • Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $252
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $44
  • Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander and Setubal 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
    Setubal 35
    Santander 41

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Setubal 12
    Santander 18

Tours and Activities in Setubal

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.

  • Evora Highlights Walking Tour Audio and GPS Guided: $7.59
  • Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Museu Nacional Frei Manuel do Cenáculo: E-ticket with Audio: $17
  • Boat Tour - Arrábida Coves: $38
  • Kayak tour from Sesimbra to Ribeira do Cavalo Beach, passing through the caves: $38
  • Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra: $38
  • Setúbal: Dolphin-Watching Boat Tour: $40
  • Arrábida: Rock Climbing Experience: $43
  • Évora Private Walking Tour, By Local Guide: $44
  • Small Group Kayak Tour along Sesimbra - Arrábida Natural Park: $44
  • Tour to the caves of Sesimbra: $44
  • 4x4 Tour to the Wonders of Cabo Espichel : $49

Tours and Activities in Santander

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

  • City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
  • From Cantabria Private Tour: $492
  • From Gastronomic Tour: $128
  • From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
  • From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
  • Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $55
  • Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
  • Gastronomy tour: $120
  • Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
  • Picos de Europa and Potes Guided Tour from Santander : $84
  • Private Puente Viesgo Caves Full-Day Tour from Santander: $213
  • 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Setubal 10
    Santander 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:

  • Jeep Tour through Arrábida Azeitão and Wine Tasting: $56
  • Monsaraz and Wine Tasting Tour from Évora: $71
  • Alentejo Wine Tour from Évora: $76
  • Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $106
  • Wine Tour, discovering the famous Setúbal Moscatel: $137
  • Private Full Day Evora & Alentejo Wine Tour from Lisbon : $152
  • Private Wine Tour from Lisbon to Arrábida: Wine & Cheese Tasting: $170


When comparing the travel costs between Setubal and Santander, we can see that Setubal 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 Setubal Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Setubal or Santander?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Setubal 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 Setubal or Santander?

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 Setubal or Santander in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Santander.

In July, Setubal is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 23°C (73°F), and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santander. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Setubal this time of the year. In the summer, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Santander. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.

Setubal usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Setubal 23°C (73°F) 
    Santander 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Santander in the Autumn?

Both Santander and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

Setubal is a little warmer than Santander in the autumn. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In October, Setubal usually receives less rain than Santander. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Setubal 19°C (66°F) 
    Santander 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Santander in the Winter?

Both Santander and Setubal during the winter are popular places to visit.

In the winter, Setubal is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the winter temperatures in Setubal in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Santander averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Santander. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 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 Setubal. Setubal usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Setubal 12°C (53°F) 
    Santander 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Santander in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Santander.

In April, Setubal is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 16°C (60°F), and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Setubal usually receives less rain than Santander. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Setubal 16°C (60°F) 
    Santander 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santander and Setubal

Setubal Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)