A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arachova vs. Santiago de Compostela for Attractions, Old Town, Hiking, and Food

Should you visit Arachova 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 Arachova 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.

Arachova

Arachova is a outdoorsy, bustling, and beautiful town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and skiing.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a inspirational, iconic, and historic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Arachova and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arachova or Santiago de Compostela?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela. Although Arachova and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations, Santiago de Compostela has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its museums, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Arachova attracts visitors for its skiing and small town charm. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Arachova 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 well known for the Cathedral of Santiago. Arachova is famous for its surrounding mountain beauty, festive Christmas atmosphere, and nearby winter skiing.

How is Arachova 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 Arachova. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Arachova or Santiago de Compostela Better for Skiing?

Arachova is a popular place for winter skiing. However, Santiago de Compostela is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Arachova is a great destination to visit. The Parnassos Ski Resort is located just 24 kilometers from town and offers skiing that is beautiful and fun. There are spectacular views and the area has gained popularity in recent years. There are lessons for kids and many other fun winter activities nearby.

Santiago de Compostela is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arachova or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Santiago de Compostela that are not to be missed. 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.

Arachova offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting sights in the surrounding area, as well as the unique Ai Giorgis Church near town.

Is the Food Better in Arachova or Santiago de Compostela? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Arachova and Santiago de Compostela can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arachova makes for a great culinary experience. The town is filled with old tavernas that serve up traditional local cuisine. You'll find a lot of the local cheese, formaela, as well as a local noodle dish called hilopites. Pork ribs and delicate desserts are also popular.

Santiago de Compostela has a huge number of terrific 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 Arachova or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Arachova and Santiago de Compostela.

Arachova is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are many charming bars around town that stay open late into the night. During the popular winter months, you'll find the streets filled with people that come for the unique winter atmosphere.

Many people head to Santiago de Compostela for the nightlife scene. 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.

Is Arachova or Santiago de Compostela Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Santiago de Compostela offers plenty to see. 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.

Arachova is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The charming old town is at its best during the Christmas season when there are decorations around the town square and the streets are filled with people.

Is Arachova or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

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.

Many visitors go to Arachova for the hiking trails. For the best outdoor activities, head to nearby Mount Parnassos, where there's skiing and snowboarding during the winter months and beautiful hikes through the mountainous terrain during the summer months.

Is the Shopping Better in Arachova or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is well known for shopping. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Santiago de Compostela is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Arachova. The charming town has many unique shops that sell carpets, woven goods, and local food items.

Is Arachova or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Arachova is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Arachova is a very kid-friendly town. The charming town has long served as a winter escape for those living in Athens. There's plenty for kids to do including and ice skating rink, a horse ranch, and even nearby skiing.

Santiago de Compostela offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Arachova or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Arachova frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a romantic setting with nice accommodation, delicious local taverns, and plenty of unique activities that couples can enjoy.

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 Arachova or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is well known for backpackers. However, Arachova is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Santiago de Compostela. 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.

Arachova is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers don't think to visit this area on their trip to Greece. There are some guesthouses, but not a lot of hostels, so you might find a limited number of social activities.

Is Arachova or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a nice place to visit for students. However, Arachova is not popular with students.

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

Arachova is not popular with students.

Is Arachova 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 Arachova and Santiago de Compostela.

You'll find some public transit in Arachova, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are some public buses in the area.

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 Arachova or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela is well known for its walkability. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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.

Arachova is a somewhat walkable place. The town has many walkable streets that are fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Arachova Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santiago de Compostela or Arachova?

How long in Arachova or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Arachova or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Arachova than Santiago de Compostela because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Arachova, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santiago de Compostela.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Arachova 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 Arachova or Santiago de Compostela?

The town of Arachova offers shopping and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Santiago de Compostela offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Arachova or Santiago de Compostela?

The beautiful destination of Arachova offers museums and skiing. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santiago de Compostela, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Arachova or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arachova. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Arachova or Santiago de Compostela?

Arachova is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Arachova. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arachova and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Arachova 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 Arachova would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arachova 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 Arachova Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Arachova or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Arachova. When comparing the sizes of Arachova 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 Arachova 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 Arachova or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Arachova is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the summer temperatures in Arachova in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Santiago de Compostela. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arachova. Arachova usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during summer. Arachova gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Arachova usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Arachova gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Arachova or Santiago de Compostela in the Autumn?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Arachova during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Arachova for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere 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.

In October, Arachova is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Arachova average around 19°C (67°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Arachova. In the autumn, Arachova often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Arachova gets 206 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. Arachova usually gets less rain in October than Santiago de Compostela. Arachova gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arachova or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Arachova and Santiago de Compostela. The winter months attract visitors to Arachova because of the skiing, 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.

Arachova is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela in the winter. The daily temperature in Arachova averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Arachova usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during winter. Arachova gets 143 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, Arachova usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Arachova gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Arachova or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Arachova as well as Santiago de Compostela. The small town charm are the main draw to Arachova this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Arachova is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the spring temperatures in Arachova in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arachova this time of the year. In the spring, Arachova often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Arachova gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun.

Arachova usually gets less rain in April than Santiago de Compostela. Arachova gets 25 mm (1 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 Arachova