Which place is cheaper, Santander or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Malaga or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Malaga and Santander. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Malaga or Santander?
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
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 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona.
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Malaga Prices
Spain PricesSantander Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €165Santander €138
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €165, while the average daily cost in Santander is €138. 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 Malaga and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Malaga 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.
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: Malaga Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Airport Transfer: Malaga Airport AGP to Malaga by Business Car: $65
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Car: $80
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Van: $71
- Alegria Flamenco in Malaga, with Transfer, Cocktail and Premium Location: $88
- Arrival Transfer from Malaga airport AGP to Malaga City by Sedan: $55
- Benalmadena: AGP Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $51
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $59
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Van: $66
- Málaga-Costa Airport (AGP): Transfer to Malaga Cruise Port: $120
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $139
- Malaga : Private Transfer to/from Airport and City: $71
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Cancelada - Arrival Private Transfer: $286
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $39
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $39
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $48
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $67
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $290
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $290
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Malaga 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 dayMalaga €60Santander €70
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€30
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Dinner for 2€44
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Breakfast for 2€8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Authentic Flamenco Dinner Show at Restaurant VinoMio: $8.81
- Hard Rock Cafe Entrance with Lunch or Dinner: $38
- Málaga: Morning Guided Food Tour: $68
- Malaga Atarazanas Market Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $71
- Dinner and Show at Alegría Flamenco & Restaurant in Malaga: $72
- Paella Cooking Class with English Guide in Malaga: $73
- The Málaga Morning Food Tour By Food Lover Tour: $77
- Málaga: Spanish Cooking Workshop with Paella and Sangria: $78
- Malaga Food Tour with Tapas & Drinks with a Local: $84
- Pedregalejo Food Tour: Explore Malaga's most iconic quarter: $87
- Authentic Paella Cooking Class with Sangría: $88
- Málaga: Tapas, Wine & Rooftops Small Group Food Tour: $94
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Santander €18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
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Entrance to Castillos€7.10
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Concert€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Alcazaba to Picasso: Málaga’s Best in a Self-Guided Tour: $1.17
- Malaga's historic center: Self-guided tour created by a local Official Guide: $4.70
- Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.79
- Malaga Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.15
- Malaga Highlights Exploration Game and Tour: $5.98
- Guided Walking Tour of the Old Town of Frigiliana: $5.99
- Malaga Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Málaga Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.57
- Malaga City Center's Architecture: A Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Málaga: Picasso Birthplace Museum Ticket & City Audio Guide: $11
- Picasso Birthplace Museum Ticket with Digital Audio Guide: $11
- Audioguide City Walk Malaga for cruises (German & English): $12
Tours and Activities in Santander
Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Santander Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $5.77
- Guided tour of Santander Cathedral: $14
- The El Centro Botin Skip the Line Entry Ticket: $15
- 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $17
- Guided tour in English of the center of Santander: $20
- El Sardinero Stadium Guided Tour: $21
- Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $30
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Train: $31
- City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
- Guided kayak tour of Santander Bay with a tour guide.: $41
- Guided Tour by Electric Bike: $65
- Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum with tickets- small groups: $72
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Santander €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Málaga: Pub Crawl Málaga Madness: $14
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $19
- Andalusian Wine Tasting Tapas and DE wine tastings: $47
- RONDA WINE EXPERIENCE Wine Tastings DE Olive Oil and Tapas: $59
- C/Echegaray 5 Málaga center: Malagueño Massage: Massage + Wine Tasting: $65
- Artisan Spanish Wine Tasting of 6 Wines: $66
- Ronda Wine Tasting with Tapas in a Scenic Vineyard: $66
- Málaga: Traditional Andalusian Tapas and Wine Tour: $77
- White Village, Vineyard, and Wine Tasting Wine Tour: $106
- Málaga Small‑Group Wine Tour – Álora Castle Views & 4 Tastings: $108
- Flamenco, Tapas, and Wine Tour: $110
- OLIVE OIL & WINE TOUR Organic fields - 5 Wines + 3Olive Oils: $112
Sample the Local Flavors in Santander
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santander:
- Wine Tourism and Cheese in Cantabria: $209
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Santander, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Santander much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santander would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santander 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga than you might in Santander.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Santander?
Malaga has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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 Malaga or Santander?
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 Malaga or Santander in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Santander. Many travelers come to Malaga for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Malaga is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Santander averages at about 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santander this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Santander during summer. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Malaga usually receives less rain than Santander. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Santander in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Santander. Many visitors come to Malaga in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the autumn, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Santander. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Malaga usually gets less rain in October than Santander. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Santander in the Winter?
Both Santander and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
Malaga is a little warmer than Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Santander during winter. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In January, Malaga usually receives less rain than Santander. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Santander in the Spring?
Both Santander and Malaga during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Malaga because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Malaga is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).
It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the spring, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Santander. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun.
Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Malaga usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Malaga
| Malaga | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 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.