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

Should you visit Auxerre 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 Auxerre and Santiago de Compostela can help you decide which place is right for you.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a under-rated, undiscovered, and authentic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a iconic, historic, and religious city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Auxerre and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela. Although Auxerre and Santiago de Compostela are both popular with visitors, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santiago de Compostela is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Auxerre is known for its small town charm. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Auxerre and is popular 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. Auxerre is popular for its food, wine, and art history.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Santiago de Compostela has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Auxerre is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

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

Santiago de Compostela is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

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

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Santiago de Compostela offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for hiking. However, Auxerre 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.

Auxerre is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela.

Auxerre offers lots of family activities. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Santiago de Compostela is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

Both Auxerre and Santiago de Compostela are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Auxerre is a good town for couples to visit. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Santiago de Compostela is a nice destination for couples. 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 Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Auxerre is not popular with 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.

Auxerre is not popular with students.

Is Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Auxerre and Santiago de Compostela both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Auxerre offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town.

Santiago de Compostela has a few public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.

Is Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Santiago de Compostela is a very walkable destination. 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.

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

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

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

How long in Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Auxerre 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 Auxerre. 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 Auxerre. 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 Santiago de Compostela than Auxerre. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santiago de Compostela that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

The town of Auxerre offers museums and food. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

In Santiago de Compostela, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela?

The authentic destination of Auxerre offers food and museums. 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.

In Santiago de Compostela, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santiago de Compostela has to offer.

Five days in Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auxerre. 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. 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. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santiago de Compostela. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santiago de Compostela. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week 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 Auxerre and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Auxerre 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 Auxerre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auxerre 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 Auxerre Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Auxerre 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 Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Auxerre or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Auxerre as well as Santiago de Compostela. Most visitors come to Auxerre for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Auxerre is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Auxerre average around 19°C (66°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Auxerre this time of the year. In the summer, Auxerre often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela. Auxerre gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Auxerre usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Auxerre gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Auxerre are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the small town atmosphere. 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.

Auxerre is cooler than Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Auxerre averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Auxerre usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Auxerre gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. In October, Auxerre usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Auxerre gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Auxerre during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Auxerre this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Auxerre in the winter. In the winter, Auxerre is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Auxerre in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Auxerre often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Auxerre gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Auxerre usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Auxerre gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Auxerre and Santiago de Compostela. Many travelers come to Auxerre for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Auxerre is generally cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Auxerre average around 10°C (50°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Auxerre usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during spring. Auxerre gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Auxerre usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Auxerre gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Auxerre