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

Should you visit Chefchaouen or Santillana?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Chefchaouen and Santillana 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: Chefchaouen or Santillana?

Chefchaouen

To feel like you've really stepped back in time to the glory days of Morocco, you're going to want to spend time in Chefchaouen. This town's beautiful medina is filled with white washed buildings with blue highlights. The wandering alleyways provide a fairy tale setting where you can relax for a few days. This mountainous region is a humble example of the classic picture of this area. Set against the backdrop of the Rif Mountains, the white and powder blue accented buildings and call to calls to prayer throughout the day let every visitor know they've arrived in a relaxing spot of peace and serenity.

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 Budget Tours to Morocco, The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Chefchaouen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Chefchaouen Prices
    Morocco Prices
    Santillana Prices
    Spain Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Chefchaouen $78
    Santillana $149

The average daily cost (per person) in Chefchaouen is $78, while the average daily cost in Santillana is $149. 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 Chefchaouen and Santillana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chefchaouen $27
    Santillana $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chefchaouen $54
    Santillana $140
Compare Hotels in Chefchaouen and Santillana

Looking for a hotel in Chefchaouen 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.

Hotels in Chefchaouen


Hotels in Santillana


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: Chefchaouen Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chefchaouen $17
    Santillana $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chefchaouen

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chefchaouen:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.11

Is it cheaper to fly into Chefchaouen or Santillana?

Prices for flights to both Santillana and Chefchaouen 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
    Chefchaouen $34
    Santillana $62
Typical Food Prices in Chefchaouen

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chefchaouen:


  • Lunch for Two
    $9.96
  • Dinner for Two
    $11
  • Cupcake
    $0.33
  • Nutella and Yogurt
    $2.21

Typical Food Prices in Santillana

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


  • Breakfast
    $8.21

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chefchaouen $18
    Santillana $27

Tours and Activities in Santillana

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

  • Private Guided Walking Tour of Santillana del Mar: $215
  • Private Walking Tour of Altamira and Neocave Museum: $239

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chefchaouen $15
    Santillana $5.03


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chefchaouen and Santillana, we can see that Santillana is more expensive. And not only is Chefchaouen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chefchaouen is in Africa and Santillana is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Chefchaouen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chefchaouen 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 Chefchaouen.

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


Which is Bigger, Chefchaouen or Santillana?

Chefchaouen has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Chefchaouen 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 Chefchaouen or Santillana?

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

Should I visit Chefchaouen or Santillana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chefchaouen as well as Santillana. Chefchaouen attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Chefchaouen is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Chefchaouen average around 24°C (74°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santillana. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chefchaouen this time of the year. In the summer, Chefchaouen often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Chefchaouen gets 346 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

Chefchaouen usually gets less rain in July than Santillana. Chefchaouen gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Chefchaouen 24°C (74°F) 
    Santillana 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Chefchaouen or Santillana in the Autumn?

Both Santillana and Chefchaouen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chefchaouen throughout the year.

Chefchaouen is a little warmer than Santillana in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chefchaouen averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Santillana fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during autumn. Chefchaouen gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. In October, Chefchaouen usually receives less rain than Santillana. Chefchaouen gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Chefchaouen 20°C (68°F) 
    Santillana 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Chefchaouen or Santillana in the Winter?

Both Santillana and Chefchaouen during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chefchaouen because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Chefchaouen is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chefchaouen in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Santillana averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Chefchaouen often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Chefchaouen gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun.

Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Chefchaouen gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Chefchaouen 13°C (55°F) 
    Santillana 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Chefchaouen or Santillana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chefchaouen and Santillana. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chefchaouen year-round.

In April, Chefchaouen is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Chefchaouen average around 15°C (60°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Chefchaouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chefchaouen usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Chefchaouen gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Santillana receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Chefchaouen usually receives less rain than Santillana. Chefchaouen gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Chefchaouen 15°C (60°F) 
    Santillana 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santillana and Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen Santillana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 127 mm (5 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 13°C (56°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 14°C (57°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 24°C (74°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 13°C (56°F) 144 mm (5.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)