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

Should you visit Arles or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Arles and Santiago de Compostela can help you decide which place is right for you.

Arles

Arles is a compact, quaint, 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 nightlife.

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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Arles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Santiago de Compostela is more popular for its nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Arles is known for its impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Arles 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. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Arles or Santiago de Compostela.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Arles on the map. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Travelers visit Santiago de Compostela from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

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

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

Dining out in Arles is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Santiago de Compostela. 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 Arles or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

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

Arles and Santiago de Compostela are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

With a famous historical old-town, Arles offers plenty to see. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

The rich history of Santiago de Compostela can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Is Arles or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Arles is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Santiago de Compostela specifically for its hiking. 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.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arles or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Arles or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Santiago de Compostela is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles 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, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Arles or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Arles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this 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 Arles or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known 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.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Arles or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is very good for students. However, Arles 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.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Arles 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 Arles and Santiago de Compostela.

You'll find some public transit in Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

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 Arles or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Arles and Santiago de Compostela both are great when exploring on foot.

Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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 Arles Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Arles or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Arles or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. In our opinion, Santiago de Compostela has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santiago de Compostela than Arles. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Arles. 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 Arles than Santiago de Compostela. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arles 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 Arles 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 Arles or Santiago de Compostela?

The town of Arles offers museums and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

In Santiago de Compostela, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this inspirational destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Arles or Santiago de Compostela?

The quaint destination of Arles offers nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. Visiting the old town is also a must. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santiago de Compostela. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Arles or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Santiago de Compostela. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Arles or Santiago de Compostela?

Arles is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Arles. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the inspirational destination of Santiago de Compostela. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to 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 Arles and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Arles 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 Arles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arles 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 Arles Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Arles or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Arles 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 Arles 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 Arles or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Arles are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Arles is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Arles 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 Arles. Arles usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during summer. Arles gets 354 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Arles usually receives more rain than Santiago de Compostela. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Arles during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Arles because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

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

In the autumn, Arles often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Arles gets 178 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Arles. Arles usually gets more rain in October than Santiago de Compostela. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Arles and Santiago de Compostela. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arles this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

Arles usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during winter. Arles gets 146 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, Arles usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Arles as well as Santiago de Compostela. Many travelers come to Arles for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Arles is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Arles 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 Arles this time of the year. In the spring, Arles often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Arles gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets less rain in April than Santiago de Compostela. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 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 Arles