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

Should you visit Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate 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: Ouarzazate or Santillana?

Ouarzazate

Morocco can be quite an energetic country, but if you're looking for more of a quiet getaway, consider Ouarzazate. Small by Moroccan standards, this town is built up mostly around a main street – the Avenue Mohammad V. Ouarzazate. The name "Ouarzazate" comes from the Berber language meaning "without noise" or "without confusion." It was once a crossroad for a African traders traveling to northern cities in Morocco and Europe. Today, Ouarzazate is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, and its central location serves as a good home base touring the rest of Morocco.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Ouarzazate?

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

  • Ouarzazate Prices
    Morocco Prices
    Santillana Prices
    Spain Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Ouarzazate $60
    Santillana $149

The average daily cost (per person) in Ouarzazate is $60, 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 Ouarzazate and Santillana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ouarzazate $24
    Santillana $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ouarzazate $48
    Santillana $140
Compare Hotels in Ouarzazate and Santillana

Looking for a hotel in Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate


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: Ouarzazate Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ouarzazate $3.76
    Santillana $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ouarzazate are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115
  • Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
  • Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Ouarzazate or Santillana?

Prices for flights to both Santillana and Ouarzazate 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
    Ouarzazate $31
    Santillana $62
Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ouarzazate.

  • Private Berber Cooking Class at Fint Oasis with Lunch: $48

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.
    Ouarzazate $12
    Santillana $27

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

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

  • Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $24
  • 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
  • Ouzoud Waterfall Day Tour from Marrakech: $32
  • Private half-day mountain bike tour discover Palmeraie Skoura: $33
  • Royal Private Tour of Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: $42
  • Guided tour of the Palmerie de Skoura by electric mountain bike : $54
  • Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $54
  • Marrakech Palm Grove 2-Hour Quad Biking Adventure.: $54
  • Marrakech Half-Day Guided City Tour : $72
  • Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $119
  • 3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: $119
  • Private Full-Day Tour of Ouarzazate and Oasis Fint: $173

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
    Ouarzazate -
    Santillana $5.03


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ouarzazate and Santillana, we can see that Santillana is more expensive. And not only is Ouarzazate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate.

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


Which is Bigger, Ouarzazate or Santillana?

Ouarzazate has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Ouarzazate 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.

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