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

Should you visit Valletta or Santander?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Valletta and Santander can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Valletta or Santander?

Valletta

A harbor city and the capital city of the island of Malta, Valletta dates back to the 16th-century with a preserved architectural heritage that earned the city a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is best known for its museums, palaces, and churches.

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 Historical Tours in Malta, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Valletta?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Valletta is €116, 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 Valletta and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Valletta 65
    Santander 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Valletta 130
    Santander 102
Compare Hotels in Valletta and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Valletta 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 Valletta


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: Valletta Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valletta

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

  • Malta Airport Private Transfers: $66
  • Afternoon Harbours Cruise with Guide and Roundtrip Transfers: $39
  • Airport Transfers (Private Group up to 15 people): $103
  • Airport transfers to all locations in Malta (Private Groups or Families): $81
  • Arrival Transfer: Malta Airport MLA to Malta Island by Van: $49
  • Departure Transfer: Malta Island to Malta Airport MLA by Van: $47
  • From Malta: Gozo Jeep Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $87
  • From Private Malta Highlights Tour with Transfer: $150
  • Malta Airport (MLA) Departure Transfer (Saint Julian's Hotels to Malta Airport): $49
  • Malta Airport Transfers: $11
  • Malta Airport Transfers : $38
  • Malta Intl Airport (MLA) to Valletta Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Valletta or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander and Valletta 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
    Valletta 32
    Santander 41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valletta

For Valletta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Valletta Food Tour - Eat like a local: $46
  • Valletta Food Tour: $49
  • Folklore Evening Dinner Show at a Traditional Maltese Restaurant Incl. Transfers: $67
  • Maltese Traditional Dinner and Folklore Show with Transfers: $71
  • Fireworks Festival Cruise Including Dinner, Drinks and Transport: $76
  • The Ultimate Valletta Evening Food Tour: $80
  • Fernandes Sunset Cruise including Dinner with Open Bar: $80
  • Christmas Tour in Gozo (afternoon) inc. Dinner: $86
  • Blue Lagoon & Sunset Quad Tour in Gozo/Dinner: $91
  • From Blue Lagoon and Gozo Tour w/Quads and Dinner: $118
  • The Valletta Food Tour Experience, a private tour: $150
  • Private Valletta Food Tour: $175

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Valletta 27
    Santander 18

Tours and Activities in Valletta

For Valletta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Escape Game and Tour: $6.42
  • 30-Minute Mdina Experience Audio-Visual Show Ticket (Open Ticket): $6.55
  • Reliving The Sacra Infermeria Augmented Reality Tour: $6.55
  • The Knights of Malta Museum Entry Ticket: $7.10
  • Valletta Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $7.10
  • City Nobles App Tour + Malta5D Entry (optional): $7.49
  • Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour (Audio Guide): $7.49
  • City Nobles App Tour + Optional Malta 5D Show Ticket: $7.64
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $8.02
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour, Map and Directions: $8.56
  • Entry Ticket for The Limestone Heritage Park and Gardens : $9.83

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
    Valletta 16
    Santander 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Valletta

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Valletta:

  • Valletta Pub Crawl: $22
  • Malta Pub Crawl: $22
  • The Brewery Experience & beer tasting including transport: $35
  • The Brewery Experience Self-Guided Tour with Tasting & Transport: $35
  • Malta: The Three Cities and Wine Tasting Tour: $44


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


Which is Bigger, Valletta or Santander?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta 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 Valletta or Santander?

Santander has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Valletta experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Valletta or Santander in the Summer?

Both Santander and Valletta during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Valletta is a little warmer than Santander in the summer. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the summer, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Santander. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.

Valletta usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Valletta 26°C (79°F) 
    Santander 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Valletta or Santander in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Santander. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.

In the autumn, Valletta is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valletta in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Santander averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Valletta usually receives less rain than Santander. Valletta 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
    Valletta 21°C (70°F) 
    Santander 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Valletta or Santander in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Santander. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Valletta is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 13°C (55°F), and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Santander. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santander. Valletta usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Valletta 13°C (55°F) 
    Santander 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Valletta or Santander in the Spring?

Both Santander and Valletta are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.

Valletta is a little warmer than Santander in the spring. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In April, Valletta usually receives less rain than Santander. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Valletta 16°C (61°F) 
    Santander 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santander and Valletta

Valletta Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)