Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Zaragoza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zaragoza or Santillana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Zaragoza or Santillana, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Zaragoza or Santillana?
Zaragoza
As the sun slips below the horizon, the night is greeted by the familiar glow of the exquisite cathedral Basilica del Pilar that stands above the city like a shimmering castle. This city is none other than Zaragoza, Spain, the capital city of the Zaragoza province in Aragon, Spain. Overlooking the Ebro River, Zaragoza has a population of 701,090, ranking the 32nd most populated municipality in the European Union. Zaragoza has attracted travelers from all across the world, causing the city to host the Expo in the summer of 2008 and also stand as a candidate for the European Capital of Culture in 2012. Besides its glimmering cathedral, Zaragoza is also known for its rich history in folklore, local gastronomy, as well as hosting the well-known Fiestas del Pilar, the most celebrated of festivals in Spain.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZaragoza €126Santillana €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Zaragoza is €126, while the average daily cost in Santillana is €105. 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 Zaragoza and Santillana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZaragoza €65Santillana €60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZaragoza €130Santillana €120
Compare Hotels in Zaragoza and Santillana
Looking for a hotel in Zaragoza or Santillana? 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: Zaragoza Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zaragoza €23Santillana €17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zaragoza
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zaragoza:
- Private transfers Airport-hotel Zaragoza.: $65
- Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ) to Zaragoza Downtown hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ) to Zaragoza Downtown hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $54
- Zaragoza Downtown hotels to Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Zaragoza Private Transfer from Zaragoza Airport to City centre: $65
- Zaragoza Private Transfer from the city centre to Zaragoza Airport: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Zaragoza or Santillana?
Prices for flights to both Santillana and Zaragoza 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 dayZaragoza €41Santillana €30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zaragoza
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zaragoza.
- Midday Market Tour and Spanish Cooking Class: $107
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.Zaragoza €35Santillana €23
Tours and Activities in Zaragoza
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zaragoza are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.19
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.26
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $4.26
- Zaragoza Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.51
- Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.75
- Zaragoza Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.94
- Zaragoza : Aquarium entry ticket: $19
- Zaragoza Aquarium Admission Ticket: $20
- Combo Amusement Park and Aquarium entry ticket: $33
- Kayaking in Fluvial EcoTourism with ebroNAUTAS: $43
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $48
- Zaragoza : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $48
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: $426
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZaragoza €14Santillana €4.29
Sample the Local Flavors in Zaragoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zaragoza:
- Wine Tasting and Tapas: $101
- Wine Tasting and Tapas in the ancient Town of Zaragoza: $103
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: $1,017
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zaragoza and Santillana, we can see that Zaragoza is more expensive. And not only is Santillana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santillana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santillana 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 Zaragoza would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zaragoza than you might in Santillana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zaragoza Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zaragoza or Santillana?
Zaragoza has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Zaragoza and Santillana, 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 Zaragoza or Santillana?
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 Zaragoza or Santillana in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zaragoza and Santillana. Many visitors come to Zaragoza in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Zaragoza is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Zaragoza average around 26°C (79°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santillana this time of the year. In Zaragoza, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zaragoza usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during summer. Zaragoza gets 344 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zaragoza usually receives less rain than Santillana. Zaragoza gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZaragoza 26°C (79°F)Santillana 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Zaragoza or Santillana in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zaragoza as well as Santillana. Most visitors come to Zaragoza for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Zaragoza is around the same temperature as Santillana in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zaragoza averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Santillana fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Zaragoza often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Zaragoza gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santillana. Zaragoza usually gets less rain in October than Santillana. Zaragoza gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZaragoza 17°C (63°F)Santillana 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Zaragoza or Santillana in the Winter?
Both Santillana and Zaragoza are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Zaragoza because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Zaragoza is cooler than Santillana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zaragoza in January average around 8°C (46°F), and Santillana averages at about 9°C (49°F).
Zaragoza usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during winter. Zaragoza gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. In January, Zaragoza usually receives less rain than Santillana. Zaragoza gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZaragoza 8°C (46°F)Santillana 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Zaragoza or Santillana in the Spring?
Both Santillana and Zaragoza during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year.
In April, Zaragoza is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Zaragoza average around 15°C (58°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
It's quite sunny in Zaragoza. In the spring, Zaragoza often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Zaragoza gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun.
Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zaragoza usually gets less rain in April than Santillana. Zaragoza gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZaragoza 15°C (58°F)Santillana 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santillana and Zaragoza
| Zaragoza | Santillana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (46°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (65°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 39 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (47°F) | 26 mm (1 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.