A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aix-en-Provence vs. Santiago de Compostela for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela, 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.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a laid-back, relaxing, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a inspirational, iconic, and historic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Aix-en-Provence and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Aix-en-Provence. While Aix-en-Provence is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and hiking, while Aix-en-Provence is known for its food, shopping, and impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is known for its classic old town, its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture, and its significance as the culmination point for the Camino de Santiago. It is also home to the Cathedral of Santiago. Aix-en-Provence is popular for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square.

How is Aix-en-Provence different from Santiago de Compostela?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santiago de Compostela and Aix-en-Provence. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Santiago de Compostela on the map. The iconic Cathedral of Santiago has long attracted pilgrims and travelers from around Europe and the world. The spectacular sight includes a museum and the crypt and tomb of Saint James. Another interesting sight in town is the former hostel for pilgrims, the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. Also make sure you visit Plaza del Obradoiro and the Galician Center of Contemporary Art.

Aix-en-Provence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Is the Food Better in Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is terrific for its restaurant scene. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Aix-en-Provence is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

Santiago de Compostela has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Galician food has plenty of fresh seafood, lots of local beef, and regional vegetables that are seasonal and locally grown. Make sure you try the polbo á feira (boiled octopus), pimientos de padrón (fried green peppers), and steamed mussels.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is well known for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. As a university city, much of the nightlife is created by the student population. You'll find a lot of bars around Rúa de Santiago de Chile and Rúa de San Pedro de Mezonzo as well as along Rúa do Franco.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Santiago de Compostela has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town reflects the city's importance in the Christian religion. There are Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings that draw Christian pilgrims from around the world.

Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its hiking experiences. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Santiago de Compostela draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. This small city is the culmination point for the famed Camino de Santiago. The 780 kilometer route is followed by pilgrims and travelers who seek enlightenment or adventure. Hikers travel both independently or as part of organized tours.

Aix-en-Provence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela?

Aix-en-Provence is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Aix-en-Provence make it a world-class shopping destination. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santiago de Compostela. There are local markets, souvenir shops, and boutiques where you can buy items to commemorate the completion of your hike or your visit to town.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Santiago de Compostela is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Santiago de Compostela. The city has a sightseeing train as well as parks and playgrounds that kids can enjoy. A visit to the Museum of the Galician People is also fascinating for the whole family. Visiting the colorful markets around town is fun as well.

For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

Aix-en-Provence is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Aix-en-Provence frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Santiago de Compostela is a good town for couples to visit. The cobblestone streets and beautiful gardens make this a nice place for a couple's getaway. There are viewpoints that look out over the town as well as interesting buildings and great architecture.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is well known for backpackers. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers hiking the Camino del Santiago will be rewarded with a beautiful city and many nice sights. There are plenty of hostels around town where backpackers can meet other travelers and swap stories.

Aix-en-Provence is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Aix-en-Provence is well known for students. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Aix-en-Provence is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

It's common for students to visit Santiago de Compostela. It's a small city with many students during the week, but on weekends it quiets down as many students leave town.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aix-en-Provence and Santiago de Compostela.

You'll find some public transit in Aix-en-Provence, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

While Santiago de Compostela offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Aix-en-Provence and Santiago de Compostela both are very good when exploring on foot.

Aix-en-Provence is a very walkable destination. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

Santiago de Compostela is very walkable. Many visitors reach the city on foot by doing the pilgrimage of the Camino del Santiago. The city itself and small and fairly walkable as well.

For even more information, also check out Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santiago de Compostela or Aix-en-Provence?

How long in Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Aix-en-Provence than Santiago de Compostela because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Aix-en-Provence, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santiago de Compostela.

Families should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Aix-en-Provence. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Santiago de Compostela, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Aix-en-Provence than Santiago de Compostela. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Aix-en-Provence that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Aix-en-Provence if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Santiago de Compostela.

One day in Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela?

The town of Aix-en-Provence offers museums and food. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The religious destination of Santiago de Compostela offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela?

The laid-back destination of Aix-en-Provence offers food and shopping. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The city of Santiago de Compostela offers food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aix-en-Provence. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela?

Aix-en-Provence is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Aix-en-Provence. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santiago de Compostela. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aix-en-Provence and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Aix-en-Provence is more expensive. And not only is Santiago de Compostela much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santiago de Compostela would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago de Compostela 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 Aix-en-Provence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aix-en-Provence than you might in Santiago de Compostela.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela?

Aix-en-Provence has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Aix-en-Provence and Santiago de Compostela, 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 Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela?

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 Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Aix-en-Provence are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Aix-en-Provence in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Aix-en-Provence is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Aix-en-Provence average around 24°C (75°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Santiago de Compostela. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aix-en-Provence. Aix-en-Provence usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during summer. Aix-en-Provence gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Aix-en-Provence usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Aix-en-Provence gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela in the Autumn?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Aix-en-Provence during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Aix-en-Provence is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aix-en-Provence averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Aix-en-Provence. In the autumn, Aix-en-Provence often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Aix-en-Provence gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Aix-en-Provence usually gets less rain in October than Santiago de Compostela. Aix-en-Provence gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Aix-en-Provence and Santiago de Compostela. The winter months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

In the winter, Aix-en-Provence is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aix-en-Provence in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Aix-en-Provence usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during winter. Aix-en-Provence gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.

Santiago de Compostela receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Aix-en-Provence usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Aix-en-Provence gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aix-en-Provence or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Aix-en-Provence as well as Santiago de Compostela. The natural beauty are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty.

In April, Aix-en-Provence is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Aix-en-Provence average around 13°C (56°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aix-en-Provence this time of the year. In the spring, Aix-en-Provence often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Aix-en-Provence gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun.

Aix-en-Provence usually gets less rain in April than Santiago de Compostela. Aix-en-Provence gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Aix-en-Provence